What adult rides are best to focus on?

toastnjam

Earning My Ears
Joined
Aug 17, 2012
Planning a trip in January with 6 adults.

I haven't been to Disney since my kids were little.

What rides/attractions do you suggest or avoid because they are meant for younger kids?

I was glancing at the map at MK and didn't realize how many the familiar rides were probably something that my family in general would not be interested in. I'm not as familiar with the other parks though.
 
Even the kiddy rides are mostly fun, but I'd steer clear of stuff like Dumbo, the Carousel, etc.. Sticking with the mountains is a good idea, they're always exciting. Tomorrowland has mostly adult rides. You should be able to tell based on the demographic waiting in line what's considered a kiddy ride or not.
 
I meet up at WDW with adult friends several times a year. We ride anything and everything. Nothing is off limits. . .with the exception of rides my VERY TALL adult friends do not fit in. . .Dumbo and Los Tres Caballeros come to mind. . .however, even my very tall friend will squeeze himself in a ride if he wants to go on it. We just laugh and have fun with the kiddie rides. . .reminds us all of why we love WDW so much.
 
Planning a trip in January with 6 adults.

I haven't been to Disney since my kids were little.

What rides/attractions do you suggest or avoid because they are meant for younger kids?

I was glancing at the map at MK and didn't realize how many the familiar rides were probably something that my family in general would not be interested in. I'm not as familiar with the other parks though.

You will be most at home probably in Epcot of all the parks! It's a park that people grow up to love; meaning kids think it's kind of blah but adults generally call it their favorite! World Showcase hosts the best from many different cultures and make sure to take the time to walk into your favorite ones as they have cool shops, rides or shows for some, and mini museums for some. All are unique and different in their own way. And not to mention the variety of foods and drinks! Future World is also amazing as you have some "grown up" rides such as the MUST DO Sorin', Mission Space (a whimpy version for those with weak stomachs :sick: ), and Test Track! Another must do but is great at any age is Spaceship Earth (the big ball). They've changed this in the last couple years and I love it more than ever!

That's just one park, I could go on and on! Enjoy!! party:
 


I really like the Architectural Details maze, the Color Theory spin and the Space Management coaster. Always up for a whirl on the Landscape Design ride, and the Beers of Many Lands contest is a fun challenge. Animal Kingdom is where you'll find the Backstory Express. The Sign Design Spectacular is at Hollywood Studios.

Like all things Disney, it's more fun if you let your imagination out of the cage. Try not to have a blast, I dare you. You will not succeed. Resistance to pleasure is futile.
 
As an adult, I don't really enjoy The Pooh ride or the various dumbo-type rides (aladdin, astro orbiter, etc.). Mostly I avoid the kiddie rides that have the longest lines due to just impatience alone. I stick with the mountains, Haunted Mansion, Mickey's Philharmagic and Small World because those are the staples for me. But I always do the Carousel because it is sentimental to me. But who says you have to avoid anything in particular?! Someone may want to go on Peter Pan and someone else might HAVE to ride Dumbo. Just go with the flow of the group :)
Oh! And I never miss the Carousel of Progress due to its historical Disney relevance.
 
I like to wander around and people watch, shop, and eat. But I have a list of rides at each park that are a must ride for me (in order of importance):

DAK
1. Expedition Everest
2. Kilimanjaro Safari (If I feel like taking pictures)
3. Dinosaur

MK
1. Haunted Mansion
2. Thunder Mountain
3. Pirates

Epcot
1. Soarin
I find Epcot to be mostly a drink, eat, and shop kind of place...

DHS
1. Star Tours
2. Rock N Roller Coaster
3. Tower of Terror
4. Muppets 3D (Still funny!)
5. Stunt Show - Would be #1, but my timing is usually off so I either just miss it, or have to wait several hours.
 


I agree that Epcot is a great park for a group of adults. On our last visit we ate and drank our way around World Showcase and had a ball! If you're the kind of group that likes history and trivia, maybe a tour. We are hoping to do Keys to the Kingdom when we go in December, and have heard great things. As far as the kiddie type rides, I am such a kid at heart that I still enjoy those, so maybe some members of your group will, too. If they haven't been in awhile the old classics may seem new again as an adult! Oh, and don't forget to visit the Boardwalk! My husband loves the ESPN club, and I'm a fan of Jellyrolls!
 
you also need to take into consideration the fears of people! I ONLY went on the kiddy rides due to a fear of heights. I loved toy story maina (and rode it 5 times), Its a small world, snow white and the caresoul. I hated pirates (too many dips) I had a total panic attack, which led to crying and scaring two kids (oops!)
 
For us (dh and I go at least once a year by ourselves every year), we do everything. A key for us is to do the kiddie rides really late at night (during emh primarily). For the most part if you can see the ride (Dumbo, Carousel, triceratops spin, etc) then it is kiddie. Pooh is a bit "young," but outside of that all of the inside rides are perfect for your adult group.
 
I really like the Architectural Details maze, the Color Theory spin and the Space Management coaster. Always up for a whirl on the Landscape Design ride, and the Beers of Many Lands contest is a fun challenge. Animal Kingdom is where you'll find the Backstory Express. The Sign Design Spectacular is at Hollywood Studios.

Like all things Disney, it's more fun if you let your imagination out of the cage. Try not to have a blast, I dare you. You will not succeed. Resistance to pleasure is futile.

My friend, I love your take on this stuff. Had me laughing heartily. You do realize that someone is actually going to look for rides with these "new" names. . .lol.
 
We used to do every ride, but as we do visit at least twice a year, we find ourselves doing less and less rides and relaxing about and enjoying more of the details, shows etc. Sometimes we like to do the ones we haven't done before etc. It is usually dh and I, or sometimes we go with family, or another couple but no kids yet. There are some that we love and some to avoid and it depends on the trip what we feel like doing..

MK
Must:
Splash
Space
Buzz
tea Cups
Philharmagic
tiki room

Avoid
Pooh
Dumbo
Aladdin

EPCOT

Must:
Drinking and eating around the world
test track soaring
Innoventions house

Avoid
Seas with Nemo
Figment

AK

Must

All the shows (festival, nemo, birds etc)
Forest trails
Safari
Everest
Dinosaur

Avoid
We find this to be the most adult park after EPCOT in terms of rides so there is little to avoid imo.

HS
Must
Tower of terror
Toy Story
Rockin Roller Coaster
Star Tours
Indian Jones
Stunt Show
Muppets

Avoid
American Idol
Little Mermaid (unless you like the movie sooo much)


There are a lot of other great things here too to check out but it depends on priorities.
 
I second the tour recommendation. Keys to the Kingdom is the one that a lot of people talk about, since you actually get to go into the Utilidors at MK, but UnDISCOVERED Future World was also a great time - you get to spend some time in hidden VIP lounges and get up close with Audio-Animatronic figures.

Interestingly, one of my favorite attractions where I can just sit down, catch a breeze, and watch the world go by is the TTA PeopleMover. There's almost never a line, and if you are really comfortable, they'll probably just let you go around again.
 
I second the tour recommendation. Keys to the Kingdom is the one that a lot of people talk about, since you actually get to go into the Utilidors at MK, but UnDISCOVERED Future World was also a great time - you get to spend some time in hidden VIP lounges and get up close with Audio-Animatronic figures.

Interestingly, one of my favorite attractions where I can just sit down, catch a breeze, and watch the world go by is the TTA PeopleMover. There's almost never a line, and if you are really comfortable, they'll probably just let you go around again.



Can't agree more! Both tours are wonderful experiences and the TTA PeopleMover is one of my favorite 'unwind' rides!! What makes DW so unique is a family with children of all ages can enjoy their vacation just as much as adults only. There truly is something for everyone. I say this in every post - as special as those vacation with children were - the adult only vacations are more than special!
 

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