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3 friends taking a selfie at Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Most Disney fans have heard the same tired trope: “Isn’t Walt Disney World really for kids? What sort of weirdos go without kids?”.

While kids do make the Most Magical Place on Earth extra magical, by no means is Walt Disney World just for kids. Indeed, many Disney experiences aren’t even available to kids—they were designed specifically with adults in mind! Most regular visitors know Walt Disney World has tons to do for adults without kids, from dining and shopping to recreation and resort getaways. These are some of the more familiar adult activities, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Whether you’re considering trying a first Walt Disney World vacation without kids or if you’re an adult regular, we compiled 12 of our favorite ways to shamelessly enjoy an adults-only visit to the Most Magical Place on Earth. Have you tried all of these?

1. Massage your imagination

Maleficent dragon spewing fire

Image: Disney

As adults, we sometimes have a bad habit of letting our imaginations fall utterly stagnant. We get caught up in the grind of the day-to-day, leaving little room for our minds to flex and dream.

A Walt Disney World vacation is the perfect excuse to give your shriveled imagination some freedom to embrace wonder and ask “What if?” again.

Imagining isn’t just for kids. On your next Walt Disney World visit, let your mind wander. Imagine yourself as part of the story. Instead of fussing over the details of pavilions at World Showcase or Disney’s Animal Kingdom, imagine yourself actually visiting those countries. Have conversations with cast members, research details about those lands.

On rides, don’t sit there picking apart the technical effects (unless you’re an engineer who really gets a lot of joy out of that). Picture yourself as part of that world. Let yourself get lost in it. Immersion is becoming more and more part of the Disney experience, especially in new expansions like The World of Pandora and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Permit yourself to do some mental role-playing and embrace creativity. Give your mind a vacation as well as your body.

2. Take a culinary tour

3 women enjoying Epcot food and wine festival

Image: Disney

When you visit Walt Disney World with kids, you might run into some limitations on food choices. After all, many kids don’t like unfamiliar foods. While most Disney restaurants have kids’ menus, many parents freeze up at the prospect of spending a whap-ton of money to potentially have their kids reject everything on the menu. Even without kids, many families default to hot dogs and turkey legs for most meals.

The food really is one of the most magical parts of the Walt Disney World experience for adults. Visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth without a generous food budget is a mistake. There really is something for everybody, whether you love ethnic cuisine, comfort food, fine dining, or just have a sweet tooth. Even hardcore foodies can find some exceptional restaurants on Walt Disney World property, like the Boardwalk’s Flying Fish Café or Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Jiko: The Cooking Place. Want to elevate your choices even more? Take a short drive to the Four Seasons Orlando to enjoy the offerings at PB&G (a pool bar with nicer food than most Disney restaurants), Capa, or even a fine-dining character breakfast at Ravello!

Love trying a variety of new foods? Don’t miss Epcot’s festivals, especially the International Food and Wine Festival! You can easily make a day out of touring food booths and tasting new wines and ales, and even enjoy culinary demonstrations from world class chefs!

3. Practice your photography (and Disneygramming)

Delicious pear dessert from Epcot Festival of the Arts

Image: Jett Farrell-Vega (@mykingdomforamouse Instagram)

Disney World is a photographer’s paradise, particularly if you aren’t too attached to using a tripod (that can prove more difficult due to crowds but isn’t impossible). On a Walt Disney World vacation without kids, there is a freedom to slow down that is just what an aspiring photographer needs. Whether you pursue photography as a hobby or if you just like doing smartphone photography, practice your skills on the dreamscapes of Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Photography isn’t just about taking pictures. It can also be about telling a story. Consider putting together a collection of photos from within the parks. Forego traditional Photopass photos and posed photographs for life-like candids. Another popular hobby of many Disney photography fans is Disneygramming—posting collections of Disney-themed photos to Instagram. You can even take your smartphone game to the next level by getting some nifty smartphone camera lenses!

 
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