What to do at MK for 60 yr old father?

[jkmmah]

I'm really stressing over this and need your advice. We leave on Saturday for a quick trip to WDW. My parents are wanting to see Epcot b/c it wasn't built when they were at MK in the 70's. It will be myself, my parents (60, 58), my two dd's (7 and 3) and my nephew (4). We will have only two park days, and NON-hopper tickets. The first day we'll spend at Epcot. Dad will hang around with the rest of us until WS opens. At that point he and Mom will probably go on their own and explore. It's the MK day I'm worried about. Dad will probably ride some of the kid rides that we can all do together but I see him being very bored with that after a while. Where can I suggest for him to go on his own in MK? He's not a thrill rider, and has vertigo issues anyway. He's not a shopper so he won't browse the stores. He won't go enjoy a sit down meal on his own. My only thought was he might enjoy the Hall of Presidents. But what else is there? He isn't the type to get caught up in the Disney Magic like I am, so I worry that a MK day will bore him to tears, though it's a MUST DO for us with three little ones.

Please help!

 

[WDSearcher]

My bet is that he'll enjoy the atmosphere and pace of Main Street, particularly if he hangs around to see the actors who perform there. Buy him a good, old-fashioned haircut at the Barber Shop, and tell him about the Fire Station and the unique stuff there. Hall of Presidents is good, and he might enjoy the Tiki Room, just because it's not overly "Disney" -- that is to say, he won't be accosted by characters at every move. Be sure to see Country Bear Jamboree, since that's corny and fun and a show as opposed to a ride. He can take a ride on the riverboat in Liberty Square, watch the flag-lowering ceremony at dusk, and take the WDW Railroad around the park. And if nothing else, he can always just sit in one of the rocking chairs on the porch next to Tony's and watch all the crazy theme-park people!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I'd recommend the Carousel of Progress and Tomorrowland Transit Authority in Tomorrowland.

If your father is anything like my grandparents, he'll enjoy having a chance to spend time with his grandchildren, and watch them having fun. Sure, Snow White's Scary Adventure may not be the most interesting ride for someone his age, but for the kids, it may very well be ... I think he'll be able to see their enthusiasm, and be happy for them.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

My dad is 69 and loves the MK! It's his favorite park of the 4. We went with our whole family in August and my dad had a great time. He rode everything in the MK, as well as the other parks. Don't worry, he'll find something to do!

 

[Yensid_MD]

Wow it sounds like some of you are ready to bury this guy at 60. Now I am not near 60 , but I think that the whole park should be fair game, especially with grandkids there. We went on a family trip last year and my In-laws spent the day enjoying themselves in MK with out the grandkids.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Didn't mean to give the impression that COP and TTA are the only 2 attractions that he'd like, but those are 2 options that are commonly overlooked. (I enjoy both of them, and I'm 22)

 

[wendy1974]

I didn't read the previous posts so I don't know what was suggested but I would say as far as attractions;Caroussel of progress, The Hall of Presidents, The displays in the camera center at the front of MK next to tony's Town Square (they have a lot of interesting history on WDW), Mickey's Philarmagic (if he enjoys 3-d movies). I would also highly recommend him doing the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. It would incorporate the history of the Magic Kingdom with lots of interesting facts about "The World".

 

[FanofG00fy]

My Mother and Father (67 &66) absolutely love the MK! I didn't think they would like the rides either. Wow! Did they prove me wrong! My mother literally ran around to get back onto BTMRR. Let your Dad decide. He just might surprise you! Have a Great time on your trip!!!! Hope everything works out!

 

[DJT]

I would think he might enjoy Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise. Mickey's Philharmagic would be a definite. I think he could do Peter Pan and Snow White, as well as the Haunted Mansion. I don't know why those wouldn't work with his vertigo.

 

[goofyernmost]

Well, I'm going to go out on a limb here because I am a whopping 3 years away from being 60 myself. ANYTHING A 6 YEAR OLD WOULD DO!!!! That would be my answer.

Good grief why not give him a shawl and rocker. If you are a twenty or thirty something, 60 may sound old but it is not. I ride everything from Pooh to Mission Space, walk a bizzillion miles and eat Mickey Bars and Dole whip floats. I love it all.

I know you mean well but the worse thing you can do for a person (of age) is to make them feel like life is over and they can no longer act or feel young. I probably do sit a little more often then I used to but that is just to get my second, third, forth, fifth, etc. wind, then I am off again.

What I am trying to say is whatever you are doing, he will enjoy as well and if he doesn't he will tell you. Just go and enjoy.

 

[WDSearcher]

Wow it sounds like some of you are ready to bury this guy at 60.

Not really. The OP indicated that she didn't think her dad would be bored, didn't necessarily care for rides, and might want to go off on his own. I was suggesting things he might enjoy as a "solo" traveler, if he didn't like the rides. Didn't mean to suggest that he couldn't do all the other stuff, simply that there are lots of things that don't fall into the ride or character categories.

 

[jkmmah]

I'm the OP and have gotten such a kick out of reading these responses! I know my Dad and he's nowhere near ready to be buried. He's got more stamina and energy than people half his age. I just know HIM, and know he'll be a bit bored by the kid rides that I'll be taking the little ones on. And I know Dad isn't into thrill rides so I'm anticipating the Mountains are out. Dad is a history buff, the kind who likes to read everything and understand the when's, why's, how's, etc. He'll enjoy that way more than an "amusement park" atmosphere. That's what I'm looking for. Ideas for him to exercise his brain while the rest of us amuse the kids.

Don't get me wrong, Dad'll for sure accompany us to Philharmagic (I'll insist on that), TTA, Buzz, Pooh, stuff like that. But once each will be enough for him. And he won't enjoy standing in line to see characters at the Toontown Hall of Fame. During that, and when the kids are clamoring for a fifth ride on Pooh, I'm wanting ideas of where to send Dad so he can enjoy his visit in his style.

Again, I was at the "ready to bury this guy" comment! Dad would be , too!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I am 54 and I adore WDW especially MK. I also have vertigo and can't ride some of the other rides, but I go on Buzz Lightyear while my husband and son go on Space Mt.

We took my mother at 84 and she had a great time. We took my ILs and I was really worried about my FIL, but he was up and ready to go before anyone else every morning. He was about 74 at the time.

Your dad may just surprise you and do it all.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

If you don't think your dad would like to stay with you just for the fun of watching your kids have fun, why not sign him up for the "underground" tour of the MK? If he likes the "why" and "how" of things, it's very interesting. There is an entire MK under the MK that you'd never guess was there. You visit all of the facilities that make the magic. He might really enjoy it.

 

[disneygoof]

Flag Retreat

 

[eeyore0062]

My Dad is 63 and so is my mom and they do EVERYTHING at Disney!

 

[skiwee1]

My mom is 66 and MK is her favorite park! Her idea of a thrill ride is PoC! She goes on all those types of rides and loves the CoP and The people mover. She does most everything, including Buzz and Splash Mountain. The only thing she doesn't get on is Alladins Carpets, Dumbo, and Space Mountain.