Guide to Disney World for Adults

Top 9 List of the Best Places, Events, and Activities for Adults to Enjoy at Disney World

Disney World is a well-known family destination, but what does the park offer for adults? The short answer: a lot! Below we’ve compiled a list of our top Disney World for adults tips. This adult-oriented Disney World vacation guide will give you plenty of fun suggestions that will make your next Disney trip magical and memorable. 

Some of the things an older demographic may find appealing include Disney’s food, wine, gardening, and arts festivals, the many concerts, shows, and park tours, its vibrant nightlife and exceptional fine dining, sporting activities, shopping, and more.

It’s true that Disney has long since been a popular honeymoon destination for newlyweds. However, the park is now legitimately a worthy destination for adult couples and friends (without kids) at any time of the year. Here is our guide to Disney World for adults, a top 9 reasons list of why adults do – or should – love Disney World!

1. Best Disney World Resorts for Adults

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The lodging needs of families are typically much different than those of kid-free adults. Adults tend to prefer a more tranquil – or even romantic – environment. They may want to be situated near good transportation, lively nightlife, sophisticated dining, spas, or maybe just away from the hustle and bustle of the park.

Wherever your priorities lie, here are a few of the Disney World resort hotels that are often regarded as the best choices for adults.

Adult-Friendly Disney Resorts

Port Orleans – Riverside

Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter (and Riverside) – This charming New Orleans-themed Disney Moderate Resort is relaxed, quiet, and has fewer children than most. Enjoy the magnolia trees and architecture, take an evening stroll along the Sassagoula River, and head to Scat Cat’s Club to catch a live jazz performance (with a full-service bar). Its sister resort, Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside, is every bit as relaxed and adult-friendly. 

Disney Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – The Grand Floridian is Disney’s flagship Deluxe Resort hotel, so it’s obviously not a top choice for budget-conscious adults. However, its regal Victorian-style architecture and magnificent multi-story lobby make this resort Disney’s most posh and elegant. The grounds are beautiful, the restaurants are superb, and the resort is located conveniently on the monorail loop. The Grand Floridian really shines around Christmas time and it’s also a great Disney resort for honeymoons.

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn – If nightlife is your thing, then you should certainly consider staying at the BoardWalk Inn. The resort is themed after a classic turn-of-the-last-century Atlantic City inn. Its vibrant Atlantic Dance Hall, AbracadaBar, and Jellyrolls piano bar cater to adults, and the resort is located within walking distance to all that Epcot has to offer.

Other Disney Resorts for Adults: Our other recommendations for adults include the classy Yacht Club Resort and the Beach Club Resort, an expansive hotel with an amazing pool complex.

As for Disney Value Resorts, they are inexpensive but generally noisier and unquestionably geared towards kids.

Watch The Vacationeer on YouTube for more Disney Resort information. We rank them #1 on our Best Disney World YouTube Channels list so we definitely recommend checking them out!

2. Best Disney World Theme Park for Adults

Each of Disney’s four theme parks has its own character and appeal. We know that they are fun for families, but they also have loads of fun kid-free adults. If possible, every Disney World vacation should include at least one day at each theme park. That said, some parks have slightly more adult-friendly elements than others. 

Adult-Friendly Disney Theme Parks

Epcot is arguably the best Disney theme park for adults as far as attractions, dining, drinking, shopping, and shows go.

The 11 culturally enriching pavilions of World Showcase are usually a top priority for adults, and the restaurants are some of the best in all of Disney World.

Epcot also wins out on events. The park does not disguise the fact that  Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival, Flower and Gardening Show, and the Festival of the Arts are geared towards adults.

Animal Kingdom comes in at #2 for the best theme parks for kids-free adults.

It has a relaxed atmosphere with fewer crowds, great rides, interesting dining options, captivating scenery, and plenty of exotic animals to fascinate.

Animal Kingdom is one of the most low-key areas of the park at night, as opposed to the much livelier World Showcase section of Epcot. 

But really, a Disney vacation for adults is all about tapping into your inner child. Therefore, any of Disney World’s theme parks may be more of your thing,

Even the most Disney-esque and kid-friendly park – Magic Kingdom – is suitable for adults. In fact, many adults list Magic Kingdom as their absolute favorite Disney park, so don’t let  “maturity” stop you from enjoying rides like The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Dumbo the Flying Elephant!

3. Best Disney World Restaurants for Adults

With so many dining options to choose from, Disney World really has something for everyone.

Some adults traveling without kids may be just fine with quick service meals, buffets, and family-oriented table service meals. However, there are also quite a few fine dining locations where kids aren’t the focus.

Disney World Restaurants Adults Love

The Grand Floridian Victoria and Albert’s is regarded as the creme-de-la-creme of Disney fine dining. In fact, it’s the only AAA Five-Diamond Award-winning restaurant in Florida.

California Grill is regarded as a popular dining spot for adults. This Contemporary Resort restaurant not only offers some of Disney’s highest quality food, but it also gives you a wonderful birds-eye view of the park.  

Epcot’s World Showcase is another place to head. Steak aficionados will delight in Canada Pavilion’s Le Cellier, Italian-food lovers rave about Italy Pavilion’s Tutto Italia.

Jiko is a top-rated dining location in Animal Kingdom Lodge that focuses on the spices and flavors of Africa and Asia.

And everyone loves Magic Kingdom’s Be Our Guest restaurant. But this restaurant is the single-most difficult reservation to make at WDW so book it asap.

There are plenty of other worthy contenders, but these suggestions will get you started. Remember to book your Table Service reservations as early as possible.

Need more advice and assistance?  See our Disney Travel Planners page to find a travel agent who will help you plan and book your Disney World for Adults vacation at no additional charge to you.

4. Best Disney World Bars, Lounges, and Nightlife for Adults

There are tons of traditional pubs, pool bars, sports bars, lounges, and dining establishments at Disney World for adults.

Most of them have interesting themes and, of course, serve alcohol.  In fact, you can also find alcoholic beverages just about anywhere including at theme parks, resorts, and shopping areas.

Bars and Lounges for Adults

Some of our favorite Disney World drinking establishments for adults include Epcot’s La Cava del Tequila and Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar; Animal Kingdom’s outdoor bar Dawa Bar and the Nomad Lounge inside upscale Tiffins restaurant; the stylish retro AbracadaBar in Disney’s BoardWalk; Disney Springs’ art deco The Edison and the Irish-themed Raglan Road Irish Pub (both with live entertainment); and the 50’s era themed Tune-In Lounge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Nightlife for Adults

5. Disney World Bar Crawls for Adults

Disney World bar crawls are a thing these days.

It’s certainly not an activity to bring the kids along. However, if you are over 21, then bar crawls around Disney World might be your idea of fun.

One popular bar crawl is referred to as “Drinking Around the World.”

In order to partake, you must first buy an Epcot theme ticket and then head to the World Showcase section of the park. Here you can challenge your adult companion(s) to drink one beer, wine, or cocktail beverage at each of 11 World Showcase countries. Note that World Showcase is typically open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., so you have less than an hour to down each beverage!

Drinking Around the World can be a lot of fun – especially with larger groups of people – but you should know your limitations and drink responsibly.

Be warned that Disney has a strict policy against public intoxication. Consider sharing your alcoholic drinks with your companions. This will save you money and prevent any regrettable incidents. 

Less Challenging Bar Crawl

An alternative to Drinking Around the World is the less intensive Resort Monorail Loop bar crawl.  You can any start at any one of the Magic Kingdom-area monorail resorts – The Contemporary, The Polynesian, and The Grand Floridian  – and then continue on the monorail to the next stop.

These resorts offer a variety of bars to choose from, and most serve food in case you want to soak up some of that alcohol.  

Bar Crawl Alternative:

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is not a bar crawl, nor does it involve alcohol. However, the Magic Kingdom scavenger hunt may appeal to some adults who are looking for something unique to do which gets you moving and doesn’t involve the rides. It’s free to play (Magic Kingdom park admission required) and takes about 5 hours before you defeat Hades to save Magic Kingdom from destruction.

If this sounds interesting, then you can learn more about this interactive card game on our Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom page.

Disneybounding is another alcohol-free activity for adults. The idea behind Disneybounding is to go to a Disney theme park dressed as a Disney character. But since Disney has strict guidelines against cosplay and costuming, then the art of Disneybounding is in its subtlety.

It’s a fun way to get creative and pay homage to your favorite Disney characters while also sticking within Disney’s dress code.  See our Disneybounding Ideas page for more information.

6. Disney World Unique Access Tours for Adults

7. Disney World Golf for Adults

Why not take a break from the theme parks and hit the links for a day? After all, there is no better way to recharge than a good game of golf.

Walt Disney World is home to three spectacular championship-level golf courses and a par-36 walking course. The WDW golf courses – operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management – have garnered prestigious awards and hosted major PGA events over the years.

The courses are welcoming to guests of all ages but there are certainly fewer kids here.

Disney’s golf courses offer lessons and golf cart rentals. Proper golf attire is required, so don’t show up wearing flip-flops and Mickey Mouse shorts!

Find out more about Disney’s Palm, Magnolia, Buena Vista, and Oak Trail golf course here: https://www.golfwdw.com/

You can also check out our comprehensive guide to the Best Golf Courses at Disney World to find the best spots at Disney and nearby.

Is mini-golf more your speed? You’re in luck!

Disney is also home to 2 fun miniature golf courses: Winter Summerland and Fantasia Gardens.

8. Disney World Boat Rentals for Adults

Not a golf fan? Then maybe a boat rental is more your speed. Whether you prefer a relaxing excursion or a speedy adventure, Disney World has you covered.

Explore the scenic lakes and lagoons and get unmatched views of the theme parks. Or maybe you would rather just find a quiet natural inlet to escape the sights and sounds of the park.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort offers canoe and kayak rentals. This is a great way to exercise and explore Disney’s natural environs.

The park’s marinas allow you to rent a variety of motorized watercraft for parties between 2 and 10 people.  Rates are based on a per half-hour basis and guests must be over 18 years old (w/ a valid driver’s license or id) to make the reservation.

Marina Locations at Disney World:

• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Disney’s Beach Club Villas
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
• The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

We should also note the bike rentals are also available. Check out this link to find the 8 select bike rental locations throughout the park: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/bike-rentals/

9. Disney World Spas and Health Clubs for Adults

Do you like to pamper yourself? Of course, you do, especially when you are on vacation!

Disney World is home to a number of spectacular health clubs, salons, and full-service luxury spas. Spas can help you rejuvenate your body and make you feel like a princess (or prince). And exercise buffs have several top-notch health clubs to help combat those delicious high-calorie Disney meals and keep you in tip-top shape while you’re away from a normal exercise routine.

Disney World Spa Locations:

We hope that you have found our Disney World for Adults page helpful.

If you need help planning your trip to Walt Disney World, then please contact our friends at The Vacationeer. They can help you plan and book the most magical Disney vacation possible.  Click HERE for a free, no-obligation price quote.

For more helpful Disney World vacation information, please check our Disney World Map, Disney World Weather, Disney Crowd Calendar, Disney Transportation Map, Disney Dining Plan Calculator, and our other tips and review pages.