Walt Disney World for Adults

Walt Disney World – the premier adult destination in the world? You have no idea how many times people look at us questioningly, when we tell them we’re headed back to Walt Disney World, shaking their heads, and saying ‘isn’t that just for kids?’ ‘NO’. We want to shout, barely holding back our disbelief and anger. But alas, not everyone can maintain their youthful innocence and remain young at heart. Today, we have decided to silence the naysayers, and the haters, by compiling a guide to an adult trip to Walt Disney World.

Bars:
Need to hit up happy hour, even when on the happiest place on earth? The mouse has you covered. Our favorite Walt Disney World bar is Trader Sam’s at The Polynesian Village Resort. Drink an Uh Oa!, do some chanting, watch the LED volcanos explode, and think of me fondly. We also really enjoy the new, Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar at Disney Springs, for it’s well crafted drinks, and perfect execution of Indiana Jones themed detailing. The Tune In Lounge at Hollywood Studios wins big for us as well. It’s a bar, with a 1950s theme, AND you can get milkshakes. There is nothing to not love about this place. If you’re like me, and a sucker for a challenge, you can attempt to cross off our 5 must-drink cocktails at WDW on your next trip.

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Hotels:
If Deluxe accommodations make you feel more grown up, and you want to stay on the monorail loop (because mass transportation is soooooooo not adult), we recommend The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. This classy, Victorian inspired resort will leave you feeling pampered, and like you should be constantly wearing your tennis whites, and playing a game of croquet. For a more laid back feel, we love The Polynesian Village Resort. Home to a recently renovated pool, new bar, beach area, and re-done rooms and lobby, this tropical resort not only has great views of the Magic Kingdom, but a great romantic atmosphere. For those looking for a less expensive price tag, we recommend staying at either resort at Port Orleans. Both Riverside, and French Quarter are dripping with detail, and romance. We prefer the Mansions at Riverside to the Bayou rooms, and love to just walk along the river. French Quarter is a clean, sanitized version of New Orleans – complete with Spanish Moss dripping from the trees, and small streets you walk through. We’ve found Port Orleans to be the quietest of all the Moderate Resorts.


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The BoardWalk:

We are huge fans of Disney’s Boardwalk area. Themed like a turn of the century, seaside boardwalk – this whole area makes us feel nostalgic for the yesteryear we never knew. This is a great place to come at night to grab a drink, dinner, do some shopping, or just walk around. If dueling piano bars are your things (they freak us out), check out Jellyrolls.

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Restaurants:
I have a confession to make, that might make you want to throw things at me – I don’t always like to eat with children. Sometimes I love it, and you will find me, at The Crystal Palace, partaking in the Friendship Day Parade, dancing around the restaurant with all the kids, and Winnie the Pooh. But sometimes I just want to hang out with adults, and eat a filet. My favorite quiet escapes at WDW are The California Grill – high atop the Contemporary Resort, and Jiko, tucked away on the bottom floor of the main building in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I also have a soft spot for Narcoosses, at The Grand Floridian Resort, when I have a hankering for lobster, and Monsieur Paul when I’m feeling like upscale French food, and literally the best steak of my life.

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The Parks:
The Parks aren’t just for kids (we promise). In Future World, in Epcot, with attractions like Soarin’, Living with the Land, and Test Track, there’s plenty of educational, but fun attractions to keep you stimulated and entertained. World Showcase, in Epcot, is in our opinion, an adult paradise. Filled with eleven replica countries, that all have food, entertainment, and adult beverage to partake in, you could easily spend several days here. ‘Eating and Drinking Around The World’ is even a game that many Disney guests play. Animal Kingdom is another great park for adults – where else can you take a safari ride, without going to Africa? Animal Kingdom also has excellent theming, shows, and a wild rollercoaster through a replica of Mount Everest that you will love. Hollywood Studios has several of Disney’s most thrilling rides, if adrenaline is what you seek. From the thirteen story drop of Tower of Terror, to the zero to sixty second launch of Rockin’ Roller Coaster, if you’re looking for ‘big rides’, Hollywood Studios is the place to go. For our most controversial opinion yet – we think that Magic Kingdom is actually a very adult park. Here’s the thing, adulting is hard. Reality isn’t easy, and neither is all that comes along with. The day to day of bill paying, 9-5, and traffic can take it’s toll, so if there’s a whole theme park geared towards escapism of that, shouldn’t that be a great thing for adults? It was Walt that said, ‘Adults are just kids grown up anyway’. You don’t have to be a kid to appreciate that magic in the Magic Kingdom.

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Disney Springs:
For years I was a Downtown Disney hater, claiming the only good thing about the whole place was Earl of Sandwich, and the Holiday Sandwich it held inside its sacred walls. However, with the new renovations that has happened to Downtown Disney, transforming it to Disney Springs, I have become a convert. I love what they have done with the space, and the additions of places like Jock Lindsays, The Boathouse, the Starbucks Reserve Store, The Food Truck Park, and Morimoto Asia. All the places I just mentioned are fantastic adult hang out’s, and some of our favorite spots at Disney.

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We stand by our opinion that Walt Disney World is a vacation mecca for all people, not just children, or families. We think an adults only trip to the happiest place on earth, can build some of the happiest memories of your life, and we will continue endorsing it on this website (and to anyone else that will listen to us!).

 

If you’re visiting with your special someone, give our tried-and-true Polynesian Village Date Night a whirl!