I have an upcoming trip to Walt Disneyworld, and it's the first time I have ever been. I don't have as many days as I would like so time is limited! What rides and places should I absolutely not miss?
Also, I am traveling with three other older adults (over 60) what sites would they enjoy that are not centered just for the amusement of the tykes?
http://www.kingdommagictravel.com/disneyworld/seniors.htm
That page will give you some things to be cautious of, like stressful rides and long walks, if your companions have any concerns. Go to that site's home page and you'll see they've got everthing broken down by park and then by land.
One preliminary note: be prepared to say, "Fine, you wait here then". People well below 60 will routinely break down on their families and want to sit. Let 'em sit, there's no shortage of places to get some shade and a drink, but don't be held back! Just meet up later, cause you're burnin daylight!
My theory, which I've had to put into practice once, is that if you only have one day then you HAVE to spend it in the Magic Kingdom. EPCOT and MGM-Disney Studios might have equal weight depending on your preferences. EPCOT has a few more rides, MGM is a bit more show-based. If you're spending multiple days you might want Park Hopper tickets so that if you've done all you want to do for the day in one park you can drive or monorail over to another.
DON'T WATCH THE PARADES. Unless you're really, really into parades. But they really serve to make people get out of your way so you can go on The Haunted Mansion two or three times. They rope off the streets, though, so it can get a little tricky to get around once people start camping out to watch the floats. The map probably won't show all the little cut-throughs either, ie. you don't have to walk allllll the way back to the Hall of Presidents, there's a little underpass to Adventureland back by the shooting gallery (I'm paraphrasing locations, but the point is that it's all pretty well connected). EPCOT really is one big circle with a lake in the middle. If you want to go to Norway, you're walking all the way to Norway.
The really "kiddie" rides in the Magic Kingdom are mostly just in Fantasyland. But if you're 60 and still dig Peter Pan's Flight, have at it! I know I will. Space Mountain is the more intense rollercoaster, and it's in the dark, and it's fantastic. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is slightly tamer. The Tomorrowland Transit Authority (or WEDWAY Peoplemover, if you're old school) is a good break. It's constantly in motion so you don't have to wait long to get on and take the elevated tour of Tomorrowland. Not bad for pictures either if you're quick. Splash Mountain's kinda the baddest-assed log flume ever. Looong wait outside too, so be prepared. 
You probably don't have to be told that Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion are not to be missed.....but they are not. The long lines will back me up. Pirates just got spiffed up and redesigned a bit, so the waiting might be a little longer than usual. You could be standing in line for an hour in a few places, so heed those wait time warnings. Some rides let you take a ticket to come back later at a certain time and get in a short, fast line. And again, wait til people are distracted with parades!
EPCOT rides are pretty leisurely with the exception of Test Track, which I haven't gotten to ride and is a sort of rollercoaster in a race car, and Mission:Space which is an intense simulation. A couple of people with medical frailties have died in there, so heed any and all safety warnings! Body Wars, and Star Tours at MGM, are simulators where you're in a sort of big van on hydraulics watching a POV movie. Oh you know what I mean. Not too intense, but certainly bumpy. Used to be there was nothing fast or thrilling in EPCOT, so they've spiced it up a bit in the last few years. Only Mexico and Norway in the World Showcase half of EPCOT have rides. The Maelstrom in Norway is pretty fun. El Rio de Tiempo is more like It's a Small Mexico, leisurely crusing through culture and history with dancing dolls and the like. Me, I've always liked it. There's good stores and restaurants in all the countries. There's a killer toy store in the UK.
But again, have a look through that rather exhaustive site to see what looks like fun, and try to shop on your way out if you can help it. You seriously don't want to be lugging around bags all day and shoving them into ride cars. Every place has some of the general merchandise and some specialties. There is loads of great stuff in the connected stores on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom. It's a good place to wrap up and find cool souvenirs. And if the line for the Monorail is krazy, just take the ferry. I mean, sure, take the Monorail ride to or from the parking lot at least once, but then avoid it afterward if it looks like a sheep pen. You'd just be wasting time.
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