Selfie Does Walt Disney World for Adults
People tend to exist in two different planes on the topic of Walt Disney World visits as an adult (sans kids and even some who have kids. Looking at you, Other Dave). They are either "OH MY GOD. I LUUUUUUVE DISNEY!" Or they're like “I haven't been there since I went in 1993 as part of my tour on the Big Red Boat*, why on earth would I go now?” And while I noted all the reasons that I love WDW, some of them are mostly just specific to Selfie, so what about you, normal-ish human being? The truth of the matter is, no matter how old you are or why are you are in the metropolitan Orlando area, there is something for you in a Disney World visit, you need only pick your poison...(*whispers * apple**). So, here are a few of my favorite things as a grown-ass woman.
1) THE.FOOD.
Y'all there is so much great food from the snacks to fine dining to the point that we'll have a whole post dedicated to Disney Eats this month. The sheer amount of fantastic food of all kinds - sushi, steak, Mexican, Moroccan, seafood, Chinese, Italian, French from $ to $$$$ ($?!) will astonish you if you haven't been since you were a kid, eatin’ hot dogs. If you love food and you've been thinking that Disney is all Mickey bars and popcorn, think again.
2) (Adult) Drinks
From fantastic cocktails to my very favorite margaritas to champagne to [drooling face] Dole Whip with rum, if you love vacation drinks, gurrrrrrrrrl, this is the place pour vous. Plus, you know, a common adult (adult being a word that encompasses 21-year-olds to exhausted moms to your white-wine-swilling Nana) trip includes the Drink Around the World at EPCOT. And I'm not going to lie to you, it's damn fun....and tends to happen even when you're not meaning to. Outside the parks, Disney Springs is the revamped Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island area with even more high-end restaurants and shopping but also that 2 am closing time you party animals love.
3) Shopping
If you're like "Yeeeeah. I don't need...tchotchkes with Mickey on it." First of all, false. Yes, you do. And second of all, that's nowhere near the limit of the shopping. Disney Springs alone has a full outdoor mall (with a Sephora!) without us even talking about the beautiful artwork and dress shop at the Marketplace Co-op, the literal world goods at EPCOT and Animal Kingodm including this dope dress*** , perfume, jewelry, furniture, clothes and yes, sequins Minnie ears. If you love to shop, this is a place where it's an absolute blast.
4) EPCOT Festivals
I talk a lot about EPCOT but as an adult, it's my favorite and most frequently visited park because...food.drink.shopping. But also because EPCOT festivals are the bomb. The Food and Wine Festival is a personal favorite because every other step you take, there is a new international kiosk with fantastic food but honestly, so does EVERY festival now. The Flower and Garden Show had some of the best scallops I've ever had and that's nothing compared to the stunning ambiance of endless topiaries, colorful landscapes and even a butterfly garden. When those two events aren't in season, it's Art Festival time or Christmas which are both equally stunning...and also have amazing food and drink from around the world.
5) Fitness
I don't think it's a secret that as much as I love food and fashion, I also love that other "f": Fitness. If fitness is more your jam, well, no worries there either. If you are staying on property, there are resort gyms, yoga classes, spas and beautiful running trails. There are often sports competitions at ESPN's Wide World of Sports. You will also walk 10+ miles a day so wear your Fitbit, son! If you're ready to "Go the Distance"^ you can Run Disney with distances from 5k to Marathon (or do the Dopey which is literally a 5k, 10k, Half and Full Marathon in one weekend). We'll, of course, have a post solely about Run Disney and WDW Marathon this month, too.
6) Fun!
Another "f" world but, ya'll, I don't know about you but in my real life I wear a pencil skirt^^ and work hard so I don't, for example, walk around with a beautiful floral headpiece dressed as Alice in Wonderland, mouth dropped open in wonder about cool, new ride technologies, fun music, fireworks and kicking back with my friends and family in a colorful world. You may not be into parades and you may not wait in line to hug Mickey but you will find the quiet corner with a croissant and a cuppa or margarita during a manic musical number that makes you feel joy inside.
Bonus! By request, favorite adult rides post tomorrow! In the meantime, my DisNerds, tell me what you love best about visiting WDW as an adult!