Seniors in Orlando-Disney World

Seniors

With a generation of baby boomers now joining an already robust senior population, the parks have found ways to cater both to seniors traveling without children and those who choose to visit with family members of several generations. Disney's Magical Gatherings program offers excellent vacation planning tools and some nice packages for multigenerational groups. Seniors traveling on their own will find an abundance of amenities from spas and Broadway-style shows to behind-the-scenes park tours and signature dining experiences. If you want to capitalize on your endurance, it pays to arrive in the theme parks at opening time or before, take in key attractions, then enjoy a leisurely lunch and some time by the resort pool. Energy recouped is well spent on an evening return to the parks, a shopping expedition to Downtown Disney, a night at Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba performance or many of Orlando's other after-dark options.

Beyond the theme parks, there's so much to do that you'll wonder how to fit it all in. In addition to excellent golfing, Disney offers bass fishing expeditions on vast Bay Lake, afternoon tea at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, tennis, sailing and many other activities.

To qualify for age-related discounts, mention your senior-citizen status up front when booking hotel reservations and before you're seated in restaurants. Be sure to have identification on hand. When renting a car, ask about promotional car-rental discounts, which can be cheaper than senior-citizen rates.