Best Disney World Resort For Adults

Where To Stay On Your Adults Only Disney Trip

If you are taking a trip to Disney World and staying at a Walt Disney World resort with just adults, this post is for you. We want to help you sift through the over 25 resorts that Disney has to offer to help you find the one that best suits your needs.

When planning an adults only trip, one of the important decisions is which hotel you stay at if you are lodging at Walt Disney World. In this post we are going to give you some suggestions for you to consider and reasons why we place them where we do.  We will group them in the three tiers that Disney uses: Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts.

Best Disney World Resorts For Adults

1. Best Value Resort For Adults: POP Century
2. Best Moderate Resorts For Adults: Coronado Springs and Port Orleans French Quarter
3. Best Deluxe Resorts For Adults: Grand Floridian and Yacht Club

Walt Disney’s Pop Century Resort (Disney Value Resort)

We want to admit right front the start that the value resorts will automatically put you in a kid friendly environment.  From the theming, the dining options at the resorts, pools and general experience level, you will find the value resorts cater heavily to families with children.  

To be fair, you will not find a Walt Disney resort that doesn’t in some way make itself kid friendly. It comes down to which resorts offer the most appealing features for adults as we set out to find the best ones. With this in mind, if you are visiting one of the Walt Disney World Resorts as adults only and are on a pretty tight budget on where you stay, consider Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

5 Reasons To Stay At POP Century

1. Access to the Disney Skyliner

You have the Disney Skyliner in your backyard!  It is very easy to hop on it and you will be taken to two of the four theme parks, Epcot and Hollywood Studios. In addition, you can get to Disney’s Boardwalk to spend some wonderful kid-free time! The Skyliner also makes it convenient to get to several other resorts to visit for dining and shopping.

2. Nostalgic Decor

The resort captures the 1950’s through the 1990’s in wonderful ways that adults enjoy as much, if not more, than children. Toys such as yo-yos, Mr. Potato Head, Big Wheels, Play-doh, art, fashion, music and so much more are prominent around the Pop Century Resort.  Depending on what age you are, you will really be taken back through the decades as you marvel at what Disney has done to highlight the past decades.

3. Jogging/Walking Trail

Pop Century boosts a great jogging trail around a lake that is about a mile long. It is accessible from the Art of Animation Resort as well. It’s a great way to get a bit away from the crowds and enjoy the Disney property.

During our last stay at Pop we saw quite a few people taking advantage of the trail in the early morning hours!

4. Close to the Art of Animation

There are not a lot of Disney Resorts close to each other, which can make it challenging to take advantage of what other resorts offer. In the case of Pop Century, you can take a short walk over to Art of Animation and enjoy the theming, food, and simply taking time to explore!

5. Affordable Price

Finally, we must highlight the fact that the cost of staying at the Pop Century over a moderate or deluxe resort is really appealing. You can save a lot of money and depending on how much you will be staying in your room, it is definitely something to consider.

Final Thoughts:  There are five value resorts at Walt Disney World: Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort. When it comes to just adults, we feel very confident that Pop Century Resort should be at the top of your list to consider if you are on a budget.

In fact, we feel so strongly that we are only highlighting this resort in the value hotel classification. Katie and Jen just got back from Disney World and really enjoyed their experience at Pop Century and they aren’t the only ones. Check out their first hand visit to Pop Century here.

Walt Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (Moderate Resort)

Moving up to the Moderate Resorts we are featuring two that we feel are great options for adults only.  The first is the Coronado Springs Resort which features a beautiful Gran Destino Tower which was built in 2019.  

The Gran Destino Tower is 15 stories tall and includes 50 suites along with over 500 guest rooms.  It truly is a luxurious resort and could easily pass in the deluxe category.

5 Reasons To Stay At Coronado Springs Resort

1.  Less Mickey Mouse Theming

Ok, this needs a bit of an explanation. Coronado Springs Resort has a feel of being a bit by itself and away from the Disney action.  It is close to Animal Kingdom and in reality, it is centered really well to all four of the Walt Disney Parks but the perception is it’s a bit out of the way.  

This might be because it caters to conventions and business travelers who may be visiting Disney World for dual purposes, pleasure and business. We think that because of the feeling of being set apart, families with small children in particular shy away from staying here.  In a nutshell, it has a bit less Mickey Mouse feel than other resorts, especially in the moderate classification.

2. Elegant Ambiance

We can’t stress enough how beautiful and sophisticated the Coronado Springs Resort is.  From the lobby to the rooms and dining, this resort excels in class and elegance with it’s blend of Spanish, Mexican and Southwestern American design.  

3. Restaurants and Lounges 

Dining and drinking at Coronado Springs is another reason to call it home while at Disney World.  There are a ton of options from burgers, Rix Sports Bar and Grill to elegant dining and lounges, Dahlia Lounge and the Barcelona Lounge.  

Speaking of Lounges, if you are a fan of sangrias, you can get the best one in all of Disney World at the Three Bridges Bar and Grill. In fact, they have a class you can take to learn how to make it. Finally, there is rooftop dining that will give you fantastic food and drink along with a spectacular view.

4. Recreation Options

For those not getting their steps in at the parks, Coronado Springs has a great solution with awesome walking/jogging trails, a real cool place called the Dig Site that has a lot of stuff for the kids, but adults get into the action as well with pools and spas. Volleyball, a full workout facility and an amazing quiet pool rounds out the wonderful ways you can keep active.

5. Quieter Atmosphere  

Finally, Coronado Springs is overall a quieter environment than most of the other resorts in this price range. Are we saying it is never noisy? No, but in general we think it’s a great option for adults who are looking for a bit more toned down vacation while still being in Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter (Moderate Resort)

The second moderate resort we want to highlight for adults is the Port Orleans – French Quarter. There are actually two Port Orleans Resorts, Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside.  

Of the two sister resorts, we lean toward the French Quarter for adults primarily because of the quieter, less commotion feel as well as enjoying the theming and recreation of New Orleans, however we want to stress that the theming of Port Orleans Riverside is pretty cool too.

5 Reasons to Stay at Port Orleans French Quarter

Let’s check out why we love the Port Orleans – French Quarter Resort.

1.  New Orleans Theming

Beautiful New Orleans, southern architecture with gas lamps, cobblestone streets, wrought-iron balconies and other little touches that give this resort a fun, romantic theme.  

2. Quaint Atmosphere

Along with the wonderful theming, this resort is the smallest of all the Disney World Hotels which provides an intimate, relaxed feel.  Because of it’s size, walking distances around the resort is easy and is ideal for getting around without a great deal of effort which is so common at most Disney Resorts.

3. Jazz Music and New Orleans Lounges

Port Orleans – French Quarter gets an extra check if you love jazz.  One of the top lounges in all of Disney World is found right at this resort called the Scat Cat’s Club Lounge. Featuring live swinging jazz and authentic New Orlean’s delicacies like Beignets and southern inspired specialty cocktails, this is the place to hang out.  

4. Transportation Extras

There are two really fun extras we need to highlight.  First, the property sits on the beautiful Sassagoula River and you can take boats to Disney Springs to take advantage of all the shopping and dining in the entertainment district. Second, there is a fun 25 minute carriage ride (extra cost) you can take advantage of, with easy access to the Port Orleans Riverside Resort.

5. Next Door to Port Orleans Riverside

Finally, it is important to highlight that even though you are staying at the quieter, smaller resort at the French Quarter, you are in close proximity to Port Orleans Riverside which has some wonderful offerings especially with great restaurants.  

Walt Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort (Deluxe Resort)

This brings us to the Deluxe Disney Resorts. We will admit that when you get to this level, it is much harder to make solid recommendations like we did with the Value and Moderate resorts. Just from the price tag alone, the Deluxe category can be more appealing to adults rather than families. Are we saying there are no children at Deluxe resorts?  Of course not!  

We are going to give you our 2 favorite adult resorts and make a case why you should consider them – starting with the Grand Floridian Resort.

5 Reasons to Stay at the Grand Floridian

1.  Luxurious Surroundings

The Grand Floridian Resort oozes elegance and luxury.  It is one of the most expensive resorts with a price tag of around a $1,000 a night so it caters to adults who are looking for the best Disney can offer.  Boutiques, stores, a spa, fitness center and other high end amenities are all here.

2.  Monorail Access

The Grand Floridian Resort sits on the monorail which is very convenient.  Obviously it can get you to the Magic Kingdom in a matter of minutes but you are well positioned for the other parks as well.  

3.  Fine Dining

Fine Dining restaurants such as the impeccable Victoria and Albert’s and 1900 Park Fare highlight the amazing dining options available to you.  Don’t forget that the monorail can take you to the Contemporary and the Polynesian for other great dining options too.

4.  Magical Holiday Decor 

If you are going during the holidays, give the Grand Floridian another check.  It is absolutely stunning as Disney does a number on the decorating with beautiful yuletide embellishments adorning the premises. In fact, Disney goers from all the other resorts will make a stop in to the Grand Floridian just to take in the wonder!

5.  Fireworks

The Magic Kingdom fireworks each night can be viewed from pubic areas around the hotel and in some cases from rooms facing the park.  

Walt Disney’s Yacht Club Resort (Deluxe Resort)

Our final suggestion for adults only is the wonderful Yacht Club Resort. This beautiful reenactment of upscale New England style architecture sitting on the waterfront is romantic, elegant and has many adult desiring amenities.  Here are some of the highlights for Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

5 reasons to stay at the Yacht Club

1.  The location is fantastic

We love the location of the Yacht Club. It sits in what we feel is the perfect place.  You are walking distance to Epcot. A short boat ride to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You are a boat ride or walk to the Boardwalk and finally, you are a short distance to all the amenities of Disney’s Beach Club Resort.

2. Amazing Pool  

The pool at the Yacht Club which is joined with the Beach Club is called the Stormalong Bay pool and it is rated as one of the best, if not the best pool in all of the Disney Resorts.  There is a lazy river, waterslide and a sand-bottomed pool.  

3.  Close To Epcot

Did we tell you the Yacht Club is walking distance away from Epcot?  Oh we did already.  Well, did we tell you the entrance is located in the middle of the World Showcase?  

The World Showcase has wonderful events that specifically appeal to adults like the International Wine and Food Festival, the Festival of the Arts and the Flower and Garden Festival.  Many adults love to position themselves at the Yacht Club to take advantage of these wonderful events.

4. Resort Decor and Amenities 

The elegant nautical theme caters to adults with it’s sophistication and relaxing atmosphere. There are also great adult amenities such as a spa, fitness center and much more at the Yacht Club Resort.

5. Top Notch Dining

We can’t stress enough the benefit of where this resort is located.  Not only does the Yacht Club have wonderful dining and lounges including the Yachtsman Steakhouse and the Crew’s Cup Lounge but you can visit all the great restaurants at the Boardwalk as well including our favorite Italian restaurant, Trattoria al Forno.

You are heading to Disney World without any children – good for you! We feel Disney World truly is a great place to visit with just adults to experience all that Disney has to offer, whether it’s a single, couple, or a group of friends.  

The amount of attractions, dining options and entertainment that extends towards adults makes Disney World a perfect place for a wonderful vacation.

What you are looking for in your Disney vacation can play into where you stay. For example, if you love the night life and all the excitement it has to offer, you may want to consider Disney’s Boardwalk Inn which will position you right in the middle of the action.

If you are really into wonderful exotic animals, then of course you will want to stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.  Keep these tips in mind as you make your final decision.

For more tips on adults only trips to Disney, check out our favorite Disney park for adults!