Disney World for Adults – Ultimate Guide 2023

Going to Disney World for adults is going to be a completely different experience.  But nonetheless, it’s going to be magical and amazing! Especially with this guide. 

Is Disney World worth it for adults?

A trip to Disney is totally worth it as an adult. It’s obviously a very different experience from when you went as a kid, but not any less magical. In fact, if you haven’t been to Disney as an adult, it’s somehow even more magical because it’s just how you remember it. 

There’s nothing shattering any illusions that you didn’t notice because you were a kid, it’s even more impressive and special. 

On the flip side, if you never went to Disney as a kid you must go as an adult! There is so much to explore and discover and that Disney magic will truly make you feel like a kid again. Experiencing Disney for the first time, whether you’re 3 or 33  is nothing short of magical. 

In addition, you get to mix into your Disney World vacation, just about anything you’d like.  We like to try out new bars and food locations.  Between Disney Springs, and the parks, we have more than enough to do and we love it!

Which Disney park is best for adults?

Everyone has their favorite Disney park, and each one has something for everyone, but if you ask any adult what their favorite park is, they’ll probably say EPCOT. 

There are many reasons, but the most prominent being the World Showcase. The fact that you can drink and eat around the world is a big draw for a lot of adults, and it’s the park that houses the most festivals.

In fact, if you’re planning your adult Disney trip, I would recommend staying at a Disney Resort near EPCOT such as Disney’s Boardwalk or the Yacht or Beach Club resorts. 

The back entrance to EPCOT is a stone’s throw away from these resorts and if you have a park hopper pass you can spend your nights traveling the world showcase. 

Of course, there are other attractions that are fun for adults in EPCOT too, like Test Track and Soarin’. However, don’t miss out on the classic Spaceship Earth and if you have the patience to wait, Frozen Ever After is a fun one too. 

How much is Disney World for adults?

It’s no secret that Disney World is expensive, but there are definitely ways to save some money here and there. There are a lot of factors to take into account when thinking about how much your Disney trip will be and what you can do to keep the spending to a minimum. 

Firstly, if you’re not local to the Florida area you’re probably going to have to pay for somewhere to stay, which can be the most expensive part of your trip. If you are looking to stay at Disney Resort, you have a bunch of options. 

Disney resorts are broken down into three categories. Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. The value resorts will be the cheapest, with the deluxe resorts being the most expensive. If you’re unsure of where to start, this is where a Disney Travel agent can be of some real help.

Most value resorts have over-the-top, in-your-face themes, which you can totally get over if you’re looking to save a buck. However, they are very kid focused, more so than the average Disney Resort. 

A moderate resort may be best if you’re looking for a more adult experience and can spend a little more, and of course, there are the Deluxe Resorts and Villas, which to be honest is a great option especially if you’re splitting the cost between a group of friends.

Once you’ve settled on a place to stay the next thing to focus on are park tickets. Standard theme park tickets are available on the Disney website and at the parks themselves, but we recommend getting them as far in advance as possible.

Currently, Disney theme park tickets are an average of $109 per day with the cost decreasing by $20 when you purchase three-day or longer tickets. So for instance, if you buy a 6-day pass it would be $75/day as opposed to $109/day, which will save you $204. This option is only available via the website and will not be honored if you purchase tickets at the parks.

Once you decide on how many days you’ll be spending in the parks, you’ll have to think about what kind of tickets you’d like to purchase. Will you be going to one park each day? Or will you be going to multiple parks per day? Water parks? 

There are four tiers of park admission tickets: 1 Park Per Day, which is the baseline admission where you can, you guessed it, visit one park per day. There is the Water and Sports Park option, which will allow you to go to one park per day, and also enjoy admission to Disney water parks and golf courses.

The Park Hopper options are usually the most popular ticket since you can visit multiple theme parks per day. There is also the Park Hopper Plus that includes admission to Disney water parks and Disney golf courses. 

Disney also recently announced their new Genie and Genie+ programs. Disney Genie will be a complimentary service available via the MyDisneyExperience App. Disney Genie asks you questions regarding your preferences and will compile an itinerary for your ideal Disney Day. 

It will also be capable of showing attraction wait times, as well as the ability to join virtual queues, and order food and drinks. 

Disney Genie+ will be a paid service and will cost $15 per day per person, in addition to your park ticket. With Disney Genie+ you will have access to the new Lightning Lane program, which will officially replace fast passes. 

You can see how the costs can rack up, but there are a bunch of articles on Planning the Magic that will help you keep costs down. The bright side of an adult Disney trip is that you most likely only have to pay for yourself and let’s be honest, the magic of a Disney vacation is so worth it, even as an adult.

Using a Disney Travel agent for a Disney World Adult Trip

Planning a Disney trip can easily become overwhelming, between booking your stay at a Disney Resort, to dining reservations, park reservations, etc. it can be a lot, even for a millennial. This is where a Disney travel agent can be super helpful.

Usually, their services are available at a low or no cost, and their one job is to make sure that your Disney experience is all you dreamed of. 

Not only can they book all your reservations, but they’re always the first to know when there is any kind of deal. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but if you’re trying to save money look into working with a Disney travel agent. 

Their passion is Disney and they *literally* plan Disney trips for a living so you know they are serious pros. Also, talk to them about how you want your days to look, they can be as involved as you want, and plan your days to the hour, or they can be as hands-off as you want and only plan your resort stay. 

Work with me to plan your Disney vacation.

Best Outfit for an adult Disney World Trip

The best outfit for an adult Disney World Trip is any outfit that makes you feel comfortable!  As you know, you’re going to be outside most of the time and you’re going to be walking a ton so comfort is key, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun with some Disney-inspired items.

Of course, you have your classic mouse ears, available at nearly every Disney shop, and a foolproof way to Disney-fy your look. If the standard mouse ears aren’t your jam, head over to Etsy and discover nearly thousands of unique designs, some even completely customizable. 

If you’re looking for a bit more of a sophisticated Disney vibe, look no further than clothing shops like My Oh My Supply Co, The Lost Bros, and Fantasy Feelings. These shops and many others cater to adult Disney-goers who still want to take part in the magic, but not at the cost of their personal style. Items include Disney-themed, tees, sweatshirts, and more. 

Do keep in mind that these shops are independently run small businesses, and require a bit of lead time to fulfill orders. We love supporting a small business, but if your Disney trip is sooner than a month away, shops like H&M, Target, or Walmart all have awesome Disney merch for your trip too. 

Now that we’ve got your perfect Disney outfit mostly figured out, we’ve come to the most important part: your footwear. 

Save the cute sandals for dinner, and opt for a pair of your best kicks while hitting the parks. Trust me, you will not be happy after walking around in flip-flops all day. Plus if you know Florida weather, you know that it could rain at a moment’s notice. Take it from someone who has ruined a pair of shoes in a 5-minute downpour in Magic Kingdom. 

Speaking of downpours, don’t let the rain stop you and invest in a poncho! Ponchos reign supreme (no pun intended) in the wetter Disney weather, so no need to bring an umbrella. Ponchos are sold in nearly every gift shop in every theme park and are totally worth the seemingly hefty price tag. There’s just something about a Disney poncho that is superior to other ponchos and they’ll make you forget it’s even raining.

It’s also a good idea to bring a small backpack or fanny pack to carry said poncho when it’s not raining and any other personal items you may need. When all is said and done, the best Disney outfits for adults are ones that bring out the kid in you, so have fun!

Which Disney World Water Park is Best For Adults?

Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are Disney’s two water parks and they’re both tons of fun. However, if you are looking for more of a relaxed day lounging in the lazy river, Typhoon Lagoon is the water park that’s best. 

When it comes down to it, Typhoon Lagoon is overall a bit tamer than Blizzard Beach. Don’t get me wrong there are plenty of opportunities for some thrills, at each park, but believe it or not, there are more opportunities for chills at Typhoon Lagoon.

Which restaurants are the best in Disney World for Adults

There are so many options when it comes to food at Disney, but here are a handful of restaurants not to miss if you’re looking for something a little more grown-up. 

Firstly we have the newly refurbished Citricos located within Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. The atmosphere is incredibly luxe, channeling design inspiration from the film Mary Poppins Returns. 

The restaurant features two dining rooms, a private wine room, and a walk-up bar with additional seating. The menu also received an overhaul and includes dishes like smoked duck breast, guava barbecued short ribs, and a crowd favorite, truffle mac, and cheese. 

The natural light in this space is gorgeous and really adds to the atmosphere, making Citricos a  great spot for lunch, an early dinner, or pre-dinner drinks. 

Here is where we’d talk about California Grill, located on the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. However, it looks like a new dining experience will be taking its place.

There’s not much out there yet, but according to the Disney website, “California Grill is currently unavailable for bookings after October 2, 2021 as we create a special dining experience for the 50th Anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World Resort.” 

Unless you’re lucky enough to already have a reservation prior to October 2nd at California Grill, might we suggest Takumi-Tei, which has recently become a front-runner for the best restaurant in Disney. 

Takumi-Tei is located in the Japan pavilion of EPCOT’s world showcase and is one of the most luxurious and indulgent restaurants to open at Walt Disney World with a price tag to match. At $180 per person for the Kaiseki Menu it’s hardly the most affordable option, but one that will definitely leave an impression…on your wallet and your pallet. 

Which bars are the best in Disney World for Adults

As we all know, Disney World is fun for the whole family, but it’s especially fun when the whole family is 21+. Whether you’re on a trip with your family or enjoying a girl’s weekend, there are a ton of fun spots that will be sure to deliver. 

Of course, there is every adult’s favorite Disney pastime, hitting up EPCOT and drinking around the world. A beer in London, Champagne in France, beer in Germany, the list goes on… But the real MVP of EPCOT’s world showcase is La Cava del Tequila. 

Anyone who’s anyone knows that the Margaritas in Mexico are seriously the best, but La Cava is next level. For when you’re feeling a bit sophisticated and want to indulge a little, La Cava is the perfect Mexican hideaway. Try to get a table if you can order the guac, and of course a specialty margarita. De nada.

If tequila is not your thing, hop over to Italy’s Tutto Gusto Wine Bar. It has a similar vibe to La Cava — it’s cozy, romantic, and cavernous, you’ll totally forget you’re in Disney World. With over 200 wines available, you’ll be sure to find something to sip while noshing on Italian specialties like cured meats, cheeses, and desserts. 

If you’re looking for a night out on the town without paying park admission, Disney resorts have some awesome bars as well. Trader Sam’s, located in Disney’s Polynesian Resort, offers campy Tiki drinks that are as delicious as they are grand. Trader Sam’s is perfect for a birthday celebration, or a night out catching up with friends. 

Disney’s Boardwalk Entertainment District is home to some great options as well. AbracadaBar, is one of the more sophisticated additions in the past few years. Centered around a 1940’s mystery involving the disappearance of a group of illusionists and magicians, AbracadaBar offers fun-themed cocktails and bartenders that have a few tricks up their sleeves. 

Diagonally across the boardwalk from AbracadaBar is probably one of the most fun bars in all of Disney, Jelly Roll’s! Named after the great jazz pianist, Jelly Roll Morton, Jelly Roll’s is a dueling piano bar that is probably the most fun you’ll have outside of a Disney theme park. 

Write down your favorite tune on a napkin and hand it to the performer of your choosing, and don’t forget a tip! Trust me, you haven’t lived until you’ve scream-singed, “Don’t Stop Believing” with a bunch of strangers.

The atmosphere of Jelly Roll’s is a classic rock concert meets dive bar, so don’t expect any out-of-this-world cocktails, but do expect to have the best time ever, and to maybe not have a voice the next day.