What is your fav "adult" aspect of WDW?

[katienyc]

I would have to say the dining. DH and I LOVE to eat out, and Disney has great places to splurge. We can end up spending ridiculous amounts of $$$ on nice dinners. (Trying to enjoy it before its baby time . . . )


Katie

[KarenNY]

I have to agree with you. My goal is to dine in every restaurant on property.

[Simba's Mom]

My most favorite part is that as an adult, I can "get in touch with my inner child." That is, it's the one place I feel comfortable acting like a kid.

[ChisJo]

I have to agree with the inner child. It seems that I can act SO excited to see Cinderella, and only the people around me can understand that sheer excitement.
I also love the education that I receive from the World showcase. I don't know if I will ever get the chance to visit some of those countries, and I think that I can appreciate it more now than I could of as a child.
Jo

[brack]

DW and I work hard all year so WDW is the greatest vacation. When we enter the "property" we are instantly on vacation and leave the other stuff behind.

[enchantedpixiedust]

I think my favorite part is that I don't have to really "be" an adult. I have nowhere to be, nothing that has to be done and best of all - no driving myself anywhere. :)

There's nothing better than that feeling when you finally check in and stand in your room saying to yourself "I don't have to be anywhere and I don't have to do a thing!". (on top of that I don't care what I'm wearing down there, funny hats, pixie dust in my hair, etc...who cares, it's Disney!)

[BriarRosie]

Originally posted by KarenNY
I have to agree with you. My goal is to dine in every restaurant on property.

I'm getting close to that goal, as I try to dine at one "new to me"
restaurant on each trip. I have a tendency to revisit my favorite
places, but I usually manage to squeeze something "new" in.
I also want to spend at least one night at each resort, and I
only have a few that I haven't stayed in at this point. :)

In May, my "new to me" place was Fresh at the Dolphin. I had
a nice breakfast there. Todd English's bluezoo will be on my
"new to me" plan for December, as I don't have any regular
meals planned for my November trip during the Food and Wine
Festival!

I still want to have sushi at Kimono's, but I never seem to manage
time for it. I've had sushi at Matsu No Ma Lounge and Wolfgang
Puck Cafe sushi bar, so one trip I'm sure I'll get to Kimono's. :)

There are certain places I just won't want to touch with a ten
foot....fork. Nine Dragons and Alfredo's both don't appeal to me.
The first because it's a rotten value, and the second because
it smelled funky when I went there for a cooking demo during
last year's F&WF. I thought the place smelled like "Eau de Wet
Dog". Ick.

I've been to most restaurants at the resorts, but there are a
couple of places at Downtown Disney I haven't dined in, either.
I realize that I also skip Planet Hollywood and Rainforest Cafe
simply because I don't want to eat at a restaurant on vacation
when I have that same restaurant chain available in Chicago!

I'm curious to which restaurants I have left!

Magic Kingdom:
Tony's Town Square
Plaza Restaurant

Epcot:
Tempura Kiku
(And I won't eat at Nine Dragons or Alfredo's, so I
won't count them!)

Disney-MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom: Done all the biggies!
(Rainforest exemption, though....won't eat there.)

Caribbean Beach:
Shutters

Contemporary:
Concourse Steakhouse

Coronado Springs:
Maya Grill

Dolphin:
Shula's Steakhouse
Todd English's bluezoo

Swan:
Kimono's (just gotta have sushi!)

Downtown Disney:
Fulton's Crabhouse
Cap'n Jacks (heard bad stuff about this place; might put it in the
same category as Nine Dragons and Alfredo's.)
And the chain restaurants.....exempt, won't eat there.

As for everything else, if it's not listed, I've eaten there. :)
Basically, since I mentally crossed off Cap'n Jack's, too....there are
10 on my list that I need to conquer. Cool.

[bicker]

Gosh. I used to be the one way, now I'm the other way. :teeth:

What I mean is that my wife and I, as frequent adult (only) visitors to WDW, used to focus much of our trip on the dining. We have whole albums of photos of the meals we ate!
:crazy:

We actually used these photos to demonstrate the difference in our lives since we've gotten fit, since now we have albums of photos that show us, decked out in our hiking gear, at the top of a mountain somewhere. ::yes::

While we don't get much of the rugged-outdoors experience out of WDW, what we get is that feeding of the inner child. A couple of years ago I remember seeing Tapestry of Nations for the last time. We had seen it about a dozen times by then, I think. We loved it, quite passionately mind you. Of course, most people who see it each night are seeing it for the first time. So the folks around us were a bit amused, to say the least, to see us so readily familiar with it, even to knowing the words ;). They got quite a show after the parade ended and everyone was shuffling out of the park to the exit music, with my wife and I, now two relatively energetic middle-agers, dancing to the music on the promenade in Italy.

::MickeyMo ::MinnieMo

[OKW Lover]

Originally posted by KarenNY
I have to agree with you. My goal is to dine in every restaurant on property.

So many restaurants, so little time.

[Simba's Mom]

Originally posted by OKW Lover
So many restaurants, so little time.

I think I remember on the Food Network WDW special that there were 500 eateries at WDW. That's got me thinking too-how many of them have I eaten at and how many left?

[tiggerrifficheidi]

BriarRosie,
You must go to Tony's! I know alot of people pooh-pooh it, but we went there for dinner and loved it. We're trying it for lunch this time coming up, but I think the dinner menu appeals to me more. I've heard that you can try to get a PS during the Spectromagic parade and ask for a window seat. Anyone heard of that?

Heidi

[taswira]

I am very into sit-down dining at WDW (Yaaaay, <I>Jiko</I>!) so I guess that is my fave "adult" aspect. But like a few others here, my <I>favorite</I> thing at WDW, as a happy adult who never had kids :teeth: , is feeling like a care-free, wide-eyed, awestruck child again! I carry my dressed-up <I>Pal Mickey</I>, ride everything from the <I>Carousel</I> to <I>Mission:Space</I>, hug ALL the furry characters and even love to "play" a bit (See pic below). But yes, I do act like an "adult" when at a non-character dining experience. ;)

[floridagirrl2]

Inner child! Yeah--I love forming new "childhood" memories :) . Other than that, DH and I love walking from cojntry to country in Epcot, sipping a glass or 2 of wine or beer, and watching the entertainment in the different countries (Alberta Bound or Off Kilter in Canada, the belly dancer and the band in Morocco, The British Invasion in England, etc.).

[montblanc]

Without a doubt, Epcot World Showcase and dining in WDW. I have had great meals at many Epcot "countries", and still have quite a few to sample, not to mention all the other restaurants elsewhere....

[CaliforniaDreamer]

"Bicker" I'm really impressed with what I read on your site. I would like to email you a couple of questions about this, if I could? Chrisc987@yahoo.com . Thanks.

[bicker]

Actually, you can send me a message here on DIS. Just click the PM button below.

[cbhelms]

I just love the option to be an "adult" or to be a "child."

It is almost like the Vegas logo, "How I act in Disney, stays in Disney."


CBpirate:

[jkovick]

Originally posted by brack
DW and I work hard all year so WDW is the greatest vacation. When we enter the "property" we are instantly on vacation and leave the other stuff behind.

ITA! DH and I love a week of Disney therapy!

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Just wanted to say thank you to "bicker" for answering my questions! (and for showing me there was a PM system here).

[jimmiej]

For me & DW, I think it's World Showcase. We're looking forward to our Feb. '02 trip so we can spend a lot of time exploring.

[AlwaysAPrincess]

I love being carefree....I get to be the child & have fun!
And the dining!!! THE BEST!

BriarRosie....
You must hit SHULA'S....it is pricey. For my husband and I it cost $265. We had wine (2 glasses each), split an appetizer, both had entrees, shared sides, and each had our own dessert. It was our treat this past May. The food was EXCELLENT!! A typical steakhouse....dark wood, dimmed lights inside, big chairs. The coolest thing is that your menu is on a football! Also...it isn't a place for children. There were none there while we had dinner. It is quite & can be romantic too;)

Fulton's....another excellent dinner. The best King Crab legs & fresh seafood. Not as pricey as Shula's....but great atmosphere. We had reservations & watched the sunset. For 2 I think it was around $150. We drank wine...split an appetizer, 2 entrees, & my hubby had dessert.

Our new try this December is Narcoosee's, Spoodles & Teppanayki! :sunny:
And feedback would be great!

A little over three months to be a KID again!:wave2:

[spiceycat]

Epcot and the WDW resort hotels.

Eating - I have food allergies - I have sick too often - for eating out to ever be a favorite.

Now I am definitely over-weight - just start posting to Wishes -

but the places I stay at has a kitchen or a kitchenett.

the WDW resort hotels are so very different - each is amazing - they are so much fun to explore!

Epcot - I have loved this park since my first visit in 82 (might be 83) and it is my favorite - the exhibit change enough that each year - there is something new to do or ride.

I have only gone to AK a couple of times - so I haven't experience this park fully yet.

[poffles]

The freedom and carefree aspect of it all. No driving (stay on site) and so many things to feed the senses.

Love the smells, sights and sounds. Can't narrow it down to one thing, it's just the entire atmosphere and the chance to be a kid again.

[Pig Pen]

The "escapism" aspect. One day you are in the real world then you drive under that wonderful Walt Disney World sign and you are transported into a fantasy land of dreams and fun.

I have never found any other place on earth that gave me that same feeling.

[Minnie&Nana]

Pig Pin wrote: I have never found any other place on earth that gave me that same feeling.

"Ain't" that the truth!!!!!!
:sunny:

[jkovick]

Ohhhh....don't forget F & W Festival--- great for Adults!

[mjtm610]

DH and I just returned from WDW. We had the best trip of our lives !!! Our favorite part of going to WDW without kids is the slow pace. We can STROLL through the parks and through the shopping areas. We can enjoy any place we choose to eat!!! We don't have to get a VOTE on where everyone wants to go and what can everyone find to eat. It is definately wonderful with kids, however----we can still see the excitement in the kids eyes........they just don't have to be OUR kids !!! Plus, when they start crying how they want to find Pluto, or Minnie---we can just smile and stroll on at our own pace.

[2ofUs]

I, too, am impressed with your comment, though I did not view your website. I appreciate your weight loss success. Keep up the good work!

We have always made it a practice to SHARE as many meals as possible at WDW. First - it helps the budget, and Second - it helps to keep from packing on the pounds. I have yet to come home from a trip to WDW when I haven't dropped 5 pounds or more.

I'm not terribly overweight but do carry an extra 20-25# or so around all year, so WDW sort of becomes my diet destination. I find it also helps now that the stands carry fresh fruit & veggies!

This year I am losing ahead of the trip - thought I would use the 12 days at WDW to build up the muscles - all that walking ya know? Figure I might be able to out-run a few youngsters on the way to the Tower of Terror this time.

[yecats]

I have to agree with the inner child. My parents did take me to amusement/theme parks as a child and those are the truly happy memories that leave me with that wonderful feeling (carefree, not a care in the world). I still love the fact that I learn something new or find something new everytime I go (then I wonder if it was there before and I just never noticed it). This trip is the Keys TTK tour and I can't wait to learn all they have to teach that I didn't know before. I love the architecture of most of the property and just enjoy walking around admiring it (I also love to watch the Meet me in ST. Louis movie as the houses remind me of Main Street). I really loved the fact that Walt created it all so that everyone could enjoy it and feel like a kid.

[Eeyore2003]

I love that we can go there and they have so much to offer right at your fingertips. Without kids HAVING to do all the "Disney Stuff" we have time to catch a movie, play miniature golf, do our favorite Disney Park stuff, enjoy the resort, read about and do some things we haven't done before. Just a bunch of "stuff", all at your fingertips.

Well, I have to say we do plan our meals out months in advance and discuss and re-discuss where we'll eat this time!!! As with most, we do love those restaurants!!!

[jjpenguin]

For me it's definitely the "whole new world" feeling. On property the "real world" is far away, all there is is great stuff to do, lots to see, awe and enjoyment.

As I often tell people, the most difficult decision I have to make on vacation is "do I want a hamburger or a full sit down meal?" otherwise I can just go with the flow and find great stuff to do all around me! Relaxing, active, childish, adult, formal, silly... it's all there!

Get up in the morning, jump into shorts & a t-shirt and fun, fun, fun.

[BriarRosie]

I'm going nuts....waiting for my trip to arrive. :tongue:

[BriarRosie]

Originally posted by AlwaysAPrincess
I love being carefree....I get to be the child & have fun!
And the dining!!! THE BEST!


Our new try this December is Narcoosee's, Spoodles & Teppanayki! :sunny:
And feedback would be great!

A little over three months to be a KID again!:wave2:

You suggested Shula's and Fulton's. Since I haven't done either of those, I'll have to put them on the backburner. :D

Turnabout is fair play, so I'll tell you what I think of the eateries you listed.

Narcoosee's: I went in a party of 6, and I think everyone but me liked the food. I found my scallops underwhelming. I'll have to return and try something else to see if I just had an "off" item.
The rest of my group enjoyed their meals.

Spoodles: Tapas rock! (And so does a pitcher or two of sangria!)
Four of us shared tapas and sangria....and we had the Tower of Desserts! (It's a sampler of all their desserts, just in smaller sizes on a mult-tiered rack.) Yummy food.

And Teppanyaki is about what you'd expect from your Benihana or similar Japanese steakhouse, where they cook at the table with communal seating. It's still fun, though.

[DFiore1]

Adventurer's Club!!!

Kungaloosh!!!

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by DFiore1
Adventurer's Club!!!

Kungaloosh!!!

I agree 100%

[Ron from Michigan]

I think the great thing is that you do not have to be adults when you enter WDW ( other than to whip out that credit card ). We always fly down than take a towncar to WDW, than I do not have to drive again for our whole stay.

We just love to try new and familiar places on each trip. We also have so much fun getting our pictures taken with all the different characters.

THERE IS NO PLACE BETTER TO VACATION THAN WDW.............

[flyingenie]

I've got to agree with the opportunity to be a child again comments- although I'm hardly adult (early 20s), I can't wait to go back there and act like a little kid! I was a quiet and reserved little kid and have grown to be a hyper, excitable inner child so I can't wait!!!

[bsusanmb]

My DH and I are almost 55. We grew up with the MM Club, longed to go to Disney Land, but we live in PA, and our parents could never afford this in the 1950's. Now it's like being a kid with lots of money to spend. I love dressing in my Disney clothes, wearing ears, and now worrying how silly I look. When I think of the brilliant minds and depth of imagination those who have created the magic must have, I am awe struck. How does someone come up with It's Tough to be a Bug? Every little detail is so exact and precise. Ever notice no flies or bees? The beauty of the Wilderness Lodge, Main Street, the gounds of the Port Orleans...when I think that Walt Disney never lived long enough to see his vision, his dream come to fruition, I am sad. I love the movie about his life in One Man's Dream.
My husband has travelled the world with the Air Force and he says that there is no place he would rather be than WDW - it is clean, safe, and offers everything. I just love everything about WDW and Mickey Mouse.

[pchpie]

I love that WDW IS a great solo destinantion for adults. I'm 55, can relate growing up in the 50's wanting to go do DL but never able to. I got a 3D Disneyland game once...closest I got to it. First trip to WDW was in 85. Not that many recently, as money/time were tight. I leave for WDW 12/12-12/24 for the first trip in awhile. Am so looking forward to being there for Christmas Decorations, watching families with young kids, etc. It's a great place to relax and be around people during the holidays. I've bought an AP and have several trips in the works for this year. I don't do the sit-down dining thing solo. Like Spiceycat, I prefer a place with a kitchen. But I do so love Mickey waffles!:earsgirl: