Adulting is rough. There are bills to pay; appointments to keep; kids’ schedules to maintain; older parents to care for; and the 9-to-5 grind. With all this responsibility, it’s no wonder that we adults like to let loose and find, for a moment in time, the carefree whimsy we enjoyed as kids. For us and many other adults, that means vacationing at Disney Destinations.
You may have heard about the recent controversy related to adults visiting Walt Disney World without children. Obviously, we wholeheartedly disagree. There is so much to experience at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and on Disney Cruise Line WITHOUT children. We’ll admit, sometimes, it’s better to visit without them! Please continue reading for our top five list of things to enjoy at Disney Destinations … sans your little ones.
Shopping
Only two words are necessary when talking about shopping during a Walt Disney World Resort vacation - Disney Springs. Disney’s entertainment district boasts 107 opportunities for you to rack up even more debt! Who can resist Disney-exclusive charms at the Pandora store? How about adding to your purse collection at the Coach boutique? Or walking out of Zara with the latest fashionable apparel and accessories? With shops also featuring homewares, beauty products, art, sunglasses, shoes and collectibles, Disney Springs is an all-day affair.
As a mother of two boys, I can tell you that it’s impossible for me to get my shop on with them constantly reporting how “bored” they are. When I’m visiting with my girlfriends, my time at Disney Springs becomes a shopping frenzy. And without kids, we can extend our stay and enjoy the nighttime revelry!
You’ll find us at Zara during our shopping day at Disney Springs!
With many restaurants and bars open until 2 a.m., Disney Springs is a happening late-night destination for adults-only weekend trips. Oenophiles will want to check out Wine Bar George which offers more than 130 handpicked selections by Master Sommelier George Miliotesrom from esteemed wineries and emerging regions. For a livelier experience, Raglan Road is an authentic pub where you can toast to smooth pints of beer and tap your toes to Celtic tunes.
When staying on-property, Disney offers free shuttle bus service to Disney Springs from the resorts. An added bonus of staying at the Port Orleans sister hotels, guests can board a complimentary water taxi to Disney’s entertainment district.
Fine Dining
The meals offered at Disney Destinations get a bad rap. Sure, there are chicken nuggets and apple slices to be found on kid menus. But if you dig a bit deeper, you’ll find some amazing culinary action happening at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and on Disney Cruise Line.
We have had some of the most scrumptious meals at Disney parks and resorts, rivaling restaurants found at food-centric cities. Jiko found at Animal Kingdom Lodge boasts an award-winning wine list with one of the most robust South African selections. Grand Floridian is home to Victoria & Albert’s, recipient of AAA’s highest achievement, the Five Diamond Award, and Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating. We’d be remiss not to mention California Grill located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort which offers fresh, seasonal culinary-scapes of the Pacific Coast. Although the food is the star, the exceptional service and incredible panoramic views of Magic Kingdom and beyond cap off an incredible evening on top of the Contemporary at California Grill.
Disney Cruise Line may offer your kids unlimited soft-serve ice cream and pizza, but it does not forget about the older crew with two adult-only dining venues. Remy, found on the Disney Dream and Fantasy, is a fine dining experience featuring elegant French cuisine specially crafted by the chef of award-winning Victoria & Albert's and an advising three-Michelin-starred French chef. Palo, found on every ship of the Disney Cruise Line fleet, features Northern Italian cuisine with a modern twist.
Starting your meal off right at Remy on the Disney Fantasy - a sparkling, chilled glass of champagne with the finest Iberian ham
On the West Coast, Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa is one of the most highly acclaimed restaurants in all of Orange County. Featuring upscale California fare, it has received accolades from Zagat and Wine Spectator. A must-do experience is the Chef’s Table where you sit at an open counter with a full view of the kitchen and can interact with the chefs. Wine pairings are available for an additional charge, and totally worth the extra cost.
Getting ready to experience Chef’s Table at Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. Yes, we opted for the wine pairings for each delectable course!
Food & Wine
Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival is Disney’s most adult-oriented event - because of all the food….and wine. Bonus: you don’t need a passport for this epicurean adventure! The festival is included with park admission. You do have to purchase the food and beverages (or use credits if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan), but there are plenty of free activities like the Eat to the Beat Concert Series which features popular bands from a few years ago, book signings and talks by culinary authors, and the Back to the Basic Series, workshops led by food professionals.
Nothing says girls’ weekend like Mimosas and Epcot’s Food & Wine Fesitval
There are also opportunities to elevate the festival experience including: the increasingly popular Party of the Senses; beverage and cheese seminars, food and drink pairings, and culinary demos; hands-on seminars led by professional chefs; and interactive experiences with celebrity chefs - like those you’ll see on the Cooking Channel, Top Chef and Food Network.
If you and your adult friends are visiting Walt Disney World exclusively to experience the Food & Wine Festival, your hotel of choice should be one of the Disney resorts on Crescent Lake: the Beach Club, Yacht Club and Boardwalk Inn. These hotels are within walking distance of Epcot with a convenient Epcot entrance directly into the World Showcase!
Schedule, what schedule?
There’s nothing more glorious than adhering to your own schedule on vacation, rather than conforming to the needs and wants of others. When traveling with kids, you need to feed them nutritious, balanced meals three times per day - they are growing, after all. Not to mention that infants and toddlers require solid napping time, requiring you to head back to your hotel for a few hours.
No kids = Mickey Bars for breakfast
When your travel party consists of adults, you can do what you want, when you want to do it! No worrying about waking up at the crack of dawn to be the first in line for Peter Pan’s Flight. You’re also free to sleep in late, lounge by the pool with a cold one in hand and make a spa appointment for even more rest and relaxation!
Extra Experiences
Walt Disney World offers special experiences to elevate your trip to the next level. Many of these add-on activities have an age requirement, making it impossible to do with young children. For instance, Wild Africa Trek is a privately guided VIP expedition at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park available for tweens and older guests. The minimum age for the Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour, which gives you exclusive backstage access to the kitchens of Magic Kingdom park, is 16 and older. And Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom Tour which lets you explore secret locations and learn about little-known facts and trivia is only open to adults.
With the Keys to the Kingdom Tour, you get behind-the-scenes access to beloved Magic Kingdom attractions. Sorry, no photos allowed during the tour.