Yes, Disney World is built for kids, but if you have never visited the most magical place on earth, sans kids, you are missing out, my friend!
A few things to note:
- Dose (cannabis) before you arrive (if this is your thing) – it is not allowed on premises.
- There are four, separate theme parks at Disney World, which include: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. These are all individually, all-day parks in my opinion, although many disagree. Most people that disagree are only focused on rides, where we are focused on EXPERIENCES (rides, shows, great food, theming, etc), which is why 100% stand by our all-day parks statement.
- Alcohol is easily accessible in all parks EXCEPT Magic Kingdom. The only way to get a drink in Magic Kingdom is in specific, sit-down locations, where you may need reservations. Tony’s Town Square (Italian) is our personal favorite. Also, out of all the parks Magic Kingdom is more geared toward littles. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t check it out for grown-up fun, it just means you are going to see (and dodge) WAY more strollers (I am not kidding here….WAY more) and large, family groups.
- You can park hop (with the right ticket), but we rarely do – Park hopping is time consuming and carves into your day, so unless you are a passholder, or have moolah-time to spare, I would avoid hopping.
With that in mind, here are our top Disney World attractions to check out, with a nice, tipsy buzz, in no particular order. We have broken them down by park.
Magic Kingdom
Under the Sea, Journey of the Little Mermaid – A super, charming ride, under the sea in a clamshell. We LOVE it, and a fun, little buzz enhances it! Ha! Ha! Bright, colorful scenery, cute animatronics (Ariel, Sebastian, Ursula, etc.) It is a MUST for us, every time we visit.
Tron – Adrenaline alert! But soooo worth it! This light-cycle ride – which puts you in the digital world, is bright, electric, neon, fun. Some people have trouble with the seating, you are on a cycle that locks your legs in from the back. People with bigger calves may want to do a ‘seat test’ before getting in line. Another down-side to this ride, is it is SO SHORT! Lasting at only two, very, fast minutes, it is officially one of the shortest rides in Disney World. Visually, this ride is WAY better at night.
Pirates of the Caribbean – A classic, and by-far, one of my undying faves! Riders go through a pirate battle at sea, and then watch a city get pirate-ravaged and burned, while pirates are singing and having a jolly old, pirate-like, good time. Of course there is treasure involved as well! We ride this happily, Every. Single. Time. Also, it is a very temperature-cool ride and queue, so a great place to cool off in the hot Florida sun.
Haunted Mansion – Another classic favorite. A little bit cheesy, but once I am in the stretching room (queuing is so cool), I become a twelve-year-old again. I am always (still) amazed at the see-through ghosts, the floating Madame Leota globe, etc. Very chill ride for travel tipsters.
Epcot **The best park for Tipsies! Many, many drink options here.
Remy’s Ratatoulie Adventure – An immersive, fast-paced, 4-D ride, where you are a mouse trying to escape being seen/caught in a bustling kitchen and restaurant! Great visuals, and sensations that enhance the experience, like heat and water. Very, very cool ride!
Guardians of the Galaxy – Remember, that I said the Pirates was one of my all-time favorites? Well, Guardians has wormed itself up there as well. We CANNOT get ENOUGH of this fantastic, 70’s-music-themed, rollercoaster. I want to be very clear, because several friends and family do not like it. It IS a roller coaster. But it is soooo different and wild from any other coaster out there. If you are on the fence, I recommend you do it once to decide. Also, put your hair up, or you will not see your face in the picture.
Soaring – Wowsa! Will you buzzies love this one! Fly across the nation on a hang glider, you’re in a comfortable seat, so not hanging on to anything. This ride is super immersive too, with smells and sounds, and great visuals of different world-renowned locations, from a birds-eye perspective.
Space 220 – Grab a reservation and go to space for a space cocktail and some space snacks. Very, out-of-this-world, trippy cool. I recommend the lounge only (cause that shiz is expensive, ya’ll!) and save some of your hard-earned moolah, for other drinks in Epcot. Make it easy on yourself and get pre-reservations, however, you can go ‘stand-by’ while there, and try to get in.
Hollywood Studios**The SECOND best park for Tipsies! Many drink options here.
Mickey & Minnies Runaway Railway – 100% someone tipsy was consulted for this ride, because it is Tipsy-AMAZING!!!! From the queuing line, where the cartoon wall explodes and smoke rolls out and THAT is where you enter the ride, to just the THOUGHT of being in a Roger-Rabbit-like cartoon (which is the entire ride)! This is a REALLY, GREAT ride, that you will love lots.
Rise of the Resistance – Ya’ll, if you are an 80’s sci-fi freakazoid, you are going to geek out sooooo, stinking, stonking hard on this ride!!!! I am NOT going to give spoilers (you can find them every, frigging-where), because you Don’t. Need. Them! This ride is every Star Wars fans, buzzy-dream-come-true. Enjoy it, Jedi scum!
Toy Story Mania – Colorful, fun, and interactive, this is a ride/game, where you are in the player console, playing against each other. We love it, but we are both stupid competitive, so our arms wind up hurting where we are trying to win! Ha ha! Worth it.
Frozen Sing Along – A show, giving the Frozen-movie history of Arendelle. The funny, adult humor from the ha-sterical actors, pure bliss on faces around you, and added visuals, make this a recommendation from your favorite Tipsy Team.
Animal Kingdom
Kilimanjaro Safaris – Man, oh, man….if this doesn’t make you feel like you are right in the middle of a real friggin safari, then there is no hope (of fun) for you. Disney does a great job of hiding fencing and barriers, and it looks like you are right there with ALL of the animals, even the predators. Well done, Disney. Well. Done.
Avatar – Flight of Passage – Will there be a line for this? Yes. Is it worth the wait? More than any other Disney ride. This ride was MADE for US, Tipsies! There is nothing like it anywhere else. Again, no spoilers (from me), Just. Friggin. Do. It.
Navi River Journey – Think Pirates of Caribbean (without the battles and burning) on Pandora. Glowy, interesting, and a great ride, however, it doesn’t have the memorability of Avatar. It is REALLY good, just ride this one BEFORE Avatar, or it will not have the same impact on you.
Expedition Everest (AKA: The Yeti Ride) – This is a traditional roller coaster, and you will see a Yeti (if your eyes aren’t closed). Fast, fun, thrilling and we have ridden this more than any other Animal Kingdom ride, because A) we love it, and B) the ride times are usually the shortest wait-times (always) out of our favorites.
Did I miss any of your favorites? What shows, experiences, rides do you prefer?
