Welcome to planDisney, Kerry!
Oh, I love this question. We've traveled to Walt Disney World with three generations many times and our upcoming visit includes some 80-somethings. We cannot wait!
Kerry, I like to be mindful of everyone in our group as I make touring plans. For your April visit, you'll want to keep an eye on the temperature, too. Look to space out experiences in air conditioning so that everyone is kept comfortable throughout the day. My favorite way to keep everyone cool, hydrated, and happy is to book a lunch midday each day at a great location within the park we're visiting or at a nearby
Disney Resort hotel.
We've got some elders in our family who are all in for adventure and some who are a bit more physically limited. For older folks who are not thrill ride fans, they can enjoy more relaxing experiences such as
EPCOT's Living with the Land, Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival, Spaceship Earth, and The Seas with Nemo & Friends. You'll be visiting during the
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, so don't miss Butterfly Landing, Festival Exhibit at CommuniCore Hall, all of the beautiful topiaries, and additional small plate and drink options at the festival-exclusive Outdoor Kitchens.
At
Magic Kingdom Park, more mild rides include Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Peter Pan's Flight, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, "it's a small world", Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, and so many more!
Disney's Hollywood Studios offers several shows that older guests might enjoy. Watch the tale as old as time at Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage, check out everyone's favorite hero at Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, take a visit to Arendelle at For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, and witness Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After. So much fun!
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, of course, is home to some absolutely beautiful experiences, so there's lots of milder attractions for older folks to enjoy. Kilimanjaro Safaris, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond!, Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, Festival of the Lion King, and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail are all mild experiences that everyone is sure to love. One of my favorite memories is watching the elderly grandmom ahead of us hop off her scooter and onto a banshee at Avatar Flight of Passage. When it was over? Happy tears--she loved it!
Kerry, the key is to make sure that everyone has the ability to tour at their own pace, and to build in some more relaxing time--in air conditioning--throughout the day. If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, this might include a return to the resort as crowds and heat increase in the afternoon. We'll enjoy some time in the parks, then while some will stay to pack in more fun, others will head back to rest in the room, by the pool, or even enjoy visiting a hotel lounge or shop. For our next visit, we're looking forward to finally visiting
The Garden View Lounge - Tea Experience. You might love it, too!
As you plan your upcoming visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth, Kerry, be sure to send more questions our way. We love to help!
Andrea H