In the immortal words of the great Walt Disney, "growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional." When he set out to build his magical empire, his goal was not just to make children happy, but older audiences too. Just because his parks are populated by cute cartoon characters doesn't mean adults can't get in on the action.
Though a large portion of the parks is marketed and directed at kids and families, there's just as much for adults to enjoy. There are thrill-rides, restaurants, and exciting nightlife opportunities, enjoyed more by adults than children, so why not seize the opportunity? Here are our reasons why adults should frequent the place where dreams come true.
10 Nightlife at Disney Springs
Who said you had to enter the parks to enjoy your stay at Disney? Disney Springs definitely has a lot of adult options to offer once the sun goes down. Kids do tend to have earlier bedtimes, after all. So why not go embrace the neon glow of this Orlando hot spot?
Though it does host a range of kid-friendly establishments, there's a great deal for adults too. With such wonderful features like D-Tech, a store for Disney device accessories, and the Edison, a steampunk-inspired bar with a floor show, this place is definitely more geared towards older Disney fans.
9 Good Eats
Burgers and fries are great for any age, but you're on vacation! You want to try something a little extra than your typical park cuisine, right? Kids can keep their chicken fingers and tots, we want something more complex for our palates.
Fortunately, Disney offers an excellent array of restaurants to cater to larger and more explorative appetites. There are several eateries on and off the park for adults to eat their fill like Morimoto's, the Edison, and Via Napoli. Believe us when we tell you, you won't go hungry here.
8 Magical Mixology
Now that we've enjoyed a delicious meal, why not wash it down with something a little stronger than your average cola? And we're not talking club cool here. If cocktails, wine, and other adult beverages are your thing, Disney's got you covered. Who knew so many mixologists worked for Mickey?
If you're looking for some flavorful concoctions with a little kick, we highly recommend visiting during Epcot's Food and Wine Festival for wines, mimosas, and various cocktails that will definitely mix in a little magic. Enjoy, but please do so responsibly. A drunk Disney fan is not as magical as it sounds.
7 Shopping
It's always fun to get yourself a pair of Mickey Ears, a theme park tee, or some other magical merchandise, but we understand if that's not exactly your thing, and Disney does too. Though it's main merch is geared towards a younger consumer, there's still plenty for adults to enjoy.
Disney Springs is definitely your best bet for this brand of shopping, but there's plenty to explore in Epcot and Hollywood Studios as well. If you're into jewelry, art, or rare Disney collectibles, World Of Disney will be your goldmine. Just be careful with your budget, all magic comes with a price.
6 Take a Staycation
If you're looking for a chance to relax, unwind, and just veg out after a day taking on your choice of theme park, there are few better places to do so than the Disney Resorts. There are plenty of ways to take it easy and never even have to set foot off the hotel property.
You can just crash in your room, take a dip in the pool, visit a Fantasia-themed minigolf course, or simply just explore the resort's features and amenities. There's nothing like a magical staycation day to recharge your batteries to take on more park time later.
5 Characters Love Adults Too
Whether you're five or twenty-five, you're never too old to rub elbows with your favorite Disney characters. It's practically heretical to visit the Disney Parks and not get your picture made with the master mouse himself. Besides, the character performers are trained to not only handle kids but make adults feel welcome as well.
You'd be surprised at how many adults actually love getting to meet and interact with the characters in the parks. Whether it's a college student getting to meet her favorite princess, or a dad getting a hug from Goofy, the characters are there for everyone's enjoyment. So don't feel bad for being a little starstruck.
4 Thrill Rides
This one is pretty much mandatory for any Disney visit and goes without saying. No matter how you choose to spend your time in Disney World, you have to experience their rides. Younger riders will definitely enjoy the Mad Tea Party, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and the Royal Carousel, but there are plenty of rides for adults to get their thrills.
Expedition Everest, Rockin' Rollercoaster, and Space Mountain are just a few of the bigger rides that adults will definitely appreciate more than kids. You might have to wait a while for some of the more popular rides, but you definitely won't have to worry about a height problem.
3 Artist Appreciation
One thing adults will definitely be more attracted to than younger Disney fans is the attention to artistry, detail, and presentation that go into creating these absolutely marvelous worlds. The designs, colors, and attention to immersion are definitely more noticeable to those actually willing to take the time to appreciate them.
Whether you're a fan of the ingenious uses of Disney Imagineering, audio-animatronic wizardry, or the artistic design of the immersive worlds Disney has created, chances are you're probably an adult who is willing to take the time to notice.
2 Epcot
Though it definitely has a selection of kid-friendly activities and venues, Epcot is easily the most adult-oriented of Disney Parks. We're not saying that kids won't enjoy attractions like Test Track, Soarin', or the World Showcase, but there's definitely more for adults than kids here.
Epcot is definitely more educational and innovative than something like the Magic Kingdom, but that doesn't mean it isn't as enjoyable or engaging. It definitely caters to both sets of Disney guests but with seasons like the Food and Wine Festival or the Flower and Garden Show, we can understand why the adults outweigh the kids on this one.
1 Reliving the Magic
Walt Disney once said "You're dead if you aim for only kids. Adults are only kids grown up anyway." With that sentiment in mind, we can concur he's absolutely right. Many adult Disney-goers visit the park to relive and share that same magical feeling they had as kids, some even with kids of their own.
Disney is a place to leave reality behind, enjoy all the fun activities, rides, and surprises the parks have to offer. Leave your adult side behind for a little while, and go enjoy the wonderful world Walt left behind. You won't regret it.