Walt Disney World is a wonderful place
to visit for an adults-only trip, even though it is also one
of the favorite vacation destinations for families with children. There
certainly are plenty of children around the resorts and theme parks, but
there are also a number of places geared more towards adults.
Whether you are child-free or just wishing to take a vacation without
your children, here are some ideas to help in making your plans.
Lodging is an important piece of the
vacation budget, and where you stay can make or break the trip
unless you are the type to spend every waking hour in a theme park prior
to collapsing exhausted immediately after entering the resort room.
The value resorts (All-Star Sports, Music, Movies, and the upcoming Pop
Century) can seem overrun with children because of the large number of
young families attracted by the affordable price. If you are staying in
a Value Resort, requesting a room on an upper floor that does not face
any pool or courtyard will often result in a nice, quiet stay. The buildings
furthest from the front of the resort tend to be quieter as well, and
when the resort is not sold out, there is a good chance the empty rooms
will be back there.
The moderate resorts have a more adult feel to them, with nicer landscaping
and additional amenities. The deluxe resorts often include adult amenities
such as room service, spa, fitness center, and perhaps more people traveling
without children.
No matter where you stay, though, there
will be plenty of children, as all of the resorts appeal as
much to children as to adults. At the moderate and deluxe resorts, consider
using one of the “quiet” pools rather than the main pool. With the water
slide, the main pool is a magnet for youngsters, who generally find the
other pools boring.
Snack offerings in the concierge lounge at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
One option to consider is concierge-level accommodations. Most of the
deluxe resorts offer, for a higher rate, a number of rooms that provide
concierge service. In my experience, although there will be families with
children, oftentimes there are only couples. For a special romantic occasion
such as a honeymoon or anniversary celebration, a stay as a concierge
guest is a luxurious indulgence.
In the theme parks, there are many attractions not suitable for young
children, and an adult trip is the perfect opportunity to enjoy them all!
Attractions such as Tower of Terror or Alien Encounter are too intense
for young children, while it can be difficult to enjoy the scenic movies
around World Showcase in Epcot with the kids in tow. The entertainment
in the countries of World Showcase can easily fill a day, and it seems
that adult women have a particular interest in watching as many Off Kilter
shows as possible. Even the Magic Kingdom can be a good place for adults
to visit as long as they get there early can see all of their favorite
attractions before the crowds get too heavy.
“Streetmosphere” actors perform at the Studios.
At the Disney Studios, the Streetmosphere actors provide impromptu shows
throughout the day in various locations. The shows appeal to children
as well, but adults can better appreciate the actors’ work. For adults,
the show is more likely to be an “attraction,” while children are usually
looking towards the next ride. At Animal Kingdom, adults can wander for
hours studying the animals, such as the incredibly intelligent gorillas
in Harambe and the beautiful tigers in Asia.
There are several behind the scenes
tours available in the theme parks, and most have a minimum
age of 16 years. Most require park admission in addition to the tour fee,
but they are well worth the extra expense if you are interested in how
Disney creates what you see in the parks.
Taking a break from the parks for a leisurely adult lunch at one of the
resorts is always nice. Not all restaurants are open for lunch, since
most people are away in the theme parks, but there will generally be one
place open in each deluxe resort. Whether it’s a quiet lunch or a romantic
dinner, the hardest part is selecting from the many choices.
Grand Floridian, home to Victoria & Albert’s Restaurant.
Victoria & Albert’s is the top-of-the-line adult restaurant, located
in the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Here, dinner is a set price per
person, every server is named either Victoria or Albert, and everything
is more luxurious and formal than in any other Disney restaurant. They
also have an option where you can book the highly coveted Chef’s Table
inside the kitchen, and watch the chefs as they work.
Like many of the deluxe resorts, the
Grand Floridian has a full-service spa. Adults can visit for
a wide variety of spa treatments and massages. For some people, it just
isn’t a vacation without a visit to a spa, and everything you are used
to at other nice resorts can be found on Disney property.
Adults have some entertainment venues that are not open to children.
At the Boardwalk, both Jellyrolls and Atlantic Dance admit only adults.
Jellyrolls is a dueling piano bar, where the two piano players take suggestions
from the audience. Atlantic Dance has reincarnated itself a number of
times since opening, but is a dance club. Check with them when you arrive
to see what style of music they currently feature. The Boardwalk area
is also home to Flying Fish Caf?, which is an excellent seafood restaurant.
It is child-friendly but many adults make use of one of the many child-care
clubs and get away for dinner alone.
Cirque du Soleil theater at the West Side in Downtown Disney.
At Downtown Disney, shopping in the Marketplace is a popular activity
for adults. More and more non-Disney stores keep opening, which keeps
things interesting. The latest is Basin, which carries upscale bath and
body products. At the West Side, Cirque du Soleil has a permanent show
called La Nouba that is a definite “don’t miss.” With ticket prices ranging
from $75 to $85 per adult (reduced price for children 9 and under), it
makes for an unforgettable adults night out. Children will be present,
but they are in the minority, and the show is so mesmerizing they will
most likely be stunned into silence!
Bands perform nightly at the West End Stage on Pleasure Island.
Pleasure Island is seen by many as
Disney’s adult playground, although it is a bit confusing because
Disney continues to permit guests to bring their young children into the
nightclubs. There are two clubs that are limited to people age 21 and
above Ð BET Soundstage and Mannequins. At the others you might see children
in the smoky dance clubs or watching the improv comedy at the Comedy Warehouse
and Adventurer’s Club. However, the children are a small percentage of
the guests, and as the night draws on, the audience usually becomes more
adult.
Other activities include miniature golf and seeing a movie. While it
may seem strange to do something you could just as easily do at home,
sometimes it’s nice to take a break from the busy parks. If you are staying
in one of the Home Away From Home Resorts with a two-person Jacuzzi-style
tub in the master bathroom, you could take your break there Ð definitely
a romantic way to spend an afternoon.
Adults traveling without children enjoy a show at the Comedy Warehouse.
There is no reason to deny yourself a trip to Walt Disney World just
because you don’t take the kids. It will be a different type of trip than
your family Disney vacations, but both can be wonderful. Without the children,
you are free to visit all the things you like, while skipping attractions
like Dumbo and some of the shows geared to young children.
Of course, you can still ride Dumbo if you’re a kid at heart!
