Most Disney fans have heard the same tired trope: “Isn’t Walt Disney World really for kids? What sort of weirdos go without kids?”.
While kids do make the Most Magical Place on Earth extra magical, by no means is Walt Disney World just for kids. Indeed, many Disney experiences aren’t even available to kids—they were designed specifically with adults in mind! Most regular visitors know Walt Disney World has tons to do for adults without kids, from dining and shopping to recreation and resort getaways. These are some of the more familiar adult activities, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Whether you’re considering trying a first Walt Disney World vacation without kids or if you’re an adult regular, we compiled 12 of our favorite ways to shamelessly enjoy an adults-only visit to the Most Magical Place on Earth. Have you tried all of these?
1. Massage your imagination
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As adults, we sometimes have a bad habit of letting our imaginations fall utterly stagnant. We get caught up in the grind of the day-to-day, leaving little room for our minds to flex and dream.
A Walt Disney World vacation is the perfect excuse to give your shriveled imagination some freedom to embrace wonder and ask “What if?” again.
Imagining isn’t just for kids. On your next Walt Disney World visit, let your mind wander. Imagine yourself as part of the story. Instead of fussing over the details of pavilions at World Showcase or Disney’s Animal Kingdom, imagine yourself actually visiting those countries. Have conversations with cast members, research details about those lands.
On rides, don’t sit there picking apart the technical effects (unless you’re an engineer who really gets a lot of joy out of that). Picture yourself as part of that world. Let yourself get lost in it. Immersion is becoming more and more part of the Disney experience, especially in new expansions like The World of Pandora and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Permit yourself to do some mental role-playing and embrace creativity. Give your mind a vacation as well as your body.
2. Take a culinary tour
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When you visit Walt Disney World with kids, you might run into some limitations on food choices. After all, many kids don’t like unfamiliar foods. While most Disney restaurants have kids’ menus, many parents freeze up at the prospect of spending a whap-ton of money to potentially have their kids reject everything on the menu. Even without kids, many families default to hot dogs and turkey legs for most meals.
The food really is one of the most magical parts of the Walt Disney World experience for adults. Visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth without a generous food budget is a mistake. There really is something for everybody, whether you love ethnic cuisine, comfort food, fine dining, or just have a sweet tooth. Even hardcore foodies can find some exceptional restaurants on Walt Disney World property, like the Boardwalk’s Flying Fish Café or Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Jiko: The Cooking Place. Want to elevate your choices even more? Take a short drive to the Four Seasons Orlando to enjoy the offerings at PB&G (a pool bar with nicer food than most Disney restaurants), Capa, or even a fine-dining character breakfast at Ravello!
Love trying a variety of new foods? Don’t miss Epcot’s festivals, especially the International Food and Wine Festival! You can easily make a day out of touring food booths and tasting new wines and ales, and even enjoy culinary demonstrations from world class chefs!
3. Practice your photography (and Disneygramming)
Image: Jett Farrell-Vega (@mykingdomforamouse Instagram)
Disney World is a photographer’s paradise, particularly if you aren’t too attached to using a tripod (that can prove more difficult due to crowds but isn’t impossible). On a Walt Disney World vacation without kids, there is a freedom to slow down that is just what an aspiring photographer needs. Whether you pursue photography as a hobby or if you just like doing smartphone photography, practice your skills on the dreamscapes of Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Photography isn’t just about taking pictures. It can also be about telling a story. Consider putting together a collection of photos from within the parks. Forego traditional Photopass photos and posed photographs for life-like candids. Another popular hobby of many Disney photography fans is Disneygramming—posting collections of Disney-themed photos to Instagram. You can even take your smartphone game to the next level by getting some nifty smartphone camera lenses!
4. Relax with purpose
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A Walt Disney World vacation doesn’t have to be a hectic rush of activity and long lines. For adults, it can also be an opportunity to relax.
Enjoy your resort—and choose a resort that encourages you to take it easy, like Disney’s Yacht Club or Port Orleans French Quarter. Take a peaceful walk on one of the Disney’s beautiful walking trails, like the Conch Flats trail between Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and Disney Springs. Visit one of Walt Disney World’s excellent spas, like Senses at the Grand Floridian or Saratoga Springs, or the Mandara Spa at the Walt Disney World Dolphin. Enjoy some afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian or a peaceful boat ride on Disney’s waterways.
Even within the parks, if you visit in a quiet-er season and find a peaceful spot (like the courtyards in Morocco or the gardens in Japan at Epcot), just sit and enjoy the atmosphere. If crowd noise bugs you, throw on a pair of noise cancelling headphones (I’m a fan of these Taotronics BH-060 over-the-ears if you really want to reduce noise) and listen to some soothing sounds from a noise generator like MyNoise.net or Relax Melodies. Enjoy the peace and quiet.
5. Enjoy the wildlife
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Are you a wildlife enthusiast? We’ve talked before about how Walt Disney World is a dream destination for those of us with a soft spot for the animal kingdom. Kids—even those who love animals—tend to have short attention spans. As an adult, enjoy the luxury of some unhurried animal watching.
Find somewhere to sit and watch the birds, like Florida’s famous anhingas and ibis. Have a picnic at Fort Wilderness and look out for local deer and rabbits. Take your time when you visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom, especially on the Maharajah Jungle Trek and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. Find somewhere to sit or stand out of the way, plant yourself, and just linger to watch how the animals behave over several minutes.
6. Shopping!
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We would be remiss if we didn’t mention shopping at Walt Disney World—an undoubted favorite activity of many visitors.
Disney has countless opportunities for guests who enjoy a good souvenir hunt. World Showcase shines as a shopping destination for those who love international imports. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a great destination if you love African and Asian themes, and of course, no Disney shopping experience is complete without a visit to Disney Springs, which has bloomed into a world-class shopping village. If you happen to visit Epcot during a festival, don’t miss the festival marketplaces where you can pick up limited-edition merchandise and wines.
As always, shop wisely. If you have a passholder in your group, partner up with them to use their discount (they just need to approach the counter with you then show their pass and ID in most cases). Set a budget for yourself (crippling debt is a lousy Disney souvenir) and stick to it but have fun within those boundaries!
7. Indulge your inner superfan
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Disney fandom isn’t just for kids. How many of us have a favorite Disney film or character? An adult Walt Disney World vacation is a chance to indulge in some shameless fandom.
A perfect example of this is Gaston in Fantasyland. Sure, kids think he’s funny, but in truth, Gaston has built an insane fan-base among adults. Half the jokes are things only adults would get! It’s okay to superfan out as an adult at Disney. Oh, and let’s not forget that Star Wars and Marvel now fall under Disney’s umbrella! What Star Wars fan hasn’t completely geeked out at their first viewing of the March of the First Order? Even more-so, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is going to be a superfan’s paradise. The entire thing is a love-letter to Star Wars, and it will be filled with Easter eggs and interactive activities that fans will absolutely enjoy.
So who cares if you don’t have kids? Go pose with your favorite character. Buy that Indiana Jones fedora you’ve always wanted. Take that behind-the-scenes tour you’ve always wanted to. Geek out!
8. Take a romantic getaway
Walt Disney World is one of the top wedding and honeymoon destinations in the world for a reason. There are tons of opportunities for romance, and every couple can find something that provides that special “magic” atmosphere—no kids required!
We’ve already talked about Disney’s amazing dining. Disney is full of romantic restaurants for the perfect dinner date. Enjoy some exotic cuisine at Jiko: The Cooking Place. Plan a romantic French in an intimate setting at Monsieur Paul. Have a night on the town at The Flying Fish Café or watch the fireworks from The Contemporary’s California Grill. Ultra-foodies can even splurge on the ultimate dinner date at Victoria and Albert’s, one of the top restaurants in Florida!
The romance doesn’t stop at dinner dates. Snuggle together on Spaceship Earth. Take a walk hand in hand through World Showcase. Enjoy a romantic resort like Port Orleans French Quarter, The Yacht Club, or The Contemporary’s Bay Lake Tower. A Walt Disney World vacation is a great opportunity to have some fun together and celebrate each other’s company…
9. Recreation and sports
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Walt Disney World is full of opportunities for recreational enthusiasts. Golfers can enjoy three world class PGA-level golf courses, as well as a walking course. Disney’s waterways offer myriad opportunities for boating, fishing, and watersports. You can also check your resort for special activities like volleyball, basketball, tennis, and of course, swimming! Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon even offers surfing lessons in its enormous wave pool. You can also make plans to run in a RunDisney marathon!
Are you a hardcore sports enthusiast? The ESPN Wide World of Sports might prove your favorite part of a Walt Disney World visit. The Atlanta Braves do their spring training there, and the complex also hosts a number of other unique events and experiences for sports fans.
10. Have fun like a kid
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Just because you aren’t visiting Walt Disney World with kids doesn’t mean you can’t have fun like a kid. When kids visit Walt Disney World, they don’t have to give themselves permission to play. They just do it.
As adults, sometimes we need to loosen the screws and just have fun. Embrace some kid-like fun on your next Disney vacation. Get lost on Tom Sawyer Island. Ride “kiddie rides” like Peter Pan’s Flight or It’s a Small World. Hop on a roller coaster like Expedition: Everest or Space Mountain. Dance to the music in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Collect character autographs or try the ultimate treasure hunt that is Disney pin trading. Drink something ridiculous and sugary. Eat a giant ice cream sundae. Give yourself permission to dream and have fun again.
What is your favorite way to enjoy Walt Disney World as an adult?
