Planning the BEST Adults-Only Disney World Trip
As someone who loves Disney, I can confidently say that a visit to Walt Disney World is not just for kids. In fact, planning an adults-only trip to Disney World can be an incredibly fun and unique experience. With so much to see and do, it’s the perfect destination for a grown-up getaway. We have done this many times and I hope to plan many more adult’s only long weekends in Walt Disney World with our friends and family.
When it comes to planning your adults-only trip, there are a few things to consider and many things to plan that will make this one of the best trips ever. This post will give you the details you should think about and information on how to make it a memorable (or not so memorable trip for everyone). And trust me, an adults-only Disney trip doesn’t need to be reserved for a 21st birthday trip or a bachelorette party- it truly is an amazing experience for even no reason at all!
Disney adults have a bad reputation, but I am here to prove them wrong! From bar crawls to poolside lounges, Walt Disney World is the most magical place for any age. I also want to mention that while bars and lounges are mentioned multiple times throughout this post, there have been several occasions where I traveled to Disney and didn’t have alcohol. The mocktail options are amazing, the fine dining experiences are great, the magical moments are everywhere, and it will be worth the trip no matter if you will be enjoying cocktails or not.
Accommodations
Let’s start with the details of where to stay. There are several excellent accommodations options for adults planning a Disney vacation. I highly recommend staying at a Walt Disney World Resort. I go into detail about all the perks of a Disney resort in my complete guide post about resorts, but honestly, the top two reasons you should consider one for this trip are the free and complimentary transportation options and the extended evening hours if you are at one of the Deluxe resorts.
For a luxurious and sophisticated experience, the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is an ideal choice. This elegant resort offers Victorian charm, beautiful grounds, and convenient access to Magic Kingdom. For those seeking a more lively atmosphere, the Boardwalk Inn provides easy access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, as well as an entertaining boardwalk area filled with dining and nightlife options. I’m also a big fan of Coronado Springs. This resort offers some of the best restaurants on the property, “Sangria University,” and a luxurious atmosphere without the deluxe price tag.
There are no true adults-only Disney resort options, but Coronado Springs feels like one as it’s often used for conferences. I also view Boardwalk Inn as more of an adults-only resort because of the adult-focused activities (more on this below) and Disney’s Riviera Resort due to the great restaurants, bars, and smaller size. Animal Kingdom Lodge offers a very unique experience and fine-dining options like Sanaa and Boma which have some of the best food on property. My recommendation for the best Disney resort for adults would have to go to Boardwalk Inn.
A few additional Walt Disney World resort tips:
- If you are looking for resort options with a hot tub and water slides, stick with moderate or deluxe resorts.
- If you want Disney perks without staying at a Disney resort, I suggest looking into the Swan and Dolphin. They are Marriott-owned hotels with Deluxe-level Disney access and are within walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
- if you want a trip to the spa, the Grand Floridian is the only spa currently open and offering spa treatments, though Saratoga Springs has a great option as well, so we hope it reopens at some point! If you are staying at another resort, the Swan and Dolphin have spas.
Things To Do
While Disney World is known for its family-friendly attractions, there are plenty of experiences tailored specifically for adults. Here are some recommendations for things to do during an adults-only trip:
- Enjoy Fine Dining. Disney World offers a wide array of upscale dining options, perfect for adults looking to indulge in gourmet cuisine. Be sure to make reservations at renowned restaurants like California Grill, Victoria & Albert’s, and Le Cellier Steakhouse. If you are looking for great brunch options, check out Steakhouse 71 (they recently removed the bottomless mimosas-boo! but it’s still delicious), Ale & Compass, or Toplino’s Terrace.
- Visit Epcot’s World Showcase: With its international pavilions, Epcot’s World Showcase is a fantastic place to explore different cultures, sample global cuisine, and enjoy adult beverages from around the world. We have done this multiple times with a group of friends and it’s always a great time! Especially during the food & wine festival, with an extra bonus of a fun, free concert. I highly recommend finding drinking around the world passports if you can! The only trouble we have ever had with these was in Canada, all other Kidcot stations would sign our passport, but Canada never would.
- Indulge in Thrill Rides: If you are a fan of roller coasters, you will want to embark on exhilarating attractions such as Cosmic Rewind, Rock n’ Roller Coaster, Expedition Everest, Tower of Terror, and Space Mountain, which are sure to get your adrenaline pumping.
- Explore the Boardwalk. There are so many fun restaurants and bars at this Disney hotel. You can sing your heart out to the dueling pianos at Jellyrolls, indulge in a magical cocktail at AbracadaBar, dance all night at Atlantic Dancehall, have an incredible dinner at Flying Fish, or stroll with a margarita in hand from Margarita Joe’s. It’s really the best time and everything is nearby.
- Plan a Bar Crawl. There are multiple options for Disney bar crawls, but I will recommend my top two favorites. A monorail crawl or a skyliner crawl. If it’s easier to save the itinerary on Instagram, you can view my Monorail post here or my Skyliner post here. My recommendations are also listed below.
Monorail Bar Crawl
- Start at the Magic Kingdom monorail station because it’s easiest to get to if you’re staying onsite. If you aren’t already on the monorail, take the bus or boat from your resort to Magic Kingdom to get going.
- Depending on how much time you want to spend on the monorail resort bar crawl, you can grab a drink from one bar at each resort, a drink from every bar, or a mix of each.
- Hop on the resort monorail towards
the Contemporary resort
Bar Opton 1: Steakhouse 71 Lounge
you might want to start with a spike cold brew here, along with PB&J wings
Bar Option 2: Outer Rim
a few margarita options, delicious rum drinks, and good mocktails
open 4-11
Bar Option 3: California Grill Lounge
delicious seafood and sushi options to pair with your cocktails!
open 5-10pm - You’ll then return to the monorail and head to the Polynesian. Make sure to stay on at the Transportation & Ticket Center stop.
Bar Option 1: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto (a must!)
You will likely need to join the waitlist, so head here upon arrival. They open at 3pm but it’s known that people usually get in line around 2pm.
Most drinks come with a show and they offer delicious drinks to be shared. I haven’t had a drink I didn’t enjoy!
open 3-midnight
Bar Option 2: Tambu Lounge
connected to Ohana with a nice lounge and bar vibe on the 2nd floor of the resort
open 8:30-11
Bar Option 3: Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace
The outside area connected to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, but without the show - Make your way to the final monorail stop for the day, the Grand Floridian
Bar Option 1: Enchanted Rose
cocktail options are endless, I would go with the Lavender Fog
open 3:30-11pm
Bar Option 2: Citricos Lounge
They have wonderful mocktails and the atmosphere is beautiful
My Ideal Monorail bar crawl would be: Steakhouse 71 @ the Contemporary, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto @ the Polynesian, then end at Enchanted Rose @ the Grand Floridian
Skyliner Bar Crawl
- If you aren’t staying at a Skyliner resort (Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Boardwalk or Beach Club/Yacht Club) – start by taking a bus to Hollywood Studios. This park is the easiest to get to if you’re staying onsite.
🚡If you are on the skyliner, make your way to the first stop below! - Hop on the skyliner from Hollywood Studios towards
🚡> Caribbean Beach
🍹Banana Cabana
What to drink: Island Time Margarita or a Caribbean Smuggler
Snacks: Guava Buffalo Wings or Seafood Fritters
Open 11-10 - You’ll then walk to the… (you can also walk back to the Skyliner station at Caribbean Beach if you want another Skyliner ride)
🚶♂️> Riviera Resort. It’s a nice 15-minute walk along the water
🍹Bar Riva
Mediterranean Wave or Aperol Spritz
Snacks: Arancini or Baked Brie - Make your way to the Skyliner station and head to…
🚡 > Yacht Club
🍹Ale & Compass Lounge
Mai Tai or a Spicy Pomegrante Margarita
open 12-11pm
🍹Crews Cup Lounge
Sunset Margarita or a whiskey
open 4-9:30 - Then walk over to…
the Beach Club resort
🍹Martha’s Vineyard
Walk the Plank or Whiskey Breeze
open 4-11pm
🍹Hurricane Hanna’s (pool bar!) - Take your final stroll to…
Boardwalk Inn
There is A LOT going on here- you could spend hours, it’s the perfect way to end the night with Boardwalk entertainment, a dance hall, and dueling pianos
🍹AbracadaBar
Seashore Sweet or Pepper’s Ghost
🍹Margarita Joe’s
🍹Jellyrolls Dueling Piano Bar
🍹Atlantic Dance Hall
My ideal skyliner bar crawl would be
1- Banana Cabana at Caribbean Beach
2- Bar Riva at the Riviera
3- Ale & Compass at Yacht Club
4- Hurrican Hanna’s at Beach Club
5- ALL three stops at Boardwalk (AbracadaBar > JellyRolls > Atlantic Dance Hall)
The Parks
While all of the Disney World theme parks have something to offer adults, there are a few standout recommendations for an adults-only trip.
- Epcot: Known for its diverse dining options, immersive cultural experiences, and thrilling rides like Test Track and Soarin’, Epcot is a must-visit park for adults, in my opinion it’s the best Disney World park no matter what. As mentioned above, drinking and eating around the world is a staple to an adults-only trip.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: This park is home to thrilling rides such as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, as well as the highly immersive Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which is a must-see for fans of the franchise. Oga’s Cantina is a great place to visit and grab drinks and snacks.
- Animal Kingdom: In my opinion, Animal Kingdom is an amazing experience for an adults-only trip. There are cool lounges and bars throughout the bar, unique experiences and it’s a more low key vibe all around. Make sure to visit Nomad Lounge, Pongu Pongu, Yak & Yeti, Thirsty River, and Restaurantosaurus Longe. Check out the Savor the Savanna tour if you are interested in African cuisine, drink pairings, and a behind-the-scenes look at the park.
- Magic Kingdom Park: While it’s often associated with families and children, Magic Kingdom offers classic attractions like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as sophisticated dining options at places like Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest Restaurant. I would likely put this as the last recommendation for an adults-only trip unless you are traveling with first time visitors- then they obviously need to see Cinderella’s Castle!
The water parks are often great experiences as well though I do feel they are more geared towards families.
Additional Tips
When planning an adults-only trip to Disney World, there are a few additional things to keep in mind:
- Take advantage of the Park Hopper park ticket option, which is a great way to see more and visit multiple parks in one day, maximizing your experience.
- Consider scheduling some downtime to relax by the pool or indulge in a spa treatment at one of Disney’s luxurious resorts.
- Don’t forget to explore Disney Springs, an entertainment and dining district offering live music, shopping, and upscale dining options.
- Take advantage of special events, such as Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival or Magic Kingdom’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, for unique experiences tailored to adults.
With careful planning and consideration of these recommendations, adults can enjoy a magical and memorable trip to Disney World that’s tailored to their interests and preferences. Whether you’re a Disney fanatic or simply looking for a fun and unique vacation, an adults-only trip to Disney World is sure to exceed your expectations.
