How is UO for senior citizens?

[DisOrBust]

I am considering UO vs Disney this year and we travel with a 85yo GM. She does everything but the "mountains" at WDW. Is there enough of all of us to do at UO or will she be sitting around waiting for us to finish rides?

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Do you mean at MK specifically? Why no mountains but she could do Everest and Rockin Rollercoaster?

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Things at UO -

A Day in the park with Barney - I've never seen this but I'm not sure an 85 yo would enjoy it. It's a kids show with Barney
Animal Actors on Location - If you like animals then you may like this. Iirc it's animals doing tricks
Caro-Seuss-El - Merry go round
Despicable Me - A simulator type ride in big room
Doctor Doom's Fear Fall - A bad imitation of Tower of Terror
Dragon Challenge - Big inverted coaster
Dudley Do Right - Good ride but similar to Splash Mountain and I can't imagine an 85yo getting in those seats that are on the ground level
ET Adventure - Fun tame dark ride, I think similar to Peter Pan
Fear Factor Live - Nobody should like this....Tbh idk never seen it but if it's anything like the show you can judge for yourself
Flight of the Hippogriph - Small kiddie like coaster
Escape from Gringotts - Haven't ridden yet but what I hear it's half mild coaster and half dark ride
Forbidden Journey - Motion based dark ride
Hollywood RRR - Fairly tame coaster imo with some music playing. I'd say if you can do Everest you might like this.
Jurassic Park - Again similar to Splash Mountain...Move through and then there is a drop at the end.(Water ride)
Kang and Kodos - Dumbo ride
Men in Black - Dark ride similar to Toy Story and Buzz where you shoot aliens along a track. Some spinning at the end
One Fish Two Fish - Dumbo like where you get spayed with water
Popeye - Similar to Kali River Rapids but much better imo. You will get soaked(Probably)
Poseidon's Fury - Walk through show/special effects show.
Pteranodon Flyers - Sky high ride that sorta glides you through JP area. You need a kid to ride with you
The Mummy - Half dark ride half coaster
Shrek 4D - Standard 4D show in theater seats that have slight motion
Skull Island - 3D ride in a big truck
Storm Force Acceletron - Tea cups like ride
T2 - 3D show with some loud effects
Spiderman - 3D Dark ride...Some spinning/jerky motions
The Blues Brothers - They sing
Cat in the hat - Slow moving dark ride to the cat in the hat story
Sinbad Stunt Show - This hasn't been replaced yet?
High in the sky trolley - It's a trolley through Seuss land that plays you a story along the way. Slow moving but about 15 ish feet off ground
Hulk - High speed inverted coaster
Simpsons - Simulator ride...Lots of fun but some ppl prone to motion sickness don't like it
Transformers - Same as Spiderman
Horror Make Up Show - Interesting show about Hollywood makeup
Woody's Nuthouse Coaster - Small kids coaster

Hope it helps....GL with your decision.

 

[DisOrBust]

Thanks! That helps alot. No she doesn't do everest or RNRRC lol. I did get her on Forbidden Journey when it first opened, she was in her seventies then.

 

[vleeth]

We took my mother-in-law and father-in-law to Islands of Adventure before they passed away. I have some great pics and cherished memories from that time. They did sit a wait for us a couple of times, but they enjoyed people watching so it worked out well.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Thanks! That helps alot. No she doesn't do everest or RNRRC lol. I did get her on Forbidden Journey when it first opened, she was in her seventies then.

I think if it were me I'd probably do Disney for part of the trip and do Universal for a day or two. All of Universal/IOA could prob be done in a single day with express and def with two days. I guess this would depend on budget, how many are going, and the time if year you're going. But I'm not so sure there is enough for Universal to be that great for her. Then again maybe she would be perfectly happy going and just being there with the fam. That''d be up to her.

 

[dennis99ss]

My .02 worth. I don't think there is much for a 50 year old, much less a 85 years old at Universal/IOA. The attractions are overwhelming rollercoaster or motion simulator type rides. If your 85 y.o. can ride simulator after simulator, then maybe, but, we didn't see many family groups last week. And, there is no shade to wait/sit/etc in while waiting for riders to come out. It is much more a park geared towards a very specific demographic which is probably 12/15-35, with some kid stuff thrown in to get the family with teens to go.

 

[macraven]

50 and nothing there for that age group?

I know peeps in their late 60's that go regularly and they find plenty of rides and things to do at the darkside

Being 50 is not over the hill.... Lol

 

[nkereina]

My parents are in their late 60s and we'll be taking them this winter. Neither of them have been to a theme park in years, and neither of them are big ride people. I'm expecting them to be able to do most attractions, with the exceptions of the coasters, Mummy, FJ, and Gringotts. They are both in good health so I think for an 85 year old, that would be a big factor as well.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

50 and nothing there for that age group?

I know peeps in their late 60's that go regularly and they find plenty of rides and things to do at the darkside

Being 50 is not over the hill.... Lol

I don't exactly agree with him fully but Universal does pretty much go by 'out with the old, in with the new' type of philosophy. Of course everyone is different and some go because they love the theme and some go because of the rides so it really depends on what you like and what you go for.

 

[disneyseniors]

OP, we are definitely "over 50" and love Universal. My husband and I went to US last year, first time in a long time. We are both in our late 60's and we both loved it! We road everything and never got sick or scared. I have never liked roller coasters, so skipped the RipRocket one. But we ride RNR at WDW.
I loved Mummy, MIB, Minions, and the other rides on the Universal side. Especially liked Harry Potter Diagon Alley. What a treat! Also really liked the Monster Makeup show. It was funny and informative.

Universal has a lot of motion type rides, but we had no problem with them. It was a great experience and I would recommend it for anyone, regardless of "age".

So, there is a lot to do for anyone. We had a great time and can't wait to go back this year and get a two park ticket!
So, don't exclude anyone based on age. We went to WDW with kids/grandkids a few years ago, and we were the only ones who would ride any thrill rides with the grandkids. Mom was scared of them and Dad got sick on them, so good ole gramma and Grampa took the grand kids on them and had a blast!

I guess it depends on the type of person and what they like, NOT on age. We personally never let anything stop up from having fun

 

[Monykalyn]

@disneyseniors that is SO awesome that you ride the coasters/ thrill rides with your grandkids! Two years ago a set of inlaws came to Disney with us for a few days- my kids stil talk about the time grandpa rode this or that with them or how grandma rode star tours with my son 4 x in a row...not to mention the pictures of all is on the rides- my FIL does not like drops but we talked him into ToT- my only regret is it was before it became a video capable ride! Precious memories

 

[disneyseniors]

@disneyseniors that is SO awesome that you ride the coasters/ thrill rides with your grandkids! Two years ago a set of inlaws came to Disney with us for a few days- my kids stil talk about the time grandpa rode this or that with them or how grandma rode star tours with my son 4 x in a row...not to mention the pictures of all is on the rides- my FIL does not like drops but we talked him into ToT- my only regret is it was before it became a video capable ride! Precious memories

Yes, thanks, it was a lot of fun and unforgettable memories. They are getting older and going to college, busy, etc. But my husband and I still ride all these rides, and remember the great times with the grandkids. Love Them.

 

[Bluer101]

My .02 worth. I don't think there is much for a 50 year old, much less a 85 years old at Universal/IOA. The attractions are overwhelming rollercoaster or motion simulator type rides. If your 85 y.o. can ride simulator after simulator, then maybe, but, we didn't see many family groups last week. And, there is no shade to wait/sit/etc in while waiting for riders to come out. It is much more a park geared towards a very specific demographic which is probably 12/15-35, with some kid stuff thrown in to get the family with teens to go.

WOW!!!

 

[imprint]

Regardless of how many rides and shows grandparents can take part in, if their grandchild(ren) really respond to Harry Potter, superheroes, and other Universal attractions, then experiencing the kid(s) joy can be worth it all. My mother wouldn't trade her memories of watching her granddaughter's excitement casting spells with an interactive wand Diagon Alley and Hogsmead for anything. Same goes for family pics with Spider-Man, Scooby-Doo, Spongebob, and a "live" raptor. Plus, as far as unridable-rides go, anyone can go through the queue and bail at the ride load-in and wait a few minutes for others to ride. Finally, you know... Butterbeer

 

[Robo56]

My .02 worth. I don't think there is much for a 50 year old, much less a 85 years old at Universal/IOA. The attractions are overwhelming rollercoaster or motion simulator type rides. If your 85 y.o. can ride simulator after simulator, then maybe, but, we didn't see many family groups last week. And, there is no shade to wait/sit/etc in while waiting for riders to come out. It is much more a park geared towards a very specific demographic which is probably 12/15-35, with some kid stuff thrown in to get the family with teens to go.

First of all rather than be offended by your assumption that Universal has nothing for the over 50 folks I will take it as a compliment that you were oblivious as to how many of us there are over 50. Dang all us over 50 crowd must be lookin pretty good to fool you youngins into thinking we are younger than we are Must be the great rides and smiling faces that only comes with being at Universal Studios.

I just returned with my grandchildren from another wonderful time at Universal Studios. This over 50 grandma rides all the rides and I had a blast. I watched other people who I would guess that are my age or older doing the exact same thing. Having a blast with their family.

By the way there are plenty of shady areas to sit comfortably and rest if you so choose after you have rode the fun rides till your hearts content.

This message has been approved by a very over 50 grandma who loves the rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure and cherishes the time she spends with her grandchildren there.

Rise up those over 50 and head to Universal for a great time and to those who think we are younger then our true age thank you

 

[keishashadow]

My .02 worth. I don't think there is much for a 50 year old, much less a 85 years old at Universal/IOA. The attractions are overwhelming rollercoaster or motion simulator type rides. If your 85 y.o. can ride simulator after simulator, then maybe, but, we didn't see many family groups last week. And, there is no shade to wait/sit/etc in while waiting for riders to come out. It is much more a park geared towards a very specific demographic which is probably 12/15-35, with some kid stuff thrown in to get the family with teens to go.

overwhelming & motion simulator aren't two words I'd necessarily associate together. Check out the height requirements for many of them, my 5 y.o GD was able to ride majority last year.

nor would I equate an out of shape 50 y.o. to a vibrant, adventurous sort that is decades older. Chronological age means squat, it's all about your functional age. Naturally, those with underlying medical conditions need to use their brain.

ps most 'old' folks have learned how to 'beat the heat' by staying out of it mid-day, wearing appropriate sun-avoiding gear, etc. Some people call them gift shops, those in the know term them cool down spots and are happy to duck in to catch a break/wait for their families to catch up.

Robo - i will join the rebellion!

 

[DisOrBust]

Wow, I turned 50 and i guess that puts me in the senior citizen role,lol! Thanks to all! WE usually go to WDW but Im just done with the whole mess there. We are planning on a week and we usually tour parks at a slow pace so I think there should be enough to do for all of us. I am thinking of RPR, but am curious about Sapphire Falls.

Some said Gringots was a coaster type but I thought more of a family ride? How rough is this.

 

[macraven]

Any 50 yo would love it!

Gringotts is a family ride
Some say it has coaster features as it is on a track and zooms to each scene.

It stops at sections for the video scenes and the story unfolds in each section
When it first starts, the ride does a quick curve down and then stops within a minute for the first scene
If you sit in the front, it won't feel like a coaster at that part
Taller people fit better in the last row of seats
4 seats across each row
Last row is elevate up higher
If I sit in the last row, my feet don't hit the floor except if I point my toes down

I prefer rpr
Unlimited express pass usage comes with the hotel
Not so with SF
Both have EE

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

I'm 66. LOVE Gringotts and the mummy. Unfortunately I have suffered from motion sickness since I was 17 years old, so minions, transformers, men in black, and Spiderman are not for me