For some adults, a vacation to Walt Disney World remains a trip that you endure in order to bring your children for their once in a lifetime experience. But Disney truly is a place for everyone and can be an especially great place for adults to vacation. Here are 6 reasons why:
#1 – Thrill Rides
Disney is great for adults who love thrill rides. Although not as extreme as some amusement parks, for what Disney lacks in intensity it makes up for in added experience. My favorite Disney thrill ride and probably the most intense is Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a forward and backward facing roller coaster. Not only do you get the rush of a thrill ride, you also experience some cool effects and take part in an interesting story. At Magic Kingdom, I always enjoy the perfectly retro but still very thrilling Space Mountain. If you like experiencing intense g-forces, check out Mission Space at Epcot. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there is Aerosmith’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and the famous Tower of Terror which drops 13 stories straight down.
#2 – Timeless and Unique Rides
For adults who aren’t really up for more fast paced attractions, there are many classic and unique rides to enjoy. Some that come to mind and are my personal favorites, SOARIN’ and Living with the Land in Epcot. At Magic Kingdom, I love taking a ride on the PeopleMover, a slow moving ride that takes you on a tour through Tomorrowland, including through Space Mountain. Also in Tomorrowland, is the nostalgic Carousel of Progress that first appeared at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Many adults also enjoy taking a relaxing ride on the Liberty Square Riverboat, a large steamboat located in Liberty Square or taking a ride along on Jungle Cruise with a skipper whose humor is most often only caught by adults. For the movie lover, Hollywood Studio’s Great Movie Ride is definitely worth a visit especially now that the video at the end has been revamped. For the avid photographer, Kilimanjaro Safari at Animal Kingdom is one of the most fascinating rides at Disney as it affords close up encounters with a variety of animals from Africa.
Festival of the Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park
#3 – Disney Live Action Shows
Along with rides, Disney has some of THE best shows in theme park history. One of their most popular shows at Animal Kingdom is Festival of the Lion King which truly is on par with a Broadway performance. Not necessarily a bird or animal lover myself, another Animal Kingdom show I was pleasantly surprised by was Flights of Wonder. At Hollywood Studios, Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular remains popular. There are also classic street shows like the Dapper Dans, a singing quintet, and the Main Street Trolley Show, which you can find on Main Street USA at Magic Kingdom. Epcot also has some great shows all throughout the World Showcase. One of my favorite shows to see is the a capella choir, Voices of Liberty, in the American Pavilion. Really, any of the shows at Epcot are pretty good and can be enjoyed by adults.
#4 – Epcot, Epcot, Epcot!
Epcot is, in my opinion, the best Disney park for adults to visit. Although Future World could use some work, it’s the World Showcase that merits this theme park as a top choice for adults. It has great entertainment, exhibits, and shopping all themed to the countries represented. One of my personal favorite outdoor shows is the chair climber in France but the acrobats in China are pretty entertaining to watch as well. And oh, did I mention Epcot has an amazing selection of both sit-down and quick service locations? Some stand-out spots in Future World include the quick service Sunshine Seasons and the sit-down dining at Coral Reef Restaurant which shares a wall with an aquarium. When it comes to dining in the World Showcase, there are a ton of great options, whether it’s quick service, snack booths or sit downs. For quick service, I love the French Bakery, Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie in France. There is also an amazing ice cream shop, L’Artisan des Glaces, that serves a macaron ice cream sandwich. Pretty much any sit-downs in World Showcase are worth visiting. For food, atmosphere, and ambiance, two of my faves are San Angel Inn in the Mexico Pavilion and Biergarten in Germany.
#5 – Disney Food
Even beyond choices in Epcot, The Walt Disney World Resort is an excellent option for foodies everywhere. With over 135 restaurants, Disney has not just the best theme park dining, but some of the most highly-rated dining around. Victoria & Albert’s is one of Disney’s award winning, fine dining restaurants so it is worth checking out if you love fine dining and multi-course meals. If you’re in the mood for something more relaxed, many adults enjoy Crossroads at House of Blues or Raglan Road in Disney Springs for good food, good atmosphere and good entertainment. The newly opened restaurants The BOATHOUSE and Morimoto Asia look delicious and then there are the ever popular dining options like the California Grill at the Contemporary or ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Resort Village. Some of my most favorite places to dine outside of theme parks are at the Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants. Boma has a wonderful buffet, and Sanaa and Jiko both have a great selection of very flavorful African inspired dishes. If you love a good cocktail or beer there are also numerous opportunities for a good adult drink both in the parks (think Epcot) and around the Walt Disney Resort. I won’t even attempt to go into that here as there are tons of options, but check out this video or this video for more on ‘Drinking around the World.’
Splitsville Luxury Lanes at Disney Springs
#6 – Recreation
So I’ve talked a lot about eating and rides, but even for the adult who is not a foodie or much of an amusement park goer, there are still many experiences to keep you well occupied. For golfers, Disney has some great golf courses, some of which have even hosted PGA tours. If golfing is not your sport, you can catch a game at the ESPN sports complex or stop by the ESPN Club. At Disney Springs, enjoy a drink and a round of bowling at the newer retro-themed, Splitsville. Adults who love the great outdoors can take a fishing excursion, go boating or even horseback riding. Looking for rest and relaxation? Check out one of the spas at or around Disney. Although a popular destination for a child’s first haircut, the Harmony Barber Shop at Magic Kingdom also offers beard/mustache trims and haircuts for any age.
These are just some of the reasons adults can enjoy Disney. What do you think? If you are a grown-up Disney World Fan, what do you love about the parks? Comment below!
