Disney as an adult is its own kind of magic. You can wake up at dawn and speed-run the rides or sleep in and sip mimosas by the pool. You can splurge on fancy dinners, wander through near-empty parks after dark, and take as many ridiculous character selfies as your heart desires. Plus, you don't have to share your Dole Whip with anyone.
From after-hours events to the best food and drinks, these Disney tips will help you make the most of your adults-only Disney trip.
Whether you're a lifelong Disney lover or just here for the vibes, this is how to make the most of an adults-only Disney trip—zero shame, zero stress, and maximum magic!
Do, see and try EVERYTHING
Cinderella's Castle at Disney World.
In my opinion, one of the biggest perks of going to Disney World as an adult is that you have stamina. Unlike the sugar-crashing, overtired under-10s melting down all around you, you can survive a full 10+ hour park day. And you should!
Get up early, wear your comfiest shoes, and make it your mission to do everything. Ride all the rides, watch the parades, marvel at the shows, and weep uncontrollably during the fireworks. Hit up all four parks, rope drop your must-dos, and stay out as late as you can.
Don't forget to stop for frequent snack and sip breaks (more on this later) and get ready to double, triple and quadruple your 10,000 steps goal.
Pro tip: The best time to hit up the busiest, kid-friendly rides (like Peter Pan’s Flight or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train) is very early in the morning or post-fireworks when most families have called it a day. Use this time wisely!
Eat, eat, eat!
Enjoying a classic Dole Whip at Aloha Isle in Disney World.
One of the biggest perks of doing Disney as an adult? You only have to pay for your own food. No splitting a $15 Mickey pretzel between three kids who will inevitably decide they don't like it or watching a $7 ice cream bar melt into oblivion while someone throws a tantrum.
If you want a snack, you get a snack. And let's be real here—Disney snacks are half the experience!
Yes, they're pricey, but when you know your treats won't end up melting, dropped, or discarded after a single bite, it's way easier to justify the cost. So go ahead—get the Dole Whip, try the churro, and splurge on the Mickey-shaped pretzel.
Pro tip: For a more grown-up dining experience, Disney has some seriously impressive restaurants. Whether it's sipping wine at Le Cellier, enjoying a multi-course meal at Victoria & Albert's, or hitting up Topolino's Terrace for brunch with a view, this is your chance to really treat yourself.
Sip your way around the world
Sipping a refreshing frozen cocktail at Les Chefs de France in EPCOT.
One of the best things about doing Disney as an adult? You can stop for a sip whenever you want. Whether it's a boozy Dole Whip, a themed cocktail, or a crisp beer on a hot Florida day, something about savouring a drink while soaking in the Disney magic just hits a little different.
If you're up for a challenge, Drinking Around the World at EPCOT is a must-do. The mission is simple: grab a drink in each of the 11 World Showcase pavilions. Start with a margarita in Mexico, sip sake in Japan, toast with a frozen slush in France, and cool off with a Viking Coffee in Norway.
In fact, you can spend a whole day just sipping, hydrating, snacking, riding, and sipping some more. If you need a little liquid courage before braving a rollercoaster, well, you know what to do. Of course, just be careful not to ruin the charm by going overboard!
Pro tip: There are plenty of magical sips across the parks. At Animal Kingdom, you can grab a Safari Amber from one of the kiosks while you soak up the beauty of Pandora. Hollywood Studios is home to Oga's Cantina, where you can sip on a Jedi Mind Trick or a Fuzzy Tauntaun. Magic Kingdom keeps alcohol limited, but if you book a table-service meal, you can still enjoy a glass of wine or beer with your food.
Look out for late-night events
Stepping into the magic of Peter Pan's Flight at Disney World.
In my opinion, late-night Disney World is a whole different kind of magic. Once the sun sets and the crowds thin out, the parks feel almost secret—like you're getting away with something just by being there. The twinkling lights, the cooler air, the music echoing through near-empty walkways, it's enough to make even the most casual Disney fan feel fully immersed.
If you can, splurge on an after-hours event—these limited-capacity, ticketed experiences let you stay in the park way past closing with much fewer people.
Whether it's Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, or one of the seasonal After Hours events, these nighttime shenanigans are perfect for adults looking to experience the parks in a totally different way.
Pro tip: Shorter lines mean you can ride popular family-friendly attractions like Dumbo, Peter Pan's Flight or Small World without waiting an eternity, and the specialty snacks and drinks make it feel like a VIP experience.
It's a side of Disney that most visitors never get to see—but trust me, it's absolutely worth staying up for.
Go resort hopping
The grandeur of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort lobby.
During my most recent trip to Disney World, my partner and I stayed at the iconic Grand Floridian hotel, and I have to be honest—I was very close to ditching the parks entirely just to lounge by the pool, sip coffee in the opulent lobby, and indulge in fancy dinners with zero regrets.
If you've only ever done Disney with kids in tow, you might not realize how next-level some resorts are when you actually have time to enjoy them. From on-site shopping to hidden lounges, stunning pools, and five-star dining, they're luxury vacation destinations in their own right.
Pro tip: You can explore resorts even if you're not staying there! Just book a dining reservation, grab a drink at a lounge, or hop on the monorail and resort-hop your way through Disney's best-kept secrets.
It's pure Disney adult luxury—boring for kids but absolute freaking magic for grown-ups.
Pro tip #2: Walt Disney World is currently offering Canadian residents up to 33% off theme park ticket and hotel stays. The discount applies to select dates in 2025, meaning you could be sipping cocktails in EPCOT, snacking alongside giraffes in Animal Kingdom, or soaking up the magic of Cinderella's Castle before the end of the year. For more details, click here.
Soak up the selfies
Meeting Sulley!
You could wait in a 45-minute line to meet Mickey, awkwardly posing while a five-year-old glares at you for taking too long. Or you could do character dining instead.
With character dining, you get a tasty sit-down experience while Mickey, Goofy, and all their pals come straight to your table. You eat. They pose. You get cute selfies without the stress! Plus, different character dining experiences include different characters, so you can choose who you want to hang out with. Win-win!
I love a cute character photo, but let's be honest—standing in a 60+ minute line for a character selfie, surrounded by five-year-olds in princess dresses, is not always ideal as an adult. Add in the subtle side-eye from parents wondering why you're taking up valuable Stitch-time, and yeah… just do character dining.
For me, this feels like the ultimate Disney adult hack. Instead of waiting in long lines, you get to sit back, enjoy a delicious meal, and let the characters come to you. They'll make the rounds, stop at your table to chat, sign autographs, and take photos.
Character dining isn't the cheapest way to meet your faves, but if you're visiting for a special occasion, it's absolutely worth the splurge. Plus, since it doubles as a meal, you can justify the price a little easier!
Get lost in the magic
Exploring the beauty of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Yes, you're an adult. You pay bills, you have responsibilities, you know how taxes work (kind of). But none of that matters when you step onto Main Street, U.S.A. and see the iconic Cinderella Castle glowing in the distance.
Let yourself believe. Let the music swell, let the fireworks make you emotional, let Mickey wave at you like you're lifelong besties. Get starstruck when Goofy gives you a high five. Buy the ridiculously expensive Minnie ears and wear them with pride. Sing along to every parade song like you wrote it. Because here's the thing—Disney is the most magical when you let it be!
There's no such thing as being too old for the magic. That's literally the whole point of this place. So lean in, soak it up, and let yourself feel like a kid again.
Spread your own magic
Soaring high on the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride at Disney World.
Yes, this is your adults-only dream Disney trip, but let's be real—you're sharing the magic with a whole lot of tiny, wide-eyed first-timers who are also living their best lives.
Be the cool adult who makes their day even better. Let a little princess take the front row at the parade. Compliment a kid's sparkly Mickey ears. Step aside so someone three-foot-tall gets the perfect view of Tinker Bell soaring through the sky.
Seeing others' excitement just makes the whole experience even better. Because Disney magic isn't just about what you get—it's about what you share.
Disney World offered Helena Hanson the opportunity to visit Disney World with no expectation of coverage, positive or otherwise.
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