50 ideas for a 50-something!

PrincessNelly_NJ

Well-Known Member
Hello All,

Welp, I guess I've got Disney fever bad. I'm heading down in Sept 2013, again in May 2014, and I'm debating on a trip in Sept 2014 as a surprise 50th birthday trip for my dear ol' mom! She's been stressing :( and needs some relaxation! What are some awesome ways to relax or just have a good time for a 50 yr old in the world? How are the spas? places to listen to good music or have a good laugh?

Also, I'm an on the go girl during my disney trips, so any tips on how to enjoy the parks at a more relaxed pace would be welcomed as well...
 

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
Hello All,

Welp, I guess I've got Disney fever bad. I'm heading down in Sept 2013, again in May 2014, and I'm debating on a trip in Sept 2014 as a surprise 50th birthday trip for my dear ol' mom! She's been stressing :( and needs some relaxation! What are some awesome ways to relax or just have a good time for a 50 yr old in the world? How are the spas? places to listen to good music or have a good laugh?

Also, I'm an on the go girl during my disney trips, so any tips on how to enjoy the parks at a more relaxed pace would be welcomed as well...
A stroll through WS snacking and enjoying a beverage or 2 is always fun! And character meals are a great stress reliever at any age!:) 50 isn't old! It is the prime of life!:)
 
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Uncle Remus

Well-Known Member
50 ideas you say? Well I've broken it down to 10 in each park, 10 in the resorts,etc.

Magic Kingdom
1. Take a long break in the middle of the day at very comfortable Crystal Palace. Pooh and the gang are there. The food is good and the air conditioning is awesome
2. Grab an ice cream and a spot for the Electrical Parade. Watch the parade and stay there for Wishes and the fireworks. A great chance to rest and talk at the end of the day.
3. Ride the people mover. Never a line and they'll let you stay on multiple times
4. Carousel of Progress. It takes up a ton of time, is inside and never a wait
5. Philharmagic. Same reasons as Carousel of Progress
6. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. Every show is different. Sometimes a wait but it's worth it. A good way to relax in the a/c and still be entertained.
7. Tiki Room. No lines, a/c.
8. Country Bear Jamboree. It's still entertaining to me although some have grown weary of it. Good time killer and again a/c
9. Grab a Dole Whip Float. Find a bench in view of the spitting camel by the magic carpets. People watch. It's always a must for us. People lose their minds when they don't realize it was the camel that got the, wet.
10. Magic Kingdom railroad. It takes you around the entire park and is a great chance to relax.

Hollywood Studios
1. Indiana Jones stunt show. Great time killer to get off your feet.
2. Beauty and the Beast show. Same as above
3. Sci-Fi Dine in theater. Pretty Decent food and a really cool atmosphere. Great A/C
4. Muppet vision 3-D. Very comfortable seating and very entertaining. Pretty lengthy show as well
5. Backlot Tour. Could be more entertaining but it is relaxing
6. Fantasmic
7. Little Mermaid Show. Nice relaxing theater. Decent show
8. The Great Movie Ride. Long decent tour through some classic movies
9. The Magic of Disney Animation. Inside. Takes up some time
10. Walt Disney One Mans Dream. A museum like walk through and short film

Animal Kingdom
1. Its Tough To Be A Bug. Good 3-D show
2. Festival of the Lion King. A must
3. Kilimanjaro Safari. If you like animals you'll love it
4. Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Relaxing walk through. You can really take your time
5. Rafiki's Planet Watch. Take a train to the petting zoo and more
6. Maharajah Jungle Trek.
7. Flights of Wonder
8. Finding Nemo the musical
9. Catch a parade and relax a while
10. Wine Walk. Taste some different wines in the afternoon

Epcot. Sweet sweet Epcot... My favorite way to relax at Disney World
1. Living with the Land. I love agriculture and really enjoy the experience
2. Finding Nemo and the Aquarium
3. The World showcase my favorite thing to do. Eat, drink and be merry! Good music as you stroll around as well. Any place is a great place to sit and soak in the sights
4. Spaceship Earth. Inside and relaxing
5. Universe of Energy. I imagine women in their 50's love Ellen Degenerous. Really long and so relaxing, or boring, I've fallen asleep on it!
6. Illuminations is a good show
7. The American Adventure is inside and very Patriotic
8. Any of the movies featuring the country you are in
9. Sit and watch the fountains do their thing
10. There is an art gallery at Epcot that most guests overlook. I always go in and check it out

Resorts
1. A lot of the resorts offer spa services. My wife likes the one at the Grand Floridan
2. Resort hop. Check out resorts that interest you. We sometimes resort hop on the monorail loop and grab a bite at one and drinks at the others
3. Rocking chairs at the Yacht and Beach club. I love it early morning and as the suns sets
4. Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannah.
5. Luau at the Polynesian
6. Parasailing at the Contemporary
7. Downtown Disney
8. Miniature golf
9. Rent a boat and go tooling around
10. Hang out by a pool
 
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PrincessNelly_NJ

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
50 ideas you say? Well I've broken it down to 10 in each park, 10 in the resorts,etc.

Magic Kingdom
1. Take a long break in the middle of the day at very comfortable Crystal Palace. Pooh and the gang are there. The food is good and the air conditioning is awesome
2. Grab an ice cream and a spot for the Electrical Parade. Watch the parade and stay there for Wishes and the fireworks. A great chance to rest and talk at the end of the day.
3. Ride the people mover. Never a line and they'll let you stay on multiple times
4. Carousel of Progress. It takes up a ton of time, is inside and never a wait
5. Philharmagic. Same reasons as Carousel of Progress
6. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. Every show is different. Sometimes a wait but it's worth it. A good way to relax in the a/c and still be entertained.
7. Tiki Room. No lines, a/c.
8. Country Bear Jamboree. It's still entertaining to me although some have grown weary of it. Good time killer and again a/c
9. Grab a Dole Whip Float. Find a bench in view of the spitting camel by the magic carpets. People watch. It's always a must for us. People lose their minds when they don't realize it was the camel that got the, wet.
10. Magic Kingdom railroad. It takes you around the entire park and is a great chance to relax.

Hollywood Studios
1. Indiana Jones stunt show. Great time killer to get off your feet.
2. Beauty and the Beast show. Same as above
3. Sci-Fi Dine in theater. Pretty Decent food and a really cool atmosphere. Great A/C
4. Muppet vision 3-D. Very comfortable seating and very entertaining. Pretty lengthy show as well
5. Backlot Tour. Could be more entertaining but it is relaxing
6. Fantasmic
7. Little Mermaid Show. Nice relaxing theater. Decent show
8. The Great Movie Ride. Long decent tour through some classic movies
9. The Magic of Disney Animation. Inside. Takes up some time
10. Walt Disney One Mans Dream. A museum like walk through and short film

Animal Kingdom
1. Its Tough To Be A Bug. Good 3-D show
2. Festival of the Lion King. A must
3. Kilimanjaro Safari. If you like animals you'll love it
4. Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Relaxing walk through. You can really take your time
5. Rafiki's Planet Watch. Take a train to the petting zoo and more
6. Maharajah Jungle Trek.
7. Flights of Wonder
8. Finding Nemo the musical
9. Catch a parade and relax a while
10. Wine Walk. Taste some different wines in the afternoon

Epcot. Sweet sweet Epcot... My favorite way to relax at Disney World
1. Living with the Land. I love agriculture and really enjoy the experience
2. Finding Nemo and the Aquarium
3. The World showcase my favorite thing to do. Eat, drink and be merry! Good music as you stroll around as well. Any place is a great place to sit and soak in the sights
4. Spaceship Earth. Inside and relaxing
5. Universe of Energy. I imagine women in their 50's love Ellen Degenerous. Really long and so relaxing, or boring, I've fallen asleep on it!
6. Illuminations is a good show
7. The American Adventure is inside and very Patriotic
8. Any of the movies featuring the country you are in
9. Sit and watch the fountains do their thing
10. There is an art gallery at Epcot that most guests overlook. I always go in and check it out

Resorts
1. A lot of the resorts offer spa services. My wife likes the one at the Grand Floridan
2. Resort hop. Check out resorts that interest you. We sometimes resort hop on the monorail loop and grab a bite at one and drinks at the others
3. Rocking chairs at the Yacht and Beach club. I love it early morning and as the suns sets
4. Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannah.
5. Luau at the Polynesian
6. Parasailing at the Contemporary
7. Downtown Disney
8. Miniature golf
9. Rent a boat and go tooling around
10. Hang out by a pool


You had me at Wine Walk :p Thank you for being so detailed, I'll definitely have to use this list while I start planning this trip.
 
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PrincessNelly_NJ

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I don't think you need to do anything different for a healthy 50yo than you would for a healthy 30yo...except maybe walk a little slower.

Well, my mother does have high blood pressure and suffers from Lupus. I guess I should have mentioned that :oops:
So that why I was stressing relaxation. She can walk just fine and she does get tired to easily, but I don't want to over do it just incase.
 
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bigorangeandy

Well-Known Member
As a fifty something myself the things I enjoy the most are watching my kids and wife have a great time. I do seem to enjoy the fireworks more now, and relaxing in the rocking chairs on Tom Sawyer Island. It is very relaxing to sit and rock and watch all the people over on the other side of the river. The shows at Animal Kingdom are worth seeing, and Kilimanjaro Safari's is wonderful, no matter what your age is. World Showcase has so much to see, but lots of walking. Even Future World has lots to see and do. Innovations is a neat area to explore, inside with the AC going. I hope that you and your mom have a great time!
 
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JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
Find out the things she would like to do the most and target those things early in the day when she has more energy. Any activities, rides that would interest her more than others? Build in relaxing meal times or snack times when she can sit and give her legs a rest. And theres nothing bad about giving her some alone time to do what she wants while you go off and get some high energy things done for yourself. But she may surprise you with her ability to Disney out. As a 50 + year old, I can out Disney my 26 year old son :D. Getting in as much Disney as I can in the time I have.:p HAPPY 50TH MOM, from Jiminy
 
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rsoxguy

Well-Known Member
Tour the World Showcase at EPCOT without going on a ride. Stroll through the different countries, look at the flowers and trees, and enjoy the different sights without the rush of lines and Fastpass deadlines.
 
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Rogue21

Well-Known Member
Age is just a number.
As a 50-something who has recently taken my 70-something parents to WDW, there are a ton of things that we all enjoyed. Most days started with a leisurely breakfast at the resort CS/QS. Enjoyed shopping, the shows and even some of the rides. (The "mountains" I had to go solo on, but that's no big deal.) We also made sure to build in some down time to relax on the balcony with a glass of wine or visit the pool bar.
Some of the highlights were the Hoop de Doo Revue -- my Dad was picked as Davey's Angel! :D A Wishes Fireworks Cruise. Carraige ride at Ft. Wilderness. Some nice dinners at Narcoossee's and Artist Point. I even got them to go to MNSSHP -- in costume! You might also look into one of the tours.
This was the 3rd trip with my folks and they love it more each time.
 
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PrincessNelly_NJ

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Age is just a number.
As a 50-something who has recently taken my 70-something parents to WDW, there are a ton of things that we all enjoyed. Most days started with a leisurely breakfast at the resort CS/QS. Enjoyed shopping, the shows and even some of the rides. (The "mountains" I had to go solo on, but that's no big deal.) We also made sure to build in some down time to relax on the balcony with a glass or wine or visit the pool bar.
Some of the highlights were the Hoop de Doo Revue -- my Dad was picked as Davey's Angel! :D A Wishes Fireworks Cruise. Carraige ride at Ft. Wilderness. Some nice dinners at Narcoossee's and Artist Point. I even got them to go to MNSSHP -- in costume! You might also look into one of the tours.
This was the 3rd trip with my folks and they love it more each time.

That sounds like an amazing time to me! Your plan sounds exactly like what I had in mind. I never thought of doing the Hoop de Doo Revue (how was it?) and where can I book the fireworks cruise?
 
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Rogue21

Well-Known Member
That sounds like an amazing time to me! Your plan sounds exactly like what I had in mind. I never thought of doing the Hoop de Doo Revue (how was it?) and where can I book the fireworks cruise?

The Hoop de Doo Revue is as corny as it gets. That being said, everyone enjoyed it and seeing my Dad on stage in sagging wings and a tutu was worth every penny. (Oh, and you don't get to keep the washboards. Dad also tried to make off with one of them. lol!)

The fireworks cruise is available for Wishes and Illuminations. I picked the Wishes cruise because we all love the Electric Water Pageant and you get an incredible view of that too. You can book it, I think, 90 days out by calling 407-WDW-PLAY. Yeah, it's a little pricey, but for the experience and the view, it too is worth every cent. You can also get champagne and/or decorations for an additional fee.

Another thing my folks and I really loved was LaNouba -- the Cirque du Soliel show at DTD's West Side. Awesome! Do the early show and then have dinner at Raglan Road -- maybe the house band will be playing. :)
 
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PrincessNelly_NJ

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
The Hoop de Doo Revue is as corny as it gets. That being said, everyone enjoyed it and seeing my Dad on stage in sagging wings and a tutu was worth every penny. (Oh, and you don't get to keep the washboards. Dad also tried to make off with one of them. lol!)

The fireworks cruise is available for Wishes and Illuminations. I picked the Wishes cruise because we all love the Electric Water Pageant and you get an incredible view of that too. You can book it, I think, 90 days out by calling 407-WDW-PLAY. Yeah, it's a little pricey, but for the experience and the view, it too is worth every cent. You can also get champagne and/or decorations for an additional fee.

Another thing my folks and I really loved was LaNouba -- the Cirque du Soliel show at DTD's West Side. Awesome! Do the early show and then have dinner at Raglan Road -- maybe the house band will be playing. :)

I did just look into the pricing of the cruise, now, what I'm seeing is $$$ for 8 people or $$$ for 10 people, will I be able to just pay for 2 people? Or I must pay the full price?
 
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Rogue21

Well-Known Member
I did just look into the pricing of the cruise, now, what I'm seeing is $$$ for 8 people or $$$ for 10 people, will I be able to just pay for 2 people? Or I must pay the full price?

Yeah, that's the unfortunate part. Same price if it's 2-3 or 10. I had my eyes open the few days before the cruise to see if we met any likely couples or groups to possibly join us, but didn't meet anyone. It ended up being just the three of us, but that made it all the more special. It was my parents 56th anniversary.

From the looks on their faces to the awe they felt at seeing the fireworks and EWP, I did not regret the cost one bit. The bill did make my eye twitch a little when it came in, but in the grand scheme it was worth it.
 
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