The Ultimate Do’s and Don’ts For Seniors at Disney World

TECH TOOLS NOT JUST FOR THE YOUNG

I find it interesting that some seniors at Disney World shy away from technology whcih can helpp them make the most of their holiday. Here were a few suggestions!

• get a rechargeable fan that you wear around your neck…really makes a difference
• Kelly – Familiarize yourself with the my Disney experience app before your trip and use it while you’re there. It is wonderful to be able to place a mobile order for food while you’re standing in line and then go get your food the minute you’re off the ride and it’s ready for you. You can also use it for mobile checkout which saves time standing in line.Use it to check ride times and scooter or wheelchair accessibility for every ride in the park. 
• Bob – Neck fans are great you can buy them on Amazon for around $30 they have 3 speeds but most of them on stay charged on the high setting for around 3 hours. When I’m outside I keep mine on low I feel it doesn’t do that much to blow a lot of hot air on me. Once I go inside I turn it to high and when that blast of air conditioned is blown on my head a neck I feel great almost instantly.

ECV / SCOOTER STRATEGIES

In sum, these recommendations from seniors for other seniors at Disney World recomment scooters from their own experience where age related stamina or health issues might otherwise reduce how long a senior can be in a Disney park.

• Laurie – We always need a scooter and Park Hopper Choppers is our go to!
• Karen – don’t fret over the scooter. Don’t be apprehensive about getting one. That was a lot of unnecessary worry. If you think you may or may not need it, get it. you don’t have to be on it all the time. 
• Rosemary – If you’re not going because you don’t get around as well as you used to, get the scooter!! It’s not as expensive as you think and to me, it’s my saving grace!
• Kerrie – Rented a rollator walker; Sat down in lines on the rollator seat
• Jamie – if in doubt rent the scooter! You can park it in a designated area and walk if you want to but it is so worth it if the walking is too much. I go with my daughter and her family and it allows me to keep up with them . It also gives me a place to sit if I chose to wait instead of ride some things
• Leann – If you think you’ll need a scooter, rent one!! They were a lifesaver on outer last 2 trips to WDW. I just factor the cost in as part of my vacation—-makes it so much more enjoyable not being exhausted or in pain.

SAVE MONEY WITH TIPS THAT WORK FOR YOU

Some seniors offered examples of how they save money befure and during their Disney parks vacation for other seniors at Disney World.

• Athena – We’ve discovered that we didn’t do when we were younger and took our family is instead of buying an all day ticket and a party ticket. We just buy the party ticket now. For Christmas we had just as much fun and we saved about $400 between the 2 of us.
• Karen – Get the Disney visa. Build up your rewards. Use it for spending money at the parks. It’s nice to buy all the souvenirs and snacks and not spend a dime.

Seniors at Disney World – FOOD DELIVERY TO SAVE MONEY, REALLY

Nancy and I use these tips ourselves when we are seniors at Disney World.

• Kelly – Bring your own groceries or use Instacart once you arrive to load yourself up with bottled water and a few snacks. That alone will save you big bucks. 
• Wilbur – We also get drinks and breakfast food delivered to cut some costs.

YES LIGHTNING LANE RECOMMENDED BY SOME SENIORS

• Rod –  I don’t have issues standing and prefer to ride standby rather than hustle around with Lightening Lane. I chat with people, people watch, and soak in the Disney vibe.
• Yet, there was the opposite from Kelly – Consider splurging on lightning lanes for the rides that matter most to you if you’re only gonna be there one day or standing in line is difficult. 
• Dan – Yes, Nancy and I tried both Multi Pass and Single Pass Lightning Lanes in all four Walt Disney World theme parks…… for those short on time we really like using them…..here is a link to the first of our 4 lighting lane for seniors videos if you want to see our experience, again, from a senior’s perspective

TIME OF YEAR TO GO TO DISNEY

• Susan – Would not go in the middle of summer ever again! 
• Cookie – My favorite time of year is the end of January and February and early March. I was there in March for seven days. The weather was in the 70s and beautiful at night. I wore a sweatshirt perfect to walk around the park . This year I also went back two weeks ago for a May visit for just a few days. We went to Epcot for just one day and I can tell you it was so hot and humid and even with a great tan, I had burns all over my shoulders.. It was certainly not enjoyable to be walking in the heat. I much prefer to go when the weather is cooler. And the weather was still warm enough with the heated pools to go in the pool. Since I live in New Jersey and in January and February, the weather is usually in the 20s it’s beautiful to land in Orlando at 70-75°.

Seniors at Disney World – BE FLEXIBLE IN ALL THINGS

• Melissa – Whenever you can take alternate transportation then the busses. I love riding the ferries, Skyliner & monorail. Use ferries and trains in the parks
• Dan – I would add to this to have flexibility in any plans you make for our Disney World holiday…..goes back to not planning for every minute but include chunks of the days you are at Disney where you have no plans

Seniors at Disney World – ACCOMMODATION PREFERENCES OR NEEDS

• Laurinda – When choosing a hotel, be mindful of the bath setup, as not all rooms are alike. The bathtub/shower in the Contemporary Hotel is very deep and could be difficult to get in and out of. If you’re not sure, request a room with a roll-in shower. You don’t want to have a problem before you even get into the parks
• Tink – I am in a motorized wheelchair and when we visit Walt Disney World we stay at Pop Century and it is an advantage to us to use the Skyliner to avoid the buses as often as possible because the bus system when in a motorized wheelchair is a long, arduous process and the skyliner is quick and easy and not crowded at all and It is very direct to get you to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios without the crowds and the waiting that you would have to go through to get on the buses. At most I’ve had to wait for 6 wheelchairs / scooters to load before me and that time passes quicker than waiting for a bus.
• Cheryl – Staying at the Dolphin [or any Crescent Lake resort] and being able to walk to Epcot (the only park we visited this time), no waiting for buses, no cramming onto boats or monorails.

CONSIDER SOLO SENIOR TRIPS TO DISNEY

• Mari – Don’t skip going by yourself if you have the opportunity!! It really is wonderful going at your own pace and where you want to go to!!
• Dan – This  is something I discovered for myself back in April when Nancy was at an out of town baby shower. Sure, personal safety always needs to be a concern. Staying at a Disney resort at Walt Disney World can make one feel more safe. That’s what I did. Here is a link to the video I did showing the first day of my solo senior experience

What additional tips and suggestions do you, a senior … or an adult who takes holidays with a senior family member at Disney World use that would help others? Please, please help all of us seniors by leaving a comment below with your tips for seniors.