I know why you’re here. You saw the title “Adults Only” and thought this might be an expose into the more prurient aspects of Walt Disney World—maybe a behind-the-scenes look at some of the seamier backstage stories of cast member trysts or guests engaging in not-so-wholesome behavior on Spaceship Earth or Splash Mountain. Go ahead, you can admit it.
Perhaps you came here expecting to see a swimsuit photo shoot featuring a few Disney princesses (or princes if that’s your taste, not that there’s anything wrong with that.) While that is somewhat intriguing, I’m still trying to wrap my head around an appropriate swimsuit for a mermaid. Nevertheless, I’m afraid this article may disappoint you. What I’m going to discuss is what my wife and I refer to as our “solo trips.” That is certainly a misnomer but it’s how we define the trips that only include the two of us. A more appropriate title would be our “adults-only” trips.
Allow me to explain. If you’re one of Disney’s many solo travelers, your trips are already “adults-only”—assuming, of course, that you are an adult. This also holds true if you’re part of a couple without children or, like me, an “empty nester.” You should all recognize something in this article but I write this with a specific demographic in mind—actually, a specific person in mind… me. More precisely, this is written for the “me” of 20 years ago, that handsome, strapping guy I am… er… was. What I was, above all else, was “the dad”. I was “the dad” of three children aged 4 to 14 and that fact is what governed our trips to Walt Disney World.
Mind you, while those trips were a bit different from today, they were no less enjoyable. To be sure, I wouldn’t trade those times, and trips, for anything but I admit that there was a level of cost and complexity to those trips that I am not saddened to see leave.
Our first “adults only” trip came in December 2003. At that time, our youngest had begun his freshman year in college. Up to that point, all our trips had always included one or more of our kids.
That trip in 2003 opened our eyes to how much simpler and more flexible a solo trip can be. We’ve tried to sneak in a few more since then, between trips with our children and now, their children. Again, lest anyone misunderstand, I truly love bringing the whole clan along—complete with significant others. I always enjoy the company of my kids, mainly because they keep me balanced, humble… and laughing—with an emphasis on “humble.” We always have a great time together.
But… (and you knew there was a “but” coming, didn’t you?) we also love our “solo trips.” Why? Let’s explore…
Sorry, kids. Not this time… Photo by Steve Russo.
Cost
There’s no doubt that the cost of a Disney trip is always significant and is a main point of consideration whenever you’re planning. In the days we were traveling as a family of five, I had to consider the cost of five airline tickets, five admission media, transporting five people to and from Orlando International Airport, five people requiring three meals per day, snacks and souvenirs. Phew! It’s amazing we went at all.
Let’s do some quick estimation and determine that an airline ticket is $250 (that’s sort of a typical amount for us) and a 7-day Magic Your Way expiring Park Hopper is $305. Let’s further assume that each of us requires about $50 per day for meals and snacks. You can see that a seven-night stay brings us to $905 per person before we consider lodging, ground transportation and souvenirs. A weeklong trip for five in a moderate resort can easily run north of $6,000. Upgrade to a deluxe resort and we’re beginning to talk serious money (that’s a joke.)
Using the above criteria for just the ol’ ball-and-chain—whoops, I meant “my lovely bride”… she might read this— and me can easily cut that number in half. In reality, our real cost is less than half, considering our lodging is now via Disney Vacation Club. Admittedly, taking a trip without small children may mean a few more dollars spent at signature restaurants (e.g. – dining at the California Grill or Flying Fish instead of Pecos Bill’s) and/or on adult beverages. On our solo jaunts, we usually wind up having a beer in the Rose and Crown as our “welcome to Disney” moment, shortly after arriving. I view this as knocking off the dust of the trip—as if we traveled in a Conestoga wagon. If we’re staying at the Boardwalk, our DVC home resort, we’ll typically end one or two evenings with nightcaps at the Belle Vue Room, a very relaxing way to end any Disney day. These are both things we did sparingly or not at all when the kids were kids. In any case, these additional expenditures don’t come close to offsetting the costs of more people.
The bottom line? Adults-only trips are much less expensive.
Yeah, I borrowed this little guy. Photo by Steve Russo.
Transportation
Excluding the cost aspect, transportation is not a huge deal. However, the cost and hassle of getting there and getting around has to be considered. As solo travelers, we are much more likely to use Disney’s Magical Express rather than a more expensive option such as a rental vehicle or a Town Car service. The few extra minutes queuing at the airport just isn’t that big a deal. We’re also not that concerned with making a grocery stop on the way to the resort. What little we require can be had at the resort’s store. Yes, we’ll pay a bit more for it but we won’t need nearly as much.
There’s another aspect to traveling with children that’s somewhat dependent upon their age and personality. Do you find yourself concerned with ensuring you have something for them to do at all times? It’s certainly not every child but I’ve seen parents agonize when they think their children need to be entertained in the airport, on the plane, waiting for baggage, in an attraction queue… Demanding little varmints, aren’t they?
Here’s a scene we’ve all witnessed: a Disney bus pulls up and folks begin queuing at the front door. At this point, the mom and dad of three small children begin the process of folding double strollers, scooping up children, backpacks and diaper bags. Toys, baby bottles and small children are dropping to the ground as these people squeeze through the bus door while scraping the sides of everything along the way, including their fellow passengers. By the end of the week, they’re mumbling “Sorry” and “’Excuse me” in their sleep.
Traveling solo is so much simpler—letting Disney handle our luggage, via Magical Express service, rather than schlepping through airports with the 600 pounds of necessary child-rearing equipment.
The Food & Wine Festival makes for an excellent adults only trip. Photo by Steve Russo.
Dining
Not everyone will share my opinions here because each family is different. In our case, when the kids were… well, kids, our meals were taken predominantly at counter service locations. That wasn’t exclusively the case but we did find most of our table service meals involved characters and all-you-can-eat scenarios—think about the Liberty Tree Tavern, the Garden Grill… places like that. At the majority of these places, you could sit down and expect some food to hit the table in about 30-seconds. That dealt with a youngster’s impatience as well as the overwhelming need to get back out into the park as soon as humanly possible.
We chose these places for reasons of time, simplicity and cost. It had little to do with taste because our children, at very tender ages, had no problem ordering a shrimp cocktail and filet mignon for lunch. I swear our middle child’s favorite phrase was, “I’ll start with an appetizer.” The fact is that a gourmet meal was no more or less satisfying to them than a burger and fries from Pecos Bill’s or the Electric Umbrella, but it was certainly more expensive.
It’s great to be out to dinner now with our adult children but, back then, they had no patience for two-hour meals when they could be riding something; and their tastes were more burgers and pizza than crab cakes and Chateaubriand.
One of the things we enjoy most about our adult trips is taking the time to sit down, relax and enjoy a lengthier meal in one of Disney World’s finer restaurants. The California Grill, Narcoossee’s, the Flying Fish, the Yachtsman Steakhouse are just a few we’ve been able to try sans kids.
“Adults only” doesn’t mean we can’t act like kids. Photo by Steve Russo.
Park Touring
When the Magic Kingdom opens, and you stream in with what seems like the population of North America, do you make a beeline for Fantasyland to ride Dumbo and Peter Pan before the standby queue builds to 90-minutes? Yes, I know. If you have young children, there really isn’t an alternative.
The beauty of the adults-only trip is that is no longer your mandate. We’ve often defied the opening-minute gods and turned left into Adventureland to begin our day. We’ve been on the first Jungle Cruise boat of the day and followed that with a walk-on at the Pirates of the Caribbean. We’ve then leisurely made our back to Frontierland and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, still during the first hour of operation.
Is it wonderful to see your child interact with a favorite character as he or she gets an autograph and poses for a photo? Of course it is, but it’s also pure bliss to walk on by those character meet-and-greets when you notice the beads of sweat and short tempers that come from 30-minutes on line in 90-degree heat.
One of life’s pleasures, while touring on an adults-only trip, is the ability to spend an evening walking around World Showcase. Without concern for the queue length at Maelstrom, we’ll stop in a pavilion or shop on nothing more than a whim. Perhaps, we’ll stop at the Boulangerie Patisserie for a coffee and pastry, then sit and people watch at a small table back there on that “Paris street;” or maybe it’s a pretzel and beer at Germany that will catch our attention. No matter what it is, there’s nothing quite like it.
My Opinion
Once again, let me clarify my position lest you think me some codger with a hatred of children. I loved visiting Disney World with my own children. I love visiting Disney World today with my adult children and I love visiting Disney World today with my grandchildren. Heck, I enjoy watching the smiles I see on other people’s children.
If you have young children now, enjoy each and every trip with them. Relish the magical moments you’re sure to experience at our favorite vacation spot. You can also enjoy these trips knowing that someday, probably when your youngest enters college, you too will be able to experience the adults-only solo trip. It’s out there waiting for you.
Once you’ve tasted that, the next logical progression will be the adults-only trip with your kids. They’ll still want to visit Disney World with mom and dad but they no longer need to visit Toon Town and they’re also prone to head off on their own to do some specific things without you. That’s OK too.
Before you know it, these trips will take on a different flavor as your new grandchildren come along for the ride. This is a real treat because you can now, once again, explore all that Disney World has to offer with the freshness of a child on his or her first trip. You’ll remember the look of awe on your child’s face as you now see it in your grandchildren. It’s special and you should never lose sight of that.
If I could speak to that me of 20 years ago, I’d tell him to savor those moments with the kids at Disney World, to enjoy every nanosecond of those trips. However, I’d also tell him that there’s something waiting at the other end; something different but every bit as good. I’d also tell him to go a bit easier on the pepperoni pizza.
What I’m trumpeting is the truly unique benefits of an adults-only trip to Disney World. If you can, try it. You won’t be disappointed. If the kids are still too young, try it on a short-term basis. Bring the grandparents along and saddle them with the kids for a day, an evening or just a couple of hours while you and your spouse head out for some adults-only fun. Maybe it’s a signature dinner, an evening at Jelly Rolls or perhaps it’s just strolling around World Showcase browsing the shops. You won’t regret it and, trust me… the grandparents will enjoy it. Would I steer you wrong?
