12 Disney World Tips For Adults

If you ever visited Walt Disney World as a kid, it’s a sure bet that you remember just about everything you saw and did. It’s a magical world, and it wasn’t just the Magic Kingdom that thrilled you. Your mind was blown at EPCOT Center, and you were thrilled to the wonders of Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. However, Disney World isn’t just for kids. As an adult, you’ll find that the fun and adventure is just as enjoyable now as it was when you were a wide-eyed kid. 

However, it was your own parents who did all the painstaking research and planning that made your adventure a memorable one. Now it’s your turn. Even without the kids tagging along, you’ll find that your Disney World trip is made much more exciting and satisfying if you follow a few tips. These are intended to serve as a guide only; use your own judgment in the end. 

1) Choose Your Destinations Wisely. Once you know your travel dates, plan your stay around the choice of venues and parks. Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and the Magic Kingdom are close to each other, but remember that travel time comes into play, especially when it comes to parking and getting into the parks via the car park shuttles. 

2) Buying Tickets. Go through your travel agent if you wish, but be sure to check out the Walt Disney World website. Whatever you do, choose only a reputable ticket seller. Several affiliate sellers are found online, but many may charge service fees. 

3) Use FastPass+. If you purchase your ticket ahead of time, you can choose up to three rides per day, per person. Once these selections are used up, you can keep reloading the pass. Each selection can be used for a specific ride or entertainment venue. 

4) Dining Options. Many people believe that reservations at the Disney World on-site restaurants can only be made after an admittance ticket has been purchased. Nothing is further from the truth. You can actually make table reservations at most of the restaurants as much as 180 days in advance, and you can do this directly through the Walt Disney World website. 

5) Consider The Weather. Most of the time, the Orlando area is hot and muggy. However, just because the forecast is for sunshine, be prepared for a rain shower. Bring along a light rain shell and a fold-up rain hat. 

6) Arrive Early. This is known as rope-drop. You know, kind of like the old days when you wanted to get rock concert tickets before they sold out. Arrive at the park early, and you’ll find that the rope drop isn’t very exciting. It’s much less crowded before 11 AM. 

7) Liquor Choices. Until recently, the parks were dry zones. Today, you can find alcohol kiosks at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom. Beer and wine are served in most of the restaurants. 

8) Check Out The Hotel Resorts. Through the Walt Disney World website, you can see maps that show the on-site hotel resorts. Some of these are very expensive, but you’ll already be where you want to be, and you won’t have to worry about ground transportation. You can also get a discount if you buy or rent Disney Vacation Club points from a current DVC owner before you go. If you choose to buy, don’t forget to sell Disney Vacation Club later to get some money back on your vacation accommodation.

9) Choosing A Resort. If you do plan to stay at the park overnight, there’s plenty of variety when it comes to accommodations. Check out the Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the Yacht Club Resort. 

10) Nighttime Entertainment. Adults crave such entertainment as La Nouba by Cirque Du Soleil. If you prefer Indiana Jones, that’s fine. Just make sure to check the Disney website for reservation times. Yes, you can book these ahead of time. 

11) Behind The Scenes. You might be interested in going behind the stage at several of the entertainment venues. The Backstage Magic Tour and the EPCOT Seas Aqua Tour are two suggestions. 

12) Be Young Again. It doesn’t matter what your birth certificate says. Disney means youthful adventure whether you’re a third-grader or a retired senior. Stick to your schedule, but watch the shows and enjoy fine dining without looking at your wristwatch or smartphone. Disney World is a place to go to forget about everything else.