Improving The Disney Parks Experience Disney For Adults & Seniors

Improving the Disney experience for older adults and seniors

It's simple. Many older and adults and seniors want a different experience when they go to a Disney park

a Disney resort, or on a Disney cruise than young families or teens

Just ask them, they'll tell you. Hi, it's Dan from Nancy and Dan Travel to Disney

Nancy and I, both seniors, have been saying that for a while now

In fact, subscribers to our Nancy and Dan Travel to Disney YouTube channel know this

because of the numerous videos for Adult and I. for adults and seniors at Disney parks, resorts, and cruises

we have for a seniors perspective. Yet, this video is different. Our local is not even on the video

We asked a group of over 10,000 Disney-loving seniors how their experience at a Disney park, resort, or cruise could be improved

And they told us volumes. And that is what this video is all about

And just to get it out of the way, if you are learning from this video as you watch it

please consider giving it a thumbs up. giving it a thumbs up so others will know to watch

And consider subscribing to our channel. Now, where did we find 10,000 Disney-loving seniors to ask

There is a new Facebook group called Disney for seniors, a community of seniors with a passion for all things Disney

This is what we asked them. If you were to have five minutes with a Disney executive

what one suggestion would you tell him or her to make Disney theme parks a better experience for seniors

we received a ton of responses. First, what is a senior and why does it matter

AARP, the American Association of Retired Persons, defines a senior as anyone 50 years old or older

We will use that for our discussions in this video. As far as why does it matter? First

the number of seniors 50 years old and older in the United States exceeds 125 million people

That's a lot. It continues to be a great, growing market segment that Disney, like any business, should not ignore, but rather should

nurture and support as consumers. Why? Because as seniors age, they will have more time to

spend on leisure activities something called retirement The more leisure time seniors have the more time they have to spend on Disney leisure offerings Again it theme parks resorts and cruises

And lastly, respect. Seniors have earned it. We have received so many responses that we cannot go through all of them with you in this video

So, this will be the first of several videos on this topic

In this video, we are going to summarize many of the suggestions and ideas submitted by

seniors into these five categories. First up, seating. Number one, where park attractions have long lines or queues install special seating designated

for seniors and disabled guests. You know which Disney part attractions I'm talking about with the long lines, don't you

Number two, while more seats have been installed in the recently completed World Celebration

area of Disney's Ipcot, seniors still felt more are needed in most of the different country

areas within World Showcase. Remember, many of us seniors have less stamina than when we were younger

Number three, consider offering guests of any age the opportunity to help fund the additional

seats using programs similar to the Walk of Magical Memories Program Papers at Disneyland or

the Walk Around the World commemorative pavers at Disney's Epcot and other Walt Disney Road locations

Number four, while Disney has reduced the number of parades in its theme parks in recent years

consider installing seating designated for senior and disabled guests along parade routes at locations which would not interfere with guest traffic floats

Number five, consider senior designated seating areas for nightly firework laser projection musical outdoor shows

Install seating at designated tramstuffs at Disney theme park parking lot. although, acknowledgely, this could be a challenge as it might increase guest vehicle accidents

Next, add more seating at Disney Transportation Bus waiting areas at its theme park entrances

A designated rideshare areas again at Disney theme park entrances. On pathways between Disney theme park entrances and exit points and Disney bus transportation areas The walk can be quite long in some cases and seniors after a partial or full day at the park would appreciate the brief rest

And outside thrill attractions, which seniors, as they get older, tend to ride less and let their grown-up children and grandchildren ride

while the senior-grandparent waits outside. What are outdoor seating areas without adequate shade

especially in central Florida's and Southern California? Mid-Summer Heat and Humidity. That is our next group of suggestions by seniors

Incorporate shade structures into the previously mentioned increased seating areas where applicable

Add more shade structures into night-time attraction waiting areas where guests wait until the sun goes down for the show to begin

Blend additional shade structures, of course, into the theming of the theme park areas where they are installed

Remember that the additional shading will not only help reduce the same

the risk of skin cancer for Disney guests, but also helps reduce the fatigue of all guests

And a less fatigued guest is more likely to stay in the theme park longer and thus spend

more money on snacks, merchandise, and meals. Next, this is also an interesting one and a potential

moneymaker for Disney. Special senior days. Why not recognize seniors with a special senior morning

or senior days at certain Disney theme parks. This could include or be separate from early park admission for seniors and their families

when the parks would be less crowded and thus more easy for seniors to maneuver throughout the park

On senior mornings or senior days have special guest activities for seniors

and special musical or theatrical performances. Earlier in the day, so both seniors and the performers will not be as fatigue

Promote senior days or senior weeks with specialty merchandise just as Disney does for the various festivals at Epcot or run Disney events

More on merchandise and a bit. The senior mornings or days could be during periods of typical low crowd attendance to attract more visitors into Disney parks and to the Disney Resorts

Disney Vacation Club point charts say that the months of January and September along with the first two weeks of May are the lowest guest attendance at Disney Resort

Next is the collection of suggestions by seniors to improve Disney theme park bathrooms or restrooms

Family and wheelchair designated restroom stalls are frequently occupied by non-families and non-disabled persons

Sadly, it is just a fact of any theme or amusement park. So in all restroom stalls, install grab bars to assist seniors who, while not disabled, still would be helped to sit down and to stand once finished with a grab bar to hold on to

Consider installing ostomy-friendly restrooms to meet such guests' special needs. Lastly, redesigned some bathrooms to allow access by those in electronic scooters or electric wheelchairs

Feedback received from the seniors group survey was that not all restrooms allowed

for this in some of the Disney parks. Next, here are the collection of ideas seniors have

for more senior-specific Disney merchandise in the parks. This seems to be an underserved market for Disney

Everything from more senior-specific apparel to specific luggage tags, to specific coffee mugs

to the previously mentioned Seniors Day merchandise. Based on the input received from seniors

this would seem to be a moneymaker for Disney. And, wait until we review

with you the numerous suggestions put forth on helping seniors reduce their cost at a Disney

Park. There are so many that we will have to leave it there for now and spend our next video

on this topic devoted exclusively to the ideas put forth by seniors, for seniors, to help save them

money. If you are a senior with anywhere from a mild interest to a passion of experiencing in your

golden years, Disney parks, Disney Resorts, or Disney Cruises, you are encouraged to search for and join that Disney

for seniors Facebook group. Feel free to share this video with your other Disney

loving seniors. Encourage them to watch it and share it with their friends too

Consider subscribing yourself right now to our Disney related travel channel for

older adults and seniors. Here are two more Disney related videos for older adults and

seniors by older adults and seniors for you to watch and enjoy. Thank you for

watching. We'll see you next time