I was recently given the green light by my husband, Nick to book our next family Disney vacation. This got me thinking about our last Disneyland holiday and how much fun it was. This past September, Nick and I spent my birthday weekend in Disneyland without kids. Now, I know what you might be thinking… “Why on Earth would you go to Disneyland without your kids?” And, yes… that is a valid question. And yes, it probably sounds crazy that we CHOSE to surround ourselves with other people and their children. But it was sooo much fun and so worth it! And even though I felt just a tad bit guilty about going to the happiest place on Earth while leaving our kids back home, I would do it again in a heartbeat! So, add it to your bucket list – Disneyland isn’t just for kids. Walt made Disneyland for adults too!

Disneyland For Adults – The Happiest Place On Earth Sans Kids

Over the past 3 years, our family has been to Disneyland a number of times (both with and without children). And taking our kids to Disneyland definitely lends itself to giving me some of my best memories. But I can’t lie, going without our boys was pretty magical too! Here are the 5 reasons why I think that everyone should visit Disneyland (at least once) without their kids!

#1.) The Rides

Now I get it, rides aren’t for everyone. I’m not usually a huge thrill ride fan myself… But when in Rome (or in this case, when at Disney) you need to ride the rides. Because Disney rides are not just ordinary rides, they’re an experience. But, as I learned from our last Disney family vacation, there are just some ride experiences that should be verboten to tiny tots.

The last time we were in Disneyland, our son Anson was 3 1/2 and Hudson was 1 1/2. I strategically planned our time at the park around rides and activities that the whole family could enjoy together. But as I quickly learned on that trip, when Disney says a ride has no rider height limit, it doesn’t always mean that the ride is okay for everyone. I’m pretty sure a few of Hudson’s dirty diapers were thanks to the ride Toy Story Midway Mania… and I’m not even going to talk about his reaction to the Finding Nemo ride!

On Nick’s and my solo trip, it was nice that we didn’t have to consider our ride restrictions. If we wanted to go on a ride we went. And Disneyland has some pretty ridiculously amazing rides! If you’ve been to Disneyland since the development of Carsland in the Disney California Adventure Park, I’m sure that you would agree that the Disney Imagineers do an amazing job creating rides. It also proves that not all rides are geared towards the kids and that Walt made Disneyland for adults too!

  • The Mad Tea Party
  • A post Splash Mountain selfie

#2.) The Restaurants

Another part of the Disney experience that we got to indulge in on our kid-free trip was Disney’s offering of fine dining restaurants. We got to go to restaurants that I normally wouldn’t even consider taking our kids to. Some of these restaurants definitely show a different side of Disney, a Disneyland for adults.

I made sure to book our dinner reservations for some popular Disney eats like the Carthay Circle Restaurant, The Blue Bayou, and Wine Country Trattoria, months in advance of our trip. These restaurants tend to book up early, especially at popular meal times. 

We really enjoyed the meals and the ambiance of all three restaurants. The Carthay Circle Restaurant and Blue Bayou specifically lived up to the high standards that we’ve come to expect from Disney. The food was delicious, the plating and presentation were great and the serving staff were beyond amazing. During our dinner at the Blue Bayou (which is located in the middle of the Pirates of the Carribean ride), the waiter asked us how our meal was. Nick replied “so good, I need the recipe for the gumbo”… at the end of the meal accompanying our bill was a photocopy of the gumbo recipe! Now really, how many times do you get service like that!?

  • Blue Bayou Dessert
  • Terrace of Wine Country Trattoria
  • Carthay Circle Restaurant
  • Carthay Circle Restaurant B-day Dessert

#3.) No Cerfue For Mommy

Another thing that I really enjoyed about our trip to Disneyland for adults. was how Nick and I literally spent every waking minute at the park. I’m the type of person who loves to go, go, go, so this played perfectly into MY ideal idea of a holiday. Disneyland doesn’t sleep in, nor does it go to bed early, nor does it stop for nap time, so why should we? We got to soak up every ounce of Disney that we could get. I also loved having a weekend of adulting freedom. I didn’t have to think about keeping with the routine and schedule of that which revolves around the circadian rhythm of our toddlers. It was really nice for a change!

#4.) Nostalgia

When you’re at Disneyland, you have one mission – to have fun. And we all know that having fun is not just for kids. I think that it would be hard for a person to visit Disneyland and not feel nostalgic about being a kid. I’m really fortunate that I can look back on my childhood fondly. It was the golden era of my life. A time filled with time to burn, which lent itself to lots of spontaneous adventures. I loved my childhood. And I appreciated that our trip to Disneyland gave me the opportunity to feel like a kid, if only for a weekend.

Disneyland made me forget about my mommy responsibilities and all the expectations the go along with adulting. I was able to feel carefree like I did when I was a child. It’s hard to find that feeling, and although I sometimes feel it when doing different things with my kids, it was nice to have a small escape away from my role as mom. It was nice to be at Disneyland and instead of me caring for my kids I was able to feel like a kid again myself.

#5.) The Romance Of Disney

Now, I’m sure my reason #5 will really have some people rolling their eyes and shaking their heads in disbelief… but yes, Disneyland really can be a romantic getaway! There is a Disneyland for kids. But there is also a romantic Disneyland for adults too!

It was nice to spend the day with Nick running from ride to ride like teenagers. We got to eat nice dinners in nice restaurants. We engaged in uninterrupted adult conversation (albeit it was mostly adult conversation about our kids). It was nice to have a connection with each other because our attention wasn’t divided. It was nice to just be… Be carefree and be in love. I think that Disneyland is such a magical place. It’s a place where fairy tales aren’t tales anymore and where dreams come true. Now, what could be more romantic than that?

Me and My Prince Charming

I hope you liked my post about Disneyland for adults and why you need to go to Disneyland at least once without your kids. As always, if you liked this post the biggest compliment you can give me is to comment on it or share it with your friends. Also find and follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, & Instagram. If you like my posts and you don’t want to miss my future articles, sign up to receive email notifications. Thanks for reading.

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20 Comments

  1. Nisha February 21, 2019 at 12:46 AM

    Well you make it sound so magical!!! We might have to try it! Great post!

    Reply
    1. Trina Vanaalst February 21, 2019 at 9:44 AM

      It is magical! Thanks for the sweet comment!

      Reply
  2. Shelby February 21, 2019 at 10:22 AM

    My co-worker just went to Disney with her husband and two little ones. She said pretty much the same things you have, especially about not having a “curfew!”

    Reply
    1. Trina Vanaalst February 21, 2019 at 11:03 AM

      Thanks for your reply, Shelby. When we go with our little guys they usually end up staying up way past their bedtime – which is dangerous because it sometimes results in a Matterhorn size meltdown! lol. So it was nice to go alone and not have to worry about going to bed at a decent time.

      Reply
  3. Zaneta The Work At Home Mama February 21, 2019 at 1:14 PM

    Wow!! This looks like so much fun. I would have never thought to go without the kids but it seems like a great idea. Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
    1. Trina Vanaalst February 21, 2019 at 1:39 PM

      It was a blast. We’ve had a few of our friends go to Disneyland after we took our trip! Everyone has had a blast (but again, how can you not have fun when you’re at the happiest place on Earth)! Thanks for reading.

      Reply
  4. Kristine the Dane February 21, 2019 at 1:58 PM

    I’ve only gone as a “big kid”. First time was with my best friend when we were in our mid 20’s. It was so much fun! Don’t get me wrong, it was magical to go with my kids years later, but without kids you can try all the rides and really let yourself be caught up in all the magic.

    Reply
    1. Trina Vanaalst February 21, 2019 at 2:22 PM

      When we went with our kids we did do some “single rider” rides. But riding a great ride is just not as fun when you’re by yourself!

      Reply
  5. Maria February 21, 2019 at 3:20 PM

    I had a ton of fun with my girlfriends at Disneyland…Granted this was before I had kids, so didn’t have the option. Good for you guys!

    Reply
    1. Trina Vanaalst February 21, 2019 at 3:33 PM

      Maria, I had a ton of fun with my husband… I couldn’t imagine the type of fun I would have with a girlfriend! Thanks for reading.

      Reply
  6. Shante February 21, 2019 at 4:00 PM

    I must try havnt been for years. Adult time is the best

    Reply
    1. Trina Vanaalst February 21, 2019 at 4:04 PM

      Add it to the bucket list!

      Reply
  7. wanderwahm February 21, 2019 at 5:35 PM

    That’s so cool! Aside from spending time together to make sparks in your relationship again, it also sparks the childhood and happy spirit in you!

    Reply
    1. Trina Vanaalst February 21, 2019 at 7:08 PM

      It was a trip that was completely relaxed (a crazy notion for a holiday planned around a theme park). But it was exactly what we both needed – it was good for the soul!

      Reply
  8. Katie February 21, 2019 at 7:07 PM

    Ahh I love Disney World! And you made this sound so fun! Now I want to book a trip here with my husband.

    Reply
    1. Trina Vanaalst February 22, 2019 at 11:52 PM

      Katie, do it!!! I’m sure you will not regret it!

      Reply
  9. Kyra February 21, 2019 at 8:29 PM

    I totally agree with you! My husband and I went to Disney last year on our babymoon and had a blast! I’m glad we got to enjoy Disney as a couple before having our daughter.

    Reply
    1. Trina Vanaalst February 22, 2019 at 11:53 PM

      Kyra, I’m so glad that you got to experience Disney on your baby-moon! I’m sure you’ll love taking your new little bundle there, but I think it’s just so magical as a couple. Congrats on your baby.

      Reply
  10. Anh February 22, 2019 at 8:56 PM

    I would never have thought to go to Disneyland without kids! But I must try next time I’m on the west coast! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    1. Trina Vanaalst February 22, 2019 at 11:54 PM

      Hi Anh! It’s honestly worth a special trip. Although if you’re closer to Disney World I’m sure it’s just as amazing sans kids.

      Reply

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