Do you prefer Disney as an adult?

[SnapesGirl]

My co-workers were asking me the dreaded question of why I keep going to Disney so often in the past few years as an adult (I'm 29 and have no kids). I tried explaining to them that I appreciate my Disney trip so much more now than when I was a kid. For example, I work 9 to 5 and there are days I thank the Lord that my client is on the phone and can't see the face I'm making. Going to Disney and seeing what the CMs have to put up with and STILL have a smile on their face is something I can only appreciate now.

What do you appreciate or enjoy more at Disney as an adult compared to when you were a kid?

 

[Disneyhabs]

For me and for my family we love Disney it is the only place I have ever gone on holidays and can completley forget about the rest of the world. It is like nothing else in the world matters. Complete peace and joy and happiness when we go to WDW.

 

[MarineVet]

Honestly, I can't compare the experiences, as I never got to go as a child. We lived in Illinois and took vacations to St. Louis quite frequently, which was nice because there are many things to do there.

I love Disney as an adult, and I didn't get to go until I was 37, then not again until 50. I've been making up for lost time, as this May will be my 7th time in less than 4 years. I have a ball and become a kid again, but one of the things I appreciate most is how hard Disney works to make magic - from rides to shows to the illusion that you are removed from the rest of the world, to the customer service that is their trademark, its a place I feel safe to really be me.

BUT, from what I remember about how my folks acted on vacation, and if I hypothetically would have attended as a child (only MK would have existed), I would still say Adult! My mom was always uptight on vacation, counting every penny we spent out loud, complaining about the cost and how much time it took to get everywhere. She was also afraid I might embarrass her with laughing too loud or not walking fast enough, etc. Yeah, I definitely vote for the adult experience!

 

[CinderElsa]

I think the main thing I appreciate more now is spending time at the resort. When I was a kid, it was always all about rides & characters.

The other thing would have to be... eating. My parents had to beg me to eat when I was small. There was just too much exciting stuff going on! Who had time to eat?! I can still hear my mom's beleaguered voice. "One more bite of your sandwich and THEN you can go play!"

 

[morethananyonex]

As far as Disney trips go, I appreciate the role my parents played far more as an adult. They paid! Should have appreciated that more as a child.

But really, I would have to say World Showcase. I always hated going through there as a kid. Barely any rides, I had to sit (or stand ) through those movies and the restaurants didn't have characters. Now as an adult it's one of my favourites places in the parks.

 

[Mome Rath]

What do you appreciate or enjoy more at Disney as an adult compared to when you were a kid?

As a kid it was my little feet and short legs... and alllll that walking that would make my feet feel all kinds of pain. Now, not so much.

But really, being with my family in a fun place where there is so many people to watch, places to eat, rides to enjoy if I want or ignore if I don't. Of course as a kid I had a lot of fun, but now that feeling is focused on my fam.

 

[Disneylover99]

I definitely prefer Disney as an adult.

I just remember the lines and those E-ticket booklets. Our family had a condo in Florida, so once a year we would go to MK. We never arrived until about noon and traffic was always terrible. I never had much love for Disney back in those days.

Now, with my family, we stay on site and get to the parks super early. No lines for me! It's so much better now.

 

[DisneyFave]

Hard to say! Seriously one of the best days of my life was when my parents gave me a Disney trip as a Christmas gift in the 1990s. My Dad printed out all the park maps and our itinerary info, it was so cute (and we all know where I get the trip planning gene from). I have the most lovely memories of staying up late with the "big kid" brother and cousins and my Dad and uncle in the Magic Kingdom one night. He bought me a brownie after the parade ended and the crowds had thinned, and the whole evening seemed magical. Even my Mom, who thought she was going to hate Disney, ended up loving it and she's smiling in all our old photos. My sister and I were young enough to get excited by the characters, and we had a ball at Chef Mickey's. I was so enchanted with the World Showcase and our cozy extended-family dinners at Italy and at Chefs de France. My parents have always been fun-loving, sweet people, but that was the first time I really saw them act like kids again, and it was all so charming.

While I do love having the freedom to pay to go whenever I want as an adult (instead of begging my poor Mom every.single.day), to stay at the deluxe resorts if I want to splurge, and to ride whatever rides I want, nothing tops the sweet memories I have of being there with my family as a kid (at the Holiday Inn no less). I also go alone sometimes because I just need my Disney fix, and it's definitely not as fun alone. But I'm excited for a trip with the hubs and some friends this fall! We'll drink lots of wine, hang by the AKL pool, and go to MNSSHP. And I'm excited to take my own (unborn kids there in the future. I've traveled internationally a lot and I just LOVE that I always know exactly what I'm going to get from a Disney vacation. An annual must-do.

 

[SA mom]

My parents and I went to Epcot (EPCOT) in 1989. I'm the youngest of 6 so this was a rare vacation with just the 3 of us. I was already in college and that day is one of my best memories of my dad. The guy that was usually quite a curmudgeon was so carefree that day. I had so much fun with him and I usually would not have described my dad as fun. He was a kid again.

So yes, I definitely have to say that I enjoy more each time I go and get a little misty whenever I see Epcot.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

~I loved our family vacations growing up! But, I much prefer Disney as an adult. I like being in charge, but I make sure to gather everyone's input in my decision making -- so everyone is happy.

~My parents were sticklers for curfew growing up, even on vacation bedtime was at 9PM! This part totally sucked -- sometimes we got a chance to stay up late to watch a fireworks display, but that was a rare treat!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I loved going when I was a kid, but I enjoy it so much more now because I have seen my children grow up going to Disney and I can see how excited they still are to go. We are planning to take my grandson soon and that will be even more fun.

If you are talking about me as an adult and going alone I would still love and enjoy it so much more now. I was thinking about this just yesterday, and how I would normally rush from attraction to attraction when I was younger and now I enjoy grabbing a Dole Whip and people watching. I just love to see the excitement on their faces, and I enjoy just being in the parks or at the resort. I love it all. I'm not sure that feeling will ever leave me and I pray it doesn't.

 

[sdkuhn77]

I loved my first trip to Disney in my teens because I craved the thrill rides. Now that I am going with my family (with 2 young girls) I love seeing it through their eyes, but I will love it even more when my youngest is tall enough for the thrill rides and can enjoy it with her! Unfortunately she is in the 50th percentile in height as opposed to my 90th percentile in height oldest child, so I have a long ways to go before I can ride Tower of Terror with the wee one! LOL!

 

[BelleKer]

Being able to drink! First stop on every trip is in EPCOT.

Also, noticing the little details that add up to everything Disney does. As a kid it is so overwhelming, and everything looks amazing. I love now being able to notice the little things.

 

[whatisgoofy?]

One of the best parts about Disney is that there's something special to enjoy at every life stage. I first went at age 11 with my parents, and had an incredible time. I went next 13 years later on my honeymoon, and had an incredible time loving everything I had done as a kid...and experiencing the adult side of Disney (Adventurer's Club, you are missed). Last year we brought the kids on their first trip (eerily, 13 years later), and had an incredible time...loving all of our favorites, discovering what was new to us, and seeing it all through the kids' eyes as well. Is it different as an adult? Yes. Is it better? That's hard to say...I think it's great anytime you get to go, and no matter how old you are...there's bound to be something to love.

 

[DisneyFave]

Is it better? That's hard to say...I think it's great anytime you get to go, and no matter how old you are...there's bound to be something to love.

I agree! Not better just different

 

[fishhunter]

I only went once as a kid and I honestly don't remember much about it but as an adult it has been wonderful! Back in 2008 I surprised my kids (8 and 4) Christmas morning with a trip to Disney. We left the next day. It was also great because my wife never had the chance to go as a child. I remember actually tearing up as I was telling them. This year my wife and I will be surprising them the day they get out of school for Christmas vacation. We will be staying through Christmas. They have no idea. I cannot wait for their reactions! My wife and I have a wonderful time also but it’s just the reactions we get from our kids that make it worth every penny. As others have posted, the magical out of this world feeling you get when you are there really does make it wonderful. That’s one of the reasons we stay on site.

 

[SashaFarce]

I do enjoy it more. As a child, we only came once for a few days. Spent one day at MK, one day at Universal, one day at the beach in Daytona, and drove back home. As an adult I have the money to enjoy it fully and don't have to take children unless I want. I am slowly becoming one of these people who enjoys dining just as much as the rides, and that's something I didn't experience as a kid either.

 

[JennyMP03]

OP,

I am also 29 and childless. And Disney World makes me so happy, all the same. I love watching the kids in the park enjoy themselves. But I certainly enjoy myself just as much!

I went once when I was 7, but I honestly may be even more enamored with the whole experience now that I'm an adult and paying for it and planning it myself.

 

[aVASTGrl]

I think I love Disney as an adult so much BECAUSE I loved it as a child. We went almost every year when I was growing up, and now whenever I get on a ride, or walk down Main Street, or meet Mickey and Minnie, I remember how happy it made me and I get to relive those magical memories!

Now that I'm older I feel like I can appreciate the details that the CM's and Imagineers put into every aspect of the World, and I can take the time to notice those little things that were always there.

and for the record, I'm 31, childless, and single, and yes, I even love it by myself!

 

[AshleeH]

Add me to the list of those who love it more as an adult! I enjoyed it as a kid - and my kids love it and (currently) can't imagine a better vacation, so that's a plus. We get the question all the time of why we go back - I just smile and say, "You can't explain it. You just have to experience it."