Is Disneyland Fun for Adults? A Guide of Things to Do

Are you debating a trip to Disneyland? Are you wondering if Disneyland is fun for adults? The answer is yes! There are loads of fun things to do, eat and enjoy at Disneyland as adults! In fact, when my husband and I were dating and I lived in Southern California, a day at Disneyland was one of our favorite dates! Between all there is to see and do at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure Park, plus Downtown Disney, you will understand why it is called the “happiest place on Earth”, even for adults!

Is Disneyland Fun for Adults: It’s Less Expensive!

One of the best things about enjoying Disneyland as an adult is that it is less expensive! You only have to buy your own park tickets, food, snacks, hotel rooms, etc. Better yet, go with another adult friend or two and split the costs! You can have all the fun without all of the damage to your bank account from the Disney theme parks.

Pick Your Own Schedule

Another great thing about visiting Disneyland when you are an adult is you have more flexibility in your schedule. Consider visiting when most kids are in school.

Avoid holidays, long weekends, and summertime to have more wide open space in the parks! I love January, February, and early May for my Disneyland visits. They are the best times because wait times are lower, the temps are fantastic in Southern California, and it’s a bit quieter in the parks without young children.

Easy to Find Hotels in Anaheim

Planning an adult Disney trip? You may have more flexibility in finding your hotel room. When we travel with our four kids, it becomes a bit tricky to find a hotel room for 6. Planning an adult-only trip? It is pretty easy to find a great room on Disneyland property, including at the Disneyland Hotel or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. However, it’s also simple to find an affordable off-property option with so many great hotels close to Disneyland in Anaheim.

Some of my favorite hotels in walking distance to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure include:

Remember, that your Disney travel agent can help you book a Disneyland hotel and tickets package with Good Neighbor Hotels. There are over 50 hotels with the Good Neighbor distinction. These hotels are located near the Disney parks, allow you to purchase tickets with your resort stay, and offer an exclusive pin and lanyard for each person over 3 in your party.

Is Disneyland Fun for Adults? Single Rider Lines

Want to save time and avoid long lines? Consider taking advantage of the single rider lines! Though there are a few more at Walt Disney World in Florida, Disneyland Park and California Adventure offer single-rider lines some of the most popular rides. If you are with another adult, you may not ride together, but chances are, you will ride around the same time, saving you so much time!

Single-rider lines at Disneyland include Matterhorn, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. California Adventure includes Grizzly River Run, Incredicoaster, Radiator Springs Racers, Goofy’s Sky School, and Web Slingers.

You can Ride all the Rides

When you are a Disney adult, there are no height requirements! Ride whatever roller coasters you want on an adult Disney trip, and you don’t have to convince a child to be brave and try it!

We love our favorite thrill rides like Space Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, Matterhorn, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Millennium Falcon, and Rise of the Resistance at Galaxy’s Edge. And our favorite thrill ride of all is Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout in California Adventure.

Maximize Genie+ and ILL

Be sure to maximize your time at Disneyland and California Adventure by maximizing your time with Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes. Since you are traveling just as adults, you only have to pay for yourself and you can ride all of the best rides with so much time to spare!

Currently Genie+ at Disneyland features lightning lanes attractions Autopia, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Haunted Mansion, Indiana JonesTM Adventure, It’s a Small World, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, Space Mountain and Star Tours.

Genie+ at California Adventure includes Goofy’s Sky School, Grizzly River Run, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission BREAKOUT!, Incredicoaster, Monsters, Inc Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!, Soarin’ Over California, Toy Story Midway Mania, and Web Slingers.

You can also purchase Individual Lightning Lanes for a few additional attractions. These will range in pricing, due to demand. These rides include Rise of the Resistance, Radiator Springs Racers, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runway Railway. Of course, if you show up early or maximize the single rider line, you can most likely avoid having to purchase these.

Eat Great Meals

When you are at Disneyland as an adult, you can eat all the great meals! If you want burgers and chicken fingers, go for it. Or, take advantage of grabbing some sit-down reservations at fantastic fine dining restaurants like Carthay Circle Restaurant, Napa Rose, or Blue Bayou.

Are you a Star Wars fan celebrating a special occasion? Grab your favorite alcoholic beverages at Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge or some adult beverages in Downtown Disney.

Keep Snacks to Yourself!

Want a Dole Whip or a giant Mickey pretzel? Grab it and you don’t have to share it! Be sure to use the My Disney Experience app for an easy mobile order experience and save time in line. Some of our favorite Disneyland snacks include:

Mickey shaped beignets at the Mint Julep Bar
Churros from food carts (better than Disney World!)
Monte Cristo sandwich and Pommes Frites from Cafe Orleans
Corn Dog at the Little Red Wagon (Disneyland) or Corn Dog Castle (Disney California Adventure)
Dole Whip at the Tiki Juice Bar
Skewers at the Bengal Barbecue
Snicker’s Sundae at Clarabelle’s Ice Cream

Have a Full Conversation!

One of the best things about an adults only trip is you can have a full conversation! Whether you are waiting in line or chatting over dinner, a Disney vacation can be the perfect place to connect with friends in your life. Enjoy the time while having amazing, creative fun!

Stay Out Late with Friends

Is Disneyland fun for adults? Yes! You can forget about a schedule with young children when you are in the Disney parks on an adult Disney trip. Disney adults can choose to rope drop and go back to the resort for a spa treatment or swim time. Or, you can opt to sleep in a bit and stay in the parks until late into the night.

Watch a Show

Disneyland is also a great place to enjoy live shows! Sometimes young children can’t sit through an entire show in an amusement park, but there are so many great shows available at no extra cost to you. If you want to get away from long lines for roller coasters, take advantage of the fantastic entertainment. Use your My Disney Experience app or ask a cast member for the most up-to-date live entertainment schedule.

Less to Carry

When you travel on an adults only trip to Disneyland, you have less to carry! Leave the diaper bag at home, along with the Goldfish and baby wipes, and head into the parks! I like to keep it simple with just my refillable water bottle, sunscreen, and sunglasses on an adult day at Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure Park.

Shopping!

I don’t know about you, but my little ones don’t care to do too much shopping in the parks. On an adults only Disney parks adventure, you can spend some time shopping in the Downtown Disney District or lingering in the Emporium.

Special Events Tickets

Are you debating purchasing special event tickets while at Disneyland? Consider the cost when traveling with the whole family. When you are traveling with adults only, your cost will be less and you can take full advantage of the hours. Events like the Oogie Boogie Bash at Halloween can last late until the evening, so stay for the whole party when you are with adults only!

No Whining!

Of course, we love our kids, but whining is inevitable. On an adults only trip, you can enjoy all of the parks without complaints about wait times, hunger, or sleepiness. And, guess what, if you are complaining about any of those things – you can take care of it!

Less Kiddie Rides and Characters

Of course, we know that Disney was created with families in mind, but on an adults-only trip, you can skip the kiddie rides and character meet and greets if they aren’t of interest to you! Spend more time on your favorite thrill rides, sit down for a fantastic dinner at some of the best restaurants, or just wander the parks with no particular agenda and take in the atmosphere.

I hope this post helps you understand is Disneyland fun for adults. The answer is always yes! Reach out to your local Disney planner (like me!) for more great suggestions on your next Disney trip and let us customize a great trip for you. Keep reading for more travel and family tips and sign up for my free packing newsletter!