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How to Visit Disney Without Kids

By U.S. News & World Report

Plan a grown-up Disney getaway with these pro hacks.

When the temperatures drop and kids head back to school, it’s the ideal time to take an adult getaway to the theme parks in Orlando, Florida. Make plans to visit Disney World and Universal Studios in style. Both parks are expanding their offerings with new attractions and feature under-the-radar experiences that are perfect for adults. To take your Disney trip to another level, book a private VIP Tour with your own personal guide to escort you through a customized experience you won’t forget.

Take a tour around the world at Epcot.

Where: Disney World

Epcot features 11 countries in the World Showcase, international dining and several thrilling rides like Mission: Space. A recent addition is the updated Soarin’ IMAX projection and hang glider ride. Soarin’ takes passengers on a flight across the globe with destinations such as the Great Wall of China and Australia’s Sydney Harbour. Complete with ocean breezes and sandstorms in the desert, this ride is exhilarating, to say the least. For dinner, try the new Spice Road Table in Morocco with a front row seat for the nightly spectacular fireworks show, Illuminations. For dessert, head over to the France pavilion for an ice cream martini at L’artisan des Glace.

Go on a dinner safari at Animal Kingdom.

Where: Disney World

A brand new offering, Savor the Savanna, is an experience you won’t want to miss. Every evening, up to 12 guests can take a private tour deep into the Harambe Wildlife Reserve followed by an African-inspired tapas dinner in the Boma (the Swahili word for “safe place”) featuring regional wines and beers. The evening comes with views of elephants, wildebeest and giraffes roaming the savanna, complete with the lions roaring in the distance and breathtaking sunsets. Before dinner, take in a performance of the fabulous Festival of the Lion King; afterward, enjoy one of their nighttime experiences, Tree of Life Awakenings.

Wine, dine and shop at Disney Springs.

Where: Disney World

Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney) recently reopened with four distinct neighborhoods featuring upscale shopping and restaurants by award-winning chefs. Morimoto Asia, Rick Bayless’ Frontera Cocina, Art Smith’s Homecoming, The Boathouse (a seafood restaurant on the lagoon) and STK (a trendy steakhouse) are just a few of the many newer options in this lively complex, which is also home to La Nouba, the Cirque du Soleil production.

Stay at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort.

Where: Disney World

Elegant, quiet and removed from the parks, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is a stunning Spanish Revival-style resort featuring park access by shuttle bus, a Disney Planning Center and Disney character breakfasts at its on-site restaurant, Ravello. Plus, there’s an adults-only pool, a 13,000-square-foot luxury spa, Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole golf course and several restaurants, including the contemporary Capa, a Spanish-influenced steakhouse that was recently named one of America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants by Wine Enthusiast magazine. Located on the 17th floor, Capa’s rooftop bar is the perfect place to view all of the fireworks from the parks in the evening.

Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and ride heart-pounding roller coasters.

Where: Universal Orlando

Walk through the sets of some of your favorite movies, and then get whisked away to the world of Harry Potter via the Hogwarts Express. Here, the streets are filled with whimsical details from the movies, with hidden walls and incantations that come to life with magic wands. A standout attraction is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, an airborne ride through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Grab lunch at the Leaky Cauldron, an authentic British pub serving Butterbeer. For a more thrilling pursuit, take a spin on the Incredible Hulk Coaster, which reaches speeds of 67 miles per hour and turns upside down in a zero gravity roll.

Enjoy nightlife and dining at CityWalk.

Where: Universal Orlando

This lively entertainment complex sits just outside the gates of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. With a myriad of restaurants, a bowling alley, bars and the popular Blue Man Group spectacle, there is something for everyone. Two newer popular spots are The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, offering creative sushi and burgers, and VIVO Italian Kitchen, which boasts handmade pastas and authentic old-world Italian flavors. Opening soon, The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen features smokestacks and a clever 19th-century design, along with chocolate from Mexico to Madagascar in dishes from appetizers to desserts.

Stay at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando

Where: Universal Orlando

For a complete Universal-themed vacation, stay at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, an Italian-inspired resort offering upscale amenities and excellent dining options. This resort is just minutes away from the parks by water taxi. After an exhilarating day in the parks, return to the hotel to listen to Musica della Notte (Music of the Night), which takes place along the Harbor Piazza, and enjoy a romantic dinner at Bice Ristorante. Afterward, take a short boat ride to the new Caribbean-themed Loews Sapphire Falls Resort to experience a rum flight at Strong Water Tavern, where knowledgeable Rum Captains will take you on a rum-themed adventure.

Book a VIP Tour Experience at Disney World and Universal Studios.

Where: Universal Orlando

With a VIP Experience, guests can visit the parks with a knowledgeable private guide. They’ll even ride those jaw-dropping rides with you when no one else will. Walt Disney World and Universal Studios offer slightly different experiences, but both tours include backstage access, no lines for top rides and attractions and a customized tour. The VIP Experience is offered for up to 10 guests at Disney and up to five visitors at Universal, and it is the best way to see and do everything you want to in a short amount of time. They also offer culinary packages during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival from September to November.

Spend Halloween in the parks.

Where: Disney World and Universal Orlando

For Halloween fans, both Disney World and Universal Studios offer spooktacular celebrations. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party features special events where guests dress in costume, and it runs through the end of October. Meanwhile, prepare to be terrified at Universal Studios during Halloween Horror Nights. The biggest Halloween celebration in the country, and not for the faint of heart, evenings in the parks are like being in your own horror film, with haunted houses and frightful characters at every twist and turn.

More from U.S. News

Universal Orlando vs. Walt Disney World: Should You Pick One or Both?

Top Tips for Disney World First-Timers

5 Hacks for Saving on Your Disney Vacation

How to Visit Disney Without Kids originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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