Disney for Seniors Archives - Page 5 of 13

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Top 5 Attractions For Seniors

July 2, 2011 by Ken 24 Comments

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a lot of shows that particularly appeal to seniors. But – there are other attractions that seem to appeal to the youngsters that we seniors very much love. Here are my top 5 attractions for seniors, see if you agree.

Toy Story Midway Mania! – This one is fantastic and is loved by young and old alike. The games and themes are incredible (so is Mr. Potato Head), fun and a pleasure to play. Even if you are lucky enough to ride it many times in a day you will not tire of the good clean fun. Get there early, grab a Fast Pass and then get in the standby line. You are not too old to enjoy this!!!
Fantasmic! – This show is and always has been one of my favorites since I saw the Disneyland version many years ago. The Walt Disney World version is spectacular and beautifully staged in an amphitheater worthy of the show’s scope. There are a couple of drawbacks particularly since the number of performances was reduced a couple of years ago.(changed back to daily through Sept 30) the crowds at the Hollywood Studios are huge on Fantasmic! day and the lines for the show are huge. Take advantage of the Fantasmic Dining Package.
Walt Disney, One Man’s Dream – If you love Walt Disney and Disney in general, take some time to visit this attraction. It will give you an appreciation of Walter Elias Disney and what he did with what he had where he started from. It addresses all the stages of Walt’s life and the development of Disney through the years. Beautifully done!!!
Beauty And The Beast – Live On Stage – This is another one of those do not miss stage shows appreciated by seniors. The costuming, staging, and choreography make this show an absolute delight. Sure, we all know the story of Beauty and the Beast but this show really does it justice and presents it in a very special way. See it for sure!!
Muppet Vision 3-D – Muppets = FUN and this attraction is no exception. One thing to remember, this was Jim Henson’s final production and it retains all of the oddities and twisted little things that wandered around in his head. The man was brilliant and this show reflects his talents. Take this sojourn around Muppet Labs with the crew and have a good laugh on them

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has lots and lots of stage shows. Make sure you take the time to enjoy as many of them as possible and you will find out that Hollywood Studios is at least a “full day park” if not more. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!

Ken

Disney’s Dining Plans, which one is best for you? (chipandco.com)
Video: Cars 2 Meet & Greet Construction Update at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (chipandco.com)

Disneys Hollywood Studios Top 5 Attractions For Seniors

Filed Under: Disney for Seniors, Oldies but Goodies, Quick Tips, Tips &Tricks, Top 5/10 Tagged With: Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, disney, Disney Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic, Muppet Vision, One Man's Dream, Toy Story Midway Mania, Walt Disney, Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World Resort

EPCOT – Top 5 Attractions For Seniors

July 1, 2011 by Ken 1 Comment

Epcot is absolutely our favorite park. The shows and attractions, with a couple of exceptions, seem to be very senior friendly. As well, a lot of folks think children will have no interest in Epcot because of its educational/informative bent but I beg to disagree. Kids thirst for knowledge and Epcot presents that knowledge in a fun and informative way. This makes Epcot the most universal of parks in overall appeal to all generations. (personal opinion of course) Let’s take a look at Epcot’s top 5 for seniors and see if they match your choices.

Spaceship Earth – What a way for seniors to start their visit to Epcot. It’s a relaxing, informative and fun way to be exposed to the history of communication, as well, it sets the tone for the rest of the visit. Along with the recent upgrade came a lot of new techie stuff which especially appeals to younger visitors. The upgrade improved every aspect of the attraction including the narrative (Dame Judi Dench fan here). Make sure you take the time to enjoy this attraction. Try it early in the day while everyone else is running for Soarin’.
Soarin’ – Arguably the most popular attraction at Epcot, this is also a very senior friendly attraction. What you get here is a tour over the skies of California from a perspective that few folks will ever experience. The ride equipment itself looks a bit daunting to a lot of seniors but the boarding and departing of the ride is easily handled by seniors and the ride itself is gentle and the scenery rewarding. Give it a try my fellow seniors.
The American Adventure Show - The biggest criticism I’ve heard about this show is that it is overly patriotic. Is that a criticism or a compliment – I know how I feel about it. The more patriotic the better, this is America after all!! The animatronics are quite good and the stage is HUGE! Please sit a ways back senior friends so you can take it in without any issues. Make sure you get there early so you can take in the Fife and Drum Corps demonstration and the Voices of Liberty (an amazing a capella ensemble in the lobby), it’s one of the most rewarding hours you will spend at Epcot.
Impressions de France - If you enjoy beautiful travelogue type photography and delightful music then you will love this attraction. Unlike a lot of the other “country” films, this one is presented in a comfortable theater type setting so there is no standing (sometimes tough on our older legs and feet). This makes for a wonderful break from touring and allows you to recoup from touring; and did I mention, the film and the music are wonderful.
O Canada! - We can’t forget our wonderful neighbors to the north. This film (sorry, it’s a stand up) had gotten very tired over the years but a fairly recent remake starring Martin Short and several other “surprisingly” Canadian celebrities has given the story of O Canada! a whole new life. If you viewed it a few years ago and were a bit disappointed, give it another chance you will not be sorry.

Epcot is a paradise for us older folks. Most of us love to walk around and look, look, look and Epcot is the place to do just that, Perhaps that’s why we spend 2 1/2 to 3 days there every visit – we are truly hooked!! As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!

Off the Beaten Path: Quiet Places at Epcot (chipandco.com)
Disney World Fun Facts – Epcot (chipandco.com)

Filed Under: Disney for Seniors, Oldies but Goodies, Tips &Tricks, Top 5/10 Tagged With: Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Martin Short, O Canada, recreation, Soarin' Over California, Spaceship Earth, Test Track, The American Adventure, Top 5, Top 5/10, Walt Disney World Resort

Magic Kingdom – Top 5 Attractions For Seniors

July 1, 2011 by Ken 1 Comment

The Magic Kingdom is just for kids – WRONG!! The Magic Kingdom is for absolutely everyone but does have particular appeal to the kids and yes, us older folks!! There are so many wonderful attractions that run the gamut from roller coasters to shows that it’s hard to pick just 5. Let’s check out those that are both entertaining and kind to the bodies of my fellow seniors.

The Haunted Mansion - This just could be my favorite attraction at Walt Disney World. It underwent a major upgrade a few years ago and everything (and I mean everything) was improved. I’m excited about this years visit because the queue just underwent a huge overhaul and is now interactive. From what I’ve heard it’s amazing. So – in just the last few years, Disney has taken their best attraction and improved it to an unbelievable level. What can they do with it next? I don’t have a clue but stat tuned, they will come up with something.
Pirates of the Caribbean – Another Disney classic that just goes on and on. It’s a pleasant and fun sojourn with those evil pirates as they do what pirates do. It’s a comfortable boat ride with a couple of minor drops that will harm no one. The detail is amazing throughout, as you go under the bridge as you leave the town scene, check out the hairy legs of the pirate sitting on the bridge. Make sure you look for Captain Jack, he shows up at least 3 times.
The Jungle Cruise – This is normally the first attraction we hit on every visit to the Magic Kingdom. Sure – the animatronics are not all that sophisticated and the “skipper’s” jokes are corny and tired (but oddly funny) but it’s a great way for seniors to kick off their Magic Kingdom visit. Take the time to ride it but try to do it early because lines can get long.
“it’s a small world”-This one goes all the way back to the ’64 World’s Fair, when many of us seniors were still school kids. It’s bright and cheery and young kids (and a lot of seniors) really enjoy it. The music (OH!! that song) is likely to set up camp in your head and spend the rest of the day with you so be warned. It’s not really that bad and besides there are a lot worse things that could be rattling around in your head. Enjoy the very smooth and cheerful time you spend with the world’s kiddies and feel free to join them in song.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress - Another classic oldie!! Do you see a trend here? It looks like the older attractions are favored by the older folks, at least this older folk. This one has changed a little over the years but still focuses on “progress”. The animatronics, again, are not that sophisticated but the story line is entertaining and it’s a very relaxing way to spend a little bit of time. I particularly enjoy the scene changes where you sit there and rotate rather than the scenes rotating. Enjoy this one!!

There are so many of the old classics in the Magic Kingdom that it’s easy for seniors to have a wonderful time without even approaching a roller coaster. Make sure you try some of the older things even if the younger members of your party want to ride Space Mountain – you will not be sorry. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!

Ken

Disney World Planning Tips: Magic Kingdom Edition (couponingtodisney.com)
Top 10 Things To Do at Night in the Magic Kingdom (chipandco.com)

Magic Kingdom Top 5 Attractions For Seniors

Filed Under: Disney for Seniors, Oldies but Goodies, Tips &Tricks Tagged With: Carousel of Progress, disney, Haunted Mansion, It's a small world, Jungle Cruise, Magic Kingdom, Pirates of the Caribbean, Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World Resort

Disney World Quick Tips – Don’t Let Your Ego Ruin Your Vacation

June 17, 2011 by Ken 11 Comments

Hi everyone!! You may or may not have noticed that I have been among the missing for the past several weeks and the cause of that absence is my main focus for writing this article. Suffice it to say I went from being extremely healthy to desperately ill in a very short period of time and am now in a fairly long recovery period (hey – at least I can call it a recovery). The illness has given me a new perspective on physical limitations and their potential effect on a vacation to Walt Disney World and what effect they may or may not have on our upcoming October visit.

A lot of folks in their mid sixties have huge egos when it comes to their physical prowess and abilities (GUILTY!!!). In the past I have had no issues with the theme park death marches every day on a visit to Walt Disney World vacation but my recent illness may have a significant effect on that and my stamina may still be limited come vacation time. Things may change in the next four months but in the event I am still somewhat limited come vacation time there is a rental scooter in my future. That is something I never thought I would do but we will be traveling with friends on this trip and I refuse to let my ego impact this vacation. The minimal cost of a scooter will make the trip go as planned so that my issues don’t impact my wife and friends. O.K. I’m off the soapbox!!!

The point I’m trying to make is that no one will think any less of you when you do the smart thing and take advantage of all of the assistance available at one of the most “disabled friendly” places on earth. Your companions will probably thank you for your consideration. There are always those folks out there who might think someone using assistance is faking it, especially if you look perfectly healthy as I do. Who cares what they think, your aim is to have a wonderful visit to Walt Disney World regardless of limitations. Believe me – if I can overcome my gigantic ego out of respect for my fellow travelers (not to mention how much easier it will be on this old body) you can too. Don’t forget, your willingness to take advantage of the assistance available will not only make your visit better for your companions but it will allow you to enjoy your visit in the style to which you have become accustomed. Everybody Benefits!!! WIN-WIN-WIN!!!

I am thrilled to be at a point where I can resume writing for Chip and Company and even though my contributions may be a bit limited at first, I should be back at full speed in just a few weeks. Thanks for taking the time to read my stuff! As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!

Ken

Walt Disney World’s QR codes for PhotoPass (jedimouseketeer.blogspot.com)
Disney World Quick Tips – Your To-Do List (chipandco.com)

Disney World Quick Tips Dont Let Your Ego Ruin Your Vacation

Filed Under: Disney for Seniors, Quick Tips, Tips &Tricks Tagged With: disney, Disney for Seniors, Production, recreation, scooters, stamina, Theme Park, Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World Resort

Oldies But Goodies – Should We TACKLE A Theme Park?

May 14, 2011 by Ken 3 Comments

What do you think my fellow Oldies? Should we take an aggressive stance and TACKLE every theme park we visit or should we take another approach? As I have gotten older (alas, an unavoidable consequence of being born) I have developed a different approach toward everything I do – age and experience will outdo youth and enthusiasm every time. So, for me, the TACKLING question is easily answered with a NO. That does not mean you shouldn’t do it so long as it fits your capabilities and doesn’t overstretch your limitations, if it works for you – Do It!!

I think you will find that very experienced Walt Disney World visitors move quite a bit more slowly and with a different type of purpose than a relatively less experienced visitor (I guess you could call them newbies in the kindest possible way). The pace at which folks travel through the parks is not necessarily a function of age but more one of ability and purpose. But, as I have gotten older I have found both my ability and purpose are varying with each passing year causing me to be a little less aggressive in my approach to theme park touring.

Do we miss anything we want to do because of our slower pace? We do not because one of the other benefits that comes with the age and experience mentioned above, a bit more disposable income. Our solution to taking a slower pace is to visit more often and for longer periods of time. Our normal visit interval was every 2 years but after October 2011, it is going to be every 18 months for 10-12 days – problem solved!! That type of visit allows us to squeeze in that extra Epcot day and that extra Hollywood Studios day without taking away from some of our other favorites.

On our March/April 2013 visit we are going to explore renting DVC points to see how that works for us. It will mean deluxe accommodations at a reduced price. There are some pitfalls to avoid but research and networking can take the edge off of those pitfalls. If you want to try something like that, do your reading and talk to your friends. Don’t just jump into it because someone (me) says it might be a good idea. Don’t commit until you are comfortable.

I asked a question about TACKLING theme parks aggressively on your visits, if it fits your abilities and approach to life by all means go for it. You can also try some of the things we do, travel more often for longer visits, so you can take your time and enjoy everything Walt Disney World has to offer. It’s all up to you my friends. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!

Ken