Disney World is still one of my favorite places to vacation. The older I get, the more I get to discover all that Disney has to offer young adults: late nights, live entertainment, tasty food and a deeper appreciation for the stories and magic that Disney brings to life.
1. Take advantage of magic hours
Trust me. It's worth it. If you stay at any of the Disney World resorts, you get access to extra park hours either in the morning or late at night. If crowds are not your thing, extra magic hours are a blessing. Attendance is low, crowds are smaller and lines are shorter. And as a college student, staying up until 2 a.m. is kinda my thing, so staying up until 2 a.m. at Disney is perfect. What more could you want?
2. Eat all the food and drink all the drinks
The hidden gems of Disney! Eat around the world at Epcot, splurge on a nice restaurant you heard had delicious food and try new things! If I'm on the go, Disney staples such as a Mickey pretzel, popcorn or Dole Whip are my go-to's, but if you have the time, try different restaurants and stands. My favorites include Be Our Guest, The Brown Derby and any of the World Showcase countries. Featured: Night Blossom from Pandora in Animal Kingdom.
3. Ride all the rides
There are a ton of fast-paced rides and roller coasters at Disney, you just have to grab a map and explore the parks. Some of my favorites include Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. These rides will not disappoint. Featured: Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios.
4. Find all the hotspots for your next Instagram post
Ever heard of the Bubblegum Wall? How about the Magic Kingdom casting door on Main Street? The Purple Wall? Grab a pair of mouse ears and snap away at these popular photo spots to get that perfect photo for Instagram. Featured: The Bubblegum Wall in Epcot.
5. Have a pool day
A pool day is a fun way to relax and take a break from the parks, especially when it's hot outside. Plus, with all the activities going on poolside, you'll always have some fun entertainment to watch or partake in.
6. Treat yo self at the spa
After a couple days of running around and hopping between the parks, I'm definitely in need of a spa day. Walt Disney World has several spas for you to relax and rejuvenate.
7. Check out the countries at Epcot
The older you get, the more you come to appreciate the World Showcase at Epcot. When I was younger, all I wanted to do was meet characters and go on rides. Now that I'm older, one of my favorite things about Disney is walking around and checking out what each country has to offer. It's fun to explore, try new foods and learn new things. Featured: Snow White's wishing well in Germany.
8. Plan a group pose for your favorite ride
Figure out where the cameras are on your top rides and come up with a crazy fun idea. Everyone make silly faces on Expedition Everest or pretend you're sleeping as you plummet down Splash Mountain. Whether you're with a group of friends or family, it's sure to make a memorable photo.
9. Meet your favorite characters
Meeting characters isn't just something for kids to do! Characters always have something to talk about. Over spring break, Queen Elsa and I practiced using our ice powers and I sang to Olaf. Everything is what you make it!
10. See live shows
20 minutes of my favorite movie live on stage? Sign me up! Live shows are a great way to sit back (doesn't happen often at Disney for my family) and enjoy seeing Disney movies come to life before your eyes. A few of my favorite live shows include "Festival of the Lion King," "Beauty and the Beast," "The Voyage of the Little Mermaid" and "For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration." Featured: Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom.
11. Check out Disney Springs
Shop 'til you drop, visit a galaxy far, far away through a virtual reality experience, try new foods at several restaurants or hit up live entertainment throughout the day and night. With many different activities, Disney Springs has something for everyone. Featured: Amorette's Patisserie at Disney Springs.
12. Watch the fireworks
When I was little, I was afraid of fireworks, so as an adult I definitely take advantage of these shows that I missed out on in my younger days. Fireworks are a great way to end your night in the parks. My personal favorite fireworks spectacular is Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom, but there's also Fantasmic!, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth and Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular. Featured: Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom.
