WDW in the slow lane; no big rides

[lolcow]

Due to my various health problems and physical limitations, my first trip to WDW will be in the slow lane. I used to be a rollercoaster lover but this is totally out of the question. In short, I can probably do what a 3 or 4 year old would enjoy. I've youtubed many of the rides, so know there's lots of gentle rides that I can do and I'm sure there's plenty to keep me busy. I just wanted to hear from others who did the kiddie rides, especially if you're only going with other adults, did you still have a great time?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mitzicat]

One suggestion - you can still enjoy the queue with your party and just tell the CM that you are chickening out...they will show you the exit. For years my mommom would do this with Space Mountain. she loved to walk thru the queue (a cool break from the Florida sun) and at the top of the ramp would tell the CM she is not riding and they would point her to the exit. That way you can meet up with them at the end of the ride and laugh at their on-ride photos.

My mom and dad can't do certain rides, but that doesn't stop them from having an awesome time. There are so many things to do at Disney as an entire group that one missed roller coaster shouldn't ruin the trip. You will just be the recipient of funny, exuberant stories from your party when they get off the ride!

 

[Kathryn777]

I don't do many of the coasters. I like them but I have back problems. I have a great time at Disney, better than any other theme parks. I need a standing break so I don't usually go through the line, I find the key is finding somewhere I want to go, not just waiting on a bench, unless I get a yummy snack first

 

[loves to dive]

My son has a back injury that doesn't allow him to ride most of the roller coasters. He was able to ride SDMT if he sort of braced his arms, which kept his back from jerking and oddly enough, he could ride the Mine Train. No Space Mountain, which I was kind of glad since it always killed me. At MK we did Mine Train, SDMT, Swiss Family Robinson, Pirates, Jungle Cruise. I did COP and People Mover by myself just because he didn't want to do them. I've done Peter Pan by myself and enjoyed it. At HS, he was able to do ToT (I have a feeling it hurt but it's our favorite ride so he did it) TSMM, GMR, we never do RNRC because it hurts me and he has PTSD so Star Tours is out. At AK, Safari was a little rough but he managed and he also managed EE, he didn't do Bug's Life because the stingers in the back would have killed him, no Dinosaur but I stopped riding that years ago because it hurts me. I've done both shows there but without him because he hates shows. Walking the trails was fine. At Epcot, he was able to do TT but only once, Listen or Lived with the Land (I can't remember which it's called now) and we did the Behind the Seeds tour, which was fun. Did ride the ride at Living Seas but just because we don't like the nemo part but spent about 2 hours just wandering around and looking at everything, we are divers so we can look at sea life all day long. He was able to ride SSE but the part where it turns you on your back kind of hurt since it put pressure on his back, other than that we walked around WS, alot. It was F&G and while we were there and we ate at the booths every day. Plenty to do even without riding rides, every afternoon it was in the hot tub at the resort.

 

[PSUGuy]

We're still up for the thrill rides but we really enjoy many 'lame' rides that should appeal to you. The People Mover, POTC, Haunted Mansion and Buzz Lightyear in MK, Soarin', SpaceShip Earth and Imagination in Epcot, TGMR and Toystory in DHS, Safari in AK. Of course all the shows. If these are all we could do, we'd still be there. Oh, and the kiddie rides too.

Bill From PA

 

[HM2012Butler]

My father had back surgery and still has some issues. He rides most everything other than the roller coasters, tower or terror and Star tours. He still enjoys coming. As we all know, Disney isn't all about the 'thrills'!!

 

[rastahomie]

I can't recommend the Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover (or whatever they're calling it these days) enough! No dips (the entire ride surface is flat), a few gentle turns. And it's so relaxing and comfortable!

If you can't handle the People Mover, keep in mind that it's possible to have a magical and enjoyable day at MK without setting foot on a ride. Enjoy the live entertainment, check out the shops, sit and people-watch.

 

[minnie mum]

I remember trip after trip after trip when our kids were small when we had to forgo the coasters and some of the other rides because they couldn't or wouldn't ride them. We still enjoyed all the tame rides, the shows, the parades and all the live entertainment. We certainly weren't bored.

Our next trip will be DGSs first time, and we will again fall on our swords and only do the easy rides for his sake. I'm still expecting it to be a great trip. I may be old enough to collect old age pension, but I still get a kick out of riding PP and Dumbo.

 

[momimouse27]

I don't do thrill rides either. I used to love Splash, it was my favorite ride. Then four years ago, at 41, I had a heart attack. Now I'm too chicken to do it again I think I'd be okay, really, but I'd rather not take the chance.

So, its all kiddie stuff for me...but that's okay! I'm just a big dork...I get teary eyed watching Wishes and riding Pooh. I think you'll have a great time anyway. Especially at Epcot, really Test Track would be the only thing except the scary version of Mission Space you couldn't ride. Lately I've been slowing down alot more and just trying to enjoy the atmosphere and see things I've missed before. My son loves the TTA, so sometimes we ride that over and over again, but its completely relaxing!

 

[gwb]

I have retinal detachment so I shouldn't go on the more jerky, head shaky etc rides. But I still have a great time. I avoid Startours, Dinosour, rock n rolla coster and mission space. But that leaves a lot left to ride. I had no problem with the Tower of terror all you do there is et to experience zero g's !!!!!!

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

We love the "big" rides at Disney but there are a lot of tamer rides that are really fun as well. Peter Pan is great (though you definitely need a FP), as is Toy Story Mania (that one requires some physical work though so not sure if it would be good for you and also a definite FP ride). Others that we enjoy are Winnie the Pooh, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Little Mermaid at MK, Living with the Land, Under the Sea and Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot, and the Safari at AK (though this one is a bit bumpy). There are a lot of shows that we really enjoy as well -- Mickey's Philharmagic and Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor at MK and Flights of Wonder and Tough to be a Bug at AK.

 

[mommycrawford]

Due to my various health problems and physical limitations, my first trip to WDW will be in the slow lane. I used to be a rollercoaster lover but this is totally out of the question. In short, I can probably do what a 3 or 4 year old would enjoy. I've youtubed many of the rides, so know there's lots of gentle rides that I can do and I'm sure there's plenty to keep me busy. I just wanted to hear from others who did the kiddie rides, especially if you're only going with other adults, did you still have a great time?

Thanks in advance.

Disney is the best place for this IMO!...The theming in the queues is beyond any other parks, and the multigrnerational guests make it so you will not be the only adult on these rides! Honestly, this is where Disney excels! Have a winderful trip!

 

[NH-to-FL]

You are not alone... and you will have a wonderful time! You have done your own investigation and now have input from fellow DISers. I'll be bold and say that you will have no trouble finding plenty of things to do. If you want to overload your schedule add resort hopping. The Grand Floridian, the Poly, and the Wilderness Lodge are all nice boat rides from the Magic Kingdom. Wishing you a magical trip!

 

[kiford]

DH and I love the thrill rides and have no problems riding any of them, but it's not unheard of for us to not do them on a particular day just because we feel like it. There's so many other things to do and see that you can skip them and not even notice. Shows, parades, shopping, people watching. I second the people mover. Great when it's hot out or your feet hurt.

 

[Dr.Mickey]

If there is no vertigo component to your health concerns, I think Soarin is an excellent "big kid" ride. Very gentle, swaying from a soft chair. I think if you can sit semi-comfortably, then it would be fine.

It gets trickier if there is a visual component, because 3D shows like Philharmagic come off the list.

I worry about something like Pirates just because those boats are so dang cramped and uncomfortable.

 

[johnsgrl]

I went (too) soon after a 4 level cervical fusion so all but the mildest of rides was out for me. I had an awesome time. Took it slow, did more shows and "smelling the roses" than I had ever done before.

 

[lolcow]

Thank you for the replies and reassurance.

I was a tiny bit resentful that I can't do the rides that I'd hoped like Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain (did both at Disneyland, Paris and loved it) but having read your replies, I've let go of that last bit of resentment. I shall just revel in the magic. Given my poor health, I'm just happy and lucky to be going at all.

Fortunately, my fellow WDWers are not big thrill type people, so will there only be a few things they will want to do that I can't.