12 Best Things To Do in Disneyland for Adults & Travel Tips
Is Disneyland for adults? I say absolutely yes! I know it has a reputation for being a great family vacation (it is), but it is also a great grown-up trip.
There are plenty of fun things to do in Disneyland for adults, including wild rides with height restrictions, sampling boozy beverages, and exploring luxury hotels on property.
I’ve visited Disney around 5 times as an adult, and typically travel to one of the parks every year. Compared to traveling with family, I love the flexibility and freedom of traveling to Disneyland with only adults.
Instead of dealing with meltdowns, bedtimes, and height restrictions, I love being able to hit the parks open to close, ride scary rides, and try the amazing park food. Keep reading for a comprehensive list of the top Disneyland activities for adults.
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Things To Do in Disneyland for Adults
There are so many things to do in Disneyland that are more suited for adults than children, such as thrilling rides, boozy drinks, and high ends hotels.
A Disney day does not need to include meeting princesses, spinning on the teacups, and early bed time. Although, its ok if that’s your style.
A Disney day can include amazing food, exciting rides, and late nights, all with a beer in hand. Below, I list the best Disneyland rides, food and drinks, nearby activities, and hotels for adults.
Best Disneyland and California Adventure Rides for Adults
1. Ride the “Mountains” in Disneyland for a Thrill
Some of my favorite thrill rides in Disneyland are commonly referred to as the four mountains – Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and the Matterhorn.
Even though Splash Mountain is currently being reconfigured to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the drop (and adrenaline rush) will be the same.
All of these rides have height restrictions, fast pace, and some jarring drops. They’re perfect for adults who like exciting rides.
2. Explore Star Wars Land – Galaxy’s Edge
Yes, kids like Star Wars too, but they don’t even remember the original trilogy. The amazing theming of Galaxy’s Edge will immediately transport you directly into the movies.
In addition to having some of the best theming in all of Disneyland, Galaxy’s Edge also has great rides, such as Rise of the Resistance (my personal favorite). It is also home to the best bar in the park, Oga’s Cantina.
3. See Your Favorite Hero’s at Avenger’s Campus
Again, plenty of kids love Marvel and superheroes, but it is very adult-friendly too. Avenger’s Campus is one of the newest lands in California Adventure, and is great for an adult audience.
The theming is amazing, with characters such as Spider Man, Doctor Strange, Ant Man, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and other favorites.
In addition, there are two fun rides, a bar and restaurant, and shows that appeal to all ages.
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4. Ride Other Thrill Rides
Above, I mentioned the four mountains, which are the best adult rides in Disneyland. There are also many great adult-oriented rides in the California Adventure park. Here are some of the best:
- Incredicoaster – Super fast roller coaster with an upside down loop
- Mission Breakout – The reimagined Tower of Terror with scary drops and amazing Guardians of the Galaxy theme
- Grizzly River Run – Water ride with waterfalls and big drops
- Radiator Springs Racers – My personal favorite with the perfect mix of car racing and a lesiurely drive through Car’s Land
Adult Food and Drinks in the Parks
One of my favorite things to do in Disneyland as an adult is eat and drink all the amazing food. Instead of trying to convince your kid to eat some mac and cheese to avoid a melt down, you can eat your way around the park, trying the best foods they have to offer.
5. DIY Foodie Tour
Between rides, I love putting together my own food tour of the parks. I start by creating a food bucket list, then check items off throughout the day. I like to share snacks with my boyfriend instead of getting meals so we can try more variety. Here are my top 5 things to eat in each park:
Best Foods in Disneyland:
- Garlic Cheese Pretzel Bread – Maurice’s Treats, Fantasy Land
- Dole Whip – Tropical Hideaway, Adventureland
- Birria Grilled Cheese – Jolly Holiday, Main Street (seasonal)
- Bacon & Asparagus Skewers – Bengal BBQ, Adventureland
- Ronto Wrap – Ronto Roasters, Galaxy’s Edge
Best Foods in California Adventure:
- Chili Cone Queso – Cozy Cone Motel, Car’s Land
- Quesabirria Tacos – Cocina Cucamonga, San Fransokyo Square
- Asada Fries – Award Wieners, Hollywood
- Its Snow Capped Lemon – Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats, Pixar Pier
- Potato Bites with Beer Cheese – Pym Test Kitchen, Avenger’s Campus
6. Grab a Drink at Oga’s Cantina
Attention all Star Wars fans! My favorite bar inside of the parks is Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge. Up until a few years ago, you couldn’t purchase alcohol inside of the Disneyland theme park, but Oga’s changed that rule.
The bar is Star Wars themed and the decor is incredible. You will truly feel like you’re in the movies.
I also love the drink menu at Oga’s. My favorite drink is the Outer Rim, which is similar to a margarita with a delicious tropical fruit foam on top.
If you want to visit Oga’s, I highly recommend getting a reservation ahead of time. Otherwise, you can join the virtual waitlist through the Disneyland app.
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7. Themed Cocktails at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar
My favorite bar at Disneyland and one of my favorite bars in the world is Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, located on property at the Disneyland hotel.
The entire bar has a tiki theme that will transport you to a tropical destination like Hawaii or Bora Bora. The outside is nicely themed, but the indoor area is something else. The windows have 3D facades of a beach, there are interactive shows, and the entire menu is themed.
After a certain time at night, the indoor area is reserved for adults, which is perfect for a kids-free Disneyland trip.
If you want to visit Trader Sam’s, I highly recommend getting a reservation ahead of time. Otherwise, you can join the walk up wait list, but expect to wait over an hour for a table.
8. Sips with a View at Lamplight Lounge
Another fun bar in inside of California Adventure at Pixar Pier. It’s a two level restaurant/bar called Lamplight Lounge. The restaurant has amazing views and great food and drinks.
For food, Lamplight Lounge is famous for their lobster nachos. I’m not a big lobster fan, so I haven’t personally tried them, but have heard nothing but amazing things.
For drinks, they offer many different specialty cocktails. The drinks are very colorful and some even resemble Mickey, making them a great Instagram photo prop with the Ferris wheel as a back drop.
9. Nice Dinner at Carthay Circle
Something fun to do on an adult Disneyland trip is enjoy a sit-down meal at one of the park’s restaurants. The most high-end dining experience is at Carthay Circle in California Adventure.
Some of the menu highlights are Crispy Gochujang Fried Shrimp, Slow Braised Colorado Lamb Shank, and Charred Certified Angus New York. The meal will be expensive, but worth it if you’re a foodie.
10. Wine Tasting at Wine Country Trattoria
Another great things to do for adults in Disneyland is wine tasting at the Wine Country Trattoria. Disney California Adventure is themed after the state of California.
One of the most California things you can do is taste local wines. The California wine flight at Wine Country Trattoria includes three tasting pours – one white and two reds. There are also a ton of wines you can try by the glass.
In addition to good wine, Wine Country Trattoria is a great place to hangout for some relaxation and people watching in the park. I spent over an hour here at my recent trip, just watching the world go by.
Adult Activities Nearby Disneyland
11. Tenaya Stone Spa at the Grand Californian
Part of being an adult in Disneyland is getting way more sore and tired compared to kids. That makes a spa day one of the hands-down best things to do at Disneyland for adults.
The Tenaya Stone Spa is at the Grand Californian hotel and has a ton of different offerings, such as massages, facials, and pedicures.
I recommend saving your spa day for the end of the trip when your feet and back are tired from touring the parks.
12. Shopping at Downtown Disney
The Downtown Disney District is right next to the parks, but does not require a ticket for entry. There is a ton of shopping and restaurants, a lot of which is Disney Themed.
One of my favorite things to do as a Disney adult is spend an evening shopping in Downtown Disney. My favorite store is the giant world of Disney where there are every piece of Disney merch you could imagine.
I like to remember each trip with a new shirt or sweatshirt. On my recent trip, I bought a cute and simple blue baseball hat with an embroidered Mickey.
Fun Disneyland Events for Adults
California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
The California Adventure Food and Wine Festival showcases a wide variety of food and drinks, all highlighting local ingredients such as garlic, orange, or avocado.
Entry to the festival is included in your park ticket and you can sample a range of delicious foods and beverages (for an additional cost), attend cooking demonstrations, participate in hands-on workshops, and enjoy live entertainment.
This festival is such a fun way to enhance your day at California Adventure. It’s definitely more tailored to adults than kids, with alcoholic drinks and fancy foods that kids likely wouldn’t be interested in.
California Adventure Lunar Near Year Festival
The Lunar Near Year Festival is a similar setup to the Food and Wine Festival, but focused on Asian culture and cuisine during Lunar New Year.
There are food booths with tasting portions of a ton of amazing Asian cuisine. I’m still dreaming about the pork dumplings with garlic sauce that I tried at this year’s celebration.
In addition, there are special character appearances, shows, and events that are sure to enhance a normal day in the park.
Disneyland Sweetheart’s Night
Sweetheart’s night is a late-night event at Disneyland that requires an additional ticket on top of your park admission. The event takes place on select nights in February, around Valentine’s day.
The event has special food and offers the unique opportunity to stay in the parks late with much smaller crowds.
The Best Hotels Near Disneyland for Grown-Ups
Best Location – Disneyland Hotel
The Disneyland hotel is located directly next to Downtown Disney, with super easy access to both Disneyland resort parks. It also includes extra magic hours, which are early entrance into the parks on select days.
You really cannot beat the convenient location of this hotel. It also has a great pool area, a couple great restaurants (like Trader Sam’s), and the rooms are nice.
However, it is overpriced for the resort quality. You are paying a high premium to be on property, which is often not worth it unless you plan to return to the hotel in the middle of the day.
Most Luxurious – Grand Californian
If money was no object, I would stay at the Grand Californian every time. It is also located right next to the parks, has a special entrance to California Adventure, and comes with the perks of staying on Disneyland property.
Compared to the other on-property hotels such as the Disneyland hotel, Disney Vacation Club, or Pixar hotel, the Grand Californian is by far the most luxurious. The lobby is gorgeous and the rooms very nicely decorated.
Once again, you are paying a high premium to be on property and although the Grand Californian is luxurious, it is not on par with other luxury hotels at the same price point.
Budget Pick – Hyatt House
Although it is nice to be close to the parks and have early access, I often choose to stay off site to save some money. Especially when traveling without kids, I don’t mind the extra walk or Uber to get to the parks in the morning.
I’d rather save the money to take a different trip or splurge on experiences in the parks.
My favorite off-property budget-friendly hotel choice is the Hyatt House. It is a 10 minute walk from the main gates, so the walk is not bad at all.
In addition, the rooms are an extended-stay style, so they have a couch/living area and kitchenette. I appreciate this extra space and ability to make my breakfast before heading out for the day.
Plus, it can be booked with Hyatt points, which I appreciate when the cash price surges in busy seasons.
Discounts on Disneyland Vacation Packages
While we’re talking about budget, let’s just call it how it is – a Disneyland vacation is very expensive. I love to splurge on luxury experiences, but find it hard to drop thousands on a Disneyland vacation when I could travel to Europe for the same price.
One way I save money is by booking hotels with points, mentioned above.
Another method is by booking through this third-party site that offers the best deals on Disneyland tickets and vacation packages.
Normally I don’t like booking third party because you often miss out on flexibility or customer service. However, if you purchase tickets here, you can upload them to your Disneyland app, then it is the exact same as if you bought them direct.
Check out the discounts available
Summary of What To Do at Disneyland for Adults
To sum it up, Disneyland isn’t just for kids or families. It’s also perfect for adults looking for fun, magic, and a little nostalgia.
You can enjoy thrilling rides, cool areas like Star Wars Land and Avenger’s Campus, and amazing food and drinks at places like Oga’s Cantina and Trader Sam’s.
You can also spend some time relaxing at a luxury hotel or having a spa day. Without kids, you Disneyland trip can be fully dedicated to what you want to do.
And hey, now that you know all the fun stuff adults can do at Disneyland, you might be wondering what to wear to fit right in with the magic. Check out my article on what to wear to Disneyland to make your visit even more special.
FAQ – Adults Only Disneyland Trip
YES, it is worth going to Disneyland as an adult. There are a ton of things to do for adults, ranging from trying the great food to riding thrilling rides.
Both parks at Disneyland resort are good for adults. However, I think California Adventure is a little better because there are more alcoholic beverages and more thrilling rides.
Related Posts:
- Complete Guide to Disney for Adults: Disneyland or Disney World (thetravelingmoore.com)
- 2 Day Disneyland Itinerary – Are Two Days In Disneyland Enough?
- What To Eat In Disneyland – Ultimate Foodie Guide
- What To Eat At California Adventure? – The Best Meals And Snacks
- What To Wear To Disneyland In The Summer | Outfit Ideas & Packing List
- 99+ Disneyland Instagram Captions For a Magical Vacation
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