Which Tour for Retired Adults?

[MinnesotaChill]

We will be in a GV in Jan at SSR with two sets of grandparents, early sixties and fairly fit. We'd like to surprise them with a half-day tour of something they've never done before at Disney. One set has been there many times, the other hasn't been there since EPCOT opened. My uncle (one of the gp) was a builder and developer, and my aunt an interior designer, so I was thinking that there must be something out there that would really be interesting for them.

Any ideas?

 

[zulaya]

I haven't been on a tour, nor have my parents or inlaws. So you can take my suggestion for what it's worth.

I don't think there is a tour that can cater exactly to what your aunt and uncle's careers were. However, if you think they are open to discovering, here's the ones I would consider:

Undiscovered Future World:
Learn about the history and creation of Epcot and the legacy Walt set forth for the Walt Disney World Resort. See how each pavilion in Future World celebrates human accomplishment and presents the challenge of the future.

This outdoor walking tour covers all of the Future World pavilions and gives you a glance at how each area celebrates man's accomplishments and challenges. Visit a VIP lounge area, get a backstage peek at Cast Services and the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth barges at the Epcot marina to see how the Epcot show is put together. Visit with one of the International Ambassadors and learn more about the program.

There are some fun "perks" associated with this tour, one is a special Limited Edition Undiscovered Future World pin given to participants.

The 4 to 4.5 hour tours are offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. Meet 15 minutes prior in the Guest Relations Lobby (to the left of Spaceship Earth as you enter the park).

NOTE: Guests are able to arrive before the 9 a.m. opening in Future World by identifying themselves as being on the Undiscovered Future World tour. There is a guest list at the turnstiles. Use the same far right queue the Princess Storybook breakfast (Norway) guests use.

$49 per person, plus your Epcot admission.

(There are some reviews on AllEarsNet)

If you think your aunt and uncle are open to learning about Animal Kingdom, then I suggest

Wild By Design
ANIMAL KINGDOM

Learn some of the stories behind the making of Disney's Animal Kingdom. You'll learn how art, architecture, historical artifacts and storytelling are combined to transport you to exotic lands filled with wild animals. This 3 hour on-stage, walking tour will provide insights into the design and building of this new species of theme park as well as a glimpse into the complexities of caring for animals and habitats. Your journey will take you into the land of Anandapur, to the village of Harambe in Africa and through the colorful world of Discovery Island. You'll marvel at the efforts that go into creating and sustaining a "wild" place like Disney's Animal Kingdom! A light continental breakfast will be served midway through the program.

Offered Thursday and Friday and lasts 3 hours. You must be 14 years of age or older. There are no behind the scenes visits as part of the tour.
$58 per person, plus your Animal Kingdom Admission.

(There are reviews of this tour on AllEarsNet as well).

Good luck! I don't think you can go wrong with either of these. I want to eventually take all the tours myself. The closest I have some is doing the Sunrise Safari and that was a fantastic experience.

Have fun in January!

 

[manning]

If they have good balance and under the 250# weight limit there is the segway tour at EPCOT.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Have been on and loved "Magic Behind the Steam Trains" "Keys to the Kingdom"(maybe not exactly the name) and "Seas Epcot." The one I would do again is "Seas Epcot" loved snorkeling at the Living Seas. Retirement aged? Yes that's us.

Bobbi

PS. Also the Seeds tour at the Land was very interesting.

 

[chainkid]

My husband and I are late 50's and have been to Disney World alot. My husband really enjoyed the Richard Petty Driving Experience and I enjoyed a spa day. My husband is an engineer and builder and loves all things athletic with a bit of danger. He said he would like to do the backstage magic tour which goes under neath the world, this would bore me to death. So be sure they like the same types of things. Depending on your circumstances, they might enjoy a cruise on the breathless at the boardwalk or the yacht at Magic kingdom. Dinner at Victoria and Albert's. Do they golf??? Have they ever gone parasailing..this is alot of fun.

 

[disneykid4ever]

Just keep in mind that there is a LOT of walking and standing around on most of the tours. We did the Keys to the Kingdom tour in January and we were feeling it in our lower backs about half way into the 4 hour tour. The only time we sat at all in the 4 hours was for lunch which was about 30 minutes or so, and during our ride through the Haunted Mansion.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Took a tour with 64 yo cousin last year. I believe it was Undiscovered Epcot. Takes place back in the WS. We had an awesome tour guide and absolutely loved it.

 

[byoung]

Sent them on the KTTK tour.

 

[castleri]

Did the Segway tour two years ago and loved it - age 63 at the time and went with my 20 yo son. We had a ball.

Did the all day tour that includes EPCOT, MGM and MK with DH and we both enjoyed 99% of it. Could have done without the 3PM parade but the rest was great. It is a bit pricey but there are discounts for DVC member, Disney Visa and possibly AP. It included behind the scennes at EPCOT with a trip to see how they do the animatronics for the show at the American pavillion, the costume section of EPCOT, the Disney florist, the costume design and construction area at MGM, lunch at Mama Melrose, the general workshops, the holiday warehouse, the utilidors under the magic kingdom. the 3 PM parade and a couple of other things I have forgotten.

DH and I did the Innovations In Action tour that was open to DVC members this past year and it included the laundry facility, the general work shops where they build and repair ride vehicles, annimatronic figures etc, and the topiary part of the greenhouses.


My granddaughter is scuba certified and I gave her the Disney Dive Quest tour for Christmas which she enjoyed.

If you book any tours be sure to ask about discounts.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Call me crazy, but I'd say the Segway tour too.

 

[MrsToad]

We've done Backstage Magic, Backstage Safari, Segway, and the Steam Train tour. Backstage Magic was 7 hours, but included examining the workings of some rides, costume departments, behind the scenes parade float area, holiday decorations area, the Utilidors, and lots more. We found it very interesting. We also liked the shorter Backstage Safari and LOVED the 2-hour Segway tour. The Steam Train tour was interesting, and we enjoyed seeing the train/monorail barn and learning of all the safety procedures, etc., however, we found the long talk at the end, while interesting, to be a bit too long to sit still on uncomfortable chairs for DH's sore back. I will say that the guide seemed to be very up on his subject and seemed to really love sharing his knowledge of the trains and Disney!