Disney World is often marketed as the “dream machine”, and, from a child’s wide-eyed perspective, we don’t think the Advertising Standards Authority will be on Disney’s case anytime soon. It more than lives up to the billing in all its razzmatazz, razzle dazzle and resplendent glory.
While it is indeed a dream of so many children to visit Orlando’s Walt Disney World at least once in their lifetime, for adults it’s a different story that can often turn into a nightmare.
A nightmare, we should say, for those adults who aren’t familiar with these 7 secrets to surviving Disney World for adults.
Save Money Going Off Season
Visiting Disney World can be a magical experience, but ‘oh, boy’, ‘aw, gee’ can it also get crowded, overwhelming and expensive fast. Indeed, the cost of hotels, dining out, theme park tickets and those Minnie Mouse ears can quickly add up, taking that magic right out of the experience for cash-conscious parents.
Here’s the good news; Disney World uses a dynamic ticket pricing system, meaning you can save significantly if you visit during off peak times.
As Reader’s Digest explains, “tickets are broken out into three categories of dates: “value,” ‘’regular,” and “peak” times. That means that tickets during the busiest weeks of the year are more expensive than the quieter months”.
Unsurprisingly the busiest time of year to visit Disney World is during the school holidays when families flock to the park to keep the kids entertained. Conversely, the quietest time to visit is after Christmas, in January, especially on weekdays. The months of February, August, September and early November (before Halloween) are generally quieter, too, and during these times you’ll find many deals on Walt Disney World tickets that will save you money.
All that said, do remember that you can be fined for taking your child on holiday during term time without the school’s permission. It’s also important to be aware that some attractions may have shorter hours during these off-peak times, so make sure that you check what will be available before booking tickets.
For those looking for a unique experience, consider visiting during special events like Halloween or Christmas, which sees the resort hoist up exclusive decorations and put on special entertainment not found at other times throughout the year. Sure, it will cost you more to visit, but a seasonal theme can make the holiday even more memorable for the little (and larger) ones.
Download The My Disney Experience App
There’s an app for everything these days. One that will make your trip to Disney World so much easier is the My Disney Experience App, helping you “make every magical moment of your Disney vacation count”.
This app is a serious game changer for adults looking for a smooth sailing trip. Not only does it allow you to book reservations, order meals, and purchase tickets in advance, but it also has an interactive map with GPS so you know exactly where you are in the magical world of Disney, making finding your way through the crowds and to the rides easy.
Oh, and it also allows you to easily find character meet-and-greets via the app’s interactive map, giving live updates on the location of Mickey, Minnie and the rest. On top of that, it has current wait times for popular rides, meaning you can make an informed choice before joining the queues. What’s not to love?
Speaking of queues, the app will make waiting in line much more pleasant. It allows you to distract yourself and the little ones in a Disney-themed way with trivia and interactive questions – a blessed relief from yet another game of eye spy!
The platform also provides you with real-time updates on park events, shows and fireworks. Tl; dr: The My Disney Experience app is essential for having the most enjoyable and stress-free trip to Disney World.
Get To The Parks Early
Arriving early at Disney World can help you make the most of your time there. Park opening times vary daily, so plan accordingly and check what time each park opens when planning your trip. This will allow you to get an early start and beat the crowds. Many recommend visiting during the first few hours of the day to maximise your time in the park without the usual waits in long lines.
Most people know the lines for popular attractions can become overwhelming during peak hours, so plan to get in line early. If any special events are happening during your visit, arriving early can help guarantee that you have priority access without waiting in long queues or worrying about missing out on anything unique.
Have Fun With Food
For adults, going to the “Most Magical Place on Earth” isn’t about the rides, it’s about the food. Well, actually, it’s about entertaining your kids, but if you’re like us and food is usually a defining aspect of your trips, then seeking out the best food may make your time more bearable. Having a gourmet experience at Disney World isn’t a given, so seeking out what to eat first is essential.
When it comes to what to eat, you can’t come to Disney World and not have a hotdog; they were Mickey Mouse’s first ever spoken words, after all. The resort offers all types of dogs, from regular offerings to ones with gourmet toppings.
For the latter, head to Casey’s Corner. Themed to feel like an old fashioned baseball concession stand, the restaurant is famous for its incredible all-beef, foot-long hot dogs. Their ‘all-beef philly cheese steak hot diggity dog’ and ‘macaroni & cheese all-beef hot dog’ both offer a pleasing bite of Americana.
There are, of course, lots of iconic Mickey-shaped eats and themed treats to try too, ranging from Mickey shaped pretzels and Mickey shaped beignets all the way to, erm, Mickey shaped macarons. Though it feels like they might be taking the Mickey with all of this, these treats are sure to keep hunger pangs and hanger tantrums at bay.
Some other famous treats at Disney World Florida include
- Turkey Leg at Liberty Square Market
- Corn Dog Nuggets at Westward Ho
- Dole Whip at Aloha Isle
- Cheeseburger Spring Rolls at Adventureland Cart
Oh, and we couldn’t finish up without recommending you try the ‘Grey Stuff’ cupcake at Gaston’s Tavern for a sugar hit – it’s delicious. Don’t believe us? Ask the dishes…
Plan Your Meals
Many restaurants offer unique experiences, including character meals where your favourite characters may stop by your table and entertain you while you eat. If you love your kids enough to go through this experience, we recommend heading outside the resort to the Character Brunch at the Four Seasons. Booking these character dining experiences in advance is essential.
Disney World also offers the Quick Service Dining Plan, where you can dine at your choice of over 100 Quick-Service locations. Here you can stop and enjoy a casual meal when you’re ready to grab a bite to eat. Just order and find a seat – no dining reservations required! It’s a great way to save money on meals while enjoying all the best foods in Disney World.
If you’re looking for a more substantial, grown-up meal, then have a wood-fired pizza at Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria. It’s a real deal, proper Neapolitan pizza with the lightest, airiest of bases, all topped with premium ingredients.
Get Childcare & Go Down To The Boardwalk
Did you know that childcare services are offered by Disney at the theme parks? Yep, they have several services including in-room babysitting meaning you can enjoy the more adult side of Disney World if that sounds like you’re kind of thing.
Nope, we’re not insinuating there’s some kind of Minnie Mouse strip tease performance to be found here, but rather, some pleasant places to have a stroll and recline.
Disney’s Boardwalk is probably the best place to head. Stretching for a quarter of a mile along Crescent Lake, you’ll find the waterfront promenade packed with restaurants, bars and shops. It’s based on the boardwalks of Atlantic City and Coney Island, and really comes alive after sunset, with twinkling lights and street performers doing their thing along The Strip.
While Disney World can be an enjoyable place for parents all year round, consider planning your visit for late summer. Around this time, Disney hosts the Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival. This annual event is included in your general admission and sees food stalls pop up and musical performances from the Eat To The Beat Concert Series.
There’s also the Flower & Garden Festival which typically from early March through late May and the Festival Of Arts
When it comes to grown-up dining options, Disney World has plenty to offer. If you’re after fine dining, Victoria and Albert’s is known as the culinary centrepiece of Disney restaurants. Serving new American cuisine in opulent Victorian-style surrounds, eating here is a dinner jacket affair.
Morimoto Asia is a firm favourite for a sophisticated evening. The restaurant serves Pan-Asian food, sushi & steaks conceived by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto in a glitzy space. Or, if you’re keen on enjoying dinner with a view, head to California Grill which overlooks Cinderella Castle and offers arguably the best firework-viewing dining experiences at Walt Disney World.
Embrace The Nostalgia
Who says you need to have a child to go to Disneyland? For adults, it’s a place to embrace nostalgia, innocence and the optimism of youth. Plus, as we mentioned just a few sentences above, there are plenty of things aimed squarely at the adults to enjoy here, including fine dining, spas, bars and, of course, electrifying shows and adrenaline raising rides.
So, don’t feel silly wearing those Minnie Mouse ears, because, in the words of Mickey, “To laugh at yourself is to love yourself”.
He also said, “laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever”, and whilst the cynic in us thinks that these tropes were written to trick adults into taking their kids to Disney World, we have to admit that they’ve worked on us, too!