What Is The Best Walt Disney World Park For Adults?
When most people think of the Walt Disney World Resort they think of castles, princesses and long lines to see Mickey Mouse. While all of that is true, it is also so much more. Despite what some say online about “Disney Adults”, it is for everyone, including grown-ups! Maybe some adults don’t want to believe in the pixie dust but they do appreciate a good cocktail, fine dining, culture and a little adventure.
So that begs the question – if they can only visit one theme park while in Walt Disney World, which one is the ultimate for adults? Let’s explore the options.
Animal Kingdom: Adventure, wilderness, and dining
Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers some really wonderful scenery and meals – it’s a fun park to wander around and enjoy the food.
Why I love this park for adults:
Kilimanjaro Safaris: Can you go on an African safari in Florida? Yes you can!! This guided vehicle tour will have you spotting REAL giraffes, lions, elephants, and more. It’s an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and stands on it’s own.
Harambe Market at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Other Attractions: Expedition Everest is a thrill, but when you ride Flight of Passage it’s honestly incredible. There is nothing quite like flying on the back of a Banshee, it is arguably one of the top experiences in Disney theme parks.
Dining: Tiffins restaurant was inspired by exploration and adventure. Here you can find international cuisine paired with wine or craft cocktails.
The Dawa Bar has South African wines you can enjoy while sitting in an African village. They also serve African beer and specialty cocktails. This is a great little spot to enjoy after wandering some of the numerous trails throughout the park – be sure to do the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail – it’s amazing!
I have never had a bad meal at Yak and Yeti. It’s absolutely worth making reservations (or trying a walk up) at this Nepalese-style restaurant.
Tours: This park is home to some pretty spectacular tours. Caring for Giants and Up Close with Rhinos are two tours that are fun for the whole family. The Wild Africa Trek is a lot more ‘involved’ as you walk along a grassland path, cross a rope bridge and ride in a rugged safari vehicle over an open savanna to see the animals up close from the safari. If you’d like to pair a safari with some food – you’ll want to check out Savor the Savanna. Here you get a private safari with African-inspired tapas, beverages and more.
Hollywood Studios: For the movie fans & thrill seekers
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has attractions that bring our favorite movies and characters to life, and adults will love some of the thrills and dining options.
Reasons I love this park for adults:
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: C’mon. While I know the younger generations are Star Wars fans, no one appreciates walking in to Galaxy’s Edge and seeing the Millennium Falcon like a kid that grew up on the original movies in the 70s and 80s. I have watched grown men tear up just looking at it. Its something none of us ever believed we would see in real life – and ya, you can go INSIDE. Add to that the ability to sip specialty drinks at Oga’s Cantina while enjoying the funky tunes or experiencing FULL SIZE AT-ATs in Rise of the Resistance and your mind will be blown. Adult or not – everyone feels like a kid when they see this.
Tower of Terror & Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster: These classic rides pack adrenaline with a dash of vintage Hollywood glamour. You must still be a “young enough” adult to handle the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster though (free from a bad back and high blood pressure!) because it goes FAST and upside down. While the Tower of Terror doesn’t go upside down, it is one of the most terrifying thrill rides in my opinion. Dropping like that in an ‘elevator’ is fun for many – but not for me!
Dining & Drinks: The Hollywood Brown Derby is favorite place to eat. Set in the Golden Age of Hollywood, the food here is delicious. Known for their famous Cobb Salad, they offer many different options and desserts for everyone. After that you can zip over to Baseline Tap House pub for some California brews and wine.
If you want to relive the ‘good old days’ you can get a meal at the 50s Prime Time Café where nostalgia is in overdrive! Here your wait staff will remind you to eat your veggies and keep your elbows off the table. If you’d prefer to revisit the days of the classic drive-ins you can find that at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. Any of these spots would make for a perfect ‘date night’ or just some adult fun.
Magic Kingdom: The magic happens here
Alright – you kinda got me here. While I love the Magic Kingdom for so many reasons, it’s probably the least “adult-ish” for those that don’t want the ‘magic’ that Disney has to offer.
What I love about this for adults:
Nostalgia: If you visited Walt Disney World as a kid – you HAVE to feel something going back as an adult to look back on what was probably some pretty special memories.
Thrills: Ok, not as many thrills as the other parks but there ARE a couple! TRON and Space Mountain will both surprise you!
Drinks and food: Despite the original idea of Walt Disney that no alcohol would be served in the park, you CAN get alcoholic beverages at some of the restaurants. They aren’t necessarily restaurants I would say you should go out of your way to get to the park for, but Skipper Canteen is a notable call out.
This park has the best nighttime fireworks in my opinion and you can see them from some fantastic restaurants and bars at the nearby monorail resorts. The monorail resort ‘bar crawls’ have become more popular, but I don’t recommend it. There are actually TOO many bars on the monorail loop and you’ll just be a mess by the end of it (I did 4 and had to tap out!). You can also explore some of the fantastic dining at these resorts such as the California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort or Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
Now if I talk monorail resort dining I HAVE to mention Victoria and Alberts. While not in a park, it’s close to the Magic Kingdom so we’ll give it that! This is luxury dining at it’s finest – and you won’t find many young children here. Guests ages 10 and above are welcome to dine here, but with the price tag it has it’s unlikely that there are many kids in there. Among its awards are Michelin Star, AAA Five Diamond Award since 2000 and Forbes Travel Guide Five Star since 2018. The experience here is unlike anything else on Disney property.
As much as it pains me to admit it as a Disney adult myself, Magic Kingdom is probably NOT the best park for adults that aren’t “in to” Disney.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
EPCOT: The best Disney park for adults
Why it’s my top pick:
EPCOT is the perfect mix of attractions, culture and fun. It’s a place where adults can explore food, drinks and merchandise of over 11 different countries at their own pace. I absolutely love just wandering around World Showcase – I see something new every single time I’m there! But it’s more than just sightseeing, it’s a culinary adventure!
La Hacienda de San Angel in EPCOT
You can celebrate Oktoberfest in Germany, sample fresh sushi in Japan, or try the amazing food in Mexico. Each country boasts its own unique flavors and you’ll need multiple days to just do a sampling of them all. If you want something truly “out of this world” then look no further than Space 220 offering some space-age meals with a view! If you prefer the sea – check out the Coral Reef Restaurant with spectacular views of a living coral reef and more than 2,000 amazing sea creatures.
Consider these:
Spaceship Earth: Here’s where you can embrace your inner history buff as you journey through the history of communication. Sounds boring, but totally fun.
Thrill seeker? Mission: SPACE Orange side is NOT for the lighthearted, it is a very intense simulated space launch that will having you signing up to be an astronaut or hurling your cookies – the choice is yours. I will also caution for those of us in the years of “I can’t ride those anymore” against Guardian’s of the Galaxy – it can be a bit intense too!
Nightly Fireworks: Luminous The Symphony of Us is worth seeing. You can see it from virtually anywhere around World Showcase – the perfect ending to the evening.
Visit the UK in Epcot
Live Entertainment: You just never know who you’ll see! From bands in the UK and Canada to a resident juggler in Italy, these countries come to LIFE!
Don’t miss the festivals:
Epcot hosts four major annual festivals: the International Flower & Garden Festival, the International Food & Wine Festival, the International Festival of the Arts, and the International Festival of the Holidays.
Epcot festival food
The Food & Wine is what most people talk about, but it’s honestly my least favorite. The Festival of the Arts and the Flower & Garden are my first and second choices. You get lots of food offerings and samplings – but also fun Art and/or flowers to see. The best time in my opinion to enjoy the festivals is during the week days. The nights/weekends can get a little unruly.
My plea to the adults who like to “enjoy” drinking around the world, please drink responsibly. It isn’t fun for any of us when a group of you come through all loud, drunk and sloppy. It isn’t enjoyable for ANY of us and I’ll bet the next day it isn’t enjoyable for you either.
Flower and Garden Festival
While not a park, I can’t address the best places for adults at Disney without a shout-out to Disney Springs! This is where you’re going to find some of the best shopping and best restaurants on property. The problem? You need multiple days to sample them. With upwards of 90 dining and merchandise locations, you will be overwhelmed with all that it has to offer. Don’t miss Splitsville either – the bowling is fun, and the food delicious!
Walt Disney World has something for everyone. Whether you’re a foodie, a thrill-seeker, a people watcher or all 3 – you’ll find lots here for you I will always advocate for spending at least a week in Walt Disney World no matter what age you are to make the most of everything this destination has to offer.
Where have you explored as an “adult at Disney”? What was your favorite part?
