Sure, Walt Disney World is known for its family-friendly vibe, but there’s plenty on tap for grown-ups, too. From fine dining to adult beverages to exclusive experiences for those of us old enough to drive, check out our list of things to do at Disney when you’re kid-less.
Dine in Style
When you don’t have to worry about pleasing little palates, your restaurant choices can take a decidedly more sophisticated turn.
Topping the Disney fine dining list is Victoria & Albert’s, an upscale spot inside Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and the crown jewel of Disney restaurants. With an elegant atmosphere, a wine list as long as your arm, and a meal in the main dining room that runs seven courses, Victoria & Albert’s pretty much defines “adulting” at Disney.
Some other great grown-up dining options to check out include Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge; Jiko: The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge; Le Cellier Steakhouse at Epcot; and the California Grill high atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which serves up an amazing view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks along with your delectable dinner.
Adult Sips
If you’ve ever stayed at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you’ve probably seen the “Must-Do Disney” video that runs in a loop on the room TVs. One of the most memorable moments in the video is when our host, Stacey, tells us that when it comes to Walt Disney World nightlife, “There’s a ton of it!”
And indeed, there is.
You can head over to Disney Springs to sip Irish stout at Raglan Road Pub & Restaurant, relax on the water with a cocktail at The BOATHOUSE, sample the incredible selection of wine at the newly opened Wine Bar George… the list goes on and on and on.
If you’re looking to dance the night away or listen to some live music, Disney’s BoardWalk is your jam, with dancing at the Atlantic Dance Hall and a lively dueling piano bar at Jellyrolls.
You can get some adult libations inside the parks, too, most notably the diverse offerings at Epcot’s World Showcase. In addition, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to guest favorites like Nomad Lounge and Dawa Bar, while Disney’s Hollywood Studios sports the brand new Baseline Tap House.
Just remember, if you do decide to kick back with some adult beverages, be sure to drink responsibly.
Touring the World
Two exclusive tours of Disney Parks let you in on some of the hidden secrets behind the scenes – and they’re only for guests 16 and older.
Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom, a five-hour walking tour of the Magic Kingdom, takes you in, around, and *under* the magical lands of Walt Disney World’s original park.
At Epcot, the UnDISCOVERed Future World tour shares Walt Disney’s vision of the community of the future and how it translated to the park we know today.
Kathy Karalekas is a past Panelist on the Disney Parks Moms Panel, an online forum where guests can have their Disney vacation planning questions answered by a group of everyday moms and dads who are seasoned Disney travelers. Currently, Kathy is a contributing writer for the Tampa Bay Moms Blog and appears on MouseLife, a Disney-fan podcast. She’s also a frequent visitor to Walt Disney World with her husband and 8-year-old son.
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