Riding attractions with older family members

[LeeHarman]

My family and I will be visiting WDW for the first two weeks of April.

My elderly parents who are both 78 but fairly mobile, will be travelling with us too, however I wanted to ask people’s opinions on whether certain rides would be too rough or jerky for them or would throw them around too much. The rides in question are:-

Rise of the Resistance
Guardians of the Galaxy

Many thanks in advance for any help you can provide on these.

Best wishes and have a magical day.

 

[Hakunamatata]

I have not ridden Guardians but with the reports of some having adverse affects like motion sickness I would avoid it with older family members. Rise is not a constantly aggressive attraction. A couple of more intense moments but mostly tamer.

 

[ppete1975]

I would say tower of terror, rock and rollercoaster, guardians space mountain I would avoid
you might also add slink dog big thunder expedition everest depending on them. I find everest smoother than big thunder but thats just me.
i might be missing some.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

To a large extent, this is a personal question only they can answer.

(One of my favorite WDW memories was seeing an older couple wearing matching Space Mtn jackets, excitedly riding Space Mtn late one night.)

While GoG is very smooth, it is a mild coaster, and it has some speed to it. My guess is they will want to sit it out. The way the ride turns can be disorienting. They could easily see the preshow if they can stand for the queue, If they know the movie, they would enjoy that and get much of the fun of the attraction.

Rise is more of a toss up, but they may want to skip this one as well. If they can go on DINOSAUR then they could handle this one for sure. It is not quite as intense as DINOSAUR, but it is more intense than classic dark rides like Pooh. I am not 100% cetain, but I am 90% Rise also has a chicken exit.

In either case, I would not pay the ILL fee if they do not plan to ride, but if you plan to ride without paying the ILL fee, and they want to join you for the preshow+queue, that is a reasonable option.

 

[RememberWhen]

My 72yo mom rode both those rides this summer. She’s a Disney veteran whose favorite ride is BTMR, so may not be typical. She loves Rise, rode it many times. GotG is a one-and-done for her due to motion sickness.

Do your folks ride rollercoasters normally?

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

As I am in my early 70's, I'd like to add that no matter how active you are, it can still be difficult to get out of some of the rides.
This is due to natural joint stiffness at that age. So, one thing to consider is how much help they might need to get into and especially out of certain ride cars. I know this is a problem for my husband, but I do have some problems at times too. Just something to consider

 

[Stupido]

I would wage it all comes down to the people in question, and their health.

When I was working in Pecos Bills, one day we had a medical emergency. A family visiting from an Eastern Country got on Big Thunder Mountain, thinking that it was the Walt Disney Rail Road. As soon as they got off, they rushed into Pecos so that the matriarch (Late 60s, early 70s) could sit down and recompose herself. She would up having to get Medical Atttention, and was escorted from the park.

At the same time, back in October I was visiting, and got to ride Guardians twice in one day. Here is my summary of my experience riding with a 70+ year old in a Motor Scooter. TLDR: she loved it, and had a great time.

If I were you, I'd suggest watching ride along videos with your parents, and having a conversation with them about how they might feel. They'd know better than anyone.

 

[NelleBelle]

This varies by individual. My dad is 72 and volunteers for th forest service. He leads guided snowshoe tours every weekend in the winter and in th summer lugs a massive chain saw on 20+ mile hike. He completed the Pacific Crest Trail in its entirety 4 years ago. He rides everything at Universal.

My mom is 71 and uses an ECV but LOVES riding Guardians! Her favorite ride is ToT. She won’t do SM (at WDW but will at DLR, but that’s my whole family). He blood pressure causes her to ”black out” on rides that go upside down so RnRC is now out.

This is something that I can’t imagine can be answered on a forum. You’ll get many different responses and opinions. Your parents are the only ones who can definitively answer it for you. Whatever they decide, I hope all of you have a great time!

 

[JIMINYCR]

Not only the attractions mentioned but have them look at the ride vehicles. Some require careful loading and unloading which can be difficult for those elderly guests. Let them know to take their time loading to be sure how to position their feet and legs. Some ride cars are very low and hard to raise up from a seated position.