Top Disney Vacations For Non-Disney People

The magic of Disney has been translated into everything from personalized parasols to classic films and from enormous resorts to theme parks so big you can't see them all in just one day. And while that magic touches the hearts of many, it's not on the top of every adult's holiday wish list. But when the kids are old enough to have a say in where you spend Christmas, it's time to throw them a bone and take them on a Disney-centric vacation.

Heading for a far-flung Disney resort is a great place to start — book a trip to Disney Tokyo, for example, and you'll still be in close proximity to the many sights and sounds of the bustling city. Same goes for the resorts in Hong Kong, Paris, and, soon, Shanghai.

Opening later this month, the Aulani Resort and Spa in Hawaii is a family-friendly resort with a host of activities, dining options, a full service spa, and excursions that have as little to do with Disney as you want them to. Instead, they're focused on all things Hawaii, like Hawaiian cooking courses, kayaking, visiting a museum, or surf lessons.

Disney's Animal Kingdom villas let you experience the thrill of having animals all around you, along with the magic of Disney — and at a fraction of the cost of a real safari. It may be located within the Animal Kingdom area at Walt Disney World, but they sprung for décor and food that (if you squint your eyes) will make you think you're in Africa.

Even if sitting through two hours of a Disney movie is enough for you, your kids may be clamoring for more. So we rounded up the best Disney resorts (there are many) for parents in the market for a kid-perfect vacation without a flock of princesses checking them in. (Or you could just tell the kids you're saving your Disney dollars for the upcoming Russian resort.)

Click here to see the Top Disney Resorts for Non-Disney People Slideshow.