Enhancing Disney Parks Experience for Seniors: Insights from 95,000 Disney Fans. This is the 2nd Annual our Disney Parks survey on improving the Disney Parks Experience FOR SENIORS.
In September 2024, we surveyed over 10,000 Disney luvin’ seniors of the Disney for Seniors Facebook Group.
This year, we asked over 95,000 Disney luvin’ seniors from the same Disney for Seniors online community the same question in our 2nd annual Disney Parks survey. (And that’s no typo …. the online community has grown by over 900% in one year!)
This series provides most of the responses they submitted, using their own words; what they said … and they said a lot … is the focus of this lengthy article. And that’s important.
This is not some synthisized survey by an Artificial Intellegence tool; neither is it from a professional statistician hired by some interest group that has word-smithed the comments or removed those that do not serve a hidden agenda.
It is the actual comments, using the actual words …. typos, gramatical imperfections, and all …. provided by Disney luvin’ seniors when we asked for their input in our second annual Disney Parks Survey.
If you would rather watch the documentary style YouTube video containing most of what is in this Disney Parks Survey article, you can do so by using this link to the video titled What Did 95,000 Seniors Say About Disney Parks in 2025?
Who Are Disney’s Original Seniors?
Mickey Mouse, is 97 years old, born on November 18, 1928, first appearing in Steamboat Willie as we all know. Mickey Mouse is a senior and goes every day to Disney theme parks…..you’ve seen him there.
Minnie Mouse, goes to Disney theme parks too. She is also a senior, 97 years old (, also first appearing in Steamboat Willie.)
Goofy? 93 years old born in 1932 (Yes …Goofy was bone in 1932, first appearing in the Mickey’s Revue short feature, making Goofy 93 years old. Goofy is a senior)
Donald Duck, 91 years of age, born in 1934 (again a senior who goes to Disney theme parks, was born on June 1934 as first appearing in The Wise Little Hen cartoon, part of the Silly Symphonies.)
And, closing out the Disney Fab Five…..Daisy Duck…. 85 years old, born in 1940. (A senior …. First appearing as Daisy Duck in Mr. Duck Steps Out in 1940 … making her 85 years old (we’re not counting her appearance as Donna Duck in 1937’s Don Donald).)
All of them … Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy ….. all of them are seniors … and all of them can be found in the various Disney theme parks all the time around the world including Disneyland and Walt Disney World…..as well as at selected Disney resorts and on Disney Cruise Line cruises.
So Disney must be doing something right to keep these original Disney seniors coming back to Disney Parks again and again all over the world, right? Yet, can it do better? Can Disney to a lot better for it’s real world Disney luvin’ seniors?
Real World Disney Seniors
Hi it’s Dan from Nancy and Dan Travel To Disney, the founders of the original Disney for Seniors online community now over 96,000 members strong.
We were curious if, in the past year, Disney luvin’ seniors felt their experience at Disney parks had improved, gotten worse, or stayed the same.
We were curious if Disney luvin’ seniors had different ideas how Disney could improve their Disney parks experience.
That is why we launched in 2024 this Disney Parks Survey for seniors. We put the same question that we asked this community of seniors one year ago. The hypothetical question is:
- If you were to have 5 minutes with Josh D., what one suggestion would you tell him to make Disney theme parks a better experience for seniors?
These seniors responded in a big way …. There were some of the same strongly worded suggestions as last year, ….. and some new ones which sound like really great ideas.
We are going place the most frequently mentioned suggestions by Disney seniors towards the end because we don’t want the other many, many great ideas to improve the experience of seniors at Disney Parks to become minimized or missed.
In Part 2, which will be linked for you when it is available, we will cover those items negatively impacting the Disney park experience of seniors relating to DAS and mobility. We are doing this so the input on these two VERY important topics to many seniors do not get lost … that they get the attention they deserve.
Seniors are after all, the largest demographic group of consumers that Disney has, right?
Hey Disney, are you listening? Josh D., are YOU listening? Bob I.? Here we go!
Disney Parks Survey – Lightning Lane Not A Hit With Some Seniors
Starting us off with the results from our 2nd annual Disney Parks survey will be Michael from the Disney for Seniors Facebook Group.
Michael – (return the) Old fast pass system; (it’s) to hard for us seniors to be on the (Disney) phone app all day long and it’s not easy to navigate either
- Linda and Kim both Agreed – Disney didn’t make any money off fast passes, yet, they were easier to use than lightening lane
- Kim – And paper fast pass like before
Carol – I would not mind paying extra for Lightning Lane program if we could actually use it, but having to criss-cross the parks to get from one ride to another is, at best, difficult for seniors who often have mobility issues.
Robin – Simplify the Lighting Multipass system-consider making it complimentary again. We’ve already paid quite a bit to visit the park and eat there….now you force us pay to use a method that reduces wait times and make it more enjoyable to visit
Phil – I’m not a fan of the new fast pass system. It’s more annoying and just plain Expensive!
Robin – Create a Lightning Lane hands-on tutorial within the app so people could see how it works before the actual vacation.
Next, let’s look at comments from seniors about improving their Disney Parks experience on a related topic …
Disney Parks Survey – Park Experience Complexity
Like many non-senior park guests we have talked with, seniors are finding the increasing complexity of attending a Disney park continues to negatively impact their experience. Let’s listen to the seniors who responded to our Disney Parks survey.
Lynia – End the reservation system for annual pass holders. I know, she says, you can usually get a reservation now but it is one more step you need to do.
- Carla – plus it makes it really complicated when you visit with “no date” people.
Karen – Simplify the (Disney park) app for seniors
Kelly – Find a way we can navigate our park day without being glued to the phone.
Lisa – SIMPLIFY. I don’t want to be in combat to get a fast pass – I want to (return to the) old ones where you physically walk up a machine and get a pass in a few hours. I don’t want to have to use my phone to order lunch – I want to walk up to a counter and see what you have.
David – Bravo, Bravo! Oh how I agree and I DO NOT think that it is asking too much. (he continues) The only thing wrong with the old Fast Pass system was that the Disney Company was not making any money. Heaven forbid you give something to the Guest’s for free. We should not need to use our phones to order food, open resort doors or show your Annual Pass. What about those that do not have a “smart” phone? Heck I still have a land line! I do like face to face contact and the novel idea of using cash to pay for my meals.
Next, let’s take a look at an idea from last year’s Disney Parks survey which continues to resonate with Disney luvin’ seniors.
Disney Parks Survey – Celebrate Disney Luvin’ Seniors
Parry – To have seniors day for all seniors
- Joanne – A senior day seems impossible but maybe 4 hours of a given day mite be reasonable
Michelle – I would tell him to have an adults only day
- David – Disagreed – With all the babies and children I have taken to the Disney Parks I am guilty of saying the same thing. If you take out the children the Parks would be empty because most those grown-ups would be gone as well. I go for my Grandchildren. I enjoy watching their little faces light up. When I was a Cast Member, we were at MGM and the coolest thing I ever saw was a little one taking her very first steps and yes Mom and Dad had a stroller.
Bill – How about a seniors night?
Kelly – Consider a senior day with special discounts or incentives.
Kelly – Consider special later nights at Animal Kingdom.
Sarah – A special senior night (well, they have grad nights) to enjoy without huge crowds.
- Michele – After hours senior night event perk with an AP .
Dan – What about Disney merchandise celebrating seniors? There isn’t any, and hasn’t been for years, except recently for a t-shirt with Carl Fredricksen character from Disney’s Up with an attempt at humor referencing his walking cane. Disney has lots of merchandise celebrating all kinds of events and guest demographics, but not one the last time I looked with the word ‘senior’.
Hey Disney, why not celebrate seniors?
Next, there were items that were not mentioned by seniors in the Disney Parks survey, yet are important I think to include here.
