Walt Disney World Adventures
You may be all grown up, but that doesn’t mean that all the magic has gone from Walt Disney World. The world’s most popular vacation destination can still cast its pixie dust spell over you with its perpetual charm. Though the park teems with children during peak holiday months, adults can still come and enjoy the themed celebrations, over-the-top parades and fireworks, quality resorts and hotels, and great food offered. There are so many (too many?) things to do in and around the parks, that it can be hard to discern what exactly would be best for an adult to do while there. We have compiled a list of five ways to make your time in the most magical place on Earth an experience you will always remember, with or without kids.
Finer Dining
While kids might be content with enjoying a hot dog while running around the park, you may want something a little more refined for a meal once in a while. Disney offers high-quality dining experiences and delicious food in sophisticated restaurants scattered all over the park. The California Grill, for example, offers excellent service and a commanding view of Disney. In Epcot, try the Les Chefs de France. They offer fancy French dining with beautiful seasonal dishes, well worth the stop. Knowing the peak dining hours for a particular restaurant, so you can avoid the masses, makes the experience that much better.
Epcot Food and Wine Festival
The Epcot Food and Wine Festival takes place from September to November, and is a great example of an adult activity to take part in while in Disney. Because this festival happens in the fall, you can avoid the rush of children on holiday, enjoying emptier parks. Chef Marianne Hunnel has been in charge of this festival for seven years now, and as such knows what people like. She’s made sure the booths have fan favorites (like Canadian Cheddar Cheese soup and Australian lamb chop), but she also makes sure each dish is updated to perfection each year. After a day taste-testing everything and drinking some of the world’s best wines, heading back to relax at your Disney hotel room will feel especially fantastic.
Downtown Disney
While kids may be tuckered out come nighttime and ready for bed, you might not be. Kids or no, Downtown Disney is a great place to go at night. The House of Blues, featuring live music, has some of the best regional and national musicians to perform, along with Southern cuisine served. A cute ice cream parlor offers a sweet end to a hot day. There is an AMC theater and Cirque du Soleil performances, along with shopping. The largest Disney character store is located there, where you can pick up adorable merchandise for family members, or just for yourself.
Stay In A Resort
Resorts in Disney are a great way to make your trip more adult. Disney hotels offer superb deals, dining options, and transportation to the parks, to make your time as convenient as possible. The rooms offered in a resort compared to a typical hotel are more adult as well: rather than economical sizing and only for sleeping in, you can lounge around in a bigger room. You have the choice of spending the day close to the resort as well, with sports such as golf, tennis and volleyball, huge swimming pools, and a spa. Adults can enjoy time away from the parks on a particularly hectic day while still finding things to do.
Rides!
You can’t go to Disney World without going on a few rides! However, you may want to avoid rides like Dumbo the Flying Elephant, catered almost specifically to children. Rides like Space Mountain and Test Track are more your speed. If you’re looking for a thrill, the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster is a great one, taking off at a speed of 57 mph in 2.8 seconds. Expedition Everest is also great: it features broken tracks and a yeti. Soarin’ is great for those who don’t love roller coasters. It is a virtual hang glider tour of California, complete with sensations and smells. Get a FASTPASS for shorter lines for the rides you really want to go on, and try going on rides during fireworks shows and parades – crowds tend to be thinner.
Walt Disney World is one of the best places to feel that childhood glee again: that overwhelming sensation of pure joy. There are options for every age group to enjoy, and we’ve listed some that we’re sure you will enjoy, as a grown up kid.
Sara Stricker has written dozens of articles, and is making the world a better place one link at a time.