Most adults think of Disney World {in Orlando, Florida} as a place for kids. The rides, the characters, the parades — we get it. What you probably don’t realize is that Disney World can be A LOT of fun for adults if done the right way. There are many unique tips and tricks to follow in order to make a kid-less Disney World trip a whole lot of fun {and yes, alcohol is involved}. Lucky for you, we’re sharing how to do a Disney World trip as an adult, plus all the tips + tricks to have the ultimate weekend getaway experience in Orlando, Florida. Read more to see how to enjoy the happiest place on Earth {Disney World} as an adult:
The Best Time of Year to Visit:
The absolute best way to enjoy the Disney parks is to go on an off-time {meaning NOT spring break, NOT summer, and NOT the holiday season}. The beginning of January is actually ideal — abnormally short lines for rides, spring-like weather, and it’s easy to walk freely without being surrounded by crazy crowds.
Transportation:
From EWR, fly into Orlando National Airport. Transportation to and from the airport {and all of the parks + Disney Springs} is already included if you’re staying at a Disney resort. If lodging elsewhere, the best bet is to Uber everywhere, including to and from the airport. It’s suuuper convenient and SO much easier than renting a car {take this from someone who has done both — the lines at the car rental places are no fun and you can’t drink around the world when driving, just sayin’}.
Where to Stay:
On Disney Property
For the totally Disney-obsessed, stay at a Disney resort. Now that being said, the kind of resort chosen really comes down to budget and preference. Stay at a value resort and get all the perks {free transportation to + from the airport, free shuttles to the parks, + magic hours [ex: stay at the park later than guests who are staying off-property]}. OR, stay at deluxe resorts with the same perks that are pricer, but fancy schmancy and totes worth it {some are right on Magic Kingdom property and stunning resorts}.
Tip: Disney’s All-Star Resorts are super affordable and their super large figures throughout make a hotel-stay an experience in itself {pictured below}.
Off Disney Property
Looking for more of a relaxing vacation and the parks aren’t a top priority? There are many hotels that are just as close to the parks as the Disney resorts are. Some hotels even provide transportation {usually for a fee}, but the most convenient way to get anywhere is Uber {just as convenient as it is here in the Mile Square}. There are special drop-off spots for Uber cars at the parks. Tip: A great non-Disney resort is Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort. If relaxing is #1 on the vacay list, this is the perfect resort {pictured below}.
What to do {+ How to Master the Parks}:
Get the BEST Castle Pics at Magic Kingdom {+ How to do it}
Magic Kingdom is by far the most popular park out of the four, mainly because of Cinderella’s castle. While the castle is stunning, pictures in front of it usually aren’t because all that can be seen in the background are people — lots and lots of people {this happens no matter what time of year, because guests are just always crowded around that one spot}.
If getting an insta-worthy castle pic is important {totally not judging because #same}, there are two ways to get that pic: go early or stay late {or both, obviously}.
Magic Kingdom opens at 9AM, but an early breakfast rezzie will get you in the park at ~7AM. Upon walking in, a cast member will check tickets or bracelet to confirm that the reservation. Once inside, one of the rarest Disney sites is there to greet the early-risers: an empty main street. Snap castle pics, eat breakfast, then get on as many rides as possible before the crowd rolls in.
If staying at a Disney World resort, the perk of Magic Hours where on certain days, you can stay at the parks later than other guests for people-less castle photo opps. Just linger around {and go on rides} until the park clears out — and voila! Cinderella ain’t got nothin’ on ya.
See More: A Weekend Getaway to Mount Airy Resort
Ride ALL the Rides:
Included with each Disney World ticket are three fast passes {to skip long lines}. The only trick: choose your pass times early. Planners rejoice: Disney allows visitors to pick times 30 days before the trip {definitely take advantage of this, times fill up fast} so it’s easy to schedule the vacay days. After using fast passes, pick three more {as long as there are times available}.
Tip: Choose the most popular rides that usually have the longest lines for your fast-passes {see how long ride lines are on the Disney app}.
Release Your Inner Movie-Freak:
If you’re a Star Wars fanatic {and/or thrill seeker}, be sure to head to Disney’s Hollywood Studios park. There you’ll find star wars evvvverything {from SW themed fireworks, to storm troopers marching around, + they even have an entire land dedicated to the films opening in 2019} and thrill rides such as Aerosmith’s Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster + the famous Tower of Terror.
If you’re a fan of the movie Pandora {or not, because either way this is pretty cool}, Disney’s Animal Kingdom park is the place to be. Their brand new Pandora area {just opened last May} literally takes guests inside the movie with rides, food, and aesthetics straight from the film. Animal Kingdom is also the place for animal lovers. Go on a Safari ride or check out some exotic animals — it’s basically a Disney-themed zoo {with a whole lot more to offer}.
Visit More than One Park a Day:
When purchasing Disney theme park tickets, there’s an option of adding the Park Hopper to tickets to visit more than one theme park in a day. This gives a lot more freedom than being limited to only one park. If daring {or cray cray}, try out the “4 parks, 1 day” challenge and visit all four theme parks {Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, + Animal Kingdom} in one day. Tiring, but SO fun.
Tip: The Park Hopper isn’t needed to exit and enter the same park in one day. For example, if you have a ticket just for Magic Kingdom and want to leave in the middle of the afternoon, go to the hotel and relax, then come back at night for fireworks, you are able to do so, just not go to a different park.
Disney Springs:
Disney Springs {for the OG Disney-vacationers — aka Downtown Disney} is a beautiful area filled with shopping + restaurants. It was recently just renovated and is truly the perfect place for adults both during the day and at night. Visit stores like Sephora, World of Disney, Alex & Ani, Free People, Kate Spade + so much more. Some of the best restaurants are also at Disney Springs {see below!} that you can’t find anywhere else.
Where to Eat + Drink:
Food:
There is a lot of amaaaazing food on Disney property. Find food in the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. However, getting a reservation isn’t so easy, especially for the best places. Thankfully, Disney lets guests make dining reservations 180 days prior to a trip {sounds #extra but people take this super seriously and unfortunately many easily lose out on reservations}. With that being said, make dinner reservations exactly 180 days away {YES, THAT FAR AWAY}. Here’s some favorite restaurants on property:
O’Hana — Disney’s Polynesian Resort {family-style for breakfast + dinner}
Bongo’s — Disney Springs {owned by Gloria Estefan — mouth-watering Cuban food}
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ — Disney Springs {the best fried chicken ever + we almost smuggled their hot sauce home}
San Angel Inn Restaurante — Epcot’s World Showcase {insaaane authentic Mexican food with the coolest atmosphere}
Epcot World Showplace {Just like you can drink around the world, eating around the world is a thing, too}
France Pavilion
Morocco Pavilion
Read More: The Best Wine Shops in Hoboken, Jersey City, + Bayonne
Where to Drink:
An adult’s favorite activity in Disney {and something the kids definitely won’t be doing} — drinking around the world at Epcot. Epcot is a unique Disney park because it definitely caters more to adults than kids, so if looking for adult fun at a Disney park, Epcot is the place to go. From beers in Germany to margaritas in Mexico, this ain’t no Hoboken bar-crawl.
Tip: To really go haaard around the world, take an Uber to the park because again, the best part about Disney is that driving isn’t necessary.
Find more adult fun at Disney Springs with restaurants + bars {many with entertainment} like Planet Hollywood, STK Orlando, House of Blues, Raglan Road Irish Pub, The Boathouse, AMC Dine-In Theater + so much more including a WINE BAR opening this year {#disneywin}.
Hopefully by now you’re totally convinced that Disney is adult-friendly.
Have you ever been without kids? Have any tips to share? Let us know in the comments!
