Have you ever wondered what a holiday to Walt Disney World would be like without the kids? Some people assume they won't enjoy the experience, after all, Disney is for children…
In the words of Timon from The Lion King, “Right? Wrong!”
Walt Disney World offers a host of fun experiences for all ages including adults, and without the little ones in tow, you'll be able to enjoy exactly the activities you choose. From sipping on a drink or three in the various resorts, staying up late for fun entertainment and shopping until you drop at Disney Springs, to going on some of Disney World's biggest, scariest rides, you can let your inner child go wild. Here's what you can get up to on a Disney adult holiday to the Happiest Place on Earth…
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
There are no shortage of great places to eat and drink
at Walt Disney World, but taking the kids means alcohol is usually off the cards. A great place to start, if you can get a reservation, is Oga's Cantina in Star Wars Land, an immersive bar and lounge that's perfect for any die-hard Star Wars fan. The drinks range from beer to fancy cocktails, which come in themed glasses and there's loads of space to chill out, making it perfect for an evening tipple.
Another great place for both food and drink is EPCOT. Each year they have an international food and wine festival which lets you taste your way around the world! This means you can try local specialities from Africa to Asia, alongside exclusive beers and wine. All parks except Magic Kingdom serve alcohol outside of table-service restaurants too, with certain spots serving beers and drinks specifically crafted for the parks, like Kenyan lager in Animal Kingdom and French wines at Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom.
As for the food? It's not all on-the-go, Walt Disney World has some excellent dining establishments, whether you want a casual meal or a romantic dinner for two. Some of the best include Victoria & Albert's at the Grand Floridian, an AAA, Five Diamond recipient, and Sanaa in
Animal Kingdom which serves African-inspired cuisine. To really treat yourself, you could also head to Capa at the Four Seasons hotel, a Michelin-starred rooftop steakhouse and bar. The various resorts are also packed with great options for dining to your hearts content.
Resorts and Nightlife
If you've done character dining and can't bear to see another Mickey Mouse waffle, staying in one of the resorts or at least hopping around them is the best way to enjoy excellent food, drink and entertainment. If you're planning to stay, a few of the best resorts include the BoardWalk Inn, which is a short
hop to EPCOT and right by the fun BoardWalk entertainment area, and the Grand Floridian, which boasts a live orchestra in the lobby, a spa and great views of the fireworks over Cinderella Castle, not to mention its delectable restaurants. Staying at a resort is also useful for a slice of relaxation, as many resorts, such as Riviera and the Polynesian, have multiple pools, pool bars and outdoor spaces where you can grab a cocktail, have a splash and relax in the sunshine.
After the excitement of the day, it's only right to enjoy some nightlife, and surprisingly, Disney has it in spades. In the evening hours, certain bars and lounges start to get going, such as Raglan Road, Jock Lindsay's Hangar Bar and Morimoto Asia. There's also great entertainment at BoardWalk, including Jellyrolls piano bar, Atlantic Dance Hall, live performers and a stellar view of EPCOT's nightly fireworks. You don't have to drink, but if you want to take it to the next level, try the monorail bar crawl, which involves bar hopping around three resorts on the monorail line: the Polynesian, Grand Floridian and Contemporary. When kids in other groups have started to tire, you can still enjoy late night access to the parks with fewer queues, exciting shows and events.
Rides, Shopping and Experiences
Visiting Walt Disney World on an adult's holiday doesn't mean you have to shun the fun rides; on the contrary, you can stay in the parks later and hop on some of the scariest, most adrenaline-pumping rides. Whether you get in touch with your inner child on slow, easy rides, or try hair-raising attractions, you can do exactly as you please. Head to fun rides like Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Rollercoaster at Hollywood Studios, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT, and Avatar Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom. While
Magic Kingdom is geared towards kids, it's also perfect for recalling that childlike magic of your first time at Disney World, by enjoying classic rides like Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion and It's A Small World. Don't forget about the water parks either: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are ideal for laid-back, adult fun, with lazy rivers, slides and plenty of food options. Plus, they also do after-hours entry with live DJs, neon parties and drinks throughout the park.
Certain experiences are also adults only, like backstage and VIP tours, while with extra money to spare that isn't spent on kids, you can do photo shoots, Segway tours and wildlife meet-and-greets. At
Coronado Springs Resort, you can even go to sangria university, tasting a variety of drinks before making your own! You'll definitely want something to remember your adult Disney holiday, so why not hit the shops? Disney Springs is a must-visit for adults, with more than 100 shops to explore where you can buy merchandise and more. At night, the party gets going with live entertainment and happy hour at most restaurants, or you can have a relaxing night at the AMC Dine-In Theatre. One thing’s for sure - after your first adult trip to Walt Disney World, you’ll never want to come with kids again!
Ready to holiday where the magic happens? View our award-winning Walt Disney World holiday packages.
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