What’s Stopping Grandparents from Booking Disney Trips in 2025?
Disney World has always been a dream spot where multiple generations could come together. Parents made memories, kids met their favorite characters, and grandparents enjoyed it all from a front-row seat.
But in 2025, something has shifted. More and more grandparents are backing out of trips to the Most Magical Place on Earth—and it’s not because they’ve lost interest. It’s because the experience has become a little too complicated.
Nostalgia Is Being Phased Out
This year, Disney said goodbye to some of the park’s calmest, most nostalgic parts. Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat officially closed on July 6, 2025. These weren’t just attractions—they were peaceful places to relax, take in the scenery, and feel like you’d stepped into a slower, gentler version of Disney.
MuppetVision 3D also closed its doors for good, ending one of the last truly classic sit-down shows that appealed to generations.
When the slow rides go away and the replacements are thrill rides or franchises aimed at younger audiences, grandparents can feel like the parks are no longer designed with them in mind.
Too Much Tech, Not Enough Magic
Let’s start with the obvious: the entire Disney World experience now revolves around your phone. Lightning Lane (the system that replaced Genie+) is only available through the My Disney Experience app. Dining reservations? App. Mobile food ordering? App. Checking wait times, showtimes, and park maps? All digital.
This creates a steep learning curve for older guests, especially those not glued to a smartphone 24/7. It’s no longer about just enjoying the park; it feels like managing a live spreadsheet on vacation. And if you’re not super comfortable with tech? That frustration can overshadow the fun.
Planning Is a Headache
Back in the day, planning a Disney trip involved picking a hotel, buying tickets, and maybe checking a guidebook. In 2025, it’s a full-time job. Guests have to make park reservations, set reminders to grab Lightning Lane passes first thing in the morning, and secure dining reservations weeks in advance.
And if you’re not a tech-savvy grandparent or don’t have someone helping you? The whole thing can feel like too much work for what’s supposed to be a vacation.
Not Quite the Same Experience
The magic isn’t gone—but it has definitely shifted. Disney World in 2025 is louder, faster, and more app-driven than ever before. For many grandparents, that shift makes the parks less relaxing, less accessible, and not quite as magical as they remember.
Until Disney finds a way to bring back some of that ease and charm, it’s no surprise older guests are sitting this one out.
