DISNEY FOR ADULTS

Is Disney World for Adults – The Complete Guide

(Last Updated On: November 29, 2023)

This year my wife and I took an Adults Only Disney World vacation! We didn’t take our children and just went as a couple to enjoy Walt Disney World. This initially wasn’t an easy decision but we had a wonderful time just the two of us. Many may ask Is Disney World for adults and I can tell you it definitely is.

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Why Disney World is For Adults – Having Taken an Adult Only Vacation

An adults only Disney World vacation is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy Walt Disney World resort and the parks in an entirely different way. Let’s take a look at why booking an adults only Disney World trip is worth it and some of the benefits of taking one.

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1. Why You May Have an Adults Only Disney World Vacation

We hadn’t been away just the two of us since our honeymoon which was 15 years ago. We’ve been talking about a getaway now for years and have never actually gone through with it. 

With us both loving Walt Disney World so much we thought it would be the perfect destination for an adults only vacation. You can enjoy Disney World by doing just the things that you want to do.

This all sounds fantastic but there is one big hurdle for us to jump.

The Partner statue in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom
The Partner statue in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom

2. You’ve Never Been Away without Your Children

We’ve had never been away on vacation without our children. Yes they’ve stayed over at their grandparents on plenty of occasions but we’ve always been close by (we live close to our parents). Being so far away in Florida and being at Disney World without them can be a massive jump.

If your children are older, like our kids who are now teenagers. It can be easy to leave them in the care of their grandparents but we did feel guilty.

There are also other challenges involved with taking our children to Disney World now…

My wife and I at Magic Kingdom park.
My wife and I at Magic Kingdom

3. You Can Go at a Quieter Time of Year

Taking an adults only vacation to Disney World however means you can go pretty much any time of the year (Christmas is probably a big no no). It is worth considering late February into early March. One of the reasons for this is to catch both the Festivals of the Arts and the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot. The other reason is the crowd levels are usually reasonably low at this time of year too. 

You can read more about The Best Times of the Year to visit Disney World here.

4. Enjoy Disney World in a Different Way

If you do go on an adults only Disney World vacation you can enjoy the resort in a different way. You can enjoy the parks like you normally would but you can also do some other things too that you might not consider doing with children. This will really make it feel like a different Disney.

Jock Lindsay's Hangar Bar at Disney Springs
Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar at Disney Springs

On our adults trip to Disney we spent some time sat at the water side bar at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar at Disney springs. We chatted to other couples and the bar tender is it was a nice relaxing break late in the afternoon that we would never consider before.

5. Drinking around the World at Epcot

Although we have enjoyed a few drinks around World Showcase over the years, without our children we could fully enjoy drinking around the world at World Showcase.

We could took our time at each World Showcase Pavilion and tried some different drinks and enjoyed wine and beer at Germany, Italy and France.

I particularly enjoyed trying the different beers on offer whilst pacing myself with stops for food and snacks. We didn’t feel anywhere near as rushed as we sometimes do with the children.

6. Taking our Time around World Showcase

As I mentioned above we could take our time around World Showcase. We could really explore and enjoy each World Showcase Pavilion and enjoy the various performers that you find at the different countries. To be able to look through all  the shops in our own time was really nice with occasional stops for a break made for a really enjoyable day at Epcot.

You can find our full World Showcase Guide here.

7. Trying Different Restaurants and Dining Options

Going as adults only will meant we could eat wherever we wanted to without having to worry about fussy eaters. We will be able to try some wonderful restaurants such as Sanaa at Animal Kingdom lodge and the Ale and Compass at the Yacht Club resort.

The delicious steak at the Ale and Compass at the Yacht Club.
The delicious steak at the Ale and Compass at the Yacht Club.

This opens up so many dining options that it is really very exciting and perhaps you could even consider some signature fine dining options across Walt Disney World Resort. Possibly Tiffins at Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios. There are so many options that it could be quite difficult to choose which ones we really want to try. Maybe a second adults only trip is needed!

8. Enjoying Some of the Nightlife at Disney Springs

Although we have visited Disney Springs many times at night we have never had the chance to stay late and enjoy the bars and entertainment that Disney Springs has to offer. During our adults only Disney World trip we could easily finish a day off at Disney Springs with a meal and then a few drinks before heading back to our resort.

Disney Springs has plenty of bars along with live performers at various locations to keep you entertained for a good few hours of an evening. In fact you can easily spend at least a few evenings at Disney Springs if we are not in the parks.

You can explore what Disney Springs has to offer on the Disney World Website here.

9. Fully Enjoying Your Disney World Resort

It is definitely worth staying at a Disney World resort. You can enjoy some of the services aimed more at adults at our Disney Resort of choice. This might mean spa treatments or possibly just finishing our day off with a wine or cocktail at one of the resort bars.

Normally we would be making sure we are getting the children to bed at a reasonable time or letting them have an evening swim in the pool.

Our hotel room at Disney's Coronado Springs resort.
Our room at Disney’s Coronado Springs resort.

10.Maybe Do a Tour or a Special Event

With there only being two of you the cost of doing a tour or special event will be a lot less. In the past we haven’t done a Backstage Magic Tour as we didn’t want to take away any of the magic of Disney World for our children. As adults you can easily take a tour such as the Keys to the Kingdom Tour and I think you would very much enjoy it.

You could also consider doing an after hours event if one was available at Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. Maybe perhaps a fireworks dessert party even, we booked the Magic Kingdom fireworks Dessert party and enjoyed the desserts and a few alcoholic drinks whilst watching the fireworks from the Tomorrowland Terrace.

Drinks and desserts at the Magic Kingdom fireworks dessert party
Drinks and desserts at the Magic Kingdom fireworks dessert party

There is a variety of tours and special events held throughout the year at Disney World so it is definitely something worth considering.

11. Focus on What We Want to Get Out of Disney World 

Probably the biggest advantage of taking an adults only Disney World vacation is that you can focus on exactly what you want to get out of Disney World. Getting up early to secure a place on Rise of the Resistance at Galaxy’s Edge (Hollywood Studios) won’t be a problem and neither will be staying at any of the Disney World parks until the very end of the night.

You can to do what we want when you want. Park hop if you feel like it or even sleep in. Disney will be yours to explore and enjoy exactly how you wish.

Magic kingdom at night. You can stay up as late as you want during an Adult only trip.
Magic kingdom at night.

Disney World for Adults: 20 Tips

Adult only trips to Walt Disney World are very much a growing trend. Although Disney World is seen ultimately as a family vacation destination you can have a wonderful adult only vacation as I explained above. Here are 20 helpful tips to make a Disney vacation for Adults magical. 

1. Use Disney Transport and Skip the Rental Car

If you arrive from Orlando International Airport Mear’s Connect bus service can pick you up and take you to your resort if you are staying at a Disney World Resort. Mear’s Connect will also return you to the airport at the end of your vacation. We found the service reasonably affordable compared to other options and not much different to the Old Magical Express service.

When you get to your Disney resort the free Disney Transportation can take you all over Disney World so there really isn’t much need for a rental car when staying at Disney World. Take it easy during your vacation and let Disney get you where you want to go.

2. Stay on property in a Disney Resort 

If you stay at a Disney Resort you can immerse yourself in the Disney World bubble. You are close to everything that Disney has to offer, and it is only a short bus, boat, monorail or sky liner ride away.

You can read more about the benefits of staying at a Disney World Resort here.

Taking a break by the pool near our room at Coronado Springs resort.
Taking a break by the pool near our room at Coronado Springs resort.

3. Enjoy Your Resort Facilities

Take some more time to enjoy your resort. Enjoy the dining that it has to offer, take some time out by the resort pool during the day or sleep in and have a relaxing breakfast before hitting the parks.

A lot of the Disney Resorts offer evening entertainment to enjoy or possibly just enjoy a wine, beer or cocktail as you watch the sun go down.

4. Travel Light in the Parks

Without any children in your party you can travel light when you hit the parks. Take a small bag if you need to with your suntan lotion or whichever essentials you may need. If you’re visiting a Disney World Park just for part of the day then maybe don’t take a bag at all. After all you probably have your magic band which you can use to get into the parks, pay for souvenirs and use to exchange your dining plan credits for food and drinks.

You can find our article on the Best Bags for Disney World here or by clicking the image below.

The delicious sauces to try with the bread at Sanaa in Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
The delicious sauces to try with the bread at Sanaa in Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village.

5. Enjoy Some Signature Dining

It can be great to enjoy the character dining at Disney World but why not try some of the signature dining experiences at Disney World and enjoy some of the finer dining options. The Character Dining options can be busy and loud so why not experience a quieter and more relaxed restaurant experience.

  • Signature Dining is offered at the following restaurants:
  • Flying Fish Café, Disney’s BoardWalk (Dinner)
  • California Grill, Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Dinner)
  • Citricos, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort (Dinner)
  • Narcoossee’s, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort (Dinner)
  • Artist Point, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (Dinner)
  • Yachtsman Steakhouse, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts (Dinner)
  • Le Cellier Steakhouse, Epcot (Lunch & Dinner)
  • Monsieur Paul, Epcot (Dinner)
  • The Hollywood Brown Derby, Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Lunch and Dinner)
  • The Dining Room at Wolfgang Puck Grand Café, Disney Springs (Dinner)
  • The BOATHOUSE Restaurant, Disney Springs (Lunch and Dinner)
  • Tiffins Restaurant, Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Lunch and Dinner)
  • iko, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Dinner)
  • Cinderella’s Royal Table, Magic Kingdom (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
  • Flying Fish, Disney’s Boardwalk (Dinner)
  • Il Mulino, Walt Disney World Swan Hotel (Dinner)
  • Morimoto Asia, Disney Springs (Lunch and Dinner)
  • STK Orlando, Disney Springs (Lunch and Dinner)

6. Take Your Time at Disney Springs

Take your time exploring the stores, restaurants and everything that Disney Springs has to offer. With children you can sometimes feel a bit rushed at Disney Springs as eating, drinking and shopping isn’t really what children want from Disney World. During an adult only Disney World Vacation, you can fully explore and enjoy Disney Springs.

You will find lots of Disney merchandise when shopping in the World of Disney at Disney Springs.
You will find lots of Disney merchandise when shopping in the World of Disney at Disney Springs.

7. Enjoy the Disney Parks at Night 

Stay in the Disney World Parks as late as you want during your adult only vacation. Spending some time in the parks when it is late can be a great time to get on rides without having to wait to long. A lot of people will have left after the fireworks so make the most of the less crowded parks and enjoy the benefits of being there later in the evenings.

8. Park Hop  

Park Hop between the Disney World Parks as much as you want. If Magic Kingdom seems quite busy then catch a Monorail to Epcot and have a walk around World Showcase. If you use our next tip then park hopping will be easy as you can have the freedom to go where you want during your Disney World Vacation.

9. Make the Most Disney Genie Plus

Try to book your Lightning lanes so that they are early in the day. This gives you the flexibility to park hop to other parks later in the day as mentioned above and also gives you the chance to book more Lightning Lanes in the Park you are heading to.

10. Know Where to Get Your Morning Coffee 

Make sure you know where to get your morning caffeine hit when you are exploring Walt Disney World Resort. All of the Disney World Parks have a Starbucks and you can get a Joffrey’s Coffee from kiosks too.

One of two Starbucks location at Disney Springs
One of two Starbucks location at Disney Springs

11. Alcohol in the Parks

You can enjoy of variety of alcoholic drinks at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Beers, wines and other alcoholic offerings are available at these parks as well as all the alcoholic drinks on offer around World Showcase at Epcot. 

When it is Adults only you can enjoy some drinks more so than when you have children to look after so you can kick back a bit more. 

A beer flight I enjoyed at Hollywood Studios.
A beer flight I enjoyed at Hollywood Studios.

12. Drinking Around the World

As I mentioned the drinks available at World Showcase above, we must mention Drinking Around the World. You can enjoy all sorts of alcoholic drinks at each World Showcase Pavilion. There are wines, beers, margaritas and champagnes (plus other sparkling wines) to indulge in all the way around World Showcase.

Be warned though if you do plan to try one at each Country there are 11 World Showcase Pavilions at Epcot.

13. Take a Tour

It is easier to take a Tour like the Backstage Magic Tour without children as certain tours aren’t really aimed at younger children. When you are planning Disney World for Adults only you can pretty much take any tour that you are interested in. From Park Tours to Animal related tours at Animal Kingdom and Even Dolphin experiences at Epcot there is a lot to choose from.

You can find more information about all the available Tours at Disney World on the official Website here. 

14. Visit Some Resorts

There are so many great resorts at Disney World offering different dining options, shows and bars that during an adult only vacation you can really explore and enjoy as many as you want. It is great to be in the Disney World Parks but without children you haven’t got the same pressure to be in them that allows you to explore the resort more.

A photo I took when we returned to Animal Kingdom Lodge for a dining reservation. The Jambo house lobby is stunning.
The Jambo house lobby at Animal Kingdom Lodge is stunning.

15. The Best Disney Park for Adults

So, which is the best Disney Park for Adults? Well as it happens, we have quite a straight forward opinion on this topic and you will out below as you keep reading this post.

To be fair each Park at Walt Disney World Resort has something different to offer and they are all great theme parks. Our favorite park tends to change for each vacation we spend at Disney World.

16. Enjoy the Nightlife at Disney Springs

Without any Children to think about you can fully enjoy the nightlife at Disney Springs during an adult only vacation. There is a lot of entertainment to enjoy at various locations at Disney Springs. There is the Edison, House of Blues and Raglan Road.

A Bourbon mule that I enjoyed at Abracadbar at the Boardwalk.
A Bourbon mule that I enjoyed at Abracadbar at the Boardwalk.

A lot of these restaurants and bars become a lot more adult focused in the evenings at Disney Springs. Bands, dancers, live performers and DJ sets can be enjoyed during your adult only vacation.

17. Enjoy a Spa or Hit the Gym

Disney World has a variety of Spas and Fitness Centers to unwind or work out in during your vacation. You may want to unwind a little with a Spa treatment or keep up your fitness regime with a work out. 

You can do both at Disney World at the following locations:

  • La Vida Health Club – Spa, Salon and Fitness (Coronado Springs Resort)
  • Mandar Spa (Dolphin Hotel)
  • Muscles & Bustles Health Club (Boardwalk Villas)
  • Old Key West Exercise Room (Old Key West Resort)
  • Olympiad Fitness Center (Contemporary Resort)
  • Senses – Spa and Salon (Grand Floridian Resort)
  • Senses – Spa (Saratoga Springs)
  • Ship Shape – Massage, Salon and Fitness (Yacht Club Resort)
  • Sturdy Branches Health Club (Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge)
  • Survival of the Fitness Center (Animal Kingdom Villas)
  • Zahanati Massage and Fitness Center (Animal Kingdom Lodge)

18. Rent a Boat

Why not take a relaxing boat ride on Seven Seas Lagoon or on the waters of the Yacht and Beach Club area of Disney World? You can rent different sizes of boats with prices starting at around $32 per half an hour. You can also take fishing trips too.

The Marina locations for boat rentals are listed below:

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

Of course, you could also take an amphicar ride around the waters of Disney Springs. These are located at The Landing next to the Boathouse at Disney Springs.

19. You Can be as Flexible as You Want

You can be as flexible as you want to during an adult only vacation at Disney World. Yes, you might have fast pass and dining reservations to meet but that other than you can do whatever you want when you want. Sleep in, stay up late or park hop as much as you want during your adult only Disney World vacation.

Garden Rocks Performers on stage at the Flower and Garden festival in Epcot
Garden Rocks Performers on stage at the Flower and Garden festival in Epcot

20. Enjoy one of the Epcot Festivals

Enjoy all the food drink and entertainment on offer at Epcot during one of the many festivals held there throughout the year. There is so much to eat, drink and see during an Epcot festival that without having children in your party you can fully immerse yourself in what is on offer.

The following Festivals take place at Epcot throughout the year:

  • Festival of the Arts – mid January to late February
  • Flower and Garden Festival – early March to early June
  • Food and Wine Festival – late August to early November
  • Festival of the Holidays – early November to early January

There truly is a lot to enjoy and experience during a trip to Disney World for Adults only. 

The Best Disney World Hotels for Adults

It is always great to stay on Disney World property and immerse yourself in the Disney magic, so I have decided to share what I think are The Best Disney World Hotels for Adults.

Things to Consider When Looking at The Best Disney World Hotels for Adults

When looking at the different hotels and resorts at Disney World it is good to consider what they have to offer for an adult only vacation. Things to consider are:

The Rix Sports bar and grill from our recent stay at Coronado Springs resort.
The Rix Sports bar and grill from our recent stay at Coronado Springs resort.

Bars and Restaurants

Having a lot of dining options and bars really can make your Disney World Hotel a great hub for your adult only vacation. If your resort has a lot of restaurants, it gives you a lot of options for breakfast before hitting the Disney World Parks and possibly dinner at the end of the day.

A Disney World Hotel that also has good bar options means that you have lots of options to end the day with a drink or maybe a few drinks during an afternoon break away from the Disney World Parks.

Transport Links to Parks

Being located close to the parks and having good transport links to the parks is also a big benefit. Yes, Disney World is the ultimate family vacation destination in the World but the less time you need to spend on transportation with lots of tired children the better.

Disney Bus wait times are displayed on screens at each resort bus stop.
Disney Bus wait times are displayed on screens at each resort bus stop.

Atmosphere and Noise

Some Disney World Hotels will have a calmer atmosphere than others and feel less crowded and quieter. This is ideal for adult only groups looking for a calmer environment away from the Disney World Parks.

Other Facilities

A lot of Disney World Hotels will have Spa’s and Gyms for adults to enjoy when spending time away from the parks. Special dining experiences may also be available depending on which hotel you choose to stay at.

The Best Value Disney World Hotels for Adults

The Disney World Value Resorts are the most economical option when it comes to staying on property. But you will be getting a smaller room than at moderate or deluxe hotels and the resorts will be busier with less options when it comes to table service dining and bars. But there are a couple of resorts that do offer something different.

Art of Animation Resort and Pop Century

Benefits: Transport Links to Parks

Art of Animation Resort has some wonderfully themed accommodation blocks
Art of Animation Resort has some wonderfully themed accommodation blocks

Both Art of Animation and Pop Century are located each side of Hourglass Lake. The big advantage of this is that located at the center of the lake (accessed via a walkway bridge) is a Skyliner Station. The Skyliner Station links to the Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

This provides easy access to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios but there is also the benefit of having easy access to the Riviera Resort and Caribbean Beach. At both resorts you can enjoy the bars and restaurants there before heading back to your value resort. This is a great way of enjoying the cost of staying at a value resort whilst having easy access to Moderate and Deluxe dining facilities.

You can read more about all the Value Resorts at Disney World here.

The Best Moderate Disney World Hotels for Adults

If you choose to stay at a Disney World Moderate Hotel for an adult only vacation you will get to enjoy a larger room, more dining options, and a lot more pools too in a lot of moderate resorts.

Coronado Springs

Benefits: Bars and Restaurants, Atmosphere and Noise

Coronado Springs for a long time has been regarded a Disney World Hotel/Resort for adult only parties. The theme inside the resort is elegant (especially Gran Destino Tower) and it isn’t as Disney orientated as other resorts. This is for good reason as the resort has a conference center which can attract business guests. This makes the resort a bit more adult focused than others.

There is also quite a few bars and lounges to enjoy a drink in as well as quick service and table service dining options too. I will be staying here on our next vacation so keep an eye out for the resort review after my vacation.

Caribbean Beach Resort

Benefits: Bars and Restaurants, Atmosphere and Noise

Caribbean Beach Resort has <a href=
Caribbean Beach Resort has a Disney Skyliner Station linking to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Caribbean Beach is quite similar to Coronado Springs in that it is a resort located around a large lake. However Caribbean Beach doesn’t have as many dining and bar locations. The resort does benefit from having a Skyliner station though meaning easy access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Having stayed at this resort more than once I can also recommend it for quick access to Disney Springs. The bus journey Disney Springs isn’t very long at all making it easy to get to any dining reservations there or just to hit the shops or bars.

You also have the Riviera resort located next to the resort so you can go and enjoy the what the Riviera Resort has to offer too.

The Best Deluxe Disney World Hotels for Adults

The Deluxe resorts at Disney World are of course the most expensive accommodation options in this article. However, they do offer an experience that the moderate and value hotels can’t. Having stayed at a Deluxe resort myself I can honestly say it was a great experience and one that would be ideal for just adults enjoying Disney World.

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Benefits: Bars and Restaurants, Atmosphere and Noise, Other Facilities (especially the animals)

Having stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, I can say it is wonderful Disney resort.
Having stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, I can say it is wonderful Disney resort.

We spent our last vacation at Animal Kingdom Lodge and found it to be a wonderful resort. Although on that occasion we took our children the resort had a very relaxed and calm atmosphere which would make for a great Disney World Hotel for Adults. There is a pool bar and lounge as well as quick service and two table service restaurants one of which being a signature dining experience.

You can read our Animal Kingdom Lodge review here.

The Boardwalk and The Yacht and Beach Club Resorts

Benefits: Transport Links to Parks, Bars and Restaurants, Atmosphere and Noise

The Boardwalk and the Yacht and Beach Club resorts are ideally located for an adult only vacation at Disney World. At either of the resorts you are within walking distance of Epcot. You also have the option to walk to Hollywood Studios or take the Skyliner.

For evening entertainment, you have everything that the boardwalk has to offer such as restaurants, bars such as Jelly Rolls, AbracadaBar, and the ESPN Sports bar. Trattoria Al Forno is worth visiting if you enjoy Italian cuisine. You could also enjoy an evening at Epcot’s World Showcase which is only a walk away.

The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Benefits: Transport Links to Parks, Bars and Restaurants, Atmosphere and Noise

The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is an expensive but wonderful Disney resort hotel
The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is an expensive but wonderful Disney resort hotel.

The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is such an elegant Disney World Hotel for adults. You have fine dining options, wonderful bars such as the Enchanted Rose Beauty and the Beast themed lounge. There is also a Spa to enjoy as well as the wonderful sights of just the resort itself. You are close to Magic Kingdom which is only a short Monorail or Boat Ride away. You can even see the Magic Kingdom Fireworks from the resort. Out of all my choices the Grand Floridian is the most expensive but it also the one resort I would really love to experience with my wife. Hopefully one day we will get the opportunity to.

Best Disney Park for Adults

So which is the Best Disney World Park for adults? I think it is more than fair to say that at all of the parks there is plenty to entertain adults. We all have different interests when heading to Disney, some want to ride all the big thrill rides, some want to meet their favorite characters as well as wanting to see the shows and some want to try the dining experiences offered across the resort.

If you are staying on a Walt Disney World Resort then you are more than likely to experience all of the parks during your stay. Who wouldn’t go to Disney World without visiting Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom? Others who are on a shorter stay in Florida might have to think a little harder.

So what do adults possibly want from a Walt Disney World Park Experience?

  • Nice food and good restaurants
  • Possibly alcoholic drinks
  • Good Shopping
  • Interesting things to see and do
  • Some attractions
  • Characters
  • Fireworks

Of course the above isn’t a definitive list but I think there are some fair points included that people on an adult only vacation would think about if they didn’t have kids to entertain.

So which Disney Theme Park Might Be Best?

I think that if we generalize a bit and consider what the average adult might want to enjoy then Epcot would be the popular choice. So Epcot could be The Best Disney World Park for adults.

Epcot at night.
Epcot at night.

Why is Epcot the Best Theme Park for Adults?

There is a good few reasons why I am picking Epcot as the best Disney park for adults.

Food and Drink

My wife and I really do enjoy Epcot especially a nice day exploring World Showcase. You can try different foods and drinks whilst exploring each World Showcase Pavilion. I really enjoy trying different beers especially from Norway, Germany, USA and Japan and you can indulge in a wine walk between Germany, Italy and France sampling various wines.

There are lots of dining options too from eating in a UK Pub to experiencing Oktoberfest in the Biergarten restaurant at Germany and lots of other dining experiences. I don’t really think Epcot can be beaten when it comes to the amount of food and drink options in one park.

Atmosphere

There seems to be a more relaxed atmosphere at Epcot especially around World Showcase where there are only a few attractions compared to Future World at the front of the park. At World Showcase you are there to see and experience each pavilion which can be a more a lot more calm experience than the other parks. This can especially be the case during the week when Epcot isn’t as busy.

A Theme Park Experience

You can still certainly get a full theme park experience from Epcot. In Future World you have thrill rides like Test Track and Soarin’ around the World to enjoy and there are plenty of characters to meet all around the park. At night you have the fireworks too so you aren’t really missing out on anything that is happening in the other parks.

You can find out about all the rides at Epcot here.

Taking a Break from the Park

At the international gateway between the UK and France you can take a short walk to the boardwalk too if it is a busier day which can be nice. Of course all the restaurants at Epcot too can be a nice break from the crowds on a busy day.

The Epcot Festivals

Throughout the year at Epcot various festivals take place where you can try a variety of food and drink that isn’t normally available in the park. During the Festival of the Arts there is a wide variety of different artists showing as well as selling their artwork and during the Flower and Garden Festival there are lots of colorful flowers, plants and displays to see.

The following Festivals take place throughout the year:

  • Epcot Festival of the Arts – mid January to late February
  • Epcot Flower and Garden Festival – early March to early June
  • Epcot Food and Wine Festival – late August to early November
  • Epcot Festival of the Holidays – early November to early January

All of the above festivals really do offer a different experience from the other parks for adults. I especially enjoy the Festival of the Arts and seeing all the different artists showcasing their work.

But What about the Other Theme Parks?

Well certainly all the parks have something to offer people of all ages. You won’t get the classic attractions like Splash Mountain, It’s a Small World or Peter Pan’s Flight anywhere else in Disney World other than Magic Kingdom, but the same can be said for going on a safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and of course everything Star Wars related at Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Star Wars galaxy's Edge is a wonderful experience for Star Wars fans
Star Wars galaxy’s Edge is a wonderful experience for Star Wars fans

For the serious shoppers Disney Springs may be the location of choice for adult holiday makers as with all the retail options and dining options too it can be a good place to spend some time but I would say the parks take a preference over Disney Springs. There are some great dining options though to consider at Disney Springs when you do want to spend some time away from the parks.

Epcot is the Best Disney Park for Adults

Epcot has to be put forward as being the Best Disney World Park for Adults rather than Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom. The entertainment is a little more adult focused around World Showcase and with the dining and drink options I would recommend Epcot for an adult only experience in Walt Disney World Resort.

As well as the parks the various Disney Resorts offer some great dining experiences too at resorts like the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary but overall I would say for the most things to do in one place I would pick Epcot.

Also don’t forget you can always jump on a monorail and head off to Magic Kingdom, take a boat to Hollywood Studios or catch a bus to Animal Kingdom if you feeling like being a big kid. Disney World is a magical place but you can do adult stuff, family stuff or just indulge in the magic. It is a place for everyone to be whatever they feel like, an adult or a kid of any age.

Disney World for Adults

Having our photo taken at Potatoland at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Having our photo taken at Potatoland at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

I hope this guide has suggested some good ideas for you to consider when it comes to an adults only Disney trip. When you are enjoying Disney without children it is a very different experience where you can enjoy other aspects of Disney World that you might have not on previous trips. A different experience but still a very much enjoyable one.

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