Are you looking for some of the best things to do at Disney World for Adults?
Going to the Walt Disney World as an adult without kids, or kids who can go off on their own for a while is a pretty fun experience.
In fact, there’s a whole new world at your fingertips once you check in to your hotel and tap your MagicBand to get into the parks.
You just have to be willing to look a little deeper into the experience Walt Disney World has to offer outside of the rides and seeing Mickey Mouse and his pals.
Both of which are still great, but everyone else is going to be doing those things too!
Walt Disney World Itinerary: Planning Your Adult Disney Trip
If you’re curious about if Disney World is for adults, then keep reading for 21 unique things for you to do while on vacation at Walt Disney World.
You’ll see how you can bring even more fun into your trip!
I’ve broken down the activities based on location so you can plan your days even easier.
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO. Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.
Magic Kingdom Itinerary for Adults
The Magic Kingdom is the park most people think of when they think of Walt Disney Wold.
This park mainly focuses on kids and family time, but that doesn’t mean adults traveling solo can’t get in on the fun too!
1. Get a Haircut
Right on Main Street U.S.A. there’s a small barber shop where you can get your haircut.
If this is of interest, then you’re going to want to get a reservation right when you walk into the park. Mainly due to the fact that the time slots for each day go quickly.
While getting your haircut you might see kids getting their first haircut, but don’t let that discourage you from popping in.
The Cast Members who work at the Harmony Barber Shop are ready to welcome anyone into their seats.
2. Dine in the Secret Room at Skipper Canteen
If you plan on dining somewhere at Magic Kingdom, I highly suggest Skipper Canteen located in the Adventureland part of the park.
The restaurant is based on the Jungle Cruise attraction that is also located in Adventureland.
One unique part of this restaurant is that you can dine in a secret room. This room is hidden behind massive bookshelves, and ties together the story of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers.
Nods to the fictional group can also be found at Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Disney Cruise Line and other locations at Walt Disney World.
The room in Skipper Canteen is meant to resemble the room where the band of characters would plan their next adventure together.
This is one of the unique and fun things to do at Disney World for adults.
Have a DIFFERENT kind of Orlando vacation with a Resort home next to Disney World. Find Your Disney Resort Vacation Rental here!
3. Take the Keys to the Kingdom Tour
The Keys to the Kingdom Tour is for anyone over 16, and allows you to get a backstage look at everything that goes on at Magic Kingdom during the day.
You’ll get to go down to the ultilidoors where Cast Members roam to get from one side of the park to the other, and you’ll even ride a few rides after getting a little peek behind the curtain on how they work.
Read NEXT: Magic Kingdom for Adults the Complete Guide
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Itinerary for Adults
Hollywood Studios has undergone quite the transformation over the past few years. The park is now a haven for Star Wars and Pixar fans.
But there are a few hidden gems for adults who want something fun to do at the park besides get on a few attractions.
4. Grab a Drink at Oga’s Cantina
Oga’s Cantina is the newest establishment at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that offers adults a libation and a reprieve from the sometimes hectic feeling of the park.
Inside you’ll be able to munch on a snack, enjoy a space-inspired drink, and listen to music from a droid DJ.
5. Pilot the Millennium Falcon
If there’s one thing many adults have waited their entire lives to do it’s pilot the Millennium Falcon!
Now you can do just that at Disney’s Hollywood Studios inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
The new land features an attraction where guests can put the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy into light speed and dodge the First Order.
Just be sure to get the ship back in one piece or you’ll loose out on bragging rights and galactic credits.
6. Enjoy Happy Hour at the Hollywood Brown Derby
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the perfect park to enjoy a stiff drink with a relaxing view. The Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant is a little pricey, but it’s so worth the cost!
Plus, you’ll enjoy some tasty treats and drinks, and great company with your bartender or server if you decide to sit on the outside patio area.
Read NEXT: Hollywood Studios for Adults (Definitive Guide)
EPCOT Itinerary for Grown-ups
EPCOT has long been considered Disney’s more adult park. There’s so much to explore that you couldn’t do it all in one day.
But if you did only have one day, these are the unique things you would need to experience.
7. Drink Around the World
This is a quintessential adult Epcot activity.
Drinking Around World Showcase can be really fun by yourself, or with a few friends, especially because you can be more selective about the amount and what types of drinks you order.
It’s one of my top recommendations for adults going to Disney World.
8. Dine at a Private Table in Takumi-Tei
There are a few restaurants at Walt Disney World that offer a private table experience. However, none of them even come close to the experience at Takumi-Tei inside the Japan Pavilion at Epcot.
This exclusive experience is meant for small groups and lasts up to four hours, with regular breaks from eating.
If you’re looking to treat yourself, then this is the spot to do it.
You can only make reservations by calling the restaurant, or heading there first thing in the morning to reserve the chef’s table room, which only has one seating per night.
9. Take a Tour of EPCOT’s Greenhouses
If you’ve ever ridden Living With The Land at EPCOT, then you might have seen groups of people on a tour of the greenhouses. The tour is super cheap and about an hour long.
It’s so much fun to see behind the scenes at the greenhouses to see how the fruits and vegetables are grown for various restaurants throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.
Read NEXT: Epcot for Adults the Complete Guide
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Itinerary for Adults
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is often thought about as a half-day park, but we would beg to differ on that sentiment.
The park is filled with beautiful animal exploration trails, tours to take, and the best bars and lounges at Disney World!
10. Sip on Drinks at Nomad Lounge
Nomad Lounge is one of the most underrated bars at Walt Disney World.
It’s located just near the entrance of Pandora- The World of Avatar, with a beautiful outdoor seating area near a river, and an indoor area that’s meant to look like a mountain hiking outpost.
If you’re planning on ordering drinks, which we highly suggest you do, the Hightower Rocks is a refreshing take on a watermelon margarita.
Recommended: The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide
11. Take an Elephant Tour
Did you know you could get up close to elephants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? On the Caring For Giants tour you get to do just that.
The tour allows you to get as close as possible, while still being at a safe distance to see just how incredible these creatures are. You’ll learn about the herd at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and what makes them so unique.
12. Take a Rhino Tour
If elephants aren’t you thing then you can take a Rhino tour called Up Close With Rhinos.
The tour takes you right into the Rhino habitat at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where you’ll learn about the endangered species and how Disney’s Animal Kingdom cares for their family of rhinos.
Read NEXT: 13 Pro Tips For Disney’s Animal Kingdom to Make Your Day Easy
Disney Hotels with Adult Experiences
Exploring the Disney hotels can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you don’t have your own car. But, if you can get to the resorts, then you’re going to want to do these things!
13. Enjoy a Dueling Piano Bar
At Disney’s Boardwalk you’ll find a lively dueling piano bar, Jellyrolls. The bar features two talented piano players, singing and playing just about any song under the sun.
I hear they know just about any song people might request, so it’s going to be hard to stump them. Be sure to get to Jellyrolls early, otherwise you might not get in since it’s such a popular location.
14. Try Your Hand at the Kitchen Sink
The Kitchen Sink is one of Disney’s most popular food challenges!
If you’re a major fan of ice cream you’re going to want to get to Beaches and Cream at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort to try this out.
The massive sundae is served in an actual kitchen sink and features eight scoops of ice cream with all of the toppings you can imagine.
15. Take a Progressive Dinner via Monorail
One of the more unique dining options at Walt Disney World is to take a progressive dinner tour (temporarily suspended) around the monorail resorts, which include:
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Polynesian Village
- Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
You can do this with Disney as a separately paid dinner, or by yourself and have even more fun by choosing what your options are and exploring the resorts between courses.
The Perfect Monorail Meal Dining Itinerary at Disney World
- Start at Disney’s Contemporary Resort for appetizers at the bar at California Grill
- Have your entree at Kona Cafe or Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Enjoy dessert and drinks at the Enchanted Rose Lounge at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
- When dinner is done head down to the beach to watch Magic Kingdom’s fireworks!
Read NEXT: 10 Best Disney World Resorts for Adults to Splurge On
Disney Water Park Itinerary for Adults
The Disney water parks are often forgotten when planning a vacation.
I would tell anyone planning to go to Walt Disney World to get over to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach as soon as possible to take part in these unique activities.
16. Learn to Surf at Disney
At Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon you can learn to surf in their massive wave pools. The class starts well before the park opens in the morning.
The classes are generally small, and the teachers take time to help you perfect your form so you’re standing on the surf board before the class ends.
17. Rent a Cabana
Both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon offer you the opportunity to rent a cabana. Renting a cabana by yourself or with a small group of friends will make you feel like water park royalty for the day!
Each cabana comes with a cooler of drinks, a smaller locker for valuables, and someone to help you get snacks and drinks throughout the day.
18. Play Mini-Golf
Just outside of the gates to Blizzard Beach is a super cute mini-golf course! The course is based around Santa’s visit to Walt Disney World over summer, and it’s called Winter-Summer Land Mini Golf.
If you’re looking for a fun evening outside of the parks or to challenge a few friends, this is the spot to be.
Ready to start planning your next Disney World vacation? Listen to the latest podcast episode on Apple or on your non-Apple device now!
Disney Springs Itinerary for Adults
The Disney Springs area is Disney’s entertainment and dining district. It’s often open well into the night on the weekends and offers a variety of things to do for adults.
So, see why visiting Disney Springs is one of the best things to do in Orlando.
Choose the BEST Day to Go to Walt Disney World with This Crowd Calendar!
19. Do a Wine Tasting
Disney Springs has a wide variety of restaurants, but one I cannot recommend enough is Wine Bar George.
This restaurant features an extensive wine list, which you can then turn into your own personal wine tasting with guidance from the sommeliers that work at Wine Bar George!
20. Go Bowling
Disney Springs is home to a full sized bowling alley called Splitsville. This spot is great to grab a bite to eat and play a few games of bowling on those warm afternoons in Orlando.
If you’re going to to order something to eat, I recommend their sushi or loaded fries!
21. Create Your Own Foodie Tour
You may not know this but Disney Springs is known for having some of the best restaurants, including Morimoto Asia (asian food), The STK (modern steakhouse), Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ (Souther cuisine), and The BOATHOUSE (high-quality seafood).
So, if you’re a foodie, then make sure this activity is on TOP of your list of things to do at Disney Springs!
Here’s a Disney Springs Foodie Tour for You:
- Get an appetizer, sushi and sake at Morimoto Asia
- Grab a tantalizing drink at Enzo’s Hideaway (the prohibition themed bar)
- Enjoy a delicious entrée at The STK
- Get another incredible drink at the Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
- Grab a small plate and wine at Wine Bar George
- Finish off with desserts (and maybe even after dessert drinks) at The BOATHOUSE
My Final Thoughts on the Best Things to do at Disney World for Adults
As you can, there are so many unique and fun things for adults to do at Disney World. Let meknow which one you were the most surprised by in the comments section below.
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
Megan is a theme park expert and frequent traveler to magical places. She covers all things Disney and Universal and runs marathons for fun.
She thinks you can tell a lot about someone by the name of their signature lipstick, and hers is NARS Dragon Girl.
UP NEXT: Best Restaurants for Adults and Solo Travelers at Disney World
(Original Article Date: July 2, 2020/Content Updated and New Information Added by Editor on April 17, 2024)