Maybe you’ve gone to Disney over the years with your young family. Kids in tow, strollers, diaper bags, snack, sunscreen … you know the drill. Prepared for any occasion… rain, wind, hunger. You carried hats and sunscreen for Sun protection, rain ponchos for the unpredictable, yet very predictable mid day Florida storms. Vacation?? Packing, preparing and lugging everything around was a job in itself, but the forever memories were worth it, so you did it. And don’t get me wrong, you made the most memorable experiences for you and your family. And that is why you want to go back as an adult.
Now you’re an Empty- Nester, you have more time for you … and what do you want to do with your vacation time?? You want to go to Disney!! But this trip will look ALOT different. Your packing will be different, the things you want to do may be different. Even how you travel to the parks may be different. And after all, Disney changes every time you go, and that’s how Walt wanted it, right? Progress? That is something you’ve heard if you have ever been to Disney. (I know suddenly “It’s A GREAT Big Beautiful Tomorrow” just started playing in your head. You’ll have that ear-worm in your brain all day ….. You’re welcome.
To give a quick little backstory for my experience with Disney, and how we became Disney adults … The first time we ever went to Disney was with our young family. It was 2004, and even though I wish prices were the same now as they were then, it was still expensive for a family of 5. My husband worked two jobs and when we were finally able to book a trip, we were so excited! (and a little overwhelmed). There is no way you can do EVERYTHING in a week. We didn’t know that. And this was back in the day of Fast Passes. If you don’t know what they are, or were, I should say … it was the old version of Lightening Lane passes, but there were Kiosks that you had to go to to print the Fast Passes out at, and you had to wait until a certain amount of time had passed so you could print another one. Basically to reserve ride times so you didn’t have to wait on the standby line. But back to our experience as a young family. I did the packing, the lugging, the reapplication of sunscreen, the hat and water bottle holder when everyone went on a ride. Getting to the parks early and staying until closing, trying to fit EVERYTHING in. We were exhausted, and honestly, as much as I loved every minute, I was so tired that I couldn’t wait to go home because busy mom life was less tiring at home than on a Disney Vacation!! So when the kids grew and moved out, we realized that we missed Disney, and wondered … can you go to Disney without kids? If you’re considering that yourself, then I am sure you have heard people say “Disney is for kids” But honestly, I absolutely don’t agree. Walt knew how important it was for not only families to have fun together, but he knew that adults sometimes need to feel as carefree as they once did as children themselves, and Disney does not disappoint.
So now, the kids have grown, and maybe now you have grandchildren, and Disney is calling your name. What does that Disney vacation look like to an adult without tugging a trail of kids behind you and lugging all of their necessities?? Let me tell you …. it looks GLORIOUS!! Now don’t get me wrong, I really miss my kids being little. I miss all the moments we spent at Disney, and honestly, that is what keeps binging me and my husband back often. Disney gives you all the “feels” and when you walk down Main Street and hear the Dapper Dans singing, or when you ride through SpaceShip Earth and smell Rome burning … it will ALWAYS bring you fondly back to the days you were there with your kids. When you go on The PeopleMover, you’ll remember the great naps you took, so contently, because your kids were sitting excitedly next to you. The Carousel Of Progress was so soothing, I’d fall asleep almost immediately. Now that I go without kids, I haven’t napped on that or any ride since becoming a Disney Adult 😂
So what does a Disney vacation look like to a child-free adult? It looks freeing, FUN, carefree … and most importantly … relaxing. Because now you can do what you want when you want and you don’t have to do what you don’t ,want if you don’t want!!
Now you can pack for you and only you! What are the 10 Must Haves that you should make sure you pack and bring with you on a Disney vacation? Some things may seem obvious, but as a busy mom, we sometimes forgot how to take care of us: And now we get to!
- Sun Protection – Definitely sunscreen small enough to carry in your bag, and maybe a hat. The Florida sun is no joke
- Phone charger – now if you forget your own or you may find it easier, Disney does have FuelRod charges with kiosks all aroung the parks, that you could swap out. You have to buy the first one for $30, and once it’s dead, you could swap it our for a new one for free. You can find them on Amazon as a two pack for cheaper if you want to bring your own and swap it out as needed.
- A second pair of shoes, in case one gives you blisters or gets wet from a midday storm (or even if one of your shoes breaks)
- A small disposable rain poncho: some are so small, they are the size of a small wallet.
- A cross body bag with a slot for a water bottle. It keeps your hands free, and you able to get onto most rides without having to take it off.
- A stainless steel water bottle, which will keep your water colder much longer than a plastic one.
- A Carabiner to hang off of your bag, you can clip a hat, a bag if you purchased anything or anything else you pick up along the way
- A sheer sweater, because when it’s hot out, and you’re eating in one of the restaurants, that AC is gonna hit hard. Or, depending on the time of year, a little bit heavier sweater because the mornings and evenings can be cool.
- Antibacterial wipes, or antibacterial gel. Think about all the things you touch, from getting on the rides, the handles on the rides, the door handles, the soda dispensers. Even the finger print ID button as you enter the parks at the gate. Now think about ALL the people who have touched the same things before you …
- And finally, a couple of bandaids. And I say this from experience. Once I backed a stroller onto my big toe, and it got cut. I went into a couple of gift shops asking for a bandaid, they didn’t have any, but the last one I went into had a small first aid kit that I had to buy. So it was a very expensive bandaid, because that is all I needed. They are small, slim and don’t take up any space. You won’t realize you. have it, but you’ll be so thankful if you need one.
So there is my list of my Must Have’s for an Adult Disney Trip. I hope it helped, and I hope you will see why going to Disney as a childfree adult is sooooo much fun. Please let me know if you book a trip and how it went. Have a Magical Day!!