Rides for older people? About This Page:

[chloe01795]

When I go to WDW (2 months today ) my grandma is coming with me.
She is 64, and I woundered if there were anyrides she definatly should or shouldn't do.

[Caldercup]

I think alot of that depends on her general health. If she has a heart condition, she probably shouldn't do the "bigger" rides, like Tower of Terror, Rockin'Rollercoaster Expedition Everest, Mission:Space, Test Track, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain.

If she has problems with her spine or skeleton, some of these same rides are rough (specifically Space Mountain and BTMRR.)

TOT and RnR and even Everest are somewhat smooth, being newer rides, but can still be intense.

Your best advice is to have your grandma make sure she's had a recent physical and has her doctor's go-ahead to ride amusement park rides. Then, point her towards the PassPorter guides for information on what each ride will be like and what kind of warnings and ratings the rides have.

Then, let her read the warnings posted at the entrance to each ride so she can determine what she's up for that day.

Good luck - your grandma sounds like she a hoot and 63 is quite young!
Eileen

[snoozin]

Eileen pretty much hit it. It all depends on what she likes, too! I'm a 47something, and haven't really enjoyed many of the bigger rides since I was in my 30's (party pooper!). There's some older folks I've seen hit every big ride there was to go on!

[Pris]

Being almost 60 myself, I can tell you to encourage her to do anything she wants to do unless she has some particular ailment that would prevent it. The things I don't ride, I wouldn't have ridden when I was younger. I'm chicken, not too old! My age has slowed me down a bit, but not kept me from doing things I want to do.

[songbird]

52 and loving EVERY ride!!! Just don't overdo it!
Have Fun!

[Tonichelle]

my mom is 61 and she did most of the big rides at WDW...

the only ride she complained about as far as her back or anything was... I think Dinosaur... but if she had sat right and not tried to hide under the seat I think she would have done better (but that wrenched my back a bit too so I dunno)

[WDWJAMBA]

Originally Posted by Tonichelle

my mom is 61 and she did most of the big rides at WDW...

the only ride she complained about as far as her back or anything was... I think Dinosaur... but if she had sat right and not tried to hide under the seat I think she would have done better (but that wrenched my back a bit too so I dunno)

I did the same thing as your mom! I tried to duck down as low as I could and came off needing a chiropractor!

[SARH7]

Maybe have her read the ride descriptions in the Passporter first.....that will familiarize her with them and she can get an idea a head of time what they're all about!! I bet she will love Carousel of Progress! Are you taking her to eat at Sci-fi or 50's PT?? I bet she'll love those too!!

[IdahoDisneyMom]

My mom's 58, and her favorite ride is BTM, but she's in really good shape.

My mother-in-law's 62, and she loves rides too.

I'd avoid the super crazy rides, and take her health condition into consideration, but have fun!!!

[duck addict]

I am sixty one and that is YOUNG

Ride what she wishes, as long as they don't conflict with a medical condition

[Caldercup]

My step-mom has neck issues (both skeletal and muscular) and, despite being incredibly fit (at 65) from pilates and yoga, she avoids certain rides -- including Dinosaur, Space Mountain, Splash and Everest. My father is 71 and also very fit with no health issues. He loves all the big rides, but can only do them each once a day and then enjoys a 1/2 hour break between rides.

I am 40 with no health issues (other than MS, which is not affected by the rides, but rather by heat and humidity and stress) and I find that I often can't do Space Mountain at WDW -- too rough on my neck, which is often sore from sleeping on the resort beds and with resort pillows and not my back-saver pillows! I just listen to my body and make a day-by-day decision of whether to ride something.

Eileen

[marianne e cornett]

Excuse me! Are some of you saying that 63 is OLD? Holy cow! I'm 58 and I swear I don't feel a day over 30. I do all of the rides and never have a problem. Anyone can have a medical issue that prevents them from riding certain rides but that doesn't necessarily apply to age. I am the one who always has gone on the rides with our boys (even now when they are grown) as my husband who is also 58 is scared of heights. Come on everybody! Let's here it for the BABY BOOMERS! WAHOO! Look out for my Sexy Sixties! Hey, look at it this way; we are giving all of you young people hope for your future! Bigred

[SARH7]

Now that's how I want to be when I'm 58!! Never slowin' down!!

And yes, medical issues have nothing to do with age....

[DawnDenise]

My mom who will be 62 on our upcoming trip loves all the rides, except Mission:Space and the Teacups as she cannot handle the spinning that occurs. She knows what she can and cannot do.

Your best advice is to have your grandma make sure she's had a recent physical and has her doctor's go-ahead to ride amusement park rides. Then, point her towards the PassPorter guides for information on what each ride will be like and what kind of warnings and ratings the rides have.

Then, let her read the warnings posted at the entrance to each ride so she can determine what she's up for that day.

Can't agree more with the above statement.

[mechurchlady]

Age does not limit what a person might enjoy. It is prejudiced to assume that only a certain age will enjoy something.

Guests with Disabilities
That is the official WDW disabilites page. It discusses things which older persons may have difficulty with. WDW has shows, parades, shopping, dining and transportation which is are for all ages and most levels of health. There are plenty of gentle rides like Dumbo, Peter Pan, Small World, Pirates of the Carribean, The Great Movie Ride, Journey into Imagination, Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, and Ellen's Energy Adventure.

There are many things to do even if you are scared of or are not able to ride the wild rides like flowers, food, shows, parades, architecture, science, and people watching.