Rides vs. age...who wins?

[ScubaD]

Even though I know our friends may poke fun at my DW and me when we mention we are going back to WDW or DLR (now more are asking to join us on the trips), they still think it is about the rides, and after all, how many times can you get your picture taken on Splash Mountain?? As I get older I am finding more enjoyment in the oher activities Disney has to offer. Now don't get me wrong, most times the kid in me comes out as I approach "Rock N' Roller Coaster" or "Everest", etc. but I think my age is catching up on me.

Who else is in my "boat", and what acticvities do you enjoy, besides the rides? We are visiting WDW in April and July this year, so we may join in on your favorite sites and activities.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yep, I'm definitely in that same boat! Heck last trip I didn't do one roller coaster! I do love to do things like enjoying the details of World Showcase and all the wonderful landscaping. I also like going to the different resorts just to "look around". I don't even mind standing in a long line or two and just visiting with those around and with me instead of using a fast pass. Just no longer into the COMMANDO mode of touring. I do a lot more shows than I used to as well. LOVE to people watch too!

 

[WolfpackFan]

I just enjoy the atmosphere of being there myself. Whether it is at a resort or one of the parks, I just enjoy being down at WDW. I can see us spending less and less time in the parks in the future, though I love being at Epcot and just wandering around (I sure wish there was an Epcot only AP at a reduced price). We just got back from Marathon Weekend and one of my favorite times was when DW and DD wanted to go watch Ellen and I took off and just wandered around World Showcase by myself. I still enjoy riding TOT and EE, but it is no big deal if I don't get to ride them when we visit.

 

[Modog814]

I'm in the same boat too. I love the rides, but that's not the reason I go to DW. I love to look at all the little things that most people walk right past. One of my all time favorite attractions is One Man's Dream, an amazing exhibit and I make a point to go in their every trip.

I also really enjoy going to MGM, grabbing a drink and sitting on the curb to watch all the street performers. They are so funny and so worth the time and it amazes me how many people just run past them on their way to go on ToT for the hundreth time.

 

[LisaS]

I do a lot more shows than I used to as well.

I agree with Diane. Check out some of the shows. The Lion King and Finding Nemo shows at AK are outstanding.

We also do the Segway Tour at Epcot once a year. It is a blast!! The newer models they are using now are even more fun to ride than the older ones.

 

[SSRFred]

Speaking of boats, I'm thinking of Bass fishing next time I'm there. On our last trip, one of my sons had me on Space Mountain 3 times in about an hour. The headache lasted all day. My future certainly has me on fewer rides. As alternatives, we do enjoy most of the shows, BW and DTD.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I never have liked R&RC, but I hope I always will like and can go on Splash Mountain! I am happy for the AP DVC discount. We don't even do whole days anymore, I'm happy to go into the park for the fireworks and a few things, like the RR and Splash Mountain, Buzz (I'm looking forward to the new ride at the Studios. I sure hope I'm better than I am at Buzz, I've only beaten DH once in at least 20 tries!)

I suppose my minimum enjoyment of WDW would be to only go for Epcot's Flower and Garden and then again in December for the Christmas things and oh yes, Food and Wine with a MNSSHP!

Fireworks, Holiday parades ( we made a special stop at AK for the Jingle Jungle Parade, we saw it for the first time in '06, and we both loved it!) and watching the DGC enjoying the WDW. I suppose there's enough to keep me happy for a few more years.

FW holds a special place in my heart, I love to rent a bike and ride around there.

Bobbi

 

[Chester's Mum]

I too have evolved. Now, I still enjoy the ride attractions, but I get real pleasure from just being there, sharing time with my family, and enjoying the details. I find there is always something new to explore.

As for non disney visitors, they never do seem to get it. People around me shake their heads in disbelief when I tell them I am going to Walt Disney World. I doesn't bother me anymore. It's who I am.

 

[tomandrobin]

My DW does not like to do rides, in general. But she absolutely loves going to Disney. Funny thing is that even though she is not a ride person, she has riden every ride except Rock-n-Roll and splash mountain.

Disney is my wife's "Happy place"!

 

[MinnieGi]

Even though we have young children we still are not all about the rides at all. We try something new each trip. Other activities that we have done and enjoyed:
BASS fishing excursion (4 times)
Golfing on all WDW courses
Behind the Seeds Tour at the Land
Alice in Wonderland Tea Party for kids
JellyRolls
HDDR
MNSSHP
Campfire Movie and Sing Along
Pleasure Island
Marina rentals
Surrey rentals
Water parks
BBB for DD and DS
Pony Rides for kids

Next trip: I already have planned a BASS fishing trip for the guys, Spa afternoon for the ladies, Golf, & Pirate Cruise for the kids!!

My parents have done the above adult acitivies plus even more:
Richard Petty Driving Tour
Segway tour (3 times)
MK Behind the Scenes Tour
AK Safari Tour
Horseback riding
Cirque De Soliel

In the parks we love to see the shows, its something our whole party can enjoy as we often travel with mixed generations. Now of course DH and I still get in our RnR, EE, SM, Splash etc...,

 

[SandyCA]

When my sister and I (51 and 45 respectively) went last year during September one of the best times we had was our day at Typhoon Lagoon and attending the MNSSHP. We are going again this year and plan to do two days at the waterparks, we had such a blast!!!

 

[jimmacmn]

Golf, food, golf, shows,oh and did I mention golf

 

[spiceycat]

yes, love their tours. (when I am allowed water)

still like the rides, too!!!

the shows are nice. love the live entertainment - although most of the time don't stay for the whole show.

maybe I should.

love WDW.

 

[Donald is #1]

Count me in too! Although I still do some of the rides, I don't try to hit everything. I now tend to spend more time just soaking it all in and people watching. I also love the shows and I have been starting to do some of the tours.

 

[BroganMc]

Thanks to APs and timeshares, my dad and I have developed into regular Disneyaniacs. But our time down there (now twice a year for a couple weeks each) is not the same 6-days-over-Spring-Break-specialist-commando-raid we started with years ago.

Now we do a mixture of parks, resorts, pool, mini-golf and other fun. Like we make sure we have our AMC cards from home when we stay at SSR. It's nice to sneak off to an afternoon or early evening movie at DTD.

We make ressies somewhere at the Boardwalk or Beach Club and then walk off the food with a relaxing mid-day stroll around the Boardwalk. Or else we'll walk over to EPCOT and tour the countries.

We LOVE just talking to CMs, especially those on the college program. Hear their stories about where they came from, what they've done, how they like things, what family is coming to visit, what they plan to be when they grow up. We met a kid one time who was taking the ferry to MK on his day off just to dye his hair at the Barber Shop. He was debating between green and purple. Another young girl from New Orleans had arrived at Disney just a few weeks before Katrina destroyed her home. Her whole family was coming out to spend time with her and get away from the mess for a while. And then there are the international students who love to talk about the differences in their countries and what they think of America.

When we went to London last year, everyone kept telling us how unique the experience would be since it would be our first truly international city. "You'll hear all sorts of foreign languages and meet people of all different cultures." Rather than it being unusual for us (except for the food) we found we had years of experience just being at Disney World.

Now due to age and various health issues, neither my dad nor I are big thrill riders. I simply can't go on the old rollercoasters and he doesn't do well on the new ones. So we ride them maybe once a year when we bring someone else along. We have our favorites but they mainly center around the old Disney magic like CoP.

When you go often and get beyond the thrill of motion, Disney turns into a magical place just to observe. All the people, all the theming detail, all the skill & technology and most of all the desire of so many grownups to just inspire childhood imagination. Whether it is a perfectly timed fireworks display or the way the setting sun glistens off the tower of Morocco, something in Disney reminds us of a time when life wasn't about what you can't do but what you dream. And as they say, if you dream it you can do it.

 

[kristytru]

My DH and DS (13) love the water mouse boats at VWL. After they finished their fun, DD (10) and I joined them for a boat ride in a "patio boat". DH drove and we had a very relaxing ride around the lake. Aside from DS's backseat boating, it was a very relaxing trip!

 

[llmurphy17]

Since my middle child can not go on the rides yet... I've started to really enjoy watching the shows and parades. She gets so happy if she sees the princesses, woody, or Lightning McQueen.

 

[kikiq]

On our last trip, we had an early dinner in Epcot and decided to go to the MK for EMH (I had to laugh because I knew my dh wouldn't stay up past 11pm and MK was open until 3am) Got off the monorail for a dole whip dessert and walked out to the beach...right as the fireworks started, music piped in, sat on the beach...it was wonderful...never made it to the MK that night.

On the day we were exploring AKL, we spent a lot of time talking with the CMs from Africa. Actually, we probably spent more time exploring the different resorts than in the park this last trip...all in the name of research for our Grand Gathering this summer. Compare food, facilities and atmosphere<G>, it was great fun. We each had a book that we sat and read in various seating possibilities to rate different resorts "relaxation quotient"<G> FYI...Best inside read...WVL. Best outside read...tossup between SSR/OKW and BCV.

 

[ldo]

DH loves cruising and I like it fine. I love DVC and DH likes it fine. When we go to DVC for 5 days or so, we do 1-2 park days at the most (3 kids 6,6, 10). THere's so much to do---for me, it's the atmosphere, the fun dining events, the pool movies, Community Halls, making Mickey Ears at Goofy Candy in DTD, Ft. W campfire, the great pools, etc.
Also, it is the only place that I know of that I can fly with kids by myself (while DH works--sometimes we let him go too!!), be picked up at the airport, not rent a car and get around fine to a variety of WDW places, and EVERYONE has a great time at a reasonable price. When the kids are adults, you'll find me (God willing) at VWL and AKV in a rocker!!
Elaine

 

[bub]

When you go often and get beyond the thrill of motion, Disney turns into a magical place just to observe. All the people, all the theming detail, all the skill & technology and most of all the desire of so many grownups to just inspire childhood imagination. Whether it is a perfectly timed fireworks display or the way the setting sun glistens off the tower of Morocco, something in Disney reminds us of a time when life wasn't about what you can't do but what you dream. And as they say, if you dream it you can do it.

Scuba - This is a great thread - Thanks for starting it. When you read between the lines, you get a sense of why we all enjoy Disney so much, and why we all go back so often. Of course, it's not just the rides. Most of us could visit amusement parks closer to home with larger thrill rides, if that was what we wanted. It's really about sharing time with family and friends, meeting and observing others with similar interests, being in a place where it's ok to be a bit silly (where wearing a Pluto hat is a good thing!), changing our daily routine and relaxing.

I don't always get the relaxing part myself, at least not in the morning when my DS and DD want to run to every coaster. But, later in the day, when we just hang out in the pool, or we go back to the parks with no real agenda - these are some of the best times we have had at Disney. For our next trip, my DD is most interested in renting those little sea raycer boats again. She loved this, even though she had to ride with me (since she was not old enough to be on her own).

Thanks to BroganMc - your last paragraph sums it up beautifully!