Best Disney Resort for Adults: 2024 Top Picks
If you think the magic of Disney is reserved just for kids, it’s time to think again.
As someone who has stayed at most onsite Disney resorts and a fair share of offsite ones, I can tell you that Disney knows how to cater to adults too.
From luxurious amenities to unique experiences, there’s a whole world of grown-up magic waiting for you.
My personal favorite? Port Orleans French Quarter. Its smaller size and quiet atmosphere make it a perfect oasis amidst the Disney hustle and bustle.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the Best Disney Resorts for Adults, covering everything from value and location to those special touches that make a resort truly adult-friendly.
So grab a glass of wine or a crafty cocktail, and let’s explore the best Disney has to offer for the young at heart!” 🍹✨
Best Disney Resort for Adults – Our Top Pick
We’ve picked out the Port Orleans French Quarter because we adore the free boat rides, the waterside location, the subtle theme and the fact that it’s a small, intimate resort. Guests here can also access the amenities of the neighboring Port Orleans Riverside.
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To find the right Disney World resort for you, all you need is this guide. As huge Disney fans, we know just what to look for when booking Disney World hotels for couples, solo travelers and small groups without kids.
Whether you want to stay near Epcot and the Hollywood Studios, would like to take a closer look at the Polynesian Village Resort or Yacht Club Resort or want to find a property with a table service restaurant, this guide has options to tick all those boxes.
Read on to discover the best Disney World resorts for you.
Comparison Table: Best Disney Hotels for Adults
| Disney World Resort | Price Comparison | Key Amenities | Resort Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Orleans French Quarter | $$ | Waterside location, subtle theme, smallest resort | Moderate |
| Polynesian Resort & Villas | $$$$ | Spa, movies & tiki bar; by lagoon, on monorail route | Deluxe |
| Wilderness Lodge | $$$ | National Park feel, natural style setting, by Bay Lake | Deluxe |
| Grand Floridian Resort | $$$$ | Beach, gym & spa; Victorian theme, fine dining restaurants; walk to Magic Kingdom | Deluxe |
| Contemporary Resort | $$$$ | Closest walk to Magic Kingdom, modern style, cabanas & hot tubs | Deluxe |
| Beach & Yacht Club | $$$$ | Coastal theme, beach & lazy river, balconies & terraces | Deluxe |
| Animal Kingdom Lodge | $$$ | Wildlife park, terraces & balconies, secluded | Deluxe |
| Caribbean Beach | $$ | Cocktail bar & whirlpool, bike hire, colorful & tropical style; on Skyliner | Moderate |
| Riviera Resort | $$$ | Self-catering studios & villas, European style, on Skyliner | Deluxe |
| Port Orleans Riverside | $$ | Deep South feel, 6 pools with bar & hot tub, food court | Moderate |
Choosing the Best Disney Adult Resort
Location
Where you stay in the park has the potential to make a huge difference to your dream trip. If you love the look of the Port Orleans resort, for example, but would rather find a Disney World hotel in the Magic Kingdom than the Disney Springs area, then it’s worth considering other options.
The Disney World properties listed in this guide feature various means of travel to get you from your hotel to the park you want to spend the day at. Disney resort options include the new Skyliner gondola, boat trips across the water, the monorail and shuttle buses. If you have a preference for one over another, this may influence your choice.
Category
The Walt Disney company places Disney resorts into three categories. The most luxurious are the Disney Deluxe Resorts, while the most affordable are the Value Resorts. Moderate resorts are somewhere between the two, offering a good range of amenities at lower prices than the deluxe options.
It really depends on what you want, and the style of the property or its amenities might matter more to you than the exact category. Smaller resorts with fewer facilities, for example, may feel peaceful, and you can always head elsewhere for dinner when you want to.
Dining
How important are on-site dining options to you? A resort at Disney may have just one dining option, or there could be ten or more to choose from. Foodies, for instance, may love Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, because it offers fine dining, award-winning restaurants for the full-on gastronomic experience.
If you want to self cater, some properties such as the Riviera Resort offer a range of studios and villas with amenities like kitchenettes or full kitchens complete with dishwasher and laundry facilities.
Amenities
While it can be great to have lots of facilities at your disposal, don’t forget that certain amenities will naturally attract those with kids. Water parks with water slides are a typical example of hotels where the outdoor areas could be noisy or crowded during the day. The best pool for you may thus be a simpler one which is not so popular with families.
Other amenities you might like to look out for include a spa, volleyball courts, a gym, tennis courts and even a beach. You may also prefer a waterside location by the river, lake or lagoon, or the option of booking a room with a terrace or balcony.
Best Disney Resort for Adults – Frequently Asked Questions
What part of Disney World is best for adults?
Wondering where to stay at Disney World? Disney is split into different theme parks, so it can make sense to stay in the one that interests you most. However it’s not the only factor at play.
Stay at the coastal-style Yacht Club, for instance, and you can walk to the Epcot area. Or pick the Caribbean beach resort in the same area as it offers access to the Skyliner system.
Maybe you want to go to all the parks. In this case you’ll need to travel anyway, so you may as well go for which suits you best in other ways.
Does Disney World have an adult only resort?
As much of Disney is family oriented, no there is not a specific adult-only Disney World option. Even the most upmarket deluxe options will have children as guests, so do bear this in mind.
The good news is that by choosing carefully, it is possible to avoid a lot of noise and crowds!
Where do adults stay at Disney?
Again everyone has their own preferences, but this list contains all the Disney World’s best resorts for adults. They are often in more peaceful areas like by the lake, lagoon or river. Adult amenities like a gym, spa, hot tub, tennis courts and fine dining restaurants may also be available.
Best Disney Resort Hotels for Adults – Reviews
Port Orleans French Quarter
- Category: Moderate resort
- Location: Disney Springs area
This moderate Disney resort is our top pick of all the best Disney World hotels for adults. The New Orleans French Quarter theme is subtle, and it has a lovely location by the Sassagoula River. With about 1,000 rooms, this is the smallest resort, and as a result, it feels more intimate than the larger hotels.
Our favorite feature is the fact that boat transfers are provided, taking you to Disney Springs or sister property, the Port Orleans Riverside resort. Taking this trip on the water can make you feel far removed from the crowds at the busy theme park.
The food court and pool are at this hotel have a fun Mardi Gras feel while wandering through the resort transports you to New Orleans’ French Quarter, complete with cobbled walkways lit up by classic glass street lights. In addition, take a romantic carriage ride around the manicured resort!
All rooms come with free Wi-Fi, coffee maker, mini-fridge, safe, shower, bathtub and hairdryer. Even the standard rooms are very spacious and you can pick a pool view room if you like.
Pros:
- Free boat transfers to sister hotel & Disney Springs
- Subtle theme creates a relaxed ambience
- Smallest Disney World resort
Cons:
- No full service restaurant on site
Polynesian Resort & Villas
- Category: Deluxe resort
- Location: Magic Kingdom area
Having recently undergone a full refurbishment, Disney’s Polynesian Village resort sits beside a man-made lagoon and is on the monorail route. The Magic Kingdom is two stops away.
This is one of the best Disney World resort for adults options when you love to be located by the water. The Polynesian village theme is again understated, and the tropical-style rooms suit the Florida setting perfectly. Some have lagoon or Magic Kingdom views, and all come with coffee maker, flatscreen TV and free WiFi.
As a larger resort, there are some great amenities for adults offered at the Polynesian Resort and Villas. The range of dining and drinking options include a tiki bar and Polynesian themed eateries. Movies are shown nightly and there is a luxurious spa here too.
Pros:
- Spa, tiki bar & nightly movie screenings
- Relaxing lagoon-side location
- On Monorail route
Cons:
- Boat rental & spa cost extra
Wilderness Lodge
- Category: Deluxe resort
- Location: Magic Kingdom area
For those who love nature, the Wilderness Lodge is, without doubt, one of the best places to stay in Disney World for adults. It’s modeled on a typical national park lodge, and thus gives guests that welcome feeling of getting away from it all.
This resort opened in 1994 and has also been totally refurbished in recent times. It’s just a pleasant boat ride across the lake from Disney’s Magic Kingdom. All accommodations have space for up to four guests, so there’s plenty of space in which to spread out.
Even the pool area here has a far more natural feel than most resorts, and there are also woodland trails to explore, plus fireplaces and a tinkling creek to relax by.
Pros:
- Natural, outdoor feel
- Several restaurants & a bar on site
- Boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom
Cons:
- May be noisy some nights
Grand Floridian Resort
- Category: Deluxe resort
- Location: Magic Kingdom area
The Grand Floridian is a deluxe resort, also located in the Magic Kingdom area and on the monorail route. It’s situated by the Seven Seas lagoon, and has all sorts of amenities to appeal to adults such as its own beach, plush rooms and award-winning fine dining restaurants.
The colonial-style building has five floors, and the air conditioned rooms come with a coffee maker, mini-fridge, safe, hairdryer, bath tub and free WiFi. Garden or lagoon views are available.
It’s just one stop to the Magic Kingdom via monorail, and this Victorian-style resort has a health club and a full service spa, making it perhaps the best adult Disney resort for those into fitness.
Pros:
- Beach, spa & health club
- Floridian, Victorian-style theme
- Gastronomic & waterfront restaurants & bars
Cons:
- Room decor may be tired
Contemporary Resort
- Category: Deluxe resort
- Location: Magic Kingdom area
This is also a deluxe resort on the monorail route and is the nearest hotel to the Magic Kingdom. You can see the fairytale castle from the property, and the monorail will whisk you there in no time from the fourth floor.
The Contemporary Resort is one of the most modern at Disney World, so it can be the best place for adults to stay at Disney World when style is a factor. With a distinctive A-framed shape and a space age style lobby, it’s pretty futuristic.
Rooms at the Contemporary Resort also also ultra modern and come with the usual facilities including flatscreen cable TV and mini-fridge. Some offer garden or park views. Resort amenities adults will love include outdoor cabanas, a range of bars and restaurants and poolside hot tubs.
Pros:
- Closest resort to the Magic Kingdom
- Hot tubs & cabanas by pools
- Modern styling throughout
Cons:
- Can feel impersonal
Beach & Yacht Club
- Category: Deluxe resort
- Location: Epcot area
Located at the Boardwalk in the Epcot part of the park, Disney’s Yacht Club is the best Disney resort to stay at for adults who love the coastal lifestyle. This beach club resort has that New England look, and even has a 25-acre lake, complete with a central lighthouse.
Even the cast members get in on the act by dressing in navy blue jackets and the kind of hats a seafaring captain might wear. The rooms are also bright and nautical in theme, and are available with an outdoor terrace or balcony.
Adults will appreciate the lazy river, sandy beach, volleyball and tennis courts and the dining options which include a grill with an open kitchen. You can walk from here to Epcot and the Hollywood Studios, or travel via Friendship Boat.
Pros:
- Coastal theme throughout
- Rooms with balcony or terrace
- Beach, lazy river, volleyball & tennis courts
Cons:
- Water play area popular with kids
Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Category: Deluxe resort
- Location: Animal Kingdom area
This deluxe resort is a little more secluded than most, so it’s maybe the best Disney resort for older adults or those seeking peace and quiet. It’s also very convenient for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
There is an African, safari-style theme throughout the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and as it’s set in a reserve you can see real wildlife such as giraffes, zebras and gazelles from your window or balcony. The resort has several restaurants and bars, plus a large pool area with whirlpools.
The safari theme continues inside the rooms, which come equipped with facilities like air conditioning, safe, coffee maker, bathtub, hairdryer and mini-fridge. There are terraces or balconies and some accommodations offer savannah views.
Pros:
- Set in wildlife reserve
- Terraces & balconies available
- More secluded than other resorts
Cons:
- Access to resorts via shuttle bus
Caribbean Beach Resort
- Category: Moderate resort
- Location: Epcot area
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort comprises six island-style villages and is among the best resort for adults at Disney World when the colorful Caribbean lifestyle appeals. The restaurants serve tasty tropical cuisine, there is a white sandy beach to relax on and you can also hire a bike here.
It’s certainly a visually appealing place, with candy-toned, colonial-style buildings and lots of palm trees. Each distinct village represents the real-life Caribbean locations of Martinique, Trinidad North, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad South and Aruba.
You can upgrade to a pirate-themed or water view room if you’d like to. Next to the pool area, there is a bar and a whirlpool seating up to a dozen, and there is a range of market-style eateries serving various kinds of Caribbean or American food. This resort is also on the Skyliner route.
Pros:
- Colorful, tropical-style resort
- Whirlpool & pool bar
- Bike hire available
Cons:
- Also popular with families
Riviera Resort
- Category: Deluxe resort
- Location: Epcot area
The Riviera Resort is also on Disney’s Skyliner route and located within the Epcot area. It has a European feel reminiscent of the French or Italian Rivieras, while the complex and rooms look a little like the kind found in a Spanish holiday resort.
Accommodations here range from smaller studios to spacious one, two, or three-bedroom villas, and the resort offers guests easy access to the new Skyliner cable car system. The restaurants are also like those you might find in Mediterranean countries, giving the resort a cosmopolitan air. If you wish you were in Paris, Rome or Marbella, this is the best adult Disney hotel for you.
There is a large pool area, a fitness suite and several cafes and restaurants at the resort. Studios and villas are also well-equipped for those who wish to cook while on vacation.
Pros:
- On Skyliner route
- European-style resort
- Self-catering studios & villas
Cons:
- Only a few cafes & restaurants
Port Orleans Riverside
- Category: Moderate resort
- Location: Disney Springs area
Our final pick of the top Disney resorts for adults is the Port Orleans Riverside. This moderate resort is the sister property to the Port Orleans French quarter and is a much larger hotel offering guests direct boat access to Disney Springs.
As the name suggests, it’s situated by the water and has a Deep South theme. Guests staying here may feel like they’re among the wetlands of Louisiana, where the pace of life is slower and more relaxed.
There are six pools at the resort, and the main one has a pool bar and hot tub. The food court offers guests a choice between six eateries, and the amenities of the neighboring Port Orleans French Quarter can also be accessed.
Pros:
- 6 pools plus bar & hot tub
- Laid-back Deep South feel
- Guest access to French Quarter resort
Cons:
- Some rooms on smaller side
Best Disney Resorts for Adults Summary
We hope this guide to the best Disney World resorts for adults has helped you find the ideal to stay at the parks. If you enjoyed this article, why not read some of our other posts ideal for adults heading to Disney, such as can you bring food into Disney World, free things to do at Disney World and a guide to the size of Disney World.
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