Pros and Cons of an Adults-Only Disney Vacation

Walt Disney World: it’s the stuff that dreams are made of for the young and young-at-heart. It’s magical, amazing, and downright awesome.

If you have kids, Disney is definitely a must-do on the vacation location checklist.

However, what if your traveling party consists of only adults? Is Disney just as much fun?

Arguably, the answer is “yes!” Disney is a popular destination for honeymoons, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, retirements, college breaks, and even work conferences. There are plenty of things for kids and their families, but there are also a number of attractions that are either adults-only or at least more fun for the kids-at-heart.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of doing Disney World without kids.

Pros

Luggage- Kids come with a lot of baggage! Packing snacks, drinks, toys, diapers, and other necessities can be exhausting, and you’re bound to forget something! Imagine having none of this! If you’re flying without kids, it’s likely you can pack all your stuff into a carry-on and avoid baggage fees all together. Once you arrive at the parks, venture out with just your magic band and the bare necessities, and you can skip the bag check lines, too! This also means you won’t break your back lugging around a diaper bag or a backpack in the sweltering Florida heat. What could be better than total baggage freedom?!

A party of adults-only means less luggage.
A party of adults-only means less luggage.

Adult Beverages- Disney transportation- buses, monorails, and ferry boats- is completely free for Disney Resort guests. That means you basically have a built-in designated driver! With no kids to worry about, you can freely indulge in those tasty adult beverages at least as much as your wallet and alcohol tolerance will allow you.

Fine Dining- Disney World has some of the best variety of dining experiences on the east coast. The menus at these Signature Dining locations can be quite fancy, and they may not serve the obligatory mac ‘n’ cheese the kids count on. Since you’re traveling without kids, you don’t need to worry about that! Go ahead! Make an Advanced Dining Reservation at the Grand Floridian’s Victoria and Albert’s or the Contemporary’s California Grill without worrying whether the menu is kid-friendly. With no curfew or bedtime, you can take your time to enjoy the food and spirits for as long as you want.

Thrill rides- Wouldn’t you rather ride Test Track five times in a row than spin around on Aladdin’s Magic Carpet or Dumbo the Flying Elephant? Without kids, you can do just that without worrying about Rider Switch. What’s more, the bigger rides often have a Single Rider Line, which is usually a much shorter wait time than the Stand-by line or even the Fast Pass line.

Love thrills? Jump on Test Track as much as you like!
Love thrills? Jump on Test Track as much as you like!

Late Nights- Does the idea of having to leave the parks right after the fireworks or even missing the fireworks all together bring a tear to your eye? Without kids, you can grab your favorite caffeinated beverage from the nearby Starbucks and ride all night- or at least until they kick you out. With Extra Magic Hours, you can get to the parks earlier and stay later than guests who aren’t staying at a Disney Resort. Can you stay late enough for Magic Kingdom‘s Kiss Goodnight? Challenge accepted!

Cons

Missing the details- Kids see things differently than adults – it’s part of the magic of childhood. Because Disney World is the most magical place on earth, the innocence of childhood is even more magnified upon entering Disney property. Walt Disney knew this, and he designed the park especially for kids like the windows on Main Street being lowered so kids can see easily see in. Not only do kids help adults slow down and appreciate the details, they also allow us to experience things through their eyes. We watch them watch the magic unfold, and in that moment, there’s no place we’d rather be and no one we’d rather be with.

It is fun to see Disney World through the eyes of a child.
It is fun to see Disney World through the eyes of a child.

Excuse to take a nap- Have you ever seen a kid have a meltdown because they’re tired and hot? Yes, because it happens all the time. Have you ever seen an adult do the same thing? No, not because it doesn’t happen but because we suffer in silence! We’d all like to say, “I’m exhausted, my feet are screaming, and I really need some air-conditioning!”, but we hold it in and keep chugging along. The tired child gives you an excuse to take a mid-day break, head back to the hotel, and take a nap or a dip in the pool!

No stroller- I know. Having a stroller can seem like such an inconvenience, but it’s actually quite valuable in Disney World! It’s basically portable storage! Forget lugging around a backpack with water bottles, granola bars, a change of clothes and shoes, and anything else you might need throughout the day. Just throw it on the stroller, and you’ll never think twice about potentially needing something or the ever-nagging question: “do I really want to carry this all day?”

Have you ever taken an adults-only Disney vacation?

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