Disney World isn’t just for kids… but you (probably) know that.
If I’m being honest, the first time I ever went to Disney, I was just 9 years old. It was July 1994, a few weeks after Brazil had won the World Cup. I had the time of my life, and even got to ride Tower of Terror, which was a brand-new ride at the time. My mom had a great time, and even my grandmother - 68 years old at the time - had a smile on her face while she was inside The Twilight Zone.
After that, I didn’t return until 2001. I was 16 years old and traveled with my uncle, my aunt, and my two cousins, who were only two and four years old at the time. Since then, I’ve been going with them to Disney basically every year. The original excuse was, “We’re here so the kids can have fun!”
Now it’s 2025, and we’re still going to Disney World. My cousins are now 28 and 25 years old. The “bringing the kids to have fun” excuse doesn’t really cut it anymore, but you know what?
We still have a blast. Disney World is just one of the best travel destinations for us. Call it nostalgia, call it Disney-addiction or something else, the truth is, I love how everyone is always happy there, how there’s always something new to see, and how Disney isn’t just about theme parks.
In this guide, we’ll show you that Disney is for adults too. We’ll cover things like:
- Is Disney World Good for Adults?
- The Best Walt Disney World Resorts for Adults
- Which are the Best Disney World Theme Parks for Adults?
- The Best Restaurants at Walt Disney World
- The Best Bars at Walt Disney World
- Tips for Adults at Disney World
Is Disney World Good for Adults?
Yes! I mean, if the answer were no, this guide wouldn’t exist, right?
Disney World is amazing, whether it’s a family trip with kids, a romantic vacation, or an adventure with your best pals. The thing is, Disney has a lot going on that’s perfect for adults: from fine dining restaurants to thrilling rides, world-class shows, a full shopping district, and so much more.
You won’t ever get bored at Disney World, and I bet you’ll never say something like, “Eh, I actually regret going to see Mickey Mouse.” Sure, some people think the parks are just for kids, but that’s just an urban legend.
Even the most kid-friendly park - Magic Kingdom - has plenty of rides for adults, like Space Mountain, Tron Lightcycle Run, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Then there’s EPCOT, the most adult-friendly park in all of Disney World, with 11 pavilions representing different countries, each offering amazing restaurants, drinks, and lots of shopping opportunities.
Let’s not forget Hollywood Studios with Galaxy’s Edge, - a whole land dedicated to Star Wars fans - and some of the best thrill rides in Disney, like Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Finally, there’s Animal Kingdom, which might just be the most romantic of the parks. It’s a great option if you want to slow things down and relax with your significant other. But don’t be fooled, it still delivers on adventure, with attractions like Kilimanjaro Safaris, Avatar Flight of Passage, and Expedition Everest, all designed so grown-ups can have just as much fun as the kids.
See? You will love it there, and we only talked about theme parks! Disney also has Disney Springs - a big shopping district with dozens of stores and restaurants, golf and fishing at some of their hotels and there is even Universal Orlando nearby if you want to check out Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios and Epic Universe. As we told you before, there’s too much to do at Disney, so good luck, recharge your batteries and have fun!
The Best Walt Disney World Resorts for Adults
Picking the right hotel can be tough, especially since the final decision really depends on personal preferences and who you’re traveling with. The good news? Every Disney World Resort is great, so you really can’t go wrong.
That said, some options are definitely better suited for adults, while others might be a better fit for families with young kids.
With that in mind, you’ll need to decide whether you want to stay at a Deluxe Resort, a Moderate Resort, or a Value Resort. The biggest difference between them is price. Value Resorts offer the most affordable rooms, starting at $160 per night, while Deluxe Resorts start at $540.
Every Disney hotel also gives you the perk of entering the theme parks 30 minutes before they officially open. Deluxe Hotels also come with the Extended Evening Hours perk, allowing you to explore the parks for a few extra hours after closing on select nights. For more information about Disney World resorts, be sure to check out our Resort Categories Comparison guide.
We are sharing our top picks for every budget, highlighting the best Deluxe, Moderate, and Value resorts, and why they might be great for a party without children. We’ve also included the starting price per night for each of them:
The Best Deluxe Resorts for Adults
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort ($750): Often considered the best resort at Walt Disney World, the Polynesian features amazing pools, fantastic dining options (including a character breakfast with Mickey & Stitch), and a monorail that gets you to Magic Kingdom in minutes. It does everything right, and basically nothing wrong. The main problem here is the steep price.
- BoardWalk Inn ($690): Boardwalk Inn is within walking distance of both Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, which already gives it major bonus points for an adults-only trip. It’s also close to the Skyliner system, and if you prefer a more relaxing ride, there are boats that can take you to the parks as well. The hotel sits along Crescent Lake, right across from the Yacht Club and Beach Club, two other great options for an adults-only Disney getaway.
- Disney's Wilderness Lodge ($550): Wilderness Lodge is one of the most beautiful resorts at Disney World, and that alone might convince your group to stay there. It’s a quiet, relaxing hotel that offers direct boat transportation to Magic Kingdom. If you’re staying here with seniors, it’ll likely be for the serene atmosphere and the stunning, majestic design of the entire resort.
The Best Moderate Resorts for Adults
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter ($350): Port Orleans is actually divided into two areas, French Quarter and Riverside, and you really can’t go wrong with either. This is a beautiful, charming resort that’s perfect for adults. While it doesn’t have Skyliner or monorail access to the theme parks, it does offer boat transportation to Disney Springs, making it a great pick for those who love shopping and dining. Bonus perks: the resort offers fishing excursions and live jazz at Scat Cat’s Club.
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort ($300): Coronado Springs is a gorgeous resort, and the Tower rooms are often compared to those in Deluxe resorts when it comes to style and feel. If you're looking to save some money while still enjoying a beautiful, upscale environment, this could be a great fit. Just keep in mind, it only offers bus transportation to the theme parks.
The Best Value Resort for Adults
- Disney's Pop Century Resort ($250): We think Pop Century is a better choice for adults than Art of Animation for one simple reason: it’s slightly more peaceful. Instead of being surrounded by Mickey Mouse 24/7, you’ll find nostalgic pop culture references scattered throughout the resort. It also offers Skyliner access to both Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, which is a huge plus for a value resort.
Which are the Best Disney World Theme Parks for Adults?
That is another subjective question, but I’ll try to answer it. I’d say that the best Disney World theme park for adults is EPCOT, followed by Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom and then Animal Kingdom. Now, if you are going on a trip with the love of your life, this rank might change, and Magic Kingdom might actually be the best theme park since it has so many classic rides that couples can enjoy.
EPCOT
- Must see attractions: World Showcase, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Test Track, Soarin’.
EPCOT is the best theme park for adults only, for the simple fact that the World Showcase exists. The World Showcase is a massive area featuring 11 pavilions, each representing a different country from around the world. These pavilions are filled with stores, restaurants, meet & greets, live shows, and sometimes even full-on rides, like Frozen Ever After in Norway and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in France.
Add to that what might be Disney World’s best ride (yes, we’re talking about Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind), and you’ve got a theme park that’s all about great atmosphere, top-notch dining, beautiful views, and excellent rides. If you’re going to repeat a theme park, EPCOT is a strong contender for a second visit.
Hollywood Studios
- Must see attractions: Fantasmic, Tower of Terror, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Rock N’ Roller Coaster, Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage.
What Hollywood Studios lacks in dining and overall atmosphere, it more than makes up for with amazing rides. This might be Disney’s best theme park when it comes to blockbuster attractions, with some of the top ones found here, like Tower of Terror, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Toy Story Mania, and Slinky Dog Dash.
Hollywood Studios is also home to Galaxy’s Edge, an entire land dedicated to a galaxy far, far away, where you can spot fan-favorite characters like Darth Vader, The Mandalorian and Jar Jar Binks. I’m kidding, there’s not a single reference to Jar Jar in the entire land. Trust me, I checked.
Hollywood Studios is also a great park for live shows. It features Fantasmic - the best Mickey Mouse show in Disney World - as well as Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. If you're all about rides or Star Wars, you’ll love it here.
Magic Kingdom
- Must see attractions: Tron Lightcycle Run, Space Mountain, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Festival of Fantasy Parade, Happily Ever After fireworks show.
Are you a small child, a teenager, an adult, a senior, or even an alien from outer space? It doesn’t matter, you should go to Magic Kingdom, and I bet you’ll have a great time.
Magic Kingdom is the Disney World theme park that everyone should visit at least once in their life. There are some adult-friendly attractions, like Tron Lightcycle Run, but the real magic is in soaking up the atmosphere and becoming a kid again, while reliving childhood memories of movies like The Little Mermaid and Peter Pan.
Magic Kingdom is even more special if you’re visiting with the love of your life, since there are so many great sights, rides, and romantic spots for lovebirds to enjoy, like Cinderella Castle and It’s a Small World.
Animal Kingdom
- Must see attractions: Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, Avatar Flight of Passage.
Animal Kingdom is a very unique theme park that’s more about the atmosphere, walking around, and checking out nature than big rides.
There are, however, three attractions that rank among the best Disney has to offer. One is Kilimanjaro Safaris, where you go on a real safari to check out dozens of animal species, from rhinos to hippos and lions. There’s also the Expedition Everest roller coaster and Avatar Flight of Passage, which many consider to be the best motion simulator at Disney.
Animal Kingdom is also a great theme park for those who want to enjoy a romantic vacation. I mean, is there anything cuter than holding hands as you walk past the Tree of Life and a lagoon full of flamingos?
The Best Rides for Adults at Walt Disney World
Just for fun, let me rank what I think are the top 10 best rides for adults at Walt Disney World.
- 10 - Kilimanjaro Safaris (Animal Kingdom)
- 9 - Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
- 8 - Rock N’ Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios)
- 7 - Avatar Flight of Passage (Animal Kingdom)
- 6 - Tron Lightcycle Run (Magic Kingdom)
- 5 - Test Track (EPCOT)
- 4 - Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom)
- 3 - Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Hollywood Studios)
- 2 - Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios)
- 1 - Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT)
The Best Restaurants at Walt Disney World
There are so many places to eat (and eat well) at Walt Disney World that ranking them all would take ages. This guide, however, focuses on a select few that I think are great options for adults. We’ve got a good mix of fancy restaurants, character dining spots, and just solid choices you really can’t go wrong with. Let’s check them out!
- Disney Springs: Okay, not exactly a restaurant, but definitely a place full of options. The Boathouse is considered one of the best restaurants at Disney, but you can also enjoy some excellent meat at The Polite Pig.
- Victoria & Albert’s: This is the fanciest (and most expensive) restaurant in all of Disney World, with a fixed-price menu that starts at $295 per guest. Victoria & Albert’s is located at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and it’s luxury at its finest. It offers its own tasting menu ranging from 7 to 10 courses, featuring fine American cuisine, and has received multiple awards and accolades over the years. I only recommend this one for a romantic dining experience.
- California Grill: This restaurant is located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The prix fixe menu is $89 per guest, but the food is great, and the view is even better. You dine on the terrace of the resort and can watch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom from the comfort of your table. It really is a memorable experience.
Jiko: Located in Animal Kingdom Lodge, it features outstanding Mediterranean, African, and Indian cuisine. A great choice for those looking for something a bit more unique. - Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen: A great choice at Magic Kingdom, located right next to the Jungle Cruise ride. It offers a fun atmosphere and a wide variety of unique dishes inspired by Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The servers are always a lot of fun too, adding to the lively vibes.
- Le Cellier: Located in EPCOT, it has one of the best filet mignons I’ve ever had in my life. This is a steakhouse with excellent food, but it's often fully booked months in advance. Be sure to make a reservation early.
- Space 220: Another fan favorite in EPCOT. You’ll dine in a space-themed setting surrounded by planets and the vast galaxy. The food is great, and the atmosphere is top-notch.
- Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater: One of the most unique restaurants in Hollywood Studios, designed to look like a 1950s drive-in. You actually have dinner in a vintage car while watching B-movies from decades past on a big screen. The atmosphere is great, and the menu was recently overhauled, now offering plenty of options for burgers and sandwiches.
- Tiffins: Located in Animal Kingdom, this is often considered the best restaurant there, second only to Tusker House. The difference is that Tusker House is a character dining experience, so it tends to be a bit more expensive and chaotic.
The Best Bars at Walt Disney World
Craving a good drink? Relax, we’ve got you covered. There are hundreds
- Nomad Lounge: Located in Animal Kingdom, this is considered by many to be one of the best bars in Disney World. It’s next to Tiffins, in a relatively quiet corner of the park, and offers a wide selection of beer, wine, and mixed drinks.
- Oga’s Cantina: Want to have a drink at a wretched hive of scum and villainy? Welcome to this spot in Hollywood Studios, where you can enjoy a cocktail in Tatooine. Well... as close to Tatooine as you can get. Relax, the droids you’re looking for are not here.
- Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar: One of the best bars at Disney Springs, this spot is actually inspired by Indiana Jones, which makes it even better. The atmosphere is great - it’s a hangar transformed into a bar - and the drinks are top-notch.
- Abracadabar: probably the best bar at the Boardwalk, located rather close to Boardwalk Inn. Disney calls this one a social bar that mixes awesome drinks, magic and a great atmosphere. They are not wrong!
- Epcot: Yes, all of Epcot is a great spot for drinks. There’s even what many call “Drinking Around the World,” where you visit all 11 pavilions, stop at kiosks in each country, and enjoy a drink made in that country. The beers in Germany are especially great. You can never go wrong with Epcot when it comes to a good drink.
Tips for Adults at Disney World
Rent a Car
Renting a car at Disney World is almost always a good idea… unless you already have one, of course. Renting a car lets you move between every theme park without having to rely on buses. It’s usually easier to reach Disney Springs, and best of all, it lets you visit Universal Orlando as well.
Visit Disney Springs
As we mentioned before, Disney World isn’t just about the theme parks. Take a day to explore Disney Springs and check out some of its amazing offerings, like fantastic bars, great restaurants such as The Boathouse, and awesome stores like The Lego Store, the Coca-Cola Store, and the M&M Store. There are so many cool things to do at Disney Springs, so don’t forget to visit at least once.
Enjoy Meet & Greets
Hey, being an adult doesn’t mean you should forget about Cinderella Castle and all the fun kid-friendly stuff Disney has to offer. In fact, you should definitely wear Mickey & Minnie ears, ride the kid-friendly attractions, and, above all, experience all the meet-and-greets. Take pictures with Mickey, Tinker Bell, Elsa, Pluto, and everyone else you come across. It’s just way too much fun and creates great memories of your time at Disney.
Golf & Fishing
Yes, you can find all of that at Disney World. Walt Disney World has three amazing championship golf courses, available to both the general public and resort guests at Disney's Palm, Magnolia, and Oak Trail Golf Courses (located near Polynesian Village Resort), as well as at the Lake Buena Vista course (close to Disney Springs and Saratoga Springs Resort).
Fishing excursions are also offered at the marinas of Disney's most popular Deluxe Hotels, with options for 2-hour and 4-hour trips.
Go for the Special Disney World Events and Disney After Hours
There are a lot of special events at Disney World that you should try. EPCOT is the king of events, with many festivals taking place there year-round, some celebrating art and others celebrating drinks from all over the world.
Another great event for adults is Disney After Hours. After Hours is a special ticketed event that lets guests enter the theme park at 7pm and stay for three hours after it officially closes. It’s a great way to experience popular rides with minimal wait times and is a fantastic option for a theme park like Hollywood Studios.
