If you’re a grown-up who loves Disney, then an adults trip to Walt Disney World is likely in your future. But is Disney Worth it for adults? Are there things for adults to do at Walt Disney World? While we totally love hanging out with our favorite characters, and the little ones, sometimes you just want something a little more grown-up! That day job means we deserve to go treat ourselves. And sometimes the most magical place on earth is the only place you want to be. And thankfully, being over 21 means we can find a new bar, choose to watch the game at the ESPN Club or book a Spa appointment. Here’s a growing list of our favorite things for Disney Adults at Walt Disney World.
Things to Do At Walt Disney World for Adults
Being a Disney Adult means you can stay out late, walk the trails, grab a drink, and eat Disney Snacks before dinner. So why not live it up at Walt Disney World and take advantage of your adult-ness! Here are all our Favorite Things for Adults To Do at Walt Disney World.
Grab a Gourmet Coffee at Barcelona Lounge
We love coffee. And if you’re looking for Where to find Coffee at Walt Disney World one of our favorite places is Barcelona Lounge! Found in the lobby of the Coronado Springs Gran Destino Tower, this lounge offers up specialty coffees and drinks both as a lounge and bar. We LOVE this resort as a place to add for an adult’s trip to Disney World because there are places to lounge or hang out on the deck overlooking the water. There are trails to walk, and you can head to the Toledo Restaurant on the top floor for dinner and fireworks.
Book the Fireworks Dessert Party
Nothing says competent and capable adult-like being able to spend 100 bucks on desserts just so you can get a good seat for the Enchantment Fireworks Show at Magic Kingdom. While we wouldn’t recommend this for children, simply because of the high price tag, experiencing a dessert party at least once is a great experience. Typically the party takes place at Tomorrowland Terrace where you get great views of the castle, before heading to the reserved space of hub grass to watch the show. You can also head to EPCOT for the Harmonious dessert party or Hollywood Studios for Wonderful World of Color. Whichever you choose know that they do serve cheese and crackers at these things, so it can sort of double as a meal since it’s all you care to enjoy. Check out the Enchantment Fireworks Dessert Party Menu for everything you can enjoy!
Take the Wild Africa Trek Tour
Animal Kingdom hosts a variety of tours, but our favorite is the Wild Africa Trek. This 3-hour tour includes a behind-the-scenes trek through the wilderness, over rackety bridges, plus a chat with the animal keepers, and lunch on the savanna. By far one of the Best Tours at Walt Disney World, Wild Africa Trek is another event that may be too pricey for a family vacation. As one of our favorite Things for Adults To Do at Walt Disney World, Wild Africa Trek Tour is a great way to spend your day at Animal Kingdom. After the tour, you can pop over to Nomad Lounge for lunch.
Head to Nomad Lounge
One of our favorite places for lunch at Animal Kingdom is Nomad Lounge. Located on the bridge between Discovery Island and Pandora, Nomad Lounge overlooks Discovery River and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Offering small plates, that also include plant-based options, Nomad Lounge has sliders, fries, naan bread service, and more. And whether you’re up for mocktails or cocktails, you can find them here.
Have a Disney Springs Shopping Day
There will be a time when you can’t really bear to be in the parks anymore. Chances are it will be during the weekend when the crowds are worse and the children crabbier. Whatever the reason, head over to Disney Springs for a reset. You can head to Splitsville (21 and over only) for some bowling, or make your way to Sephora for a new look. And be sure to get in some fine dining at Terralina Crafted Italian or any of the other amazing restaurants at Disney Springs. And of course, there is always room for a snack, like bubble waffles from Aristocrepes.
Head to the Disney Boardwalk
Just outside the EPCOT International Gateway, and able to be accessed via car, or Disney Skyliner, the Disney Boardwalk is a free location to roam, shop, eat, and see entertainment throughout the day. As one of our favorite places to Resort Hop, the Disney Boardwalk Resorts offer up so much to do for the Disney Grown Up! The Disney Boardwalk houses the ESPN Club for all your sports watching needs, Atlantic Dance Hall for all your dancing needs, and Jellyrolls, the dueling piano bar (21 and over only) for all goofy and fun evening needs. We also love the Boardwalk for strolling, grabbing a pizza at the Trattoria al Forno Pizza Window, and hanging out to watch the evening shows on the sidewalk. You can grab breakfast at the Yacht Club’s Ale and Compass restaurant, or go crazy with a gourmet milkshake at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop.
The Mimosa Flight at Kona Cafe, Polynesian Resort
If you’re ready to start your day a little happier, then head to The Polynesian Resort for one of the Best Breakfasts at Walt Disney World. Kona Cafe offers up Tonga Toast, Mickey Waffles, freshly pressed coffee for two, and everything you need in a good breakfast. What’s more is that you can also snag the Mimosa Flight, featuring champagne and a variety of fruit juices. Orange, Pineapple, and Cranberry are flavors we’ve had in the past. Absolutely delicious, and a great reaason to delay the days activities.
The Swan and Dolphin Hotels on the Disney Boardwalk
The Disney Swan and Dolphin Hotels sit right behind the Boardwalk and feature The Fountain: a smoothie bar, Fuel: a coffee bar, and Todd English’s Blue Zoo, an actual bar that is absolutely gorgeous. Whatever you need The Dolphin does it in style. If you haven’t gotten over to the Dolphin be sure to check out their beaches, night light show at the entrance, and all the amazing foodie offerings. Or you can head to Java at Disney Swan Hotel for a fancy coffee. With beaches, Swan paddle boats, an outside pool table, a life-size chessboard, and more, there is plenty to do at these resorts.
Enchanted Rose Lounge
Disney Lounges are found in every park and most deluxe resorts. Offering small plates, drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and a reason to take a break we always try to find a way to add the Best Disney Lounges to our Disney Vacation. One of our favorite lounges at Walt Disney World is the Beauty and the Beast-inspired lounge, Enchanted Rose, at the Grand Floridian Resort. Featuring three themed rooms, truffle fries, flatbreads, and the best drinks, we highly recommend this lounge for the Disney Grown Up.
EPCOT Festivals at Walt Disney World
We ADORE Epcot. And one of the most fun things for adults to do in Disney World is attending the EPCOT festivals. Since festivals are included in your park ticket, we look at the festivals as an extra free perk! And as they always include more food, we’re usually there with bells on. If you’re a Disney grown-up who gardens visit Epcot during the Flower and Garden Festival. If you’re a grown-up who drinks visit Epcot during the Food and Wine Festival. Like art? Head to the Festival of the Arts offering up beautiful food, shows, and art galleries to browse. And if you’re visiting during the holidays, get ready for Christmas treats. No matter when you visit we think that visiting an EPCOT festival is one of the best things for Disney Adults at Walt Disney World.
Do a Disney After Hours Event at Walt Disney World
Created for Disney adults, the Disney After Hours events are offered intermittently throughout the year, and only at certain parks. sometimes they are themed, or seasonal. Is a Disney After Hours Event Worth it? With certain tickets being sometimes close to 200 dollars each, we think it’s great, for Adults, but not necessarily for families. The late hours are lost on small children. Check out everything you need to know about Disney After Hours events at Walt Disney World.
Visit the Disney Instagram Walls
If you’re on a Disney Adults Vacation, take the time to travel around the parks to all the Disney Instagram Walls. From the You are the most beautiful wall in Animal Kingdom to the Purple wall in Magic Kingdom and more. Check out our Disney Walls of Instagram and Even more Disney Walls of Instagram posts for all the walls to visit.
Grab a Spa Day at Senses Spa
Nothing says luxury like a spa day. You may have a hard time justifying the cost ( 200 bucks or a little less) or giving up the time ( about 2 hours) to get that massage or facial or wrap. And while you may be wondering why you would spend Disney time to pamper yourself we would ask you… when else would you do that other than a vacation? Not to mention the quality at Senses located either at The Grand Floridian or Disney Springs is so top-notch you won’t be finding services like these at home. Check out the Disney Grand Floridian Spa Day Packages for your next Disney Adult Trip.
Take Time at the Disney Resort Beach or Pool
Everyone who feels like they haven’t had a chance to relax since leaving college, raise your hand. Yeah, we know. If you weren’t looking for a job, getting the job, moving up in the job, or adding a side hustle what would you do? Well, before you do anything, you really need to just relax. If you’re looking for lots of luxury, you can head to Disney’s Riviera Resort, but really any Disney Resort will do. Remember that pool time and beach time is best taken as a mid-afternoon break when all the kids are in the parks. We like the beaches at The Beach Club, Caribbean Beach Resort, and The Polynesian Village Resort. And since all of the beaches are accessible to anyone, you don’t even need to have a room at the resort to enjoy it.
If you’re staying on property at Walt Disney World, then heading to your Disney Resort Pool is a good idea for downtime. Daytime hours are best since most guests are in the parks during the hours of 10 am-6 pm. That said if you’re a Disney Adult who needs a break from the kids, then book a stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort. These resorts are often less crowded than the cheaper resorts and offer more quiet time by the pool.
What are the Best Pools for Adults at Walt Disney World?
While Walt Disney World has a pool at every Disney Resort, there are a few that are top-notch! And may sway your decision on where to stay. The Swan and Dolphin Hotels have pools at each resort, and guests are allowed access to both! This includes beaches, a waterfall pool, a hot tub, and access to the swan boats on the lagoon too. Other resorts with great pools include the Beach and Yacht Club, Wilderness Lodge Resort, and Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Disney Drinking Tour Around the World
What we love about this grown-up activity is it has absolutely no structure whatsoever! You can simply choose to make the rounds to all the best Walt Disney World Lounges for Adults.
If you’re heading to the Disney lounges on the Monorail line you can add three Disney Resorts to your drinking lineup. The Contemporary Resort has the Steakhouse 71 Lounge, complete with 15 layer chocolate cake. Afterward, you can head to the rooftop for a vast wine selection at the California Grill Lounge. The Polynesian has the famous Tambu Tambu Lounge featuring the Lapu Lapu drink in a pineapple! Last you can head to the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa to Enchanted Rose Lounge for Beauty and the Beast-themed drinks and small plates.
Other great lounges across Walt Disney World Resorts include the Scat Cat’s Club over at the Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, Barcelona Lounge at Coronado Springs, Ale and Compass Lounge at Disney’s Yacht Club, and Bar Riva at Disney’s Riviera Resort.
What is the Best Disney World Park for Adults?
EPCOT Park is considered the best Disney World Park for Adults, due to the variety of restaurants, adult-friendly rides, and access to the Disney Boardwalk. From heading to Soarin,’ Test Track, or Mission Space, to taking on the World Showcase countries, with all those shops, restaurants, and shows, there are plenty of things for Adults to Do at Walt Disney World in EPCOT. Even better, during festival times, Disney hosts popular bands and performers in the America Garden’s Theater, which is another huge dram for an adult trip to Walt Disney World.
Hollywood Studios park is also a great choice for a Disney Adult Vacation, especially for Star Wars fans. You can head to Batuu for a Ronto Wrap, build your own lightsaber, and outrun the First Order on Rise of the Resistance. Hollywood Studios also features classic franchises familiar to Disney grown-ups. The Muppets, Indiana Jones, and the Twilight Zone are all part of this park, and have fan bases of their own.
What are the Best Disney World Resorts for Adults?
If you’re looking for Walt Disney World Resorts that are good for adults then we highly recommend resorts that are within walking distance of the parks. This includes Monorail Resorts, Boardwalk Resorts, and Disney Resorts with Boat Transportation. All of these are good choices as they’re not heavily Disney-themed, and therefore don’t generally attract families or groups. In addition to these, we’d also recommend Disney Skyliner Resorts; Disney Riviera Resort, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Plus, as adult-friendly resorts go, they have a variety of restaurants, lounges, and entertainment that other Disney resorts often do not.
So what is the best Disney Resort for Adults visiting Walt Disney World? For the budget-conscious Disney adult, we’d say Caribbean Beach Resort is our TOP PICK! Caribbean Beach Resort offers beaches for lounging and Sebastian’s Bistro for a great dining experience. You also get access to the Disney Skyliner system so you can avoid crowded transportation options. Plus, guests staying at Caribbean Beach Resort can walk to Disney’s Riviera Resort for coffee at the Le Petit Cafe, or drinks at Bar Riva.
What are the Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for Disney Adults?
For adults visiting Walt Disney World, there are over 300 restaurants, and so many to try! Of course, not all are created equal! The best Disney Restaurants at Walt Disney World for Adults can be found in the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Here are a few of our favorites.
- Ale and Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club
- Toledo at Disney’s Coronado Springs
- Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Kona Cafe at the Polynesian Resort
- Trattoria al Forno on Disney’s Boardwalk
- Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs
- Terralina Crafted Italian at Disney Springs
- Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar at Disney Springs
- The Edison at Disney Springs
Things To Do At Walt Disney World for Adults
As we find new Disney Adult things to do at Walt Disney World we’ll add them to this list. Let us know if you have any fun Disney Vacation ideas for grown-ups! We’d love to test them out.
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