Disney World isn't just a vacation for families with young children. Adults the world over flock to Disney theme parks in Orlando every year to enjoy some good, old-fashioned fun. The resort and theme park empire offers so much more than just shows, rides and larger-than-life characters. The next time you're in the market for some adult time, taking a quick trip to Orlando for a Disney getaway might be the perfect solution.
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Getting there
Most people opt to take a short flight from Atlanta to Orlando International Airport to get to Disney. If you plan on staying at a Disney World resort, they also offer a Magical Express service that picks you up for free at the airport and gives you round-trip transportation from the airport to your hotel.
If road trips are more your style, Orlando is a short six-hour drive from Atlanta via I-75 S.
Must-follow tips
Skip the parades and get in line. Even if you're a big kid at heart, odds are the novelty of watching parades has long ago worn off. One of the top insider tips for beating the lines at Disney World is to get in line when all the kids and families are watching parades.
Christy Boyce from Get Up Go Travel in Marietta said, "Go on your favorite rides, or ones that normally have the longest lines, during the parades. While all the kids, strollers, extended families, etc. are watching the parade, you can be riding Splash Mountain or Pirates of the Caribbean with no kids and much shorter lines."
Get your drink on. What's better than having drinks around the world? Having drinks around the world without having to pay for exorbitant airfare to each place. The Epcot park at Disney has replica countries around the world with authentic food, drinks and souvenirs from each location.
"Drinks around the world at Epcot is a really fun, adult activity. What you do is start on one side of World Showcase (I like to start in Mexico) and have a drink in each country as you work your way through. So have a margarita in Mexico, beer in Germany, wine in Italy, etc. Just be sure to pace yourself because those things can add up quickly!" said Kevin Barry, a Disney expert and founder of Frugal Mouse.
Take a walk on the BoardWalk. Disney may have done away with Pleasure Island, the former adult-themed venue full of bars and clubs, but that doesn't mean your options are limited for having a night out on the town. Take a stroll at the BoardWalk, which is fashioned after the Atlantic City boardwalk circa the 1920s. The view is incredible, and you have multiple options for food and entertainment. If sports bars are your thing, check out the ESPN Club bar and restaurant for food, drink and more TVs in one place than you can fathom.
Hit up the spa. Traveling sans children has its perks. For starters, you can justify a spa treatment. Disney has multiple spas to choose from, including spas at the Grand Floridian Hotel, The BoardWalk Hotel, Mandara Spa at the Disney Dolphin Hotel and La Vida Health Club at the Coronado Springs Resort. You can opt for just a massage or spend a day getting facials, body wraps and more.
Go shopping. If retail therapy makes you happy, Disney has enough shopping options to keep even the most avid shoppers happy. The best place to start is the Downtown Disney area, which has a plethora of Disney-themed merchandise, celebrity memorabilia, hand blown glass and everything in between. You'll also find a wide array of shops and specialty merchandise in each of the Disney theme parks.
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Avoid these traps
Don't go during busy season. It should be self-explanatory, but if you go during the busy season (especially spring break or during the summer) expect to be met with long lines and huge crowds. Plan your trip during the off season (October is a great month to visit Disney), and enjoy shorter lines because most kids are back in school.
Failure to plan. It's great to be spontaneous, but when you're traveling somewhere like Disney, with its array of entertainment and dining options that often need to be booked months in advance, you would be remiss to not do some planning. At minimum, have a rough outline of what you want to do and book your dining reservations at least a month or two in advance.
Not wearing comfortable shoes. Taking a trip to Disney is not the time to break in a new pair of sandals or opt for style instead of comfort. Whether you decide to spend each day at a theme park, walking the BoardWalk or shopping at Downtown Disney, you'll be doing a lot of walking and you'll be a lot more comfortable if you wear the right shoes.
Credit: David Roark for Walt Disney World Resorts
Credit: David Roark for Walt Disney World Resorts
A few final tips
There are definite perks for shelling out a few more bucks to stay at a Disney Resort. Depending on what time of year you go, their value resorts start at around $100 per night, plus park tickets, which is comparable to many of the surrounding area hotels.
For starters, you won't need to rent a car (assuming you flew in from Atlanta). One of the perks of staying at Disney is the free round trip transportation, not just to and from the airport, but also to each of the Disney theme parks and Downtown Disney areas.
If you stay at a Disney resort and purchase souvenirs while you're at one of the parks or Downtown Disney, you can also have your purchased items taken back to your hotel room so you don't have to carry them around all day.
At minimum, if you can't justify the expense of staying at a Disney resort, check out some of their Good Neighbor resorts, which are located in close proximity to most of the Disney theme parks and offer some of the same perks.
You're never too old to let loose for a weekend (or week) and have some fun with everyone's favorite mouse! You can even drink a cocktail while you do it.
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