Disney Parks Survey – More Seats More Shade in Disney Parks!
This is also a safety issue., a health issue. Seniors have decreasing stamina, Disneyland resort and especially Walt Disney World resort theme parks seasonal weather can be extreme and impact seniors’ health while in the Disney parks. The seniors who provided input into our 2nd annual Disney Parks survey did not hold back on this issue directly impacting their Disney Parks experience.
Russ, Wendy, Linda, Liz, Karen, Kimberley, Jonnie, Carol, Debbie, Kris, Lorna, Sue, Tessa, Ken, Kelly, Bill, Robin ….. the list of Disney luvin’ seniors contributing to this part of the survey seems like it was almost endless. Let’s listen to some of their input.
Russ – Been coming to WDW since I was 30 – now 73. Benches and shade would be nice, not only for seniors but mothers with small children.
Liz – Bring back benches and seating spots. Yes I know they want people up and buying but if I can’t get some rest and shade I leave and there goes my money
Karen – More shaded seating areas for grandparents to watch the kiddos on their rides.
Kimberley – More shade
Kimberley – More benches/seating
Jonnie – More benches to stop and rest.
Carol – More Shade
Debbie – Definitely more shade at (Disney’s Hollywood) Studios.
Kris – More shaded areas! More seating available outside.
Lorna – In California more shade and benches and misters in the lines. In Florida definitely more shade and misters waiting for buses
Sue – More seating/benches, ideally shaded and covered for rain in FL. Disneyland actually does a better job of this; when I was younger I would go there with my (senior) mom, and sometimes just sit and people-watch.
Tessa – I agree with what others have said. There needs to be more benches “seating” throughout the parks. There are a ton of places they can put them where they won’t get in the way.
- Ken – Places to sit for a break, and shade!
Kelly – More benches for everyone–benches are always filled all day, people need them.
Bill – More shaded areas designated just for seniors
Robin – Shady benches
Mary – More benches and benches in the shade.
Mary – More phone charging stations, with seating.
Donna – More places to sit and to cool down. Florida weather is brutal. This would be helpful to ALL visitors. Some of the newer ride queues do have seating, which is nice.
Jennie – Benches built into lines
- Nancy – Many more benches scattered around the parks & put some benches in the wait lines.
Eric – Pull down seats along the queue for seniors to rest
Linda– Seating in the queues that tend to be long – especially since the DAS is no longer an option for many.
Nilene – For Disneyland, Instead of just asking for more benches, I would ask for a covered lounge area with lots of seating, water fountains and restrooms. It could be either open air or the repurposing of a building, but I see a fun opportunity for theming, merchandise sales, etc. If it was open air, it could have heaters in the Winter. Either way, it would be a wonderful respite in the park.
- Linda – In Magic Kingdom the Terrace restaurant by Tomorrowland is a great place to rest if it is open. It is outdoors with tables and chairs and a ceiling. Going up Main St make the right at the Ice Cream Parlor pass the restrooms on your right then the sitting is on your right.
Christine – Additional shaded seating areas would be a great improvement, allowing seniors to rest and enjoy the park at their own pace.
Christine – More shaded areas with benches
David – Tomorrowland has lots and lots of sun! Not that much shade but lots of places in the sun to sit.
Lisa – they could start by replacing all the benches they removed during COVID. There used to be benches all along the World Showcase. There used to be benches within the country areas. I went to EPCOT a couple years ago after knee surgery, so I needed to rest quite a bit and I sat on so many walls and fountains.
Jennifer – All great suggestions. I’m 70 in fair physical condition. I visited The Animal Kingdom for my 1st time late June and enjoyed the shady spots, fans and seating areas.
Michelle – More benches, more shade (especially in HS and Epcot.
Lisa – I want benches in the shade so I can people watch and enjoy street entertainment (at times when they actually had street entertainment0 and enjoy just being there.
Sarah – As said numerous times, more shaded places to sit.
Phil – We were there last week, and the heat was relentless. They do their best, but there’s far to many places you must stand in a line in the sun with no fans or shade whatsoever. We’re pass holders, and go at least 2x-3x a year. But it’s becoming less and less fun and more and more expensive! Rides going down and way overbooked equals, not a fun experience! My biggest gripe is, why should I stand in a line, in the sun for an hour or more for a 3-5 minute ride that is not much fun? Definitely rethinking whether or not to renew our passes!
Sue – Went to Disneyland recently…lots of benches shade…why can’t Walt Disney World have these???
Sara – I agree with most, more shady areas with benches, but we have to remember that anyone can use them.
Pam – More places to sit in all parks and
Traci – shaded designated grandparent seating area near rides where we can wait for our family while they go on the rides. Seating for the parades/shows would be nice too, but probably not practical
Julie – More seating available its hard for Seniors to stand all day when not doing rides as I cannot stand in lines for long so don’t do many rides and end up waiting for family its really hard to find a place to sit and wait for them
David – Shade in “The Sunshine State” is a must this time of year when temperatures are in the 90’s with triple digit heat index. Oh, and people watching is my favorite sport and there is nothing like Disney people watching.
Carol – Maybe senior seats? Tables or benches for seniors.
Pam – Seats, seats and more seats!
Almost done. These next items are just as important regarding the experience of seniors at Disney Parks that were also part of our 2nd annual Disney Parks survey.
Concluding With Both A Statement and A Question
- Sara – All we can do is wait and see if he (Josh D’Amaro or Bob Iger) listens.
- Jill – But is he (Josh D) reading the responses?
What other suggestions do you have to enhance the experience of seniors at Disney parks? We really want to hear from you. Please add your suggestions in the comments to this article, even of others have already mentioned them as detailed in this article on our 2nd annual Disney Parks survey.
When the Part 2 becomes available, detailing the feedback from seniors at Disney parks relating to mobility and disabled guest access, we will place a link for you right here.
For now here is another Disney related travel video for older adults and seniors.
And, consider joining the Disney for Seniors Facebook Group, the original online community dedicated solely to Disney luvin’ seniors.
Thank you so, so much for watching the accompanying 2nd Annual Disney Parks Survey From Seniors video and especially for reading this article
Here is a link to last years article detailing the results from our 1st Annual Disney Parks Survey From Seniors in 2024.
We hope you have a magical day, Disney style.
