Best Things for Adults to Do at Disney World: A Complete Guide
Leave the kids at home and explore the best things for adults to do at Disney World!
So many people think that Walt Disney World is a kids-only zone.
But let me assure you that it is not!
You can be a perfectly respectable adult and still enjoy the House of Mouse sans kids.
As an adult, I've been to Disney no fewer than eight times without any kids, and I've had a fantastic time on all of those trips.
How do you carve out some adult space the most magical place on earth?
Easy—just follow my Walt Disney World for adults tips below!
The entrance to Main Street in Magic Kingdom
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Why Should You Take a Disney World Adults Only Trip?
I'm in Disney World, and I can do whatever I want!
First of all, it is so much fun!
As someone who’s been to Walt Disney World way too many times to count as a kid, as a single adult, as a newlywed, and now as a parent, there’s really no wrong way to have fun here.
But, there’s something special about being able to do exactly what you want when you want in the huge playground that is Walt Disney World.
Secondly, you aren’t the one responsible for the kid meltdowns.
You’re also not worried about the nap schedules, the feedings, and the requests to ride Dumbo for the 10th time.
That means you’re free to eat, drink, skip, and ride your way across all 4 parks as you see fit.
Thirdly, there are so many things for adults to do at Disney World.
You’ll never be bored in or outside of the parks. (See below for specific ideas and tips!)
You’ll want to plan your itinerary around the needs and interests of your group, but I recommend basing things around Epcot, which is the best Disney park for adults.
Definitely go to all of the parks, but Epcot’s focus on food, cocktails, education, and culture will appeal to your adult party.
TIP: Plan as much of your trip ahead as possible so that all you have to do when you get on-site is have a blast! Purchasing your tickets ahead of time also means that you’ll be ready to book your Lightning Lane selections early for the most important rides.
What's the Best Place to Stay in Disney World for Adults?
Coronado Springs at Walt Disney World Resort
While there aren’t any Disney World adults only hotels, the moderate and deluxe hotels onsite are great for quieter visits.
Trust me here, and splurge for anything beyond the value resorts, which often host cheerleading and baseball teams as well as huge international groups of teenagers.
There’s nothing fun or romantic about listening to a bunch of loud, giggling kids run past your room in Pop Century for the 5th time at midnight. (True story.)
Instead, I love Port Orleans Riverside or Coronado Springs in the moderate category for adult visits to Disney World.
>> Read my full Port Orleans Resort review here. <<
Port Orleans Riverside is quiet and out of the way, plus the meandering paths by the river are perfect for romantic evening walks.
Coronado Springs has a fantastic pool and fun Southwestern theming that isn’t childish.
As it’s a popular spot for business conferences, you’re much more likely to be surrounded by adults than kids.
>> Read my full Coronado Springs Resort review here. <<
For deluxe resorts, you can’t beat the top end luxury of the Grand Floridian, which would be the ultimate hotel for Disney World honeymoons.
I also like the Boardwalk Resort for adult trips as it is quiet and calming with turn of the century seaside theming.
If you don’t mind a Disney partner hotel without any specific Disney theming, the Swan and Dolphin are beautiful, modern, and within easy walking distance to both Hollywood Studios and Epcot!
We stayed here on one of our most recent trips to Walt Disney World, and I was surprised how much I liked it.
There’s a gorgeous pool with chair side food and beverage service, a cute retro soda fountain, upscale finishes, and bus access to the parks.
11 Best Things for Adults to Do at Disney World
1) Watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the railroad platform at the front of the park.
Fireworks at Walt Disney World
Here, you’ll avoid the masses of people and be far away from most of the exhausted children.
If you can grab a spot up on the platform, you’ll be able to look straight down Main Street at the castle and fireworks show.
You’ll have a great view of the fireworks show, and, as a bonus, you're super close to the park entrance when you’re ready to leave.
2) Take on a food and/or drink challenge.
My sister gets ready to dive into the first box of popcorn for the day!
When my sister and I went on an adult Disney vacation after we were both done with college, we decided to try something in each of the stalls in Epcot.
By the end of the day, we were STUFFED, but we’d had some delicious treats along the way.
You could try this by drinking around the world in Epcot, doing a dessert challenge in Epcot, trying a cupcake in each park, or aiming to try as many mac and cheese bowls as you can find!
The drinking around the world challenge is a popular one right now, and you can even get themed t-shirts, an Epcot passport, and temporary tattoos to help you keep track of which countries in the World Showcase you’ve already stopped by.
3) Ride the Astro Orbiter at night!
If we’re talking about things to do at Magic Kingdom for adults, this is one of my favorites!
At night, the entire park is lit up, and Tomorrowland is especially pretty. From the tower where Astro Orbiter is located, you’ll be able to see it all, including the castle.
For extra points, see if you can time your ride while the fireworks show is happening.
Other can’t-miss Magic Kingdom rides for adults include Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
4) Make use of the single rider line.
Many kids (including my own) don’t want to ride by themselves, so families stick together on the thrill rides.
Take advantage of this, and opt for the single rider line.
You’ll get onto the most popular rides faster, which means more time for other activities each day.
This is also the way to be able to ride the best, most popular rides more than once without a Lightning Lane.
5) Nab late night reservations.
Wandering through Animal Kingdom after late dinner reservations
This approach works for any of the restaurants or themed activities in the parks, so pick your favorite park and plan accordingly.
If you want to see Hollywood Studios like never before, look for the last possible reservation at Oga’s Cantina, the SciFi Drive In, or Savi’s Workshop.
The reservations are usually much easier to come by late at night, there are fewer kids running around, and the restaurants won’t rush you through your meal or experience.
You’re less likely to have to clamber for a late spot, plus you’ll get to see the park after it’s closed—and completely empty of people!
6) Shop ‘til You Drop.
My kids never, ever let me linger while we’re out shopping, so it is a treat to be able to look at souvenirs at my leisure.
Whether you’re shopping at Main Street Emporium in Magic Kingdom or Uniqlo in Disney Springs, take your time finding the perfect item to take home.
Disney still hasn’t brought back the free room delivery service that they offered before Covid, so time your shopping so that you won’t have to haul your purchases around all day.
Or, you can store them in a locker in the parks until you’re ready to head back to your room.
7) Invest in a Loungefly backpack.
Speaking of shopping, you’ll want to pick up one of these adorable themed Loungefly backpacks on your first day.
After my cheap bag broke on the first day of one of our trips, I decided to splurge and get one of these.
I wish I hadn’t held out so long because I LOVED it immediately. Since then, I’ve had several Loungefly backpacks (Disney themed, NASA themed, and Stranger Things themed!), and they are a great product for the parks and beyond.
It’s the perfect size for holding the basics while I’m in the parks, and I get compliments constantly when I’m wearing it around at home.
You can find them at Disney Springs or throughout the parks. There are many different designs depending on what character, movie, or park you’re most interested in.
If you want something more subtle, you can get one like this simple black and white Mickey Loungefly or neutral beige Mickey head backpack.
But, if you’d rather really lean into the festivities of the park, you can go wild with the designs of your Loungefly, like this all-glitter one in bright green, this highly detailed picnic-themed one with Minnie and Mickey, or this Tinkerbell version with 3D wings.
8) Take a behind the scenes tour.
I was able to do the behind the scenes tour at Animal Kingdom one of our trips, and it was fantastic.
We were able to learn about the ways that the animals are kept healthy, see their enclosure, and lots more that the general public doesn’t have access to.
These tours can be pricey, so I wouldn’t take my kids on them until they’re much older and able to sit through the entire thing.
However, they’d be a great way to spend a few hours on an adult Disney vacation!
The most popular tours include:
Behind the Seeds tour in Epcot (the cheapest, but also one that’s great if you’re interested in the farming and food production at Walt Disney World)
Keys to the Kingdom tour in Magic Kingdom (a look at the world behind the scenes and under your feet at one of the world’s busiest theme parks)
Caring for Giants (elephants) or Up Close with Rhinos (rhinos, unsurprisingly) at Animal Kingdom (guided tour of the enclosures of specific species)
9) Complete the Walt Disney World 4 Parks 1 Day Challenge!
This is something I had a blast trying with my sister a few years back, and it remains one of my favorite non-kid moments in the Disney parks.
The 4 Parks 1 Day Challenge isn’t anything official, and you’ll have to set your own rules before you start.
But being able to fly through the highlights of all of the parks at Walt Disney World was such a fun experience, and it’s something I’d never try with my kids in tow.
It’s perfect for an adults-only Disney trip, though, since you get to lean into the fun and randomness of doing what you want, when you want.
Read about how my sister and I tackled our version of the 4 Parks 1 Day Challenge here.
10) Go on a private trek of Africa.
The Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom is a perfect option for an adult-centric trip to Walt Disney World.
This tour, which combines up close animal encounters with the fun of a ropes course, will have you walking around and above different areas of the Africa section of Animal Kingdom as you get a guided experience like nothing else in the parks.
It’s pricey, but this 2 hour experience also includes snacks, photos, and the only chance in Walt Disney World to do a ropes course alongside exotic animals!
11) Decorate a cake.
I love an interactive experience, and Disney World offers several that are great for couples, bachelorette parties, or birthday groups.
A newer one that would be so much fun on an adults’ trip would be the cake decorating experience at Amorette’s in Disney Springs.
You’ll work with a talented pastry chef to create a dome cake of a favorite Disney character, one that you can back to your hotel room when the class is finished and have as a late night snack post-park fun!
Get more Walt Disney World tips and tricks here:
Best Walt Disney World for Adults Tips
Take advantage of the school calendar.
Fall, winter, and early spring are all great times to visit since the majority of kids will be in school.
And if the kids can't come, there won't be any family vacations happening.
September, early November, January, February, late April, and early May are all great times to go if you want fewer crowds and less kids around.
Just double check when popular fall breaks, winter breaks, and spring breaks occur, or you'll be swarmed by fresh-from-school kids.
Don’t forget about Jersey Week (mid-November) and Mardi Gras Week, which are when the crowds get crazy despite it being an otherwise quiet time in the park calendar.
Stay up past bedtime.
Most kids will rise early and hit the sack before the nighttime parade.
Crowds start thinning out after the evening show (this will vary on the park), so use that remaining hour or two before the park closes to go for a spin on your favorite ride.
If you stay on property, take advantage of the free guests perks, which can include an extra hour at night after closing.
You're an adult. You don't have to worry about your mom getting you up the next morning!
Embrace the inner kid.
No matter when you visit, there will be children of all ages around you.
Accept that there will be tantrums, spilled ice creams, and exhausted princesses at every park.
However, having that much youth around you is freeing.
They certainly won't judge you if you start dancing at the afternoon parade, tear up at the Wishes fireworks show, or don your very own pirate Mickey ears.
Loosen up, wear something you never would back home, take some pictures, and enjoy the magic.
My sister sporting her sparkly Minnie ears in Epcot's Mexico.
>> Get fun ideas on how to dress while at Disney World! <<
Hit up Disney Springs.
With restaurants, shops, and shows, Disney Springs is a great place to enjoy the Disney atmosphere if you don't want to brave the parks.
The themed restaurants such as Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex Cafe are full of kitschy, over-the-top fun.
While many of the shops have cartoon-focused toys and clothing, you can find some more subtle Disney wear at Tren-D and in the women's and men's sections of World of Disney.
Disney Springs also has plenty of fun date night options including Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil, a bowling alley, and a movie theatre.
Sipping a margarita while enjoying the corny old movies at Sci Fi Dine-in at Hollywood Studios
Use your 21+ privileges.
Hands off, kiddos!
Enjoy an adult beverage while visiting the World Showcase in Epcot, or sidle on up to one of the bars in Disney Springs.
There are also inventive drinks at Oga’s Cantina in Hollywood Studios and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto in Magic Kingdom.
But don’t overlook the typical Disney restaurant for a solid margarita or piña colada.
With craft beers from around the world to your favorite fruity cocktail, Disney's got you covered if you're over 21.
Just remember, if you have to wear one of those “Drunker Belle” t-shirts, don’t imbibe so much that you’re puking in the bushes.
Because there’s no time for a hangover at Disney World!
Class things up with high-end dining.
There are plenty of romantic spots for couples who want an incredible dining experience.
The Victoria and Albert at the Grand Floridian is a five star restaurant with a prix fixe menu.
The Contemporary's California Grill offers gorgeous views of Bay Lake and the Magic Kingdom.
Book a table at California Grill at night for an unforgettable perspective on the fireworks!.
Sample traditional African fare at Sanaa in the Animal Kingdom Lodge and then step outside to see the animals roaming the property.
Spurge on a fun couples-only extra.
Afternoon tea, spa treatments, a round of golf, or a fishing adventure are all activities that you can do with your significant other while at Disney World.
And best of all, other than the tea, these are all pre-booked, single party experiences, so you will have time to relax with just the two of you.
Most of these activities also would be fun for a sisters' trip, a sorority reunion, a family reunion, or a trip with friends.
Have you taken an adult Disney vacation? Let me know what you did in the comments!
