The most magical place on Earth isn’t just for kids! Rick and I did an adults-only getaway to Orlando a few years ago so we could visit some of his friends and I could relive the days of my youth by running around Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando! We had a blast as we went in the off-season and avoided the gigantic crowds of teeny boppers and their parents. If you’re thinking of a fun trip to reignite your childish enthusiasm, check out our travel guide for a long weekend in Orlando for adults!
An adults’ weekend in Orlando
Day 1
Universal Studios
Put on your best Hogwarts robes, get your wand, and head off to Universal Studios Orlando for a great day of fun! Honestly, we spent the majority of the day just exploring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – though we did have to ride The Mummy ride at least twice! There are enough rides and treats to indulge in to keep you busy for the whole day.
Since it was early December and the middle of the week, there were barely in crowds. I think the longest we had to wait for a ride was 10 minutes. Rick kept telling me how cool Hogwarts was and how much detail they put into it, but we moved through the line so fast, I barely could take it all in (not that I’m complaining, it was awesome to skip the lines).
Adult tickets start at $115 for a one-day and one park ticket.
Word to the wise: If you get seasick or get motion sickness easily, the Gringotts ride and Hogwarts ride can be a bit tough. Might be best to take a Bonine or Dramamine that morning to help ease your stomach from all the jostling.
Universal CityWalk
After your day of enjoying the rides, make your way to CityWalk and check out the great selection of restaurants, bars, and nightlife opportunities. We met some friends for dinner at a tropical classic, Margaritaville, and then went off for some drinks and fantastic renditions of famous love and pop songs at Rising Star, a karaoke bar.
Day 2
On day 2, take a little break and have a relaxing morning catching some sun and playing in the waves at the beach. Orlando’s weather is pretty constant year-round, while you should be prepared for the humidity and afternoon showers overall the weather is pleasant and perfect for a day on the sandy beach no matter when you visit.
Downtown Orlando
In the afternoon, it’s time to checkout the Orlando lifestyle. Head to the Mall at Millenia, the Florida Mall, or the Premium Outlets for some shopping or to find a Florida souvenir.
In the evening, take a stroll on Orange Avenue for restaurants, bars, and awesome nightlife. Some top recommendations include: Hairy Buffalo, Graffiti Junktion, and Wall Street Cantina. Lake Eola is another popular destination for hanging out in Downtown Orlando.
If you want to be a bit fancy, we also went to the Four Rivers Smokehouse with a group of friends and gorged on juicy steaks, flavorful sides, and wonderful wine.
Day 3
Disney World
On your last day, you’re back at the theme parks and letting your inner child run wild as you strap on a pair of Mickey (or Minnie) Mouse ears and visit Disney World. We debated whether doing a Park Hopper pass to get a little bit of everything or just dedicating a day to one park, and as much as I wanted to relive the happy memories of my childhood in Magic Kingdom, we opted to go around the world at Epcot with some friends.
If we were to do it again, I’d probably do a Park Hopper so we could do some fun, classic rides in the morning and then spend the afternoon traveling around the world and sampling some German beer, Italian wine, and French pastries. Or, spend the morning and afternoon in the Animal Kingdom and go on safari to feel like we traveled all the way to Africa without leaving Florida.
There are so many options for visiting the parks, and one day definitely isn’t enough time for the full Disney experience. Decide if you want to be ambitious and check out a few parks or if you want a relaxed day at Disney and only plan to spend time in one themed area.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Florida? Tell us in the comments below or on Twitter!
