11 Essential Disney World Tips for Adults
If you’re headed to Disney World as an adult, or on an adults-only trip, here are eleven essential Disney World tips for adults that you need to know about.
And yes, some of these tips are good for everyone but I put them together with adults in mind.
Take breaks
It can be really easy to get carried away with the magic of Disney World. But if you want to get the most out of your trip, taking breaks is really important. If you’re planning to get to the parks early, this might mean heading back to your hotel for a few hours of rest in the afternoon, before heading back to the parks for the evenings.
But if this doesn’t work for you, it can be as simple as setting aside 15-20 minutes every hour or so to sit in some air conditioning and hydrate. It’s reasonable to accept that you’re going to be tired on a Disney trip, but it’s not very much fun if you’re too exhausted to enjoy your trip.
So make sure you’re taking care of yourself!
Consider staying late
Most kids and families are spent by the time the fireworks end, which leads to a mass exodus. But if the parks are open later, you might consider shifting your schedule so you can stay late and take advantage of reduced wait times.
On the day of writing this, Magic Kingdom is open until 11 PM, and the Happily Ever Fireworks are at 10 PM. That’s an extra hour of fun you can have!
If you’re taking Disney Transportation, the lines are pretty long after the fireworks, so this also gives them a chance to lessen while you’re enjoying the park.
And if you’re staying in a Deluxe Resort, you have the option to enjoy Extended Evening Hours. This is when a select park on a select night stays open an extra two hours for Deluxe Resort guests.
However, not all attractions and restaurants are open during this time, so definitely check before you go!
Free water
You can get a cup of free ice water at any Disney Quick Service location. You just have to ask!
However it is just a cup of water, and while you can always ask for more, it isn’t always convenient. So if you’re looking for a more portable option, you can bring your own water bottle and fill it up.I love using the Brita sport water bottle in Disney World.
A lot of people don’t like the taste of Florida water, which is why I’d advocate for the filter. Sure, you can use any filtered water bottle, but I like the sport bottle because it’s light so it doesn’t weigh my backpack down.
And yes, this does mean it isn’t insulated and doesn’t keep the water as cold. If this is a priority, you might want to look into a more insulated option. However, I figure if it’s really so hot that my water is going to get warm, I need to be drinking that water fast enough so it doesn’t get warm.
You can fill your water bottle at any number of water fountains and bottle filling stations around the property.
Alternatively, you can also ask for a cup of ice water, add it to your water bottle, then fill it the rest of the way from your preferred water source.
Bring a portable phone charger
You need your phone a lot in Disney World. The My Disney Experience app is borderline essential.
It allows you to check wait times, book Lightning Lanes, manage Dining Reservations, and so much more.
You don’t want your phone to die on you while you’re in the parks. Having a portable charger can help with this.
Bring extra socks or wear sandals
This is a lesson I learned the hard way! In the past, I always wore sneakers in the parks, which meant I’ve always worn socks. And if your socks get wet, you are very uncomfortable for the rest of the day.
This can happen if you enjoy a water ride, like Kali River Rapids or Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. But it can also happen if it rains really hard, which is what happened to me.
My pancho did not protect my feet when a Florida pop-up downpour happened. And in the time it took to run to the nearest covering, my feet got drenched.
My sneakers seemed to dry up enough after a little while, but my socks did not.
In the future, I’m going to be opting for a supportive sandal. I haven’t gotten mine yet, so I can give recommendations, but I’ll update this when I have some!
Start walking a few months before your trip
I think most of us know this, but Disney World is a shit ton of walking. Truly. To get the most out of your trip, start walking a few months before you go.
This will help you build your stamina and endurance so you can get the most out of your trip.
(Related: you should absolutely make sure the shoes you’re planning to wear are broken in and ready, too! Wear them during this prep. If they’re uncomfortable, you need to know before you go.)
And yes, you will still be a certain degree of tired no matter how much prep you do. But speaking from experience, I noticed a big difference in my trips when I walked regularly ahead of time compared to when I didn’t.
Don’t go to main street for the parades
Let’s be real, the entire parade route is crowded, but Main Street is the worst of it. The parade route includes Frontierland and Liberty Square, and I’ve found those locations to be ideal.
You don’t get the Castle as the backdrop, but for me, the reduced crowd level makes up for it.
The Afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade starts in Frontierland and is really ideal for this. This means you’re catching the beginning of the parade and then you can head to a (popular) ride while most guests are watching the parade.
The evening Disney Starlight Parade ends in Frontierland, so you’d be getting the end of the parade. But at the time of writing this, the second showing of this Parade starts at 11, when the park closes.
So if you’re up for staying late, you can finish up your last ride, then jump over to Liberty Square and catch the parade as it ends. Then head out for the night.
When in doubt, ask a cast member
I don’t know about you, but I am an Introvert Queen and I hate asking employees for things. I know I’m not alone in this.
The one place I don’t have an issue with this is in Disney World because Disney Cast Members (which is what Disney calls their employees) are amazing. And while they’re not miracle workers, they will genuinely do whatever they can to make your trip magical.
If you have a question or there’s something you’re not sure about, just ask a cast member. In my experience, they’re genuinely happy to help you.
And if for some reason they’re unable to accommodate you, please be kind to them and know there is truly nothing they can do. If they could help you, they would.
You don’t have to be staying at a resort to visit one–and there’s a lot you can do as a non-guest!
Having a resort day is one of my favorite things to do as a Disney adult. For this most part (and this can always change) the only thing you can’t do as a non-resort guest is use the pool.
Aside from that, you’re welcome to visit, eat, explore, and even participate in the activities available at any Disney World resort, even if you’re not staying there.
Several resorts have campfires and tours. Almost every resort (if not every resort) has outdoor movies regularly. There are tons of other activities and experiences, many of which are free, that you can enjoy no matter where your hotel is.
And of course, this is Disney World, so this isn’t to say these things aren’t kid friendly–they are. But I know as a kid, my number one priority was getting to the parks. I was not interested in a tour, or a campfire, or even a movie–I could get that at home.
As an adult who’s learned to slow down and appreciate things more, I think spending time at the resort is pretty magical in its own way.
You can use the Disney Transportation System to get to any Disney World Resort.
Try not to over plan
I know it’s tempting! There’s so much to do, and you want to get your money’s worth. But keep in mind Disney World was designed to make you want to come back.
It’s constantly changing, and classics are classics for a reason. Your trip is going to be a lot less fun if you’ve run yourself into the ground, or have yourself super stressed trying to get to all the things.
Before you go, decide what’s a must do, want to do, and would like to do. Then proceed accordingly.
And the perk of being a Disney Adult (especially if you don’t have kids), is that you get to decide how you spend your money. You can always come back in the future, even if it means you start saving as soon as you get home!
Do Disney Your WayI
Another perk of being a Disney Adult? You get to do Disney however you want to! I put this list together because these are essential tips to me, but they may not all be true for you.
You should absolutely prioritize having the Disney experience you want to have over everything else.
For more Disney World tips, check out these posts!
What’s your essential Disney World tips for adults?