Disney fans are not limited by age. We know people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and older who love going to the Disney World parks, with or without kids.
Magic Kingdom
If you’re a 50-something year old visiting Magic Kingdom, whether it’s your first visit or 100th, there are probably a few things you avoid that other guests really enjoy doing. As you gain life experience, some rides are just not great anymore. We polled our team (which includes a few individuals in their 50s) and came up with these nine rides older Disney Adults may refuse to ride in Magic Kingdom.
If you’re 50 or older and are still loving these rides, we’re so happy for you! Keep on enjoying what you love. For those of us who just don’t want to end up with an aching back, motion sickness, or the like, keep reading to find out which rides to avoid.
Space Mountain
Space Mountain is a classic. Many of us grew up loving this thrilling, in-the-dark roller coaster. You’re flying through space on a rocket ship, and it’s seriously SO cool.
Space Mountain with its 50th Anniversary lighting
But as cool and fun as this ride is, it’s not for the week hearted, backed, necked, kneed, ankled…you get the picture. It’s not great for those of us who are “over the hill” (uh…mountain). First off, it’s unnecessarily difficult to get into the ride vehicles. You’ll break your knees and hips just trying to get in.
Space Mountain on-ride photo
Once you’re finally in the vehicle, you then go soaring, more like whipping, through space. The turns will either give you whiplash or break your back! Not to mention the motion sickness you might experience after a ride on this mountain. This ride is great for the spry kids, but if you’re a bit older, it might be time to throw in the towel on Space Mountain.
It’s time to say goodbye to the days of riding Space Mountain.
TRON Lightcycle / Run
TRON Lightcycle / Run is a relatively new ride in Magic Kingdom that is lots of fun! For anyone who doesn’t fit well on the standard ride vehicles, there are alternative, accommodating vehicles. So that’s great for anyone a bit older and less limber.
TRON Lightcycle / Run
But this is a roller coaster, and (regardless of age, honestly), it can make you sick. It goes fast, it curves, it dips, it dodges, and it may make you see your breakfast again. So if you’re prone to motion sickness, you might want to skip this one.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Currently, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed for refurbishment until sometime in 2026. But when it was open, it was rickety and tossed you around in its very large seats like you didn’t weigh anything. (They did warn you, though, — “Hold on to your hats and glasses, cuz this here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness.”)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
While we don’t know if anything about the ride will significantly change to make it any smoother, we do know that this ride may also make those prone to motion sickness very nauseous.
Mad Tea Party
Speaking of motion sickness, do you consider spinning around and around and around for any duration to be fun? If you’re over 50, you might want to skip the Mad Tea Party with the Mad Hatter.
Mad Tea Party
Need I say more?
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
You might be wondering why in the world a carrousel is on this list, but it’s simply because you never know when those horses will buck you off!
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Seriously, it can be a real pain trying to get on one of the horses, especially if you don’t bend or stretch like you used to.
Barnstormer
Goofy’s Barnstormer is a fun little roller coaster in Storybook Circus. It’s intended for kids, but adults will likely have a good time on it too!
Barnstormer
However, if you’re reaching 50 or above, this ride might not be your cup of tea. The ride vehicles are a tight squeeze and there’s that whole motion sickness issue again.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a cute little ride that is extremely smooth; it feels like your gliding not riding. However, many older riders say that the seats are just a little too snug, and the wait is way too long for how short the ride is.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
If you don’t mind “cozy” seating and can snag a Lightning Lane Single Pass, then you might enjoy Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. If not, you might want to skip it.
Astro Orbiter
Astro Orbiter has some very tight rockets that are nearly impossible to get in and out of even when you’re in a spry 20 year old!
Astro Orbiter
It’s neat to see Tomorrowland from a bird’s eye view, but it might not be worth attempting to get in and out of those rockets! Falling out would NOT be good.
Tomorrowland Speedway
Another classic ride that you might want to avoid if you’re over 50 is Tomorrowland Speedway. It could be fun to ride with your grandchild, but these cars are very low to ground, handle pretty tough, and smell gas.
Tomorrowland Speedway
You’ll be in for a bumpy and jerky car ride on this attraction!
These might not be the rides for you if you’re in your pushing your 50s (or any age if you don’t enjoy rickety rides, spinning constantly, roller coasters, or awkward ride vehicles). However, there are still plenty of great rides and entertainment for you at Magic Kingdom! Check out the My Disney Experience app for a full list of every ride at Magic Kingdom, and check back to DFB for more Disney World tips.
8 Rides to AVOID During Rope Drop at Magic Kingdom
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
What rides do you avoid in Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
I’m over 65, been going to wdw since Year One, and suffer from motion sickness, and agree with some of your rides to avoid…. teacups and carousel don’t bother me…my brain knows which direction we’re going and where to look plus they are slow speed rides with no fear or thrill, just fun enjoyment….but you left out quite a few to also avoid! Everest Expedition is absolutely horrible! Extremely fast with quick changes of direction the brain can’t keep up, much of it in the dark and backwards, not strapped in and no way to hold onto anything….arms not long enough to reach….made me feel like I was going to be spun out. I was sick for nearly two hours! Virtual rides also cause motion sickness and there are too many at wdw to name but include Soaring, France movie 360°, Avatar bike ride, Ratatouille. Some of them you named. Not sure if the new Test Track can jerk you around or cause motion sickness but the original ride bothered some….I was fine and liked it. Old-fashioned coasters like Big Thunder Mountain RR are ok if not too fast and it wasn’t too jerky to cause bodily harm for most, but very concerned how the new one will be too fast, too dark and make unexpected directions. Too many rides (everywhere) are putting people’s bodies through too much for the sake of a thrill. It’s not right or fun. Storytelling and wonder seem to have been forgotten. I still miss the E ride 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and The Great Movie Ride! I’m so glad some of the beloved older rides are still going strong (Jungle Cruise, Small World, Land of the Living, etc) and love the Moana water attraction but it does feel that wdw is forgetting about Baby Boomers to please younger generations. Perhaps after the recent epic ride death, theme parks will stop building these kinds of rides in favor of slower, friendly rides. And people need to believe the signs posted about who should not ride….
I love the article about the over 50s folks I will say Disneyland’s version of space Mountain is very doable for a 50+ person even though of us that have had multiple back surgeries. I do love it. It’s a smoother ride. I actually did it twice the last time I was in Disneyland in September. I will not ride Disney World‘s version, but I love Disneyland’s version.
I’m 56 and counting. I feel very lucky to not have a no-ride list. I’m down for them all!!!
I’m with you, Laura! I am riding them all!
I’m 60 and hubby is 63, every time we go to Disney we ride every ride listed.
I am over 60 and I ride all of them I love Everest mountain and as well space mountain also rock and roll roller coaster and tower of terror I love all the drops my husband and sister don’t ride my brother n law ride big thunder mountain and he loved it of coarse all my family loves all the original Walt Disney attractions that Walt Disney created we started to go there when they had only the magic kingdom and E-TICKETS god bless Walt Disney and please did not change all That Disney created and it all started with a mouse hid bless Walt Disney
And all that goes to Disney please be respectful especially to the cast members they work so hard to make our day a happy one and a safe one and remember even u r a adult inside of all us is a child wanting to come out when my sister and me r there we become 5 year olds and our husbands loves us and loves c ing us being like that and they have even more fun so please let that older child out.
Wait to go Laura…I am 58 and I too do not have a no ride list. I actually look forward to those rides!!!
I’m over 50. I like the thrill rides and I am not giving them up. I can pass on the Tomorrowland Speedway. Those cars are annoying–gas pedal is unreliable and the cars pull to the side like it needs a front end alignment.
LOL! I’m 75 years young and there are NO rides that I would not ride at Disney World! Was there there last December and did ’em all…..Tron, 7 D, Rockin’ Roller Coaster, and all the rest. Do I feel them? You bet. But I’m grateful that I can still enjoy them. I absolutely understand that not everyone can tolerate some of the physical demands of some rides, and it’s important to recognize one’s limitations. Be kind to yourself!
People had been reporting that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was just right for shaking loose kidney stones.
I’ve never had that problem(yet) but I wonder if the update would be as helpful.
I’m 62 & i do all these rides. I suffer from motion sickness but if I take 2 trave tablets just before we go to the parks & another 1 or 2 throughout the day I’m fine. Also I agree some of these ride play havoc with my back, especially Everest & Space Mountain but I love these rides, so a tiny bit of pain is well worth suffering for these ride. Take a painkiller & off you go again lol.
I’m 62 and have been prone to motion sickness most of my life. I can’t ride spinning things, simulation rides or be in the dark (space mountain) where I can’t see anything while moving. If I get sick early in the day my entire day is ruined. I think I’m like AJ on the article she posted about what rides she avoids.
That being said though, I love rides like Thunder Mountain, Seven dwarfs, and Tiana’s. I do take a Bonine tablet the night before and another one the morning of Park Day and it seems to help. When I ride the Teacups with my granddaughter we don’t allow anyone to spin them extra. I went to MNSSHP this year and my adult daughter talked me into riding Tron, and I was terrified. Not because of the ride being unsafe, but more because I didn’t want to get sick and spoil our night. Yes, I was also a little worried about the neck being strained. It is actually a very smooth ride, but there are some twists and turns in it. I did fine! I was so proud of myself for riding it! But will I ever ride it again? Hmmm. I may just sit that one out next time and watch the grandbabies..LOL
I’m 55 and heading back to WDW in a month and love riding all these rides still. Riding them all very soon!
All these rides are boring or not fun and just hurt except for Tron. I’m 46 and I’ve tried all these rides. I will skip everything single one except Tron. Tron is such a smooth and comfortable ride.
Love wdw rides, especially space mountain and the mine train. I’m 73 and have a hard time getting out of the rides. But the employees are so patient and never rush me. I hope to keep coming back. But for the future, maybe discounts could be given to seniors who love the magical experience but can’t go on the rides anymore. Something to consider, please!!
I enjoyed reading this article. I agree with a few. I have back problems but I have ridden them anyway. It’s my back and my choice. If I am not feeling well, I wouldn’t ride them. I love WDW!
ER doctor told us that he sees many patients come into the ER with kidney stones after being on many rides in Disney World. These rides include the spinning tea cups, the mine rides and any ride that spins or that is extremely bumpy.
I’m 69. I haven’t been on Space Mountain in 5 or 6 years. My body was feeling beat up from the banging around it was taking. l did Tron once and did get motion sick. Then tried it again after taking dramamine. I didn’t get sick but the thrill just wasn’t there for me. Others rides are still fun and ok. I love Soarin’ and Flight of Passage.
I’m 61. I have motion sickness. I go on all the rides except the Matterhorn at Disneyland. To bumpy for this broken body