Would You Stay in an Adults-Only Disney Resort?

[danceintherain]

I could see a once a year adult only cruise being a draw…

Virgin cruise lines has several adults only cruises now. I don't know that a once a year Disney cruise would be necessary. I think for me, the idea of a Disney cruise without kids sounds weird but a hotel at the world doesn't. A cruise ship is just too small of a place and it is designed to be for kids and families so to adapt it once a year would feel weird. Walking by the empty spaces allocated for kid activities and such...

Personally, I feel like more places in Vegas should be adults only. They turned that place into a weird evil Disney attempt when I was a kid.

I've been researching Disney cruises recently, because we may go next year. I think "adult-only" time in the kids clubs areas could be a huge hit. They have some amazing stuff in there that adults can only do during certain times IF they go with their kids. Mostly, it's kids only.

The only drawback I can see is that it would probably be way more expensive than I could afford. Like that airline that recently announced they will be offering an adults-only section is making those seats more expensive. The result will be that parents in the general seating area will make even less of an effort than they currently do to keep their kids from creating a disturbance, and adults who can't afford the adults-only seats will have it even worse than they do now.

Most parents try to keep their kids quiet regardless. Generally speaking, a parent is going to be 10 times more bothered by their own children than anyone else is. My biggest complaint over adult only sections is that if you put all the kids together, then the kids disrupt each other. An adult has a lot of control over their experience regardless of who they are sitting next to. For example, I traveled alone a few weeks ago, and I had earplugs, blankets, pillows, headphones etc. I can block out just about anything. You can't really put a child in a silent bubble. Earplugs and large headsets are harder for them to adapt to. I can't use noise cancelling stuff when I travel with my kids, because then I won't hear them if they need something. It wasn't the kids near me that were disruptive, it was the other adults. The lady sitting behind me on one flight had a hyena type laugh.

Some of the comments on this thread lack any knowledge of Disney World history whatsoever.

I hate to break it to some of you, but the Polynesian and Contemporary were not geared toward children when they first opened. If you go back and look, they offered bars with nightly live entertainment, salon and barber services, antique and clothing shopping, spas, fitness centers, real steakhouses, upscale "exotic" restaurants, adult recreation like boating and sailing, etc.

It was very much an upscale adult experience. Disney didn't prevent you from bringing your child, but those resorts were not catered to or designed for children like now. They built the first child care center at the Poly so parents could drop their kids off and go enjoy the nightlife. Even Chef Mickey's was once a high-end steakhouse.

The Grand Floridian had very similar amenities too.

Disney did not start making their hotels "family oriented" until the mid-1990's.

So it wouldn't surprise me if Disney decided to build an adult-oriented Four Seasons-like resort on property surrounded by a new golf course.

Will they ban kids like Virgin? No, but it's easy to not market or appeal to adults with children.

As for Pleasure Island, it didn't close because of drunks. It closed because it was located between the West Side and Marketplace and it's a lot more profitable to rent out high-end shopping spaces than run a bunch of nightclubs.

Disney isn't even the best at making things child friendly. The most kid-friendly hotel I've ever stayed at was the Legoland hotel. Disney doesn't put much effort into making their hotels better for kids and families than competitors.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

The most kid-friendly hotel I've ever stayed at was the Legoland hotel.

It's interesting you brought up Legoland. While Legoland the theme park may not be quite the same as Legoland Discovery centers there's no doubt that the brand Lego has created a very clear line about who their product is for outside of the actual sets (which I think have a huge adult following).

Their theme park specifically says it's for kids aged 2-12 so they have to keep young kids in mind with their hotels. Legoland Discovery Centers don't allow adults to go alone unless on specific themed nights.

I'm agreeing with you here just talking out loud that Legoland would be an out of place destination for an adults-only hotel given how they have set up things as a brand but at Disney where they clearly don't just market to young children and only young children an adults-only hotel isn't as out of place as some might think. I do think Disney does well with their highly themed rooms that aren't as conducive for adults due to the theming and bed arrangement. Think Little Mermaid room for example. Over at Universal Jurassic Park themed room is an example there. Adults aren't really the target for those rooms. And neither are older teens TBH.

 

[danceintherain]

It's interesting you brought up Legoland. While Legoland the theme park may not be quite the same as Legoland Discovery centers there's no doubt that the brand Lego has created a very clear line about who their product is for outside of the actual sets (which I think have a huge adult following).

Their theme park specifically says it's for kids aged 2-12 so they have to keep young kids in mind with their hotels. Legoland Discovery Centers don't allow adults to go alone unless on specific themed nights.

I'm agreeing with you here just talking out loud that Legoland would be an out of place destination for an adults-only hotel given how they have set up things as a brand but at Disney where they clearly don't just market to young children and only young children an adults-only hotel isn't as out of place as some might think. I do think Disney does well with their highly themed rooms that aren't as conducive for adults due to the theming and bed arrangement. Think Little Mermaid room for example. Over at Universal Jurassic Park themed room is an example there. Adults aren't really the target for those rooms. And neither are older teens TBH.

I prefer the Disney parks over Legoland due to the limited nature of many of the rides. There was almost nothing we could do as a family. Most of my time was spent sending my 3 older kids on rides alone, because I was too tall/old and/or the baby was too young/short.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I prefer the Disney parks over Legoland due to the limited nature of many of the rides. There was almost nothing we could do as a family. Most of my time was spent sending my 3 older kids on rides alone, because I was too tall/old and/or the baby was too young/short.

I could totally see that. They seem very clear they are just for the young group and even teenagers may not have much to do. Although not being able to ride as a family would be quite the downer.

Wasn't meant to compare the parks as in which is better or not just pivoting off your Legoland comment. I think Legoland hotels could be one of the most kid-friendly hotels out there because their parks are designed specifically and truly only them.

But I agree Disney offers a lot more for the whole group to go on with a good amount of rides that even your baby can ride so that's a def. plus of them!

 

[VandVsmama]

No. If I wanted to do that, I could go to Las Vegas.

 

[danceintherain]

I could totally see that. They seem very clear they are just for the young group and even teenagers may not have much to do. Although not being able to ride as a family would be quite the downer.

Wasn't meant to compare the parks as in which is better or not just pivoting off your Legoland comment. I think Legoland hotels could be one of the most kid-friendly hotels out there because their parks are designed specifically and truly only them.

But I agree Disney offers a lot more for the whole group to go on with a good amount of rides that even your baby can ride so that's a def. plus of them!

I think it was a good segue, because there are plenty of places that are essentially "kids only." Adults are only allowed in a supervisory capacity.

 

[Chili327]

No. If I wanted to do that, I could go to Las Vegas.

No, that’s the drunken bar scene that we don’t want. The main point of having it at Disney is to NOT be in that scenario… at least for me that’s the reason, but Vegas has its own type of vacations that I like to do as well, it’s just very different than Disney.

 

[CoachBeard]

No. If I wanted to do that, I could go to Las Vegas.

Tell me you haven’t been to Vegas without telling me you haven’t been to Vegas. It’s kid central out there anymore!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Tell me you haven’t been to Vegas without telling me you haven’t been to Vegas. It’s kid central out there anymore!

Our last trip was over Labor Day weekend and we were constantly running into strollers and other small kids. Amazed me how the parents were keeping the kids out at 11pm walking along the Bellagio fountains area. Whether Vegas is the "right" destination for kids is a different story but it's not at all an adults-only destination...at times I wish it were especially as strollers and Vegas walkways, pedestrian bridges and hotels/casinos were never really a good combination. Generally though I will say that most of our stays outside of our Excalibur one have not had kids heavily present in the floors where the rooms are but you will absolutely see them elsewhere.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

That wasn't the question that OP asked.

 

[kiford]

Why should Disney experiences be just for families, why cant adults without kids enjoy the same experiences?

Yes, this: I get very annoyed when people define "family" narrowly as parents with children under the age of 18. There are families with children over the age of 18 and there are families such as mine without children. I'm still a family. My sister and I are a family unit. My father and I are a family unit. My niece and nephews and I are a family unit. And we're all adults. Families come in all shapes and sizes and there is nothing wrong in catering for different subsets and versions.

We spend most of our time on Disney cruises in the adult-only areas or in the areas where children are not very interested in being. I don't see why an adult-only hotel on WDW grounds would not be a nice addition and I'd definitely stay there.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I'm still a family. My sister and I are a family unit. My father and I are a family unit. My niece and nephews and I are a family unit. And we're all adults. Families come in all shapes and sizes and there is nothing wrong in catering for different subsets and versions.

Good news! Solo adults are welcome at WDW, as it currently exists!

Plenty of adults visit in adult-only groups. WDW aims to welcome everyone.

 

[kiford]

Good news! Solo adults are welcome at WDW, as it currently exists!

Plenty of adults visit in adult-only groups. WDW aims to welcome everyone.

Being welcoming isn't the same as providing an environment tailored to and specifically for a particular target group. Given that the question was about whether people would wish to stay at an adults-only hotel at WDW and many responses were of the variety of "no because families" my comment was intended to indicate that families do not necessarily include children and that those families might prefer an adult-only environment. I do. Many others don't. Disney has many different hotels targeted to many different types of guests. An adult-only hotel is merely another one. I truly don't understand why so many have been so hostile to the notion of a different type of atmosphere and option. It's not like Disney is going to convert them all to adults-only.

 

[ttintagel]

I also hate when the word "family" is used exclusively for families that include minor children. It's offensive.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Being welcoming isn't the same as providing an environment tailored to and specifically for a particular target group. Given that the question was about whether people would wish to stay at an adults-only hotel at WDW and many responses were of the variety of "no because families" my comment was intended to indicate that families do not necessarily include children and that those families might prefer an adult-only environment. I do. Many others don't. Disney has many different hotels targeted to many different types of guests. An adult-only hotel is merely another one. I truly don't understand why so many have been so hostile to the notion of a different type of atmosphere and option. It's not like Disney is going to convert them all to adults-only.

Nobody said families must include children to be considered a family.

 

[kiford]

Nobody said families must include children to be considered a family.

Really? The choice of words people use to differentiate those adult-only groups without young children and "families" clearly imply that most people unconsciously or unintentionally do not consider adult-only groups to be families. Even those who support the notion of an adults-only hotel still distinguish those groups from families. From this thread alone:

Adding one hotel that is geared for adults would have absolutely NO IMPACT on families going.

Implication: Adults-only <> family

My initial reaction is no, as Walt created the Disney parks for families and kids.

Implication: families contain kids

And I would guess that a majority of adults only guests would be repeat WDW guests who normally travel with family.

Implication: adults who are on their own are not part of a family

I’ve taken trips with only my wife so I’m not averse to an adult only Disney trip but families and kids come with the Disney experience.

Implication: families contain children

I know that Disney is notoriously family oriented and that is fine but there is a market out there for DINKS and other adults

Implication: family-oriented <> adult-only

Why should Disney experiences be just for families, why cant adults without kids enjoy the same experiences?

Implication: families <> adults without children

There were approx 3700 passengers, so a full cruise and majority families

Implication: majority of people on DCL are "families" aka not adults only groups

Guess all the grandparents will have to find another hotel to stay at. But personally, I’d be fine with a family only hotel.

Implication: family only <> adult only

Disney has so many options available to families why not allow a resort to cater to a different age group.

Implication: families <> groups with different ages (not children)

 

[focusondisney]

Implication: family only <> adult only

Nope. Don’t interpret my meaning to fit your complaint. I travel with my son & DIL. There are no “children” under 18 in my family. Heck, there are no children under 36 in my family.

 

[TeamRiley]

I also hate when the word "family" is used exclusively for families that include minor children. It's offensive.

I hope you mean that you 'find it offensive'. Stating your opinion is fine. Declaring something to be universally 'offensive' is not.

 

[HopperFan]

Really? The choice of words people use to differentiate those adult-only groups without young children and "families" clearly imply that most people unconsciously or unintentionally do not consider adult-only groups to be families. Even those who support the notion of an adults-only hotel still distinguish those groups from families. From this thread alone:


Implication: Adults-only <> family


Implication: families contain kids


Implication: adults who are on their own are not part of a family


Implication: families contain children


Implication: family-oriented <> adult-only


Implication: families <> adults without children


Implication: majority of people on DCL are "families" aka not adults only groups


Implication: family only <> adult only


Implication: families <> groups with different ages (not children)

When you actually read most of these for context I think you are twisting peoples comments. A top definition of family is adults and children living in same household ... and lots of other definitions. Context matters.

My comment was to respond to someone who felt "families" with children were going to be prevented from coming ........... I was only responding to their comment. My family is all adults so NO that is not what I was saying to the quoted poster.

There is NO valid objection to building a hotel that caters to adults only. It IMPACTS NOTHING for anyone else going to Disney. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

 

[kiford]

Nope. Don’t interpret my meaning to fit your complaint. I travel with my son & DIL. There are no “children” under 18 in my family. Heck, there are no children under 36 in my family.

Was your use of the phrase family-only hotel intended to imply a hotel which has suites that accommodates a large diverse group to stay together in a single space? The words we choose can carry unintentional meaning when the recipient doesn't know the messenger. You referenced "family-only" hotels in a discussion about "adults-only" hotels. So it really shouldn't be surprising that someone would assume that family-only and adults-only must be two different things in your lexicon. Adults-only is quite clear - it is age-based, it is fact-based. You're either an adult or not, usually defined in law by jurisdiction but family is subjective.