Seniors Planning a Trip to Disney

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

22 May 2007 06:52 AM

Are you over 60 and planning to take the grandkids to Disney World for the first time? Is it your first trip to Disney World? If so, then take a seat and let's review a few things before you start your planning. After all, taking the grandchildren to Disney World can be an immensely rewarding experience for you and your grandkids, but it's important to recognize that it can also be very exhausting as well.

Have You Ever Been to Disney World?

The first time you visit Disney World, you probably felt a sense of culture shock. It is a cornucopia of light, creativity, imagination, sound and more. From the rides to the parades to the eateries and shops - something is going on all the time. It's easy to say that Disney World will be like most other amusement parks, but it's not.

If you want to take your grandkids to Disney World, I would recommend, if you can afford it, that you go for your first time without them. There is a method to this madness, without the grandkids, you can absorb everything that is going on as well as get a realistic idea for what the rides are like, the eating, the routes and more.

Don't Let Your Grandkids Overwhelm You

I know many vigorous 60 year olds, truthfully, pretty much all the 60 + year olds I know these days are pretty vigorous. But when you take your grandkids to Disney World, they are going to want to do everything and they aren't going to want to slow down. Oddly enough, as a kid, even when you are overheated, dehydrated and hungry, you don't slow down much - you just complain and keep on rushing.

It's best to have a schedule set before you even put one foot inside the parks and to be aware of your own limitations. The last thing you want to do is go on a ride that is violently uncomfortable for you no matter how much the kids want to do it.

My grandmother took me to Disney World when I was a kid and she let me go on all the rides that I was tall enough for, but she didn't like the rides. She got motion sick very easily - thus, she could avoid most of the problems related to riding the rides.

If you're not sure about the intensity of a ride, ask. For example, Space Mountain is a pretty intense ride and it whips you around in the dark. I actually know one person that strained their neck while on the ride. Thunder Mountain Railroad is another jerky ride. Splash Mountain isn't too jerky, but there is the water drop towards the end of the ride, but that's actually tame by comparison to the others.

Take your grandkids to Disney World and have a great time, but be sure to do your homework and to set limits so that all of you have fun and no one is left too exhausted to return to the parks the next day.

Related Articles:

Planning a Trip to Disney? Pick up the Remote

The Magic Kingdom: Where to Meet Characters

Disney World Planning & The Big Family

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger