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Can Adults Enjoy Disney World? Katie Silcox from Sky Travel travelled to Florida to find out whether grown-ups can get as much out of the experience as kids, please read her following review:
If I were to tell you that within
a week I have conquered Mount Everest, set sail
with pirates in search of hidden treasure, and
shared breakfast with a high-heel wearing mouse,
then the Disney fans amongst you might recognise
where I’ve been.
But, if I continued to say that
I’ve also ridden on horseback through a forest,
taken control of a speedboat and enjoyed a
luxurious morning of spa and massage then might
I be in trouble of leaving everyone a bit
confused?
Well wonder no more, as it is in
fact Walt Disney World, Orlando that I’ve been
too. And no, I’m not a fibber – all the above
did really happen, along with a whole lot more.
Disney, has a well-earned
reputation as a fantastic holiday destination
for families. Babies will soak up the fun and
friendly environment, young kids will love
meeting Mickey and Minnie, and teenagers will
thoroughly enjoy speeding around furiously on
the rollercoaster’s.
But what about mum and dad? Or
how about if - shock horror - you want to visit
without any children in tow? Is this acceptable?
Will you be the only ones?
Having spent a week at Walt
Disney World, I can tell you confidently that
the answers to the above are - yes, this is
totally acceptable and - no, you will by no
means be the only ones.
So, what can you do at Walt
Disney World away from the rides?
To begin with I
was surprised at
just how many
people appeared
to be at the
resort without
any children,
but fast forward
a week and I
could completely
see why.
To start,
there’s the
weather. The
gorgeous sun
makes Orlando a
number one
holiday
destination for
many and Disney
is keen to
maximise on
this. Pack your
swim wear as all
of the hotels
allow access to
a nearby
swimming pool,
plus you’ll find
numerous sandy
beaches dotted
around the site.
Bored of
sunbathing? Then
why not head to
Sea Raycers,
self- driven
speedboats that
reach some
pretty high
speeds - you’ll
find this a
fantastic way to
mimic the
adrenaline buzz
you get from the
rides. My
boating
adventure didn’t
start off so
well however,
watch the video
on page 1 to
find out why...
Elsewhere at
Walt Disney
World, a
tethered hot air
balloon complete
with characters,
should be a
great way to get
your bearings,
and to get a
sense of just
how massive the
resort really
is. I
unfortunately
didn’t get a
chance to do
this, but would
jump at the
chance if I
visit again.
A
calmer way to
spend a morning
is to take a
horse trail
around the
forest. This is
(as I found out)
a wonderful way
to wake up and
refresh your
mind if you’ve
spent an evening
at one of
Disney’s popular
bars or
nightclubs. Your
horse trail
will allow you
the chance to
spot deer along
the way. If
you’re a
beginner like
me, then fear
not, as all the
horses are weill
trained, and if
you’re lucky,
you may even end
up riding on
Mr Pickle,
the very same
horse who pulls
Cinderella and
her carriage
along in the
famous Disney
parades.
Without wanting
to stereotype
too much; men –
the ESPN Wide
World of Sports
should please if
you’re looking
to play a game
of football
(sorry, soccer)
or even a drink
in the
American-style
sports bar. And
ladies, how does
a morning of
massage and spa
treatments
sound? I booked
myself in for a
50 minute
massage, plus
sauna and steam
room, and trust
me, it was
delicious.
Of course, It wouldn't be Walt Disney World without the rides, would it?
All of this and
I haven’t even
mentioned the
rides yet!
Adrenaline
seekers like me
will love Tower
of Terror, a
take on the
Twilight Zone
stories in which
you’ll find
yourself stuck
in a lift,
shooting upwards
and downwards at
high speed.
Rock ‘n’
Rollercoaster is
a music ride,
based around
rock group,
Aerosmith who
relay a short
video clip to
you and leave
you with a
promise of
getting to their
gig at high
speed. A few
minutes later
you’re flying
around in their
limousine
(rollercoaster
carriage), in
the dark doing
loop the loops
to the sound of
their hits.
In a whole other
a category is
the ride,
Mission: Space.
This is probably
the most intense
ride I have
ever been
on, and that is
certainly saying
something. The
ride is a
simulator that
sends you to
Mars, it’s very
close to those
used in actual
astronaut
training, and
let’s just say
it feels pretty
real. Definitely
worth a go if
you think you
can handle it,
but not one for
the faint
hearted.
Slightly less
fast, but by no
means tame rides
include Big
Thunder Mountain
which shoots you
around a
mountain,
weaving inside
and out;
Expedition
Everest which,
as another
mountain-based
ride, is similar
– but with
various some
unexpected
twists along the
way, and
Kilimanjaro
Safari, a ride
that will take
you through the
habitat of many
living animals.
Of course, there
is more to all
of these rides
but I can’t tell
you what as I
don’t want to
give the game
away. Some
things need to
be experienced
in person. Good
luck!
If your visit to
Disney is less
for the
high-speed rides
and more for the
characters, then
you’ll love Toy
Story Mania! The
Pirates League
and if the kids
are feeling
brave, then give
Haunted Mansion
a go. These are
all far tamer
experiences,
each immersing
you in the
stories behind
your favourite
films, and are
still a lot of
fun!
So, is Disney
for you? Well
speaking as a
2010 Disney
convert, I’ve
discovered that
with adrenaline
rides, chilled
out spas, and
the gorgeous
weather of
America’s
sunshine state -
this magical
world really can
open up a new
holiday
experience to
even the most
unbelieving.
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