Childfree at Walt Disney World
Even (or maybe especially) if you don’t have kids, you can have a great time at The Happiest Place on Earth.
Walt Disney World in Orlando is noted for being a top “family” destination; indeed, millions of children all over the world dream of vacationing there in the hopes of meeting a giant mouse or riding Space Mountain. Yet despite the seemingly child-centered focus, the Disney attractions were never intended to be solely for kids. The dedication plaque at the front of the first Florida Disney park, The Magic Kingdom, reads, “May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place … a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh, and play, and learn – together.” If you enjoy taking active vacations, have the patience to be around children, and take the time to plan well, a trip to Walt Disney World can be great fun.
When to Go
WDW is a hugely popular vacation spot throughout the year, but it does have times that are slower than normal. In general, the peak summer months of June and July and the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day are the busiest. Not coincidentally, these are also the times that most schools are out and therefore will result in more families with children taking vacations. Disney offers good deals on resort packages during the slower times of year. Right now, for example, travelers who visit from late August through late September can get free meals on the Disney Dining Plan and special hotel rates if they purchase a package that also includes a hotel room on Disney property and theme park tickets. These deals are advertised on the WDW web site, so bookmark it and check back often if you have some travel flexibility. Also check the calendar on their site for Disney Value Days. Those dates represent slower times, so they are good times to go even if you do not plan to take advantage of the package deals.
Where to Stay
Childfree travelers first need to determine whether to stay within the Disney resort area or off-property. Staying at Disney has its advantages, chiefly use of the Disney transportation system, bonus hours at the theme parks reserved for resort guests only, package delivery service directly to your hotel room, and free airport transfers and baggage pickup and delivery through the Magical Express service. However, it can be considerably more expensive than staying off-property and make you feel like a captive audience, particularly if you don’t rent a car. Off-property hotels are usually much less expensive, but a car is just about a must since getting around without one is difficult and non-Disney hotels usually don’t have very efficient transportation services.
If you decide to stay at WDW, avoid the Value Resorts if possible unless you have a very high tolerance for children and noise. Since they are the cheapest hotels on property, they tend to attract a lot of families with children. Although the rooms are adequate, the walls tend to be very thin and the crowds fairly large regardless of the time of year. Also, these hotels are the ones in which Disney often offers group rates to youth groups traveling to the area for tournaments or leisure. Almost any other property on site has better, quieter options. If you like to camp and are on a budget, consider Fort Wilderness Campground. It offers the most reasonable rates of any WDW property if you tent camp, and the outdoor setting features quiet hours as well as more space. On the higher end, the Dolphin and Swan hotels offer sophistication and close proximity to Epcot.
If you decide to stay off property, a higher-end hotel is probably your best bet, particularly one with a concierge floor if you can afford it. Although kids are pretty much everywhere in the Orlando area, chains such as Marriott, Peabody, and Westin are more likely to be quiet and have adults-only areas or times for facilities use. But even a more moderate hotel can be a good choice if you request a room away from the pool, arcade, or other child-enticing amenity.
What to Do
Options abound for just about any activity. All four parks have thrill rides and shows, but The Magic Kingdom is the most like traditional theme park fare. Animal Kingdom is a great place for those who like zoos. Epcot is fun for travelers who want to learn about other cultures, science, and technology. If you are a movie buff, you’ll like Disney-MGM Studios. When it’s warm, you might want to spend time at Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. And for purchasing just about anything Mickey Mouse that you’ve ever thought about, Downtown Disney is the place to go.
All these places have attractions designed specifically for young children, but they also have activities geared more toward adults. The good folks at WDW even post signs alerting parents that some rides or shows are not suitable for younger kids. As happens in the real world, unfortunately, you will encounter some parents who ignore these warnings and end up with screaming little miracles who are scared out of their minds. The best advice is to try to avoid standing in line with these folks for rides and to seek out seats at shows that are as far away from them as possible.
For some guaranteed time away from kids, consider Pleasure Island, Disney’s nightclub and shopping district with several attractions off-limits to those under 21. You might also want to book a tee time at one of six award-winning golf courses, places unlikely to have youngsters unless they are a little older and actually playing in someone else’s party. And, for an additional fee, you can take behind-the-scenes theme park tours with age restrictions, such as Epcot’s UnDISCOVERed Future World or The Magic Kingdom’s Keys to the Kingdom (both with a minimum age of 16 to participate).
Where to Eat
Walt Disney World is one place where you cannot escape children during your dining experience unless you plan to eat in your room at all times. However, by making good restaurant choices, you can at least try to minimize the disruption. The less-traditional ethnic establishments at Epcot are good choices because they do not serve chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese. Higher-end restaurants also offer better odds for a quiet dining experience. The California Grill in Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Victoria and Albert’s in The Grand Floridian are two possibilities. Also consider dining at off times: the later the better. Buffets and character meals (meals at which a Disney character visits tables to sign autographs and pose for pictures) are guaranteed to be noisy and full of children regardless of the time of day.
How to Learn More
An article of this length only begins to scratch the surface of possibilities for the childfree WDW vacation. Several books on this subject exist. Although Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World without Kids is the official guide, it lacks the depth and opinions most travelers seek. Better choices are the books in the Unofficial Guide series, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World for Grownups. The former is a comprehensive look at Disney World and also includes information about the other Orlando theme parks. The latter is geared specifically toward anyone traveling without children. Regardless of the choice you make, get the most recent edition to make your planning more accurate.
Online, the official Walt Disney World site is the place to start for exploring the parks, viewing restaurant choices, and getting information about staying on property. AllEarsNet is an unofficial site with lots of travel reviews and inside information. To chat with other travelers, consider visiting DIS Discussion Forums, a community that includes a healthy childfree contingency.
With the right planning and attitude, you’ll soon be on your way to a fun-filled vacation. And once you’re there, you may find yourself appreciating your childfree status even more as you see the many options available to you that those traveling with kids don’t have. So put on those mouse ears, hop on Splash Mountain, and prove that you don’t have to have a child with you to experience the magic of Walt Disney World.
Copyright . Published 1 June 2007 in The Zone.
Reader comments
Commenting is closed for this article.
My husband and I took a WDW “Romance Package” vacation for our 10th anniversary in 2004. We had a blast! The exact package we had isn’t on the website, but it still has some great suggestions:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/experience/experienceLanding?id=RomanceAndRelaxExperiencePage&count=5
permalink — 4 June 2007, 12:15
My wife and I spent a second honeymoon in Disney World in 2000. Had a great time, especially Pleasure Island which is 100% kid-free at night; no under-21s allowed onto the island! As for Disney World adult-oriented attractions, hit the MGM Studios and Epcot Center, especially the world pavilion. Best of all, you can walk around the park with a drink in your hand just like Vegas! (is that still the case?)
permalink — 27 June 2007, 07:01