Walt Disney World for Adults: Things to Do

Walt Disney World in Florida is nice for teenagers and households, however adults at Disney World can have a pleasant trip there, too. Because the park provides extra high-speed thrill rides (together with Tron Lightcycle Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind) and extra alcohol onto restaurant menus, some points of Disney World seemingly aren’t designed for tiny tots.

Right here’s the last word information to Disney World for adults, together with which theme parks to go to, the place to remain, what to eat and the way to save cash.

The most effective Disney World theme parks for adults

There are 4 theme parks at Walt Disney World. Right here’s what they’re — and what adults can anticipate once they go to:

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The centerpiece of this theme park, Kilimanjaro Safaris, is a stable comfort prize for adults who’ve by no means been on an African safari. Driving previous animals within the Harambe Wildlife Reserve aboard an open-air car could be an unforgettable expertise no matter age.

• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Many adults flock to this theme park purely for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, an space of the park with two “Star Wars” themed points of interest. You don’t must be a fan of the franchise to understand Oga’s Cantina, a full of life bar serving over-the-top cocktails.

• Epcot: The Epcot theme park is thought for points of interest which have extra of an academic spin, equivalent to the long-lasting Spaceship Earth, which is a slow-moving experience by the historical past of communication. There’s additionally Journey of Water, which teaches vacationers in regards to the world water cycle. Epcot stands out for the worldwide delicacies featured in World Showcase, which has meals pavilions themed round 11 nations.

• Magic Kingdom Park: Whereas this park is probably the most kid-oriented of the bunch, many adults will recognize the childhood nostalgia. Plus, it’s house to Disney’s iconic points of interest together with The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. Almost a dozen eating places inside Magic Kingdom now serve alcohol.

Epcot stands out when you’re trying to imbibe on the World Showcase space. Attempt Japanese plum wine or sake at Kabuki Cafe. Sip on Canadian ice wine at Le Cellier Steakhouse or pattern certainly one of greater than 200 tequilas at La Cava del Tequila within the Mexico pavilion. Aficionados would possibly even guide the $180 tasting expertise with a licensed Tequila Ambassador, that includes a number of uncommon and distinctive agave spirits.

Plus, Epcot’s rides, from the sluggish boat experience by a greenhouse system referred to as Residing with the Land to the extraordinary, G-force simulating Mission: SPACE, are sometimes extra interesting to adults.

One of many latest points of interest, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, is like House Mountain on steroids. It options the primary reverse launch on a Disney coaster, and its experience automobiles rotate slightly than level straight forward — bringing a bonus thrill.

The most effective Disney World lodges for adults

The most effective Disney World lodges for adults fluctuate primarily based on how a lot you prioritize design and facilities over affordability.

NerdWallet’s decide for the finest Disney World resort for adults within the deluxe tier is Disney’s Yacht Membership Resort. The elegant, New England-style impressed resort has a lazy river inside its 3-acre pool advanced and can be the location of the Yachtsman Steakhouse. It additionally sits towards Disney’s BoardWalk, a hub for nighttime grownup leisure together with the Atlantic Dance Corridor and the Jellyrolls dueling piano bar, each of that are restricted to adults ages 21 and up.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is the perfect moderate-priced resort for adults looking for a subdued keep. Resembling New Orleans’s historic French Quarter, the calm Sassagoula River flows quietly all through the grounds. Its sister resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, can be a superb decide.

If price is most essential, the perfect resort is Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Along with having its personal Disney Skyliner station, adults would possibly recognize the thematic nods to the Fifties by the Nineteen Nineties, such because the Nineteen Sixties-inspired “Hippy Dippy Pool.”

Disney-owned lodges are virtually at all times dearer than close by lodges, however staying in a single gives advantages that you just may not discover elsewhere.

• Early theme park entry: Folks booked at Disney lodges can enter theme parks half-hour earlier than everybody else (park admission is required). 

• Prolonged night hours: Guests at Disney’s deluxe resorts are entitled to stay round longer (usually two hours previous normal closing time) on particular nights at some parks. 

• Free mass transportation: Each Disney resort is served by buses, and a few lodges present different modes of transportation together with boats, monorails or an aerial gondola referred to as the Disney Skyliner.

• Free parking: Should you drive your car, folks staying at Disney Resort lodges obtain complimentary normal parking at Disney theme parks, Disney water parks and the Disney Springs space.

The most effective Disney World eating places for adults

Disney eating places break down into three classes: meals carts, fast service (you order on the counter or by cell order) and waiter-service eating places.

For the quickest snack choice, head to the meals carts to purchase theme park classics like ice cream, pretzels and popcorn. There’s additionally not-to-be-missed Disney icons, together with the Dole Whip, a type of frozen pineapple comfortable serve.

Throughout the Epcot Worldwide Meals & Wine Pageant, you’ll discover meals carts providing dishes from nations around the globe in smaller parts however at decrease costs. The pageant dishes are excellent as a result of they embrace cultures past the 11 nations represented within the Epcot pavilions. In 2023, you would order Kenyan espresso barbecued beef from the Kenya stand, a lamb gyro from the Greece stand, or Pão de Queijo (a sort of cheese bread) from the Brazil stand.

Inexpensive Disney World meals that grownup foodies hunt down embrace Flame Tree Barbecue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, which serves plentiful protein like pulled pork and ribs.

At Docking Bay 7 Meals and Cargo (positioned within the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge part of Disney’s Hollywood Studios), adults can feast on elevated dishes like a smoky braised beef glazed in tamarind sauce, tuna poke or a Ronto Wrap, which is a pita-wrapped pork sausage named for the fictional four-legged herbivores on Luke Skywalker’s house planet of Tatooine.

So far as the perfect eating places in Disney World for adults with waiter service, foodies flock to Jiko – The Cooking Place, which serves African-inspired dishes like oak-grilled filet mignon and cocoa-crusted venison loin.

For ultra-fine eating, think about the opulent Victoria and Albert’s restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The Victorian restaurant set beneath a grand rotunda isn’t low-cost, although. The prix fixe menu begins at $295 per individual, and there’s no a la carte choice accessible.

Free or low-cost Disney actions for adults outdoors the theme parks

In case your concept of leisure means happening a run, Disney has a lengthy checklist of jogging paths, every of varied distances (and utilizing them for a stroll is OK, too). At evening, you would possibly get your cardio in on the Atlantic Dance Corridor.

And if that’s an excessive amount of motion, you would possibly curl up in a rocking chair on the again patio of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, which overlooks 4 savannas that home greater than 30 species of African wildlife, together with zebras, giraffes, gazelles, kudu and flamingos. Whereas there, cease for a sampling of the South African wines on the resort’s Cape City Lounge and Wine Bar (although the wine isn’t free).

For leisure, head to Disney’s free outside buying district, Disney Springs the place many bars and eating places play free reside music on the patio. Don’t miss Raglan Highway, which often options Irish musicians and dancers.

Different methods adults can get monetary savings on a Walt Disney World trip

Even with out youngsters, don’t anticipate a Disney World trip to be low-cost. NerdWallet analyzed lots of of particular person costs that would probably go right into a Disney trip and located that the typical price of Disney World for 2 adults can simply prime $4,000 for a seven-night journey — and that’s for frugal vacationers.

NerdWallet’s evaluation broke down journeys by journey model, with the information that some people would possibly demand white tablecloth eating whereas others are effective with meals carts. Equally, some adults would possibly splurge on tickets with line-cutting privileges whereas others are effective ready. With that in thoughts, right here’s how a lot you must anticipate spending per day, per individual (with resort costs primarily based on double occupancy), primarily based on journey model.

Disney prices add up, however listed here are some methods it can save you cash.

In contrast to households who would possibly require a rental automotive to make use of a baby automotive seat, adults can rely solely on Disney’s intensive free transportation community of boats, monorails, buses and gondolas.

Trip packages, discounted ticket websites, airline apps and factors can all get you cheaper Disney tickets. Right here’s a information to shopping for Disney tickets for affordable.

Should you’re eating at a counter-service restaurant, nobody will know when you’re ordering a youngsters menu merchandise to be consumed by an grownup. Typically, youngsters meals supply the identical gadgets because the grownup model, albeit a smaller portion (and a cheaper price tag). Should you’re looking for to strive all the pieces, this technique lets you strive extra for much less cash.

For instance, you may want a cheeseburger pod, which is a bao bun full of traditional cheeseburger substances offered at Animal Kingdom’s Satu’li Canteen. The grownup serving prices $13.29 whereas the smaller portion for teenagers is $8.59 — 35% much less.

Disney Good Neighbor Inns are owned by different firms (largely massive, worldwide resort manufacturers that supply loyalty packages), however they’re formally acknowledged by Disney as advisable locations to remain. Many could be booked at decrease money charges — and typically even free of charge (assuming you will have resort factors, earned by frequent stays or bank card rewards).

Plus, lots of the Disney Good Neighbor resort advantages match those who folks staying at Disney lodges get, together with early theme park entry. For proximity to nightlife, eating places and different leisure, adults will wish to think about Disney Good Neighbor Inns within the Disney Springs space.

Staying off-property (equivalent to at a kind of Disney Good Neighbor Inns), can remove an enormous expense in case your bank card factors cowl it.

Disney Springs space lodges that may be booked on loyalty factors embrace:

The Drury Plaza Resort Orlando – Disney Springs Space is without doubt one of the few lodges within the space that doesn’t cost a resort charge — but presents resort facilities. Folks staying right here have entry to free sizzling breakfast and the 5:30 Kickback, a cheerful hour to nosh on soups, salads, grilled rooster and veggies (plus snacks like nachos). The 5:30 Kickback additionally options free drinks — together with alcohol.

Cheaper options to Disney World

Should you’re a proud Disney grownup however are in search of different methods to expertise the magic, there are different, cheaper options to Disney World.

One other NerdWallet report analyzed Disney Cruise versus Disney World costs and located that the typical Disney cruise is often cheaper than a Disney World trip, particularly for longer and luxury-style holidays.

Certain, Disney cruises are nice for youngsters and households. Nonetheless, there are many actions together with reside music and selection exhibits that cater to adults, plus grownup swimming swimming pools, spas and eating.

Right here’s a breakdown of costs for Disney Cruise Line vs. Disney World, illustrating situations the place Disney cruises internet out cheaper than the theme parks.

Should you’re accounting just for tickets and meals (not lodges) Disneyland is cheaper than Disney World. In a NerdWallet evaluation, Disney-owned lodges in California averaged 49% dearer per evening than Disney World lodges, making journey prices total dearer. But when you could find lodging elsewhere, then a Disneyland journey will seemingly price much less (Disneyland tickets common 3.9% cheaper than Disney World, and Disneyland meals common 9.9% cheaper).

Right here’s a breakdown of costs for Disneyland vs. Disney World, so you’ll be able to see which line gadgets are cheaper or dearer, relying on the coast: