What is there to do at Disney without Kids?
The first question I always get is what can you do at Disney on your own? Well, what do you like? First, it is an enclosed entertainment and food compound with as many hotel rooms as Washington DC. The Mouse has limitless dining and entertainment options and on top of that they have 4 Theme parks, 2 waterparks, a downtown entertainment center and all the sports you can think of. Yes one of the waterparks is an abandoned ski resort.
This will be broken into 3 or more Acts,
Act 1 Introduction and discussion of the Value and Moderate Resorts. It will have a bit on transportation, both to the Disney Bubble and within it.
Act 2 the Deluxe Resorts, my favorite restaurants and diversions, and the Non-Disney Hotels on Property.
Act 3 The getting around, the things to do including the parks. Disney Springs. and gasp… what is outside the bubble. Buckle up because here we go…
First thing first “getting there”, If flying you’ll arrive at the Orlando Airport. You can purchase bus travels through Mears travel and they will gather you and your luggage up at the airport and get you to your hotel. I’m much more likely to grab my bags and rev up my Uber/Lyft app to get to the parks/hotel.
I like to stay on the Disney property. That means in one of the 25 Disney-owned Hotels. These break down into 3 Categories “Value” “Moderate” and “Deluxe” The Value resorts “Pop Century”, “All Stars” and “Art of Animation” can sleep up to 5 and are on the “Disney Sky Liner” A gondola to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, you will use the provided busses to get to other parks. The Value resorts have buffet dining and no traditional bars or sit-down served restaurants. They are great for Families on a budget, not as great (I shall get yelled at for saying this) for adults who want to get away to do a little “Adulting”.
For the purposes of this treaty, I will begin the real discussions about Disney as an Adult with the Moderate Resorts. There are 5 of them each uniquely themed and in various sizes. Each will have multiple pools, both Buffet and Restaurant dining, themed bars/clubs, and a more open design than the Values. More space for walking around. The moderates rely on bus transportation to the parks and Disney Springs. Caribbean Beach Resort is on the Sky Liner and the cabins at Fort Wilderness have boat transportation options. The other Moderate resorts are Coronado Springs, Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, and Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
The Moderate Resorts have at least one sit-down restaurant and bar. Many have more. Port Orleans and French Quarter have some outstanding places to play. Port Orleans Riverside is where the River Roost is and that is the home of “Yehaa Bob” The roost also is known for its Wings, Fish and Chips, and the delicious Hummingbird Cake. The Caribean Beach Resort has a pool bar worth the visit Bannan Cabana. The Caribbean Beach leans more toward families and is within walking distance to Rivera ( A Deluxe Disney Vacation Club resort) and a much better place to Adult the day away. Coronado Springs Resort is the least Disney-themed moderate, It is the main Business and convention hotel and its main tower is brand new. There are real advantages to staying here, it is the Moderate that most resembles the Deluxe resorts with top-level dining (actually rooftop dining and drinking) where you can watch the fireworks in the distance. Coronado has a lounge bar and also the 3 Bridges lounge and is Home to Sangria University. I am a big fan of Resort hopping and this is easily one of my favorite resorts to lose a day in.
The Cabins at Wildernest Lodge is one of the more interesting lodging options at Disney. They have both Camping and small cabin lodges. The folks who stay here go all out. The campsites and Cabins get decked out in holiday (whichever it is) gear. There are bbq pits all over and the smell of cocking is everywhere. The Dining and Drinks are themed to camping and if it’s performing the Hoop dee doo musical revue is stupid fun not to be missed. I also enjoy Crockets tavern (did I mention moonshine). and you can get here by boat from the Walt Disney World resorts (Contemporary, Fort Wilderness, Grand Floridan, and Polynesian. By boat up’s the fun portion by 10.
Getting around on property. From the Resorts to the parks, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom, is easy each resort will have either Bus service or Skyliner or a boat to the park. Going from Resort to Resort is more difficult. If you want the full Disney experience (you don’t) you can take a bus to a theme park and then take a bus back to the resort you wanted to visit. Or you can Uber/Lift from your resort to the resort you are hopping to. Act 2 and 3 will have a lot more on this and the various drinking tours and games that you can add to make your travels merrier!
