How To Do Disneyland for Adults- Best Bars, Festivals, Luxury Experiences

Adults visiting Anaheim will find plenty of fun activities in the area including a Star Wars themed bar in Disneyland, high end spa experiences, plus a variety of hot spots for adults.

Disneyland is not just for kids and families with so much to offer to adults to enjoy on their trip. The area around the parks offers plenty of locations to unwind with a fun selection of unique bars and experiences.

Here are some of our favorite activities for adults at Disneyland to enjoy in the parks and the surrounding Anaheim area.

California Adventure Food & Wine Festival

The California Adventure Food & Wine Festival takes place every Spring beginning in March and running the end of April at the Disneyland Resort. This popular festival features a variety of marketplace food booths for guests to enjoy along with live entertainment and experiences. This is a perfect event geared towards all ages but especially adults at Disneyland with a variety of culinary demonstrations, wine and beer tastings, and an exciting lineup of live music.

Each year the festival offers a Sip and Savor Pass which is a way to save money on your marketplace booth purchases. You can find unique selections of craft beer, wine, and food all inspired by California grown ingredients during this festival. If you plan on using the Sip and Savor Pass for the higher end priced items at the event the this is a great way to save money on your visit. The Sip and Savor pass costs $59 for guests and $54 for Magic Key Holders. The pass gives you eight tabs to enjoy on food items (alcoholic drinks not included) and is good for multiple visits.

This festival also includes the return of Soarin' Over California which is the popular California themed version of Soarin' that debuted when the park opened. This version of Soarin' is beloved by many Disneyland area locals and features amazing views over California landmarks plus the intoxicating smell of the orange groves!

As for adult focused events at this festival, guests can choose from the Carthay Circle Winemaker Receptions, and Wine, Beer and Mixology Education & Tasting Seminars. These events offer advance reservations and often fill up quickly due to their popularity. You can book one of these experiences on the Disneyland website.

The California Adventure Food & Wine is one of the top activities for adults to do at the Disneyland Resort and is worth planning your visit around.

Discount Disneyland Tickets

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Buying tickets from Get Away Today is easy and convenient since all their tickets are sent electronically. You can take their vouchers and head straight to the gate without needing to wait in any ticket booth lines. They also offer layaway plans so you can pay off your vacation over time.

You can read my review on my personal experiences booking through Get Away Today and how much you can save here!

Disneyland Oga's Cantina

Oga's Cantina is the Star Wars themed bar located in Disneyland in the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge area of the park. One of only two places to easily access alcohol in Disneyland, the other being Blue Bayou, this spot is a popular area to grab a drink. The atmosphere of this bar is enjoyable for all groups not just Star Wars fans!

Oga's Cantina always has a lively vibe between the energetic bartenders and the Star Wars/techno inspired tunes of the animatronic DJ Rex. The drink menu at Oga's Cantina offers a variety of craft beers and mixed drinks, many with a galactic twist.

Oga's Cantina reservations can be hard to secure especially during busier times of the year but if you book a reservation right at the 60 day mark (when dining reservations become available!) then you can usually get one. Oga's Cantina also offers a walk up list and I have had a lot of success with getting into Oga's by getting my name on the list first thing in the morning. You can read about how to get the hardest Disneyland dining reservations in our guide.

Tenaya Stone & Spa

The Tenaya Stone Spa offers a wide selection of luxurious spa services and amenities inspired by California nature and landscape inside Disney's Grand Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The Tenaya Stone Spa was designed by Disney Imagineers so the details and atmosphere within this spa are unmatched.

The spa offers a variety of massages including a signature massage, aromatherapy massage, and deep tissue message. I enjoyed the aromatherapy massage on my last visit and it was an unique experience due to the high end amenities (heated massage beds!) along with the use of essential oils. Guests are welcome to enjoy the relaxation area before and after their massage which features soothing water elements, heated neck pillows, complimentary tea and light snacks along with full use of the rainfall showers and steam room. The salon inside the spa also includes a variety of foot treatments, nail services, and hair hairstyle options.

Tenaya Stone and Spa can be enjoyed by all guests- not just those staying at the Grand Californian- and is one of the most luxurious options for adults to enjoy in the Disneyland area. You can read more about my experience at this location (I've visited multiple times!) in my Tenaya Stone and Spa review.

Disneyland Fine Dining

There are some great options for fine dining at Disneyland that adults will enjoy like the popular Carthay Circle in California Adventure or the Napa Rose inside Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

Carthay Circle offers a retro, Hollywood movie atmosphere all themed after the 1920s. The menu here offers some of the best food in the Disneyland Resort. The Napa Rose Wine Pairing Experience is a wonderful way to sample their delectable food and wine offerings. Downtown Disney also offers a great variety of restaurants and breweries that stay open late with live music, great menus, and plenty of great cocktails for adults to enjoy.

To see more great dining locations in Disneyland, read our full list of Disneyland restaurant reviews. If you're interested in exploring some great food outside of the parks, you can also see our guide to the top 5 spots for foodies beyond Disneyland!

Adults At Disney Love Their Coffee!

There are several places to find the coffee at Disneyland! Starbucks offers three locations at the resort including Disneyland, Disney California Adventure Park, and the Downtown Disney District. The Starbucks by World of Disney is one the nicest locations Starbucks locations you will find in the area with a beautiful patio and also offers one of the most exclusive coffee lines titled Starbucks Reserved. Additionally, the parks have several coffee carts where you can load up on caffeine.

Alcohol at Disneyland

What is a Disneyland for Adults trip without a little alcohol? The Disneyland Resort has some tasty adult beverages. Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar (review here), located at the Disneyland Hotel, has a fun tropical vibe inspired by the Jungle Cruise ride. This whimsical bar presents some delicious drinks such as Mai Tais and Shipwreck on the Rocks.

The Hearthstone Lounge can be found in the lobby of the Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and the GCH Craftsman Bar can be found pool side. You have two great options of relaxing by a cozy fireplace enjoying premium wine or sitting out in the sun enjoying a cocktail.

Relaxing Disneyland Pools

Take a few hours away from the parks and enjoy the stunning pools the resort hotels offer if you're staying at an on-property Disney hotel.

The Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Paradise Pier (soon to be Pixar Place!) all have gorgeous pool areas where you can rest your feet and relax, or soak in a hot Jacuzzi.

Adult Disneyland Desserts

For an enjoyable, grown-up twist on the Tiki Room favorite, try Pineapple Dole with rum at the Coffee House at the Disneyland Hotel. This treat does not disappoint! Just across the pool at the Tangaroa Terrace is the best coconut cake you can find. Ice cream is a must when you’re at the parks.

You can find delicious scoops and sundaes at Clarabelle's Hand-Scooped Ice Cream and Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop in Disney California Adventure Park, and Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor in Disneyland. There is a ton of fantastic ice cream in Disneyland!

Disneyland With Adults Late at Night

There are even some perks for adults in Disneyland that can handle staying up all night to take advantage of Disneyland's late hours.

Crowds will start to empty out after the fireworks so by staying until park close you will see the lowest wait times for attractions for the entire day. You can go on lots of rides with much shorter lines.

Single Rider Lines

If you’re visiting the parks without children, be sure to take advantages of the single rider lines. Several attractions offer single rider lines at a shorter wait than even some of the Lightning Lane lines. Disneyland’s Indiana Jones Adventure, Matterhorn Bobsleds, and Splash Mountain offer single rider options. In Disney California Adventure Park, look for this option at Radiator Springs Racers, Incredicoaster, Goofy’s Sky School, and Grizzly River Run.

Downtown Disney Adults Only Shopping

Disneyland, Disney California Adventure Park, and the Downtown Disney District all offer some great shopping experiences that cater to adult tastes. Disneyland’s Main Street has several fun stores to browse, such as Disneyana, Emporium, and Crystal Arts. In Disney California Adventure Park you can get some retail therapy at Elias & Co., Julius Katz & Sons, and Oswald's. The Downtown Disney District is a shopper’s dream that offers interesting stores such as Curl Surf, the Disney Dress Shop, D-Street, Pandora Jewelry, WonderGround Gallery, and of course, World of Disney.

House of Blues

House of Blues Anaheim is a live music venue located on the Anaheim GardenWalk. The restaurant and bar offers indoor and outdoor dining featuring Southern-inspired food favorites. This is a great location to enjoy your evening on GardenWalk which features pre-show parties, live music, and DJs along with hosted special events. The House of Blues Music Hall holds a large space for concerts and events with mezzanine seating and VIP boxes.

For adults in the Disneyland area that enjoy live music and entertainment, this is a great place to spend an evening in Anaheim. Not only is the entertainment top notch, the atmosphere of this Southern art filled venue is a great place to just spend an evening enjoying drinks and good food. This is also a great place to attend special events as they will go all out! I attended a D23 member Star Wars special event at the House of Blues and it was a fun experience for Disney and Star Wars fans. The venue offered a fun atmosphere, great food, and there was plenty to do before the event on the Anaheim GardenWalk.

You can view their concert event listing on the House of Blues website ahead of your visit to see what notable music you can enjoy during your evening.

StrongWater Anaheim

StrongWater Anaheim is a restaurant bar featuring a wide variety of themed cocktails and popular hand designed mugs! Due to the popularity of this location, if you want to experience indoor dining then an advance reservation is a requirement. You can make reservations on the StrongWater website in advance of your visit.

One of the well-known aspects of this location are the themed mugs which include the Tales of the Black Lagoon to the Green Zombie King. The Green Zombie King is featured in one of this location's short films which you can watch on their website ahead of your visit. This restaurant bar offers an unique atmosphere making it a great place to enjoy for all adults. The indoor dining is only for ages 21+ which can be a nice reprieve from some of the more family focused locations around the Disneyland Resort.

If you're looking for the most popular menu items to enjoy, the Loco Moco Burger  and Buzzin' Jungle Bird cocktail both won local awards for best burger and cocktail! This is a popular location for adults visiting Disneyland so you do not forget to snag your reservation before your night out.

Plan Your Disneyland Vacation!

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You can discover more about planning your trip to Disneyland from these links:

• Disneyland Restaurant Reviews
• Disneyland Character Dining
• How to Plan Your Disneyland Trip
• Disneyland in the Summer
• Disneyland Discount Packages