A Childless Millennial’s Guide to Disney
Are you a childless millennial? Enjoy visiting Walt Disney World without kids? Love to line up in front of parents for Mickey Mouse pretzels? We have the perfect guide for you. In this post, we’ll cover the things that childless couples and millennials are allowed to do at Walt Disney World!
This follows a viral Facebook post in which one brave mother had the fortitude to stand up to (well, via social media long after the fact) the scourge to humanity that is adults without kids visiting the Disney. This Facebook post has made the rounds before, but it blew up after an editorial proclaiming that childless millennials going to Walt Disney World is weird. For some reason, this elicited an internet firestorm from clueless millennials who don’t realize they should only be obsessed with age-appropriate things like Applebee’s, bingo, and conspiracy theories.
Frankly, I’m glad someone finally had the courage to confront us nefarious millennials. Per “news” articles written by Boomers, we millennials are responsible for killing an eye-popping number of purported American national treasures: restaurant chains, cable television, doorbells, cereal, handshakes, the housing market, domestic beer, Hooters, diamonds, golf, Harley Davidson, dating, consumerism, gyms, mayonnaise, and so much more. It’d be a shame if Disney joined our lengthy list of victims…
Of course, I don’t actually blame millennials for these casualties, just as I don’t blame the Lost Generation for killing the horse-drawn carriage industry or Baby Boomers for creating the concept of a participation award. I do think this scapegoating of millennials is really odd and, in many cases, misplaced projection for systemic changes set in motion by earlier generations.
With that said, here’s our exhaustive and comprehensive list of things childless millennials are allowed to do at Walt Disney World…
1. Anything Anyone Else Does – That’s it. That’s the list. (You can also feel free to print out this post so you have it handy when visiting Walt Disney World, though.)
You might want to avoid things like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, but pretty much everything else is fair game. I don’t think we need a long-winded diatribe, feel-good Walt Disney quote, or pointed “clap-back” here. That would be preaching to the choir; if you’re reading this, you already know that the magic of Disney transcends age, and there are different layers to the parks that appeal to different ages, demographics, and interests.
We could dissect the meticulous level of Imagineered detail goes into the parks, much of which is over the heads of children. We could list the world-class dining, bars, and entertainment aimed squarely at an older demographic. We could showcase resorts, spas, golf, recreation, etc., that is not for kids. All of that might be reassuring, but it’s unnecessary. If you’re an adult fan of Disney who doesn’t have kids, there’s presumably a reason for that, and you don’t need to be told again what that is.
On the off chance that you’re finding this blog post as a childless millennial who was inadvertently turned on to Disney as a result of this whole media kerfuffle and started reading this in a sincere attempt to plan a trip and find things that might appeal specifically to you, our apologies. (At least there were some positive unintended consequences of the controversy!)
We’d recommend consulting our Walt Disney World for Adults or Honeymoon Tips for Walt Disney World posts. (The latter is a good resource even if you’re not honeymooning at WDW.) Or just our regular Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide, because that’s pretty much universally applicable. Most experiences in the Disney parks are designed for a range of ages; even seemingly kid-oriented things like Fantasyland dark rides can be appreciated by adults for their whimsy, charm, and (potentially) nostalgia.
Finally, a bit of sincere commentary. Millennials are not without blame. We are at least partially responsible for the proliferation of clickbait ‘millennials are killing’ content like this. (Finally, something we’re aiding instead of killing!) Boomers are also partially responsible, as they seek a convenient boogeyman to blame for perceived societal issues, changing times, and the march of progress.
Articles like that one aren’t going anywhere any time soon. However, every click or share on social media–even ones that are ‘hate-clicks’ or voicing disagreement–helps guarantee that another such article will be written. This is an art Howard Stern mastered in the 90s, but apparently we haven’t learned anything since. (In fairness, most millennials probably weren’t of age then.)
Expect plenty more articles like that ‘childless millennials are weird for liking Disney’ one, because we took the bait even harder this time, despite it being like the 23rd mainstream article this year that trotted out the exact same tired trope. What should be inducing a yawn at this point is instead prompting an impassioned response.
I’m cognizant of the fact that this post also only helps further fan the flames, which is why I don’t normally weigh in on pointless topics like this. There’s no winning this ‘argument’, but you cannot lose if you do not play.
In at least partially keeping with this mentality, I deliberately did not link to the viral Facebook post or article that inspired this blog post. You’ve undoubtedly read articles like it before or heard similar sentiment from friends. You don’t need to read it. You already know what it says.
Perhaps naively, I’m mostly hopeful that this blog post sparks introspection. We don’t have to take the bait every single time. I used to have an office colleague who asked (disingenuously) why I visited Walt Disney World so much, and poked fun at me for “going to play with Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse again this weekend.” Finally, I didn’t respond with a persuasive argument–I gave a terse, “[expletive] yeah, and I’m going to have a [expletive] good time chilling with my homies” before walking away. That pretty much put an end to that.
Personally, I’ve lost the compulsion to engage in conversations like this. Maybe I’m getting old, but I don’t have the energy or patience for any commentary or discussions I perceive as being in bad faith, or for the sake of inducing an argument. Not everyone has to approve of our interests or hobbies. You don’t have to offer a justification for what you like, or bring others around to your line of thinking. Disney fans shouldn’t be a cult that feels compelled to indoctrinate the uninitiated. If you still find yourself tempted to engage with every trolling post or comment like this, just remember that every adult without kids who you do convince is one more person in front of you in line.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
What do you think about this whole ‘childless adults doing Disney is weird’ thing? Think we should just ignore it, or try to “beat” the stereotype? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I love your post and your blog… this is so spot on! From a GenX’r who feels sometimes embarrassed about my Disney obsession because no one else my age understands! I appreciate that there are so many that agree that Disney is ageless and is for all. Thank you for reminding us of that, and that we don’t need to care what those other people think. Peace.
I’m 51 and though some of my 40+ WDW visits were as a child, I have never once gone with a child as an adult. Nope. I actually feel sorry for those who have to deal with melt-downs, naps, getting everybody fed on time, leaving the parks early for bedtime. Can’t do everything you want exactly when you want and stay up laaaaate? Must be terrible, I say, as I skip past you leaving the MK to get into the line for Snow White for third time after eating dinner at 9 pm. Disney is so much better without kids!
Wondering post! I’m not a Millennial, but I agree, they as everyone should feel welcome, as Walt intended. The woman at the center of the controversy has a major issue of her own, that should never have involved the park or Millennials, I hope she seeks professional help, before she causes emotional harm to her child or teaches her child entitlement. Rudeness, no matter what generatio you are, does not belong in public. Courtesy goes a long way, in ensuring that everything enjoys a wonderful time at Disney!
Disney is for everyone.. Having kids, is a pretty easy thing to accomplish and it doesn’t make you special. I have as much right to a pretzel as someone with a child. First come. first serve. Relax and worry about having fun at disney and not stopping others from doing so as well.. of any age, sex, gender, or social standing. Walt would be appalled at this sort of thing.
i have been coming to disney world for our holidays for over 30 years first with my children and then with my children and grand children and now it is just me and my wife why and we will be over in2020 for 3 weeks to celebrate our 44th wedding anniversary this person to say that we problem in the parks is total rubbish she should go to the magic kingdom and get on the ride as listen to the music and the ride is its a small world and if you do not like standing in a queue do not go to disney
Right on!
I admit I liked Epcot much better when it was a predominately a adult park. It was not massively packed and you could go to dinner in a relative quiet atmosphere, after all of the excitement of the day . You might be in Disney but your still in a restaurant !
Am I the only person who was completely blindsided by the initial rant posted on social media? I NEVER knew a problem even existed between people with and without kids. Now I’m a little sad because I might actually become sensitive to child discrimination and I’d hate to have my magical Disney moments spoiled with my kids. Oh well, ignorance is bliss I suppose.
I have been to Disney World many times…. The first time we went was when my daughter was 13. My husband and I went with my children several times and our grandchildren. We were always respectful and always had small children in front of us. It is wrong to criticize millennials going to Disney with out children. After all, we LOVE Disney also…… I was actually thinking of going in the winter with out our grandchildren for a change and do what we want to do but after that rant of that women,I have second thoughts . She needs to understand we are paying for our vacation as well as she is and she has no business on telling someone to stay home because we do not have children. Disney is my favorite place to go to. I have been there as I said many times. Like 5 times.
Being a not-crazy person, I obviously believe childless adults have the same right to enjoy Disney as any other paying guest. However, I will say that as a parent, behavior that would be rude or inappropriate from anyone bothers me more from childless adults at Disney. Cutting in line is wrong no matter what, but it stings more when adults cut in front of kids at Disney. Similarly, we make a point of not taking too long with characters when there’s a line to meet them, so it rubs me the wrong way when childless adults ignore a handler’s hints and take an unreasonably long time chatting with characters. Some adults tend to cut off strollers or walk over small children because they don’t look where they’re going. It’s Disney. You have to expect small children and strollers to be around you.
None of this is to say ANYONE can’t go to Disney and ride rides, meet Mickey, eat food, or do whatever else people with children would do. I just get more annoyed by adult rudeness at Disney because it’s impacting kids and adults really should know better. Similarly, families with children shouldn’t be rude to childless visitors. Don’t take up a whole walkway going slowly with your strollers and entourage. Don’t feel entitled to cut in lines or block someone’s view or otherwise diminish anyone else’s experience because you have kids with you. Everyone should just treat everyone else like they’re human.
As a millennial, I appreciate this!
I’m not childless, but I love Disney more than my kids!! I have them tag along on MY VACATION. The woman’s rage was deeply rooted with some major insecurities, for one. She complained about a girl with “booty shorts” and about her buying a pretzel she was too lazy to stand in line for. How is that a whole generation’s fault??? That woman has some serious issues and the only thing I got from her rant is that she was sick of her kid. She’s the typical woman who blames Millennials for their own issues; it’s always our fault.
I can’t afford the rent!! –Millennials fault
That millennial has a new car and I can’t afford the gas for my car –– Millennials fault
I can’t get a job because Millennials are too educated and I’m not educated enough –-Millennials fault.
The line is 3 hours long!! –Millennials fault
If they aren’t blaming immigrants for their shortcomings in life, they target Millennials. Lolololol
Stop picking on the millennials who can afford to go. Clearly they are self sufficient and can afford to go. Dare I say this but personally, I cannot stand the carriages with crying kids! All carriages should be banned! They are constantly in the way. I am NOT a millennial. I am a mother of two kids aged 13 & 10 who just visited Disneyworld for the first time this year.
Ah everyone seems so het up – I recommend playing some Disney Parks music chilling out and thinking it’s wonderful that there is a place which makes everyone of all ages so happy when they go! I’m off to put on the UP song… ps just don’t read social media except Tom’s posts!! xx
Oh and PPS we have just booked an Xmas trip to Disney Paris and Paris thanks to your fab travel caffeine and DTB posts ( we do have kids tho’ … )
This was great! Hahaaaha! Ask Boomers with grown children, we love Disney and wish there were Adult Days. Hahahahahah!
I admit when I read the rant, my thought was “You’re dragging a three year old through the park, yet complaining about someone else?” Our last trip we had late dinner reservations for Cinderella’s Royal Table, but there was a mob at check-in. They had evacuated due to a kitchen fire, and it was chaos. One woman next to me was getting very angry, because they had obviously splurged on Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for their four year old, and now would miss out on the Cinderella photo op. Parents sometimes lose sight of the fact that little kids don’t have expectations that high. My seven year old was happy and beautiful in a “gown” I got on Amazon for $15. While we were disappointed in missing the experience, we understood the situation. (And in the end Disney squeezed us in for a reservation on our last day, and even comped the meal!) So take a deep breath, keep your expectations reasonable, and remember that Disney is for everyone who believes in magic.
Who else is going to give me THIS level of information about Disney but childless millennials! just sayin’ ;-D
Keep up the kick-ass work Tom/Sarah. \m/
Just please don’t block anyone else’s view! We are careful not to stand in front of others who are sitting, or have children up on shoulders and end up blocking people behind!
I am GenX, married, with one college aged kid, and two other teenagers. Everyone at Disney hates us. My kids are tall, my husband is tall, no one knows why we are at Disney. Hey, we were kids once too. We just all still love it. Thanks for all of your good advice Tom. We love you.
(I like good taking good photos for insta too! I make sure to say excuse me, please and thank you.)
Yikes. A lot of sensitive people commenting on this post. Disney is a place for everyone. Kids and adults alike. If people complain about millennials ruining their kids’ time…think about the fact that many childless adults hardly want to hear an overtired, over-stimulated toddler having a full blown tantrum. Goes both ways.
Amen!
Walt Disney World is a place for EVERYONE: young, old, married, single, children, or no children.
I think the Twitter mom is a wee bit jealous. I am a father of 3, and I can tell you, I get a little envious when I see a childless couple holding hands, easily maneuvering crowds, while I have one kid on my shoulders, and am pushing two more in the world’s most giant stroller.
We have a hard enough time trying to convince some adults WITH kids why Disney is awesome, but you’re right, no sweat in the end, as we’d just be making lines longer! =p
If everybody visiting (no matter what their unique situation) would remember common courtesies and bring an extra sprinkling of patience, that would make the experience more pleasant overall for everyone. Wouldn’t that be nice!
I think you really alienated a large group of subscribers/followers today with your blog post. Your post missed the point of why those of us with kids generally get upset with the people between 20-30 who do Disney without kids. A lot of these 20 something’s lack a sense of awareness for how their actions affect those around them. So when my 4 ft tall kiddo is trying to watch the Festival of Fantasy parade, but Skyler needs the perfect Instagram pic…she won’t think twice about putting her needs in front of my kid’s, and that’s just wrong. Everyone is entitled to enjoy Disney the way the want to, but not at the expense of others.
This really depends on whether “skyler” was there first doesn’t it….if she grabbed her spot to watch the parade early on and waited for it – it’s reasonable to assume she should be able to keep it. If she pushed in front of your little ones to take their space – it is not.
Many times we have had spots for various parades and had parents ask if their kids can stand in front of us to watch – of course we always say yes, small people need to be near the front to see. When their parents expect to then stand in front of me as well – that’s a no.
It’s all about being reasonable.
Put the kid on your shoulders, like we did when our kids were that young.
The entitled parents don’t always think about it either. They expect that they can arrive later than others and still have unobstructed front row seats.
And in the end, 20 and 30somethings are more mindful of those around them than children tend to be. But neither one is wrong. Everyone is there to enjoy themselves.
Yes girl! I prefer to go to Disney during events that aren’t really intended for children, and there are quite a few. Lots of activities that aren’t meant for kids like those mentioned in the article and it’s complete nonsense that people think that they should be able to do things like cutting in line because they have kids.
ABSOLUTELY! I only responded and ranted on here in the first place because my husband and I have noticed a disturbing trend of the people with NO kids getting annoyed at people like you and me – who have kids. It has happened several times to us in the Disney restaurants. We do our best to keep our 4 year old from creating havoc in the restaurant, but lets face it, kids will be kids. Sometimes the etiquette is not there. That’s when the disapproving stares are aimed for our family. BUT Disney was created for people with families and people without families. There should be tolerance all around. And with viewing parades and fireworks, I agree too. Many times there have been rude people without, and some with kids just cutting in front of us with our little girl to get a good view, NOT caring that they just cut you off. Perhaps Disney parks should put up a sign about people with kids and people without kids tolerating each other.
I took my first trip to Disney this year at 26 with my husband. My parents were not able to treat our family to things like this when I was growing up so I grew up and treated myself. We were cognizant of the fact that my husband is very tall so we would stand in front of a tree for shows and even checked with kids sitting behind us at Festival of The Lion King to see if they could see. We are not all jerks and I don’t think I should be told I have to wait to have kids to go somewhere I have dreamed of going for years!
In 2015 my wife and I honeymooned at Walt Disney World. While there at the Biergarten in Epcot we sat at a table with a family… mom, dad, and three kids… oh, the parents were retired and the kids were in their late 20s and early 30s. They were all having a grand time as were we. No small children. It is their family tradition to go to WDW each year. Now I can say that’s a goal I have. I have two adult daughters from a previous marriage and took them for their first time when they were in their mid teens. I’m looking forward going with them as they get older and will enjoy more of the adult dining.
I guess my point is, WDW is for those that love it. Disney said that explicitly himself when Disneyland opened. Just be good and courteous to those around you. If you’re stuck in line, get to know the folks next to you. And don’t ever cut in line. That is a dick move.
And entitled 20 somethings probably got that way because as children they were made to believe the world revolves around them. Which is the root of the issue with people being mad at millennials for going to the parks!
I agree with Andy in this – but it’s not particularly millennials. It think it boils down to people with kids and people without kids. I had a particularly bad experience on our first Disney trip at MVMCP with an older woman. I became accidentally trapped on Main Street right before the parade (because it was our first time and weren’t sure exactly where we were supposed to be). I was pushing a double stroller with two small sleeping children and being ushered off Main Street by cast members, when I couldn’t find a way onto the sidewalk. I was trying to get to the accessibility ramp and an older woman was blocking it, saving spots for a group and wouldn’t let me in – started yelling at me and calling me entitled…she had been waiting for hours and I wasn’t taking her spot! I was just trying to get my stroller onto the sidewalk. It was awful and ridiculous. I actually ended up LIFTING AND CARRYING MY DOUBLE STROLLER WITH TWO KIDS OVER THE CURB ONTO THE SIDEWALK – and two nice millennial ladies helped me do so. I was just overly surprised at the number of rude non-children adults on this particular visit.
I just feel there is a sense of entitlement on both sides – those without kids feel entitlement over children, and those with kids feel entitlement over the adults without children (obviously this is generalized and by no means am I saying all people are entitled and rude at Disney’s World). It needs to stop on both sides. Disney is for all. My husband and I would love to take a child free trip some day.
Also I should add that I am technically a millennial so I have a good viewpoint on both sides of this.