No, Internet, Disney Parks Aren't Just for Families
In the years before on-demand and streaming, kids were more of a captive entertainment audience. In the summer of 1989, it was all about "The Little Mermaid." In 1991 came "Beauty and the Beast." Disney followed with juggernauts "The Lion King," "Aladdin" and "Toy Story" in 1992, 1993 and 1995, respectively. Those blockbuster successes weren't isolated to 90 minutes of on-screen enchantment. The characters infiltrated Happy Meals, the toy aisles, music and more to turn an entire generation of kids into Disney kids.
And the millennials who were kids during these formative years are now the 30-somethings holding the entertainment dollars, so it's no shocker that basically all those movies have enjoyed a (successful) 2019 reboot.
But enjoying the world of Disney is not limited to the movie theater, and there's a definite trend of millennials flocking to the Disney parks, with or without kids. In fact, the first Disney hotel rooms built intentionally for visitors coming without kids is set to open later this year in the form of two-person studios at the European-themed Disney's Riviera Resort. If that isn't proof this is a real thing, I don't know what is.
Recently, there's been lots of online chatter about how "childless millennials" are ruining Disney for the families. I've read things like "they don't belong there," or how they should "take a real vacation," and how they are making the lines longer for families with kids -- you know, the ones who should be at Disney in the first place.
Related: Best Credit Cards for Theme Parks
But here's the thing: That's garbage. Disney World, Disneyland and even Disney Cruises simply aren't just for kids. These days, the parks are designed to attract adults as much as families. In fact, I know many families who look forward to their kid-free Disney trips, in addition to the ones where the whole crew comes because there are activities and amenities that support both types of visits. Sprinkle in the reality that Disney characters played a role as a cultural phenomenon for today's 30-somethings and it shouldn't be a shocker that Disney is a no-kids-required destination for fun.
Take for example the Epcot Food and Wine Festival that will now run for longer than it ever has before -- for 84 straight days beginning Aug. 29. Disney has family-friendly offerings peppered in the festival, but let's be real about who the target market is for mimosa flights, raclette and Bailey's milkshakes (you'll find those as soon as you get off the Skyliner and enter Epcot in the Ireland set-up, in case you were curious).
Then there's the $170 "Highway in the Sky" dining experience that really sounds like equal parts eating and imbibing. Kids are technically allowed on this tour, but it is only recommended for those 12 and up, and the whole purpose of the event is to eat ... and to drink your way around the monorail loop with stops at the Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian.
It's not just the seasonal festivals and tours that cater to adults. There are plenty of permanent offerings at Disney that are clearly meant for grownups. For example, Trader Sam's at the Polynesian switches to 21 and up after 8pm (and it's a fan favorite).
There's also the new (and very popular) Oga's Cantina located within Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, which is actually the first place to publicly sell alcohol at Disneyland. You'll even find award-winning fine-dining establishments, such as Victoria & Alberts, where kids under 10 aren't even permitted -- and meals will set you back hundreds of dollars.
Beyond Disney's food and beverage programs, I don't know how many kids are able to save up their allowances to build a $200 custom lightsaber, which is one of the big draws in the new Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. No, that just screams nostalgic adults with money to burn.
The thing is, childless millennials who come to Disney aren't taking advantage of — or ruining — something made exclusively for kids and families. Even if that was Walt's original intent for the parks in the 1950s, it simply isn't what the parks are today. Here in 2019, Disney parks are intentionally catering to a variety of demographics. Not only that, but today's young adults like to mix it up. They might go all-in on Disney on one trip and hike Iceland on the next.
If, as a parent, you find yourself irrationally angry at the carefree group of childless adults who are ahead of you during a multihour wait for Flight of Passage, Slinky Dog Dash or Mine Train, I have bad news: It's not them you should be frustrated with. Instead, you should take up your frustrations with Disney, because the brand empire is specifically marketing to them with adult-centric activities, meals and now even hotel rooms for couples.
Plus, the parks aren't just a few "It's a Small World"-type rides and a handful of hotels. Disney World alone is the size of San Francisco, presumably large enough for everyone who wants to spend cash in exchange for some well-marketed thematic fun.
My advice? Maximize the heck out of FastPass+, buy-up to packages that increase happiness and reduce waits and book some nice dining experiences the entire family can enjoy (here are our favorites). When deciding when to visit, consult a crowd calendar and try to avoid Disney during the extremely peak weeks when the parks are overrun by other families on school break.
A final recommendation, if you can sneak away for a couple nights, is to give a kid-free theme park trip a try for yourself. You may quickly realize why travelers without children enjoy going, as it's kind of a blast when you aren't worrying about strollers, meltdowns and nap times. One might say kid-free visits to the happiest places on earth are, well, magical.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.