Everyone thinks of Disney as a travel destination for parents with small children but this is not the case. There are tons of adults that love Walt Disney World and may want to enjoy the parks without the kids (or grandkids). Here are my recommendations for resort hotels that are more suitable for adults. These are based on location, amenities, restaurants/bars on site and the general grown up feeling of the resort. Yes, you will find families there but it’s Disney World and you can’t avoid that! Most of the resorts I recommend for adults are in the Deluxe category because you will find more and more families when you go to moderate and value resorts.

Magic Kingdom Area:

On the Monorail: These hotels offer monorail service directly to Magic Kingdom (and each other) and indirectly to Epcot. All of these are the original hotels for the property and are in the Deluxe category. All of beaches on the lake and views of Magic Kingdom and nightly fireworks.

• Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: I find this to be the most adult and luxurious of all the resorts. 3 high-end restaurants and including of Victoria & Alberts, which is the most famouse signature restaurant on the property. Now has a spa (Senses) on premises. Offers 2 character meals and a tea party so you will have munchkins running around the lobby on a regular basis. Ferry to Magic Kingdom also available.
• Contemporary Resort: Very Modern hotel and decor with Monorail traveling through the building. Very good restaurants, but does contain Chef Mickey’s a very popular character meal for breakfast and dinner. Beach and other water recreation available. The newly refurbished award-winning California Grill located here.
• Polynesian Resort: South Pacific kitchy is the best way to describe the Polynesian. I love this hotel and the way it is laid out. Does have 1 character meal but breakfast only. Spirit of Aloha (one of only 2 dinner shows on property) nightly. Ferry to Magic Kingdom also available.

By Ferry:

• Wilderness Lodge: Themed after the National Parks lodges, this giant log cabin offers great restaurants, fishing, water sports and a beach.

Animal Kingdom Resort Area: All transportation to all parks is by bus at these resorts. They are the furthest away from the parks.

• Animal Kingdom Lodge:  All travel by bus (even to Animal Kingdom). You can get a room that overlooks the savannah and watch the animals from your terrace. The least expensive of the Deluxe resorts. Great restaurants and theme, but far from all the park.
• Coronado Springs Resort: Southwest themed Moderate resort. Large conference area to this one which makes it a huge resort. Does have suites to sleep up to 6. On a 22 acre lake with fishing and boating available.

Epcot Resort Area: All of these resorts are walking distance to Epcot and a boat ride to Hollywood Studios. They are also walking distance from each other. I love being able to leave your hotel and be in the World Showcase of Epcot in about 5 minutes.

• Boardwalk Resort: My favorite resort on the entire property. Themed early Atlantic City Boardwalk. Active nightlife on the Boardwalk with strolling entertainment along with bars and restaurants. I love the lounge near the lobby. Main pool is a little obnoxiously carnival themed.
• Yacht Club Resort: Martha’s Vineyard Theme, very nautical. Great steakhouse. Connected to Beach Club Resort.
• Beach Club Resort:  Eastern seaboard theme. Good restaurant, but this resort is geared more to families compared to Yacht Club.

Downtown Disney Area: With these resorts, you need to take a bus to all the parks. They do have boat transportation to Downtown Disney which is a very pleasant ride.

• Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa: Deluxe resort with an Upstate New York equestrian theme. Award winning spa on premises. Dining options here are not great.
• Port Orleans – Riverside: Moderate resort that is themed rural New Orleans with both bayou rooms and plantation mansions. I would recommend the mansion rooms for adults. Quiet pools offer a retreat from the louder main pool. Boatwrights is a sit down restaurant with great food. They do offer rooms with King beds versus 2 queens. This is my best choice for a Moderate resort for adults. French Quarter is much smaller with no sit down restaurant or quiet pools.