Florida - Disney for adults

I know there are threads here about kind of the same thing, but...

How much of a kid tolerance does once need in order to have a good time? The Mr. is dying to take me and frankly, I'm kind of dreading it. We do not have kids, I've never been around kids, and don't see how DW could be much fun. He says that doesn't matter, adults who hate kids can still enjoy DW.

Who's right?

I know there are threads here about kind of the same thing, but...

How much of a kid tolerance does once need in order to have a good time? The Mr. is dying to take me and frankly, I'm kind of dreading it. We do not have kids, I've never been around kids, and don't see how DW could be much fun. He says that doesn't matter, adults who hate kids can still enjoy DW.

Who's right?

He's right. Don't worry about other people's kids. They are cute, but they won't bother you. Just go and experience the wonders of the Disney park and enjoy the memories you can create with Mr.lovely.

DW is not only for kids. I didn't visit DW until I'm an 'adult' (and I've got no kids, though I do like kids :p). I honestly think that it's really a place that is made for both kids and adults alike (adults can be kids at heart, you know). My best advice: keep an open mind and enjoy all there is to it.

I probably plan to visit DW again. ^

We do not have kids, I've never been around kids, and don't see how DW could be much fun. He says that doesn't matter, adults who hate kids can still enjoy DW.

Who's right?

This is a rather strong standpoint. You're going to be someplace that is largely geared for a family audience (although groups tend to be large and span many generations so the % of 'kids' might be significantly lower than you expect).

However, if you 'hate' kids (or are broadly intolerant of them), I'd give it a wide berth. Parents persist with dragging their tired offspring to even the upper-end restaurants late at night, making for an "interesting" ambiance if the two of you attempt to go for a nice meal.

You'll also find kids running wild in hotel corridors late at night and early in the morning with parents not feeling the need to impress any idea of respect for sleeping guests, especially at the Disney Hotels where they could learn something in terms of sound-proofing!

They have a couple of over-21 enclaves but I've never seen anyone in the nightclub on the Boardwalk (Downtown Disney must be different). There's a good brewpub at the boardwalk as well, but again gone 10pm you still have families wandering in with kids who have been hauled round theme parks all day.

I went with my wife before we had kids and we had fun but I can't see how you could find it enjoyable if you don't want to be somewhere that there are kids. Some hotels will be a little less family oriented (Swan and Dolphin) and some parks also (Epcot) but the fact remains that Disney appeals most to kids (and those acting like kids....)

Epcot, which is one of Disney's parks is more geared to adults. I cannot see any way you will be able to keep a wide berth of kids at Disney unless you choose to go later in the day after kids are totally exhausted, and dead weight on parents who are then leaving the park.

This is a rather strong standpoint. You're going to be someplace that is largely geared for a family audience (although groups tend to be large and span many generations so the % of 'kids' might be significantly lower than you expect).

However, if you 'hate' kids (or are broadly intolerant of them), I'd give it a wide berth. Parents persist with dragging their tired offspring to even the upper-end restaurants late at night, making for an "interesting" ambiance if the two of you attempt to go for a nice meal.

You'll also find kids running wild in hotel corridors late at night and early in the morning with parents not feeling the need to impress any idea of respect for sleeping guests, especially at the Disney Hotels where they could learn something in terms of sound-proofing!

They have a couple of over-21 enclaves but I've never seen anyone in the nightclub on the Boardwalk (Downtown Disney must be different). There's a good brewpub at the boardwalk as well, but again gone 10pm you still have families wandering in with kids who have been hauled round theme parks all day.

I went with my wife before we had kids and we had fun but I can't see how you could find it enjoyable if you don't want to be somewhere that there are kids. Some hotels will be a little less family oriented (Swan and Dolphin) and some parks also (Epcot) but the fact remains that Disney appeals most to kids (and those acting like kids....)

Thanks - this is kind of what I had imagined.

I don't particularly hate kids - you can't travel much without seeing them - but this is kind of the lion's den to me. I just wondered if other people knew something I didn't, since everyone's said it's enjoyable if you don't have any.

My brother and his wife LOVE Disney and go whenever they get a chance. Same with my hairdresser and her husband. Neither takes kids! You love it or not! I don't but that doesn't mean you won't. If you avoid the most crowded hours you should be okay. I'd go if DH wants to at least once just because! There is a forum for all things Disney which you should find if you google. Can't remember it.

It is www.disboards.com!

My husband and I have annual passes and we are not kid people. The kids have never bothered us. We go to all 4 parks frequently. Epcot is the most adult oriented and we do spend most of our time there. But Magic Kingdom is great and it still seems "magical" even though we've gone many, many times.
I can't comment much on hotel scene. Few times we've stayed at the Contemporary it's been quiet.

If you do go ahead with this, perhaps the way to do it is to stay outside of the park as this means you can dip in and out as you want???

Not sure where to suggest though!

I know there are threads here about kind of the same thing, but...

How much of a kid tolerance does once need in order to have a good time? The Mr. is dying to take me and frankly, I'm kind of dreading it. We do not have kids, I've never been around kids, and don't see how DW could be much fun. He says that doesn't matter, adults who hate kids can still enjoy DW.

Who's right?What I see here is a question of how much this means to your husband vs. how miserable you might be.

If traveling to one of most child-centric cities in the world and dealing with kids everywhere you go is your personal idea of hell with a taste of extra torture, don't go.

If you can grit your teeth and ignore the kids for a day, make your husband happy and go.

I'm a parent, and my trips to Disney parks over the past 10 years have all involved taking a child there, and *I* find the kids, or really, the large number of self-centered parents, there getting on my nerves. Do Not Park Your Stroller Where It Completely Obstructs the Walkway type irritation, coupled with Your Kid is Exhausted and Screaming Its Head Off, You Don't Need One More Ride frustration.

Of course, we are the type of family which is perfectly content with about 7 to 8 hours park time per day, and then we go back to hotel pool to relax, so perhaps others more enamored of Disney see the situation in a different light.

If you hate the thought of being within 100 yards of a child, this is not the place for you.

However, Disney is IMO definitely not a "kids-only" place. They work very hard to make it fun for all ages. Yes, there will be 12-year-olds and 8-year-olds and 2-year-olds. And 52- and 62- and 72-year-olds. I don't have kids, don't like kids, and I've been to Disney (and Universal and Sea World) a dozen times.

IMO it's less burdensome than being on a plane, where if a kid starts crying there's nowhere to run/nowhere to hide.

Hi,

I go to Disney on my own and have a wonderful time at all the theme parks and resorts.

Regards

TBS

My brother and his wife, who don't yet have children, go to Disney at least once a year. There is plenty for adults to enjoy at the various parks and in the other Disney related areas.

If you decide to go, consider seeing La Nouba. Make him take you to Discovery Cove.
DW should be seen at least once.

I think it's more a question of, "are you a theme-park kind of person?," than "are you a kid kind of person?" I was at Disney World with some friends when I was in college, but that's so long ago I can't really remember the experience. However, my wife and I went to Epcot when I was in Orlando on business. Though I would never make Epcot a vacation destination, we had a nice enough time. We also went to one of the Disney water parks (I don't recall the name -- Typhoon Lagoon?) which, of course, had many kids present and we had a very good time. I've been to Disneyland a number of times -- out-of-town guests seem to want to go, and those who say there is something for everyone are pretty much correct. I'm not a theme park guy, but Disney specializes in artificial nostalgia and does it quite well. Again, though I would never elect to go to Disneyland as a vacation destination, I've found it a pleasant enough way to spend a day. Because it's an environment designed for kids, it accommodates them quite well and, though I'm definitely not a kid person, I've never been bothered by their presence there and, frankly, it would probably seem weird if they weren't around -- they're as much a part of the environment at Disneyland as Enchanted Castles and the like. Outside the park is a different story entirely, though, and I find flying through MCO on a par with having my fingernails pulled out one-by-one.

What I don't understand, though, is, if you don't want to go, why can't you find a destination that you both agree on? Mrs. PTravel and I have no difficulty at all reconciling our travel preferences and finding a destination about which we're both excited.

Though I would never make Epcot a vacation destination, we had a nice enough time.

(snip...)

What I don't understand, though, is, if you don't want to go, why can't you find a destination that you both agree on? Mrs. PTravel and I have no difficulty at all reconciling our travel preferences and finding a destination about which we're both excited.

This is a very obvious point. The prices involved are high ($90 for a one day park ticket now), so an outcome that ends up being 'nice enough' seems as if you're selling yourselves a bit short.

Unless the OP has overstated the opinion to start with, I can't see why I'd encourage them going - for the same overall spend they could probably manage a week in he real Europe (as opposed to the pretend one that Epcot delivers).

If you decide to go, consider seeing La Nouba. Make him take you to Discovery Cove.
DW should be seen at least once.

This is what he says.

Outside the park is a different story entirely, though, and I find flying through MCO on a par with having my fingernails pulled out one-by-one.

What I don't understand, though, is, if you don't want to go, why can't you find a destination that you both agree on? Mrs. PTravel and I have no difficulty at all reconciling our travel preferences and finding a destination about which we're both excited.

Well, there are plenty of destinations that we agree on - but he seems to feel this is something I need to experience at least once in my life. <shrug>

We get reduced price tickets as he is military, so it's not the wasting money that concerns me as much as having a miserable time. And we'd drive, which is slightly unfortunate as I've always had good luck upgrading in and out of MCO (hahaha, go figure). Of course, that was the only thing that made that airport not pure torture.