Let me just get it out there: kid-free Disney is amazing. I’ve been to Disney as a kid, and I’ve been as an adult, but this was my first time going as a parent. And we left our kids at home. It was awesome. Before you get the wrong impression, we love our boys, and we’re excited to take them to Disney… someday. But they are young, still need naps, and honestly they don’t like all the craziness and noise that comes from busy, crowded places. Disney can be very overwhelming for littles and grown ups alike, especially if you’ve never been before. I think everyone was happier with the arrangement we chose this time: boys had a great weekend with Gram and Papa, and we thoroughly enjoyed our few days away, though they were far from restful.
Need convincing for your kid-free Disney trip?
Everywhere we went, we looked around and at each other and said “I’m so glad we didn’t bring the boys.” Honestly, I really think they wouldn’t have liked it. Not yet anyway. In fact, if you asked our 4-year-old (who has no basis for his albeit very emphatic opinion), he’d tell you every time that he doesn’t like Disney World.
But I digress. Disney is expensive, exhausting, full of over-stimulating effects for little brains, and littered with strollers bursting at the proverbial seams and pushed by tired parents.
I could make a long list of all the many benefits of being kid-free at Disney, but they’re all the same as you can imagine elsewhere. The ability to wait patiently in line; have a quiet meal; take a tour and actually listen or read the information; the lack of meltdowns when you can’t do ___; and so many more things!
Now, I’m certainly not poo-pooing the many parents who take their little kids. Absolutely not! We almost were those parents (that’s another story). By all means, brave the masses and the crazy fun with kids in tow if you choose! Just be sure to set your expectations for yourself and your child(ren) and embrace the adventure, challenges and all that come with it.
Making the most of your kid-free Disney experience
Should you find yourself with plans for a kid-free Disney trip, whether your children are bitty or grown, I highly recommend that you make the most of it and do as many “extras” as you can fit in and afford! Certainly you can have an enjoyable time simply leisurely roaming the streets and visiting the many attractions, but Disney abounds with hidden gems that you can experience. After forking over a chunk of your own treasure as payment of course. Nevertheless, I’m a big fan of spending a little extra cash on vacation to make those memories all the more special. I’d rather have fewer awesome trips than many mediocre ones.
I will admit that it’s easier to do these fun extras if you’ve been to the parks before. If this is your first trip, it’s hard to tear your gaze from the magical whirl and twirl that seems to sprinkle fairy dust all over the Disney properties. And if that’s the trip you’re taking, by all means, soak it in and enjoy! But if you’re lucky enough to be a repeat visitor, take the opportunity to try something new!
Kid-free Disney options
In our three days of kid-free Disney, we added the following to our itinerary:
- Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Package, part of Epcot’s Festival of the Arts celebration
- Keys to the Kingdom Tour, a 5-hour backstage tour of the Magic Kingdom
- Signature Celebration Package at Cinderella’s Royal Table
- Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
It’s impossible to pick a favorite; each one was unique and special, although, were I forced to pick, I really enjoyed the Broadway Concert. We had an excellent dinner at Rose & Crown. I’ve never had a sit-down meal in the World Showcase; usually we eat our way around the world, sharing tidbits and treats until we’re full. That’s fun too, but the shepherd’s pie was divine at R&C, and it was perfect on an unexpectedly cold and rainy day. And I love a good evening show, and this was no exception.
You don’t have to pick our selections. There are dozens of other ways for you to experience the magical extras of Disney; explore the possibilities! Many of them have an age threshold, making them unavailable to those with littles in tow, and thus prime for you on your kid-free Disney adventure!
Some others we considered were:
- Disney After Hours (especially the Villain-themed one coming soon!)
- Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise
- Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari and Dining Experience
- Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room Tea Experience
- Horseback riding at Tri-Circle-D Ranch
And there are plenty more experiences to be had! Some are as little as $25/person and go up past $750/person for a full day’s VIP itinerary! Yes, these do add an extra expense to an already expensive trip, but I think if, in repeat trips to the parks, all you ever did was the basics, you’d be missing out on so much else Disney has to experience.
It’s all about the magic, kid-free or not
Regardless of whether or not you find yourself kid-free at Disney or with a whole gaggle of littles in tow, I hope you let the Disney magic sweep you in and away from the cares of everyday life. I hope you pop in to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for fairy dust on your hair, and wear crazy Mickey ears on your head, and use a Simba-shaped pretzel to lion-roar at the world. I hope you’re just as much a kid in awe as those whose hands your holding or left behind at Grandma’s or are still dreaming about for the future.
Dream big, travel well, and save a few vacations for Disney World to get in all the amazing ways to explore “the most magical place on earth.”
