Tell me about seniors and rides

[lovethattink]

So here's the TL/DR background summary. Went to WDW a couple of times as a kid, got re-introduced to it in 2015 and my husband and I are hooked.

Feeling V. sorry for ourselves because, at our current age of 45, we feel like we got a late start on thrill rides , and C-19 is ripping us off of at least 2 WDW trips at this rate (we're Canadian, cross-border travel not an option), and we're afraid we'll be "too old" before we've gotten out fill.

Tell me about the eldest friend/family member you have who still enjoys the more intense rides like RNR/ToT etc...

DH and I are in our 50’s. I can go on anything except Mission Space.

My parents went on test track and soar in’ into their 70’s. Mom did 7 Dwarf Mine Train at age 77. She loved it!

 

[StageTek]

I'm 64. Love the thrill rides. ToT is nothing. RnR is smooth and easy. Everest? I can do it over and over - my last trip (when I was 63) I took the single rider lane towards the end of the day and rode it 8 times. Dinosaur is now only a twice per trip ride - it really knocks you around. Nothing in MK is too rough for this old guy. But with one bad knee I have the same issue as cincystamper's mother - getting in and out of the Space Mountain vehicles is difficult.

Feeling V. sorry for ourselves because, at our current age of 45, we feel like we got a late start on thrill rides

Seems like you have a good 25 years of thrill rides.

 

[2Lunds]

I'm 64. Love the thrill rides. ToT is nothing. RnR is smooth and easy. Everest? I can do it over and over - my last trip (when I was 63) I took the single rider lane towards the end of the day and rode it 8 times. Dinosaur is now only a twice per trip ride - it really knocks you around. Nothing in MK is too rough for this old guy. But with one bad knee I have the same issue as cincystamper's mother - getting in and out of the Space Mountain vehicles is difficult.

Seems like you have a good 25 years of thrill rides.

At least!

 

[subtchr]

62 here.

I am still in the "if they build it, I will ride it" camp. There are some rides I don't "love" (Astro Orbiter, I'm looking at you!), but that has to do with comfortable seating/restraints rather than any motion issues.

A bit of background -- I grew up 15 minutes from a large amusement park and worked there 7 summers, all through high school and college. Including the first crew on what is still the longest wooden coaster in the world. Ah, great memories of night rides on that bone-jarring beast! After college I was an Air Force navigator for 6 years, then raised my kids and was a substitute teacher before starting my current job. I am a tour director for high school music groups. So -- pre-Covid, and hopefully post-Covid -- I spend a LOT of time in theme parks, taking full advantage of all attractions!

I do consider myself fortunate that I am not physically bothered by (and in fact, enjoy) any kind of motion even at my "advanced" age. And I will take full advantage of that until I no longer enjoy it!

 

[Snowysmom]

DH and I are mid 60s. We do all rides except RNRC and Space mt. Those 2 are by choice. We ride all the other coasters and rides. We are going again in Nov if all keeps going the way it is. Love the rides. We hope to keep going for a long time.

 

[Rockbro]

So here's the TL/DR background summary. Went to WDW a couple of times as a kid, got re-introduced to it in 2015 and my husband and I are hooked.

Feeling V. sorry for ourselves because, at our current age of 45, we feel like we got a late start on thrill rides , and C-19 is ripping us off of at least 2 WDW trips at this rate (we're Canadian, cross-border travel not an option), and we're afraid we'll be "too old" before we've gotten out fill.

Tell me about the eldest friend/family member you have who still enjoys the more intense rides like RNR/ToT etc...

Ok... don't give up on something because you think you and the hub are too old. I'm 42 and I can handle all of the rides.

I don't get to see my family often, but 2 years ago, my mother (who is now 72) did things fine. COWBOY UP! You'll be OK

 

[donnishobson]

I am 72 and love all the rides. I do have motion sickness and have to take Bonine for simulator rides like flight of passage. And I absolutely adore the water park thrill rides, like the drop slides at Volcano Bay. I figure I'll be okay until I'm about 80 - I still downhill ski, run, and scuba dive. Retirement is for having fun!!

 

[PanamaMike]

I rode the teacups once as a kid. Never again.

I rode Rock 'n Roller coaster when I was 35. Hated it. So sick.

Rode Dinosaur 3 times in my 30s (each trip with different people) and then stopped.

Spinning on Mission Space in my late 40s (after many turns on the non-spinning side) I felt like I was going to be sick the rest of my trip.

Age 45 was the last time I was rode the carousel.

Once I hit 30, Space Mtn became a "not for me" ride

Now in my 50s, Big Thunder & Expedition Everest are mountains I stay away from.

 

[_19disnA]

I think it is less about age and more about the type of rides that cause issues. Some people, regardless of age can't do rides that involve any kind of spinning, even a carousel can make them dizzy. You can overcome some of that by not looking at stationary objects and focus on a part of the ride moving with you (works better for some then others). The other category of ride that causes issues are the motion simulator type where you remain stationary, but the movie screen you are looking at gives you the illusion of motion. Those can make people queasy also regardless of age. Frankly, there are a lot more wild rides at other amusement parks then you will find at Disney. If you can't do spinning or motion simulators elsewhere then best to avoid them at Disney as well. Obviously, if you have specific medical issues (bad back, for example), you should avoid rides with jerky motions and usually there is a sign at the entrance indicating those things.

 

[Upatnoon]

So here's the TL/DR background summary. Went to WDW a couple of times as a kid, got re-introduced to it in 2015 and my husband and I are hooked.

Feeling V. sorry for ourselves because, at our current age of 45, we feel like we got a late start on thrill rides , and C-19 is ripping us off of at least 2 WDW trips at this rate (we're Canadian, cross-border travel not an option), and we're afraid we'll be "too old" before we've gotten out fill.

Tell me about the eldest friend/family member you have who still enjoys the more intense rides like RNR/ToT etc...

If you enjoy them now you'll enjoy them for years to come. Most people who can't "stomach" thrill rides learn about that early on or get old enough to learn they can just say no if they don't like them.

 

[Sweet T n Me]

66 here.

The vehicle air breaking at the end of the ride. Big Thunder Mt. & Everest snap your neck.
The Safari ride in AK gets really bouncy. They really don't need all the roughness to enjoy the beauty of that experience.

As with horseback riding,
It's the next day that I realize I shouldn't have done the ride.

 

[disneygirlsng]

66 here.

The vehicle air breaking at the end of the ride. Big Thunder Mt. & Everest snap your neck.
The Safari ride in AK gets really bouncy. They really don't need all the roughness to enjoy the beauty of that experience.

As with horseback riding,
It's the next day that I realize I shouldn't have done the ride.

Most of the rides with the breaks at the end you can tell it is coming. Just keep your head back against the head rest and your neck won't snap back. Works like a charm for me every single time.

 

[mamaofsix]

I think it is less about age and more about the type of rides that cause issues. Some people, regardless of age can't do rides that involve any kind of spinning, even a carousel can make them dizzy. You can overcome some of that by not looking at stationary objects and focus on a part of the ride moving with you (works better for some then others). The other category of ride that causes issues are the motion simulator type where you remain stationary, but the movie screen you are looking at gives you the illusion of motion. Those can make people queasy also regardless of age. Frankly, there are a lot more wild rides at other amusement parks then you will find at Disney. If you can't do spinning or motion simulators elsewhere then best to avoid them at Disney as well. Obviously, if you have specific medical issues (bad back, for example), you should avoid rides with jerky motions and usually there is a sign at the entrance indicating those things.

100% agree. It's not about age, it's about what how your own body reacts to motion and jerkiness, regardless of age.

I had some rough pregnancies in my 20s and my equilibrium was totally thrown off. Pre-pregnancy I could ride anything no problem - and I did. Post... I am a lot more limited. RnR, Space, Simulator Rides, spinners, etc. are impossible for me to do.

Same can be said for those who have experienced concussions, whip lash, etc. So, the age question is pretty subjective from person to person. There's no one age where suddenly you can't do those rides anymore.

 

[rajak73]

60+ here, usually ride almost everything, last trip in 2018 with DS and family, road Rock and Roll, TOT, 7DMT, SM, Dinosaur with the youngest grandkid while the others rode Everest, sat again with the youngest while the rest rode BTM, MS green. Thing I didn't ride was teacups, I can't handle the spinning like that. One of the best ride times we've had at WDW was December 2014, we got seated on 7DMT with a whole carload of seniors, best time ever! Got to the end and everyone on the train started singing "Hi Ho" as load as we could. Great memories!!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

So here's the TL/DR background summary. Went to WDW a couple of times as a kid, got re-introduced to it in 2015 and my husband and I are hooked.

Feeling V. sorry for ourselves because, at our current age of 45, we feel like we got a late start on thrill rides , and C-19 is ripping us off of at least 2 WDW trips at this rate (we're Canadian, cross-border travel not an option), and we're afraid we'll be "too old" before we've gotten out fill.

Tell me about the eldest friend/family member you have who still enjoys the more intense rides like RNR/ToT etc...

at your ages I rode just about any coaster at any park. at 70 now there are very few that I miss now. there is no trill ride at Disney that I cant ride but Space Mountain but it is not the trill part stopping I cant get up and out of ride car on the floor or I would still be riding it. in fact it is the nontrill rides that I can not ride. the stuff you can take babies on I cant ride

 

[rwdavis2]

IMHO, 45 is not in any way “old”. I rode all the thrill rides at age 59 Except Mission Space Orange. Space Mtn. Is getting a bit rough on the back.

I’m looking forward to going to Universal again and riding even more thrilling rides.

 

[wilbret]

The in-laws worked at WDW when it opened in 1971, it's where they met. Needless to say, they are huge fans. They are 72 years old, and while not in perfect health, they still ride most of the rides with us. There are some they won't do, but that's more of a preference than anything. We got them on Mission Space Orange last year... lol...

 

[Jennasis]

My parents are in their 70's and still ride everything at Disney and Universal. My Dad has trouble with motiona simulators but has been that way his whole life.

 

[Chupaca bruh]

My Mom rode Tower of Terror and Splash Mountain in her late 70's and at Disneyland she love Indiana Jones. A few years ago we took my Dad, who was 90, at the time because he really wanted to see Pandora. He rode both rides there. He was motion sick, like most of us, after Flights of passage but he loved it.

 

[YesterDark]

I'm 39, I see you're 45. What's it like to be so old and close to the end of your life?