Disneyland for adults: your guide to a magical adventure

When you think of a trip to Disneyland, you might picture children enjoying the classic attractions. Yet, this destination offers plenty for adults to enjoy as well, from fine dining and craft cocktails to behind-the-scenes tours and romantic spots.

In fact, adults without children make up a growing portion of the park’s visitors. So, rest assured you won't be alone in your quest for a child-free, memory-making escape. From exclusive lounges to after-dark rides and wine-pairing dinners, here's how to shape your ultimate Disneyland getaway.

1. Plan adult-only experiences in advance

Disneyland has plenty of unique experiences you might never notice unless you're looking for them. For example, Club 33 is Walt Disney's ultra-private dining club tucked away in New Orleans Square. Planning in advance is required, as there's a formal application process, a dress code, initiation fees and annual fees. But this is a great place to enjoy secluded dining rooms, exclusive merchandise and a calm oasis in the middle of the park.

Other adult-friendly experiences worth booking early include:

• VIP tours: skip every line with a private guide, customisable itinerary and reserved seating for parades and fireworks.
• Behind-the-scenes tours: learn about Disney history, design and hidden details with guided experiences.
• After-hours parties: seasonal ticketed events, like Disneyland After Dark, generally have shorter lines, special menus and themed entertainment perfect for grown-ups.

2. Skip peak season

Late August through early November is Disneyland's sweet spot: summer crowds have thinned, the weather is pleasant and Halloween décor begins to appear. But be mindful that October weekends, especially during the Oogie Boogie Bash, can feel busy.

January and February also offer lighter crowds and mild weather. If you want to avoid the crowd, consider skipping Presidents’ Day, spring break (March–April) and the week between Christmas and New Year's, when park attendance surges.

3. Take advantage of the quieter spots

Part of visiting Disneyland as an adult is slowing down to appreciate the atmosphere. As the sun sets, a new side of the park comes to life. In the day, the Jungle Cruise offers a lighthearted atmosphere, but in the evening it becomes even more immersive. Similarly, Tom Sawyer Island, rarely crowded in the evening, offers a peaceful riverside stroll and a rare break from the park’s commotion.

You will also find unexpected calm in the Disney Gallery on Main Street or the Animation Building in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure. Here, you can sit in a cool, dark courtyard surrounded by floor-to-ceiling animated scenes.

4. Time your arrival for nighttime magic

If you visit the park on a day when it is open until 23:00 or 00:00, consider arriving mid-afternoon instead of the morning. You'll conserve energy for nighttime shows, live bands and the cooler, less-crowded hours. Bring layers, as California evenings cool down fast, especially if you're planning on taking a stroll along the water.

Some of the best moments in Disneyland for adults happen after dark. Here are a few fun adult Disneyland rides and experiences to check out: 

• Watch fireworks from the Rivers of America – this vantage point is less crowded than Main Street, with a beautiful water reflection.
• Schedule a Haunted Mansion Holiday – this seasonal experience usually runs from late August to early January. The nighttime lighting makes it even spookier.
• Ride Big Thunder Mountain – the railroad ride at night is even more thrilling when you can't see the track ahead in the dark.

5. Master the apps and lightning lanes

Download the Disneyland app before your trip and familiarise yourself with Lightning Lane passes, a paid service that lets you join shorter lines. It's great if you don’t want to wait as long for the most popular rides. The app also has other features like:

• Mobile food ordering – skip the lines at quick-service restaurants and enjoy a meal from select dining locations.
• Wait time tracking – visit high-demand attractions and enjoy minimal standing around.

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel

A destination in itself, the Grand Californian offers direct park access, a tranquil spa and the refined Veranda Lounge. Here, club-level guests can enjoy all-day gourmet bites and premium drinks with terrace seating. Even if you're not staying club-level, the property's Napa Rose restaurant is worth visiting. The serene courtyards and warm-toned interiors create a welcome contrast to the thrill of the parks. The pools are quieter than you'd expect and cabana rentals make for a perfect recovery day between park visits.

Disney's Pixar Place Hotel

Reimagined in 2024, Disney's Pixar Place Hotel celebrates Pixar films with playful touches like a rooftop pool inspired by Finding Nemo. It's budget-friendly but still grants early park entry and convenient access.

Disneyland Hotel

Offering equal parts nostalgia and novelty, the Disneyland Hotel offers themed suites including the Mickey Mouse Penthouse and an outstanding pool complex with multiple water slides. The new Disney Vacation Club Villas, opened in late 2023, add upscale apartment-style lodging to the mix.

The Westin Anaheim Resort

Just outside the park and unaffiliated with Disney, The Westin offers spacious rooms, a sleek rooftop bar with Incredicoaster views and Marriott Bonvoy perks. It's walkable to the gates but feels worlds away from the crowds. The on-site steakhouse and club lounge make it a great option if you’re after a toned-down hotel.

Napa Rose

Inside the Grand Californian, this fine dining spot focuses on seasonal California flavours like Pacific ahi tuna crudo, wild boar ragout or maple leaf duck. The wine list is one of the best in Orange County and the chef's counter offers a behind-the-scenes view of the kitchen.

Carthay Circle

Inspired by the theatre where Snow White premiered in 1937, Carthay Circle channels old Hollywood glamour. Its second-floor terrace offers fantastic views of Disney California Adventure. The cocktail menu is just as enticing as the food, which features locally-sourced ingredients.

Paseo

Located in Downtown Disney, Paseo blends French technique with Mexican heritage, courtesy of Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytán. The décor, rich woods, lush greenery and hand-crafted leather feels like a refreshing take on the classic Disney aesthetic.

Oga's Cantina

Part spaceport dive bar, part performance art, Oga's is the heart of Galaxy's Edge. Creative cocktails come with quirky names and a theatrical presentation. Even if you're not a Star Wars fan, the animatronic DJ, pulsing music and moody lighting make this a must-visit pit-stop.

Blue Bayou Restaurant

Tucked inside Pirates of the Caribbean, Blue Bayou offers lantern-lit tables overlooking the ride's opening scene. It's one of the few places in Disneyland with table service and an intimate atmosphere. 

For an outstanding experience, consider requesting a waterside table when checking in or making a reservation. You’ll be seated right at the entrance of the ride, where you can watch the passenger-filled boats drift through the convincing replica of a Louisiana swamp. Make sure to get in early though, as reservations open up to 60 days in advance, and they fill up quickly.

Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar

Trader Sam's serves elaborate rum-based drinks, many with special, interactive effects. The indoor space fills quickly, but the patio offers live music and the same drink menu without the wait.

Pym Tasting Lab

On Avengers Campus, this inventive bar experiments with ‘Pym Particle’ mixology. The product? Giant beer steins, colourful cocktails and playful nibbles like Snack Molecules – a concoction of mini pretzels, spiced peanuts and popped sorghum.

Adult-only seasonal highlights

Take advantage of the wide variety of Disney's incredible experiences with their seasonal highlights:

• Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival (spring): this festival features wine tastings, chef demos and small plates from California vendors.
• Oogie Boogie Bash (autumn): enjoy a Halloween party with immersive trick-or-treat trails, villain meet-and-greets and exclusive shows.
• Festival of Holidays (winter): take part in a celebration of global cuisines, seasonal cocktails and live music from around the world.

Disneyland for adults is about slowing down, savouring the details and curating your own kind of magic. With the right timing, well-placed reservations and a mix of thrills and downtime, you'll craft a version of Disney that's focused on the attractions and experiences you most want to enjoy.