Orlando for Seniors

It stands to reason Orlando is the perfect, all-action destination for families and couples. It also caters well for those with children on the autism spectrum, as we outlined in a recent blog.

But is it also a holiday haven for those in their more senior years, the empty-nesters and grandparents? Can the older folk still enjoy themselves among all the thrills and activities that make up this theme park wonderland?

These are issues we’re asked about a lot, so we thought we would tackle them head on in the blog this week and provide the full insight, tips and hints that we’ve picked up from our 20-plus years in the business.

They are definitely extremely valid questions, as extended family holidays are more and more popular each year, hence it’s important to know how to keep everyone happy for the two or three weeks of your trip.

It’s also not unknown for older couples to visit on their own and enjoy the more grown-up side of Orlando, which includes nature parks, tropical gardens, spacious shopping malls, elegant restaurants and scenic walks.

First Things First for Mature Visitors to Orlando

In answer to the main, unspoken issue behind the question, yes, it IS different for the older age group in Orlando. The sheer size, scope and pace of the place are more taxing than your average European destination, and the flights are more wearing, especially with the five-hour time difference.

That means one of our general Essential Tips is especially important for this age group, and that is to drink water, lots of it, and at regular intervals. The heat and humidity can wear out even the fittest individuals if they’re not paying attention to hydration, and it’s doubly important for both the younger and older generations to keep their water intake up.

Taking things at a slower pace is also good for all concerned. It is SO tempting to want to dash from ride to ride and do as much as possible, but the smart visitors pace themselves, both during the day and over the course of the holiday itself. Having a quiet day after a couple of days in the theme parks is highly sensible.

Look for the indoor attractions, especially the shows, that give everyone time off their feet and in air-conditioned comfort, as these are a great way to re-charge your batteries. It’s great to have plenty of sun on your holiday, but too much is a recipe for serious exhaustion. Wearing hats is a good idea, too.

Air-conditioning is also your biggest friend in Florida. Even if it’s just going into a shop or two for casual browsing, you WILL feel the benefit of the A/C as soon as you step through the doors.

The bottom line is that mature travellers are likely to have just as much fun, just within slightly different parameters, while seniors can also take advantage of numerous discounts and special deals at many attractions and restaurants.

March and late October/early November are ideal times to visit weather-wise, but the summer months, June to October, are harder going for older folks. Good coats (and gloves) may still be necessary at times in winter.

Theme Park Tactics for Seniors

Having provided some general guidelines, there are also some very solid tips and tricks for being in the theme parks with the whole family group, too.

Even the smaller parks are 100 acres or more, and that makes for a LOT of time on your feet. For older legs, that is the toughest challenge, which is why Disney in particular provide benches at regular intervals for people to be able to take the weight off. Don’t be afraid to use them, along with the water fountains you’ll find around each park.

Queuing is another concern for young and old alike, and this is where you can take advantage of Disney’s new Genie+ system to cut out some of the standing in line. It’s a paid-for service, but it’s a real boon for shortening the time on your feet.

Both EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom have much to engage the older visitor, while the shows of Disney’s Hollywood Studios make that a popular choice, too, and the Magic Kingdom, while a bit hectic, is still an essential experience, with a lot packed in that has all-round family appeal.

Universal Orlando’s two main theme parks are also a full-on experience, with a lot of high-energy attractions. There is a huge amount to enjoy in the two Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter, but the crowds build up quickly here and they can be tough to navigate with seniors. The paid-for Universal Express system is a big help in avoiding the worst of the queues and can be used judiciously on days when legs are wearing out.

SeaWorld is another big park at fully 200 acres, and that can be really tiring for the older folk, especially during the summer. This is where it pays to check the show times and use attractions like the Orca Encounter and Sea Lion & Otter Spotlight to give everyone a chance to relax for a while.

Certainly not everyone is up for the big thrill rides, either, but these can be just as entertaining to watch as to ride. In fact, the spectator value of the parks is superb in its own right. Grandparents can enjoy watching the young ’uns having fun and then share in their excitement for things like the big daily parades, which are a Disney speciality.

And, if you have the two-week, multi-park tickets, you can afford to dip in and out of each park at your leisure. You don’t need to indulge in long days that can wipe out even the hardiest of theme park commandos!

Other Tactics to Get the Best Out of Orlando if You’re More Mature

Orlando isn’t all about theme parks, either, so there are other places that will have good Senior appeal, while also keeping other family members happy. The area’s shopping malls are big, bright and very user-friendly, with masses of parking space, and there is always somewhere to stop for tea or coffee.

You can also enjoy the more grown-up delights of places like Disney’s Boardwalk area, with its shops, fine dining and entertainment, while Disney Springs is another a source of all-round enjoyment, with even more nice restaurants and bars to enjoy,, albeit it can also get pretty busy.

Places such as Mount Dora, Winter Garden and Winter Park offer more perfect slower-paced fare, with parks, markets and shaded areas that make for a nice half-day of your holiday every once in a while. Mount Dora and Winter Park also feature relaxing boat rides that most families enjoy.

And, if you’ve heard about those huge portions at Orlando restaurants, you don’t need to worry about being weighed down at every mealtime. Simply order one main course and ask your waiter or waitress to split it for two, and you have a much more manageable plateful!

The Villa Based Holiday Benefit

Of course, it should go without saying that having your holiday villa as your Orlando “home” is the biggest benefit of all. Just having the extra elbow room, where everyone can have their own bedroom and bathroom, reduces any stress from being an extended family for an extended time.

Being able to kick back on the lanai (covered dining area) or pool deck gives the whole family the chance to decompress after the frenzy of the theme parks, and you don’t have to worry, or be impacted by, the “noisy neighbours” in the room above you, as might be the case at a hotel.

And, if anyone isn’t up for the urgent push to get to the theme park in the morning, it’s absolutely fine for them to stay in the villa and enjoy all the creature comforts while they re-charge their batteries, perhaps making use of Uber or Lyft to get a taxi and join the party later on.

We have catered for grandparents who spent almost as much time in the villas as the parks, and everyone still enjoyed themselves to the max, ensuring each family member didn’t have to stray out of their comfort zone.

And that, ultimately, is the trick to having the best Orlando holiday possible. It isn’t really about “Doing it all,” as much as we like to think we’ll cover ALL the bases on every visit. You just need to take your time and be “in the moment,” as they say. A good holiday doesn’t have to be non-stop, and your villa is always there when you need to say ‘stop’ for a while.

Have you visited Orlando as a Senior? Tell us your experiences on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages, and don’t forget to interact with us on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages… and don’t forget to interact with us on Pinterest and now TikTok too!