I'm 50 years old and about to go to the Magic Kingdom for the first time

tazmad

Member
Original Poster
Never say never! I'm 50 and I'm finally headed to the Magic Kingdom for the first time. The trip began as a business conference work trip and I added my husband and 10-year-old son to the mix, and then my 15-year-old stepdaughter freed up her time to join us. Now we're planning an amazing trip and I can't wait!

What are the must-see attractions, the definitely-eat-there restaurants, and the don't-miss-out rides?

The thing I'm looking the most forward to is a special vegan dinner with Chef TJ at Trail's End.
 

John park hopper

Well-Known Member
Great for you and your family. There are alot of great places to eat, are you a full time vegan and are the other family members also vegan? Do you want high end dining $$? What parks will you be visiting? Are you staying on site? Give us some details of your trip and we here can give you some specifics
 

tazmad

Member
Original Poster
We are vegetarians, and my husband has an interest in being vegan, so we're just using the meal with Chef TJ to explore fun vegan options. We're staying at WL for two nights and going to MK two days, altho I'm thinking maybe we'll pop over to HS early on June 10 because it has an early opening for Disney guests that day and it's our last chance to experience Toy Story Mania on our trip. The ride closes down from June 11-18, so we'll totally miss it on our full-fledged HS day on June 16.

I have a three-day biz conference in between our two Disney stays, and my husband is taking our kids to Universal during those days. And then we'll head to the Beach Club for four nights, with one day each at Epcot, HS and AK.
 

John park hopper

Well-Known Member
As a meat eater I can't guide you to resturants with vegan items on the menues. My advice is take advantage of early opening (for onsite guests) stay in MK until about noon, go back to the WL take it easy and then go back late afternoon for extra hours. If you have hopper passes get over to EPCOT(via monorail) and do Soarin around the world.
 

eliza61nyc

Well-Known Member
Do you have your park tickets? if so the first thing I would do is go on line and get fast passes. June tends to be a bit crowded of course since the kiddies are out of school. fp's will help you avoid hours long rides although you maybe a bit late to snag the headliners.

Now my favorite attractions are HM and PoTC. the people mover is also one of our favorites.
If you can get to MK early, as in park opening.

Also another meat eater so no help with Vegan selections.
 

Model3 McQueen

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
How long are you going to be there for? Everything is so spread out, definitely use fastpass (or maxpass) to your advantage. I'd say ride everything but what do I know ;)
 

BoarderPhreak

Well-Known Member
Congrats! Better late than never. I suspect you'll particularly enjoy Epcot (World Showcase) but obviously also the Magic Kingdom (fun for kids of ALL ages).

As for what to see and do? You'll get a million answers here. Best bet, just relax and see what YOU want to see. There's a whole lot to take in. I think you'll be back... ;)
 

geekza

Well-Known Member
My advice is to take in the things that you can't experience anywhere else. Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, It's a Small World, Splash Mountain. Also, take the time to enjoy the atmosphere. Stop and actually look up at the windows on Main Street. Pay attention to the little details that are often skipped at lesser parks. Don't feel like you have to do everything. Just enjoy. I envy you. You're in for a treat.
 

TheGuyThatMakesSwords

Well-Known Member
Laughing :). You see, I took my children to WDW, about the time I turned 40.

Did not go back until about 55. Dear Wife and I bought into DVC around 60. Now? We visit 2x per year - just us :).
We walk - no other comment, other than at 66? I stand on the bus, to allow Wonderful Mothers with infants to SIT. IE? Not dead yet :).


And we LOVE these vacations, without children :). You are NOT too old :).
 

GVentola

Well-Known Member
Any restaurant there should be able to work with you to get some vegetarian grub, especially the table service ones you reserve online. If you read all the notes and regulations the official Disney dining site sends you when you reserve, you'll see more info on this.

As for your age, just remember to leave any cynicism or jaded attitudes at home, and you should enjoy yourself as much as anyone else!
 

lawdogNOLA

Active Member
Embrace your inner kid, and have fun! We'll be leaving just before you get there. :)

If you have your tickets, get your Fastpasses going, and fast You might want to snag a fastpass for Toy Story Mania on June 10th, although that freezes you from doing any in any other park than HS until that day. Lines can be ridiculous there. However, if you're going for rope drop, and that's your sole target in HS for that day, you might want to skip the fastpass for it, and book up for MK.

Also, get on with booking your restaurants. There's a wide selection available, and you can make special dietary requests with your reservations. There's no one right way to approach a WDW vacation; for example, we plan to hit the waterparks on many mornings, then hit the theme parks later in the day.

Magic Kingdom Favorites: There are so many classic and great rides, many with short waits, and some you'll definitely want to fastpass if you can. Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are some of the best rides, but there are other attractions that have great charm, such as It's a Small World and the Seven Dwarves Mine Train (if you can, get a fastpass!). Peter Pan's flight is a trip back to a simpler time, technology-wise, but it's one that you'll want a fastpass for due to the length of the lines. Mickey's PhilharMagic is just a great 3-D show. If you get a great "skipper", and there's a place in your heart for corny jokes and puns, the Jungle Cruise can be great (with an average skipper, merely good). The Enchanted Tiki Room is a perfect bit of relaxation during the heat of the day. And there's always the Country Bear Jamboree, which many love, some don't, but we always enjoy. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin is fun every time we go on it and there's lots more (we've never not laughed, many times, during the Monster, Inc. Laugh Floor Show), and I'm looking forward, for the first time, to seeing the Muppets presenting American history by the Hall of the Presidents. Soak it all in, meet the characters, enjoy the parades and watch the fireworks.

Hollywood Studios: You already know about Toy Story Mania (we got into a soft opening for it on Memorial Day years ago - we could still smell the paint.) End the Day with Fantasmic and/or the Star Wars show (or both if you can schedule it for 2 days). Tower of Terror is a lot of fun, I could sit on Star Tours for our entire vacation, Muppet Vision 3D is both a great show and a great pre-show, and Rock n' Roller Coaster is a decent coaster ride. The Beauty and The Beast Show is pretty good and Voyage of the Little Mermaid is also a nice musical (and air-conditioned!)

Epcot: Space Ship Earth and the Living Seas are nice, but the Dynamic Duo for Future World are Soarin, Around the World and Test Track. I really loved the original Soarin', and am really looking forward to seeing the new version. Mission Space isn't for all tastes, just depends if it's for you and which level is for you. In World Showcase, the boat ride in Mexico is a nice diversion with little wait, and (air-conditioned!) but two girls named Elsa and Anna rule the World Showcase. If you can, you should either make a rope drop dash for Frozen Ever After, or put it as your first priority for that Fastpass tier. Naturally Soarin' and Test Track are in the same tier, they'd be that for our next priorities. The American Adventure is pretty Awesome and there's a trio of pretty impressive films: Impressions de France, Reflections of China and O Canada! Impressions de France is easily our favorite, with a musical score that is purely amazing. Reflections of China, which is supposedly getting an update/replacement soon, offers vistas of China that few could see when it was originally released. O Canada, hosted by Martin Short, is an updated take on the original film that debuted when Epcot Center first opened. And, of course, Illuminations is a great fireworks show. And it really doesn't matter your age, but Turtle Talk With Crush at The Living Seas is priceless.

Animal Kingdom: Get your Avatar Fastpasses. We do, and it'll be our first time seeing them. Expedition Everest is Disney's top coaster experience. Kali River Rapids is one of those rides that you wish was longer: You will get wet, the only question is will you get soaked? There are 2 really good shows: Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo The Musical. The only thing worthwhile in Dinoland is DINOSAUR. It's Tough To Be A Bug is a fun show in the Tree of Life, perfect for when it's hot out. We've not yet seen the new Up! Bird Show, but if it's anything like the old one, it's worth it if you have the time (or a nearby zoo where you live that also puts on similar shows).
Kilimanjaro Safaris is another exhibit that you should Fastpass; animals are most active the earliest in the morning or in the evening. The rest is wonderful animal exhibits. We're looking forward to seeing Rivers of Light for the first time.

You'll be staying at Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club, both great resorts. By all means, try to get use out of the Beach Club's Stormalong Bay. It is the best pool at any Disney resort, and one of the best resort pools on the planet.

Be prepared for the heat, for rain, and for getting wet on some rides. A portable battery pack(s) for cellphones is a great accessory, just be sure to keep it and your cellphones dry.

What I find is done so well at all WDW theme parks is the level of detail of the theming. There's just so much to take in, so relax, let it all soak in and have a great time!
 

John park hopper

Well-Known Member
As was mentioned it will be hot and humid drink plenty of water and if you don't want to pay $3.00 for a water you can bring your own and refill in the park no cost. Earlier I posted take a break mid day the heat and humidity can really takes its toll on you if you are not used to it. Age means nothing at WDW our last trip I was 67 felt like I was a kid again. Have a great wish upon a star time
 

Walt Disney1955

Well-Known Member
Never say never! I'm 50 and I'm finally headed to the Magic Kingdom for the first time. The trip began as a business conference work trip and I added my husband and 10-year-old son to the mix, and then my 15-year-old stepdaughter freed up her time to join us. Now we're planning an amazing trip and I can't wait!

What are the must-see attractions, the definitely-eat-there restaurants, and the don't-miss-out rides?

The thing I'm looking the most forward to is a special vegan dinner with Chef TJ at Trail's End.

I am excited...............FOR you. The only thing better than going to Disney yourself is seeing it through someone else's eyes. Just enjoy it, it is truly a happy place. Everything is a notch better than you are used to. The rides, the service, the staff, the music, the atmosphere. If you think you are going to a Six Flags theme park, you aren't. Many of the rides are things you don't see anywhere else. But they are all unique.

You'll see a lot of things that you'll be nostalgic about. And don't worry, I am a grown man and probably love the parks more than when I went at 10 years old. No kidding.
 

Daddyoh

Active Member
:cool: EXCELLENT ! If you try to take it all in your gonna "kill yourself". My suggestion as stated before Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, and make you own decisions. There as for us are far to many suggestions we can make so just become familiar as to what you can expect and the time you have afforded to you. Be aware June can be rather a warm period of time if your staying on grounds you may want to consider spending some time pool side during the peak of the day providing that the parks remain open later in the day during your visit. We always found going later it could be less crowded and cooler. Don't let the pop up rain showers discourage you they come and they go just as fast, sometimes. Since this will be the first visit I assure you it can be OVERWHELMING :eek: (and this is not a sales plug coming up ) should you become a "FAN" as we are, the DVC membership has become our "Best Investment" ever since purchasing a "snowblower". Best of Luck on your maiden voyage to the world of the mouse, have fun and just don't get a :mad: face.
 

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