How to ace a luxury Disney World vacation for adults

For some of us, our Disney dreams remain the same whether we're 8 or 48. What's changed is our budget. Now that you're no longer a kid dropping coins into a piggy bank, you can indulge in a proper luxury retreat to the House of Mouse.

Whether hushed spas and infinity pools are your idea of luxury, or a behind-the-scenes meet-and-greet with Belle followed by a white-gloved dinner is more your speed, Disney has countless ways to pamper yourself. And for the kid at heart, the ultimate luxury might be the ability to skip ride lines and maximize your thrills.

Disney World is a humongous place, though, and it takes a bit of planning to ace a luxury vacation there. Read on for tips on everything from where to stay and what to eat, to the VIP packages that could make your luxury Disney vacation the stuff of dreams.

Looking for luxury? Start at the top. The Four Seasons Resort Orlando is hands down the most luxurious resort on Disney World grounds. Located on 26 secluded acres, interiors are sleek and contemporary, while a wealth of amenities have earned it wowed reviews from guests. Or, as Tripadvisor user Darleymads succinctly put it, “Absolutely amazing stay, couldn’t fault a thing.”

What makes the hotel perfect for adults seeking a high-end oasis? For starters, its forest setting beside two small lakes is peaceful. Then there’s the vibe, calm and picturesque, with huge rooms and views over the lakes or toward the parks, where Disney’s fireworks are visible at night. While the Four Seasons Orlando is not adults only—there are no hotels at Disney World that are—things remain tranquil just about everywhere on the property.

Luxe amenities, however, are what really make this resort shine. The Four Seasons’ spa is one of the best in the area, and a massage here is a must after long days exploring the Disney parks. Other excellent wellness features include a gym, stellar golf course, and tennis courts. Eating well is also easy, with handmade pastas on offer at chic Ravello plus a woodfired oven and choice cuts at Capa Steakhouse & Bar. Room service—often an afterthought—is an excellent way to spoil yourself here, with Tripadvisor user Giff30A noting that it’s “better than most fine-dining restaurants.” There's also a beautiful adult-only infinity pool with lake views for those seeking peace and quiet.

Few Disney-owned hotels or resorts live up to the luxurious heights of the Four Seasons. If your heart is set on staying in a more thematic property, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa—located on the monorail—is home to the much-lauded Senses Spa as well as fine dining at Victoria & Albert’s (more on that below).

Face it, part of the appeal of a day at an amusement park is the chance to eat cotton candy, food on sticks, and deep-fried everything for every meal. And Disney World has more than its fair-share of that on hand. (Bonus points for any food with Mickey ears.) However, adults looking for a high-end dining experience are also in luck, as there are excellent options throughout the parks and resorts.

For top-notch fine dining, Victoria & Albert’s is hard to beat. Located at the Grand Floridian, this restaurant serves contemporary haute cuisine delivered by traditional white-gloved service in a setting that’s nothing short of grand. Expect black truffles, Iberico ham, caviar, and an array of locally sourced items on the menu, which changes throughout the year. Not enough? A live harpist provides the soundtrack, and seven-course tasting menus are available.

High-end dining is diverse at Disney, and includes celebrity chef-helmed Todd English’s Bluezoo for stellar seafood; African plates at Tiffins; French at Monsieur Paul; excellent steak at Shula’s; and amazing Wagyu beef, sake, and sushi at Takumi-Tei (a relative newcomer to the Disney fine-dining scene). As Tripadvisor user tofupocket put it, “From the moment you walk through the beautiful front door, the hustle and bustle of the park disappears, and you're in for a serene dining experience.”

If you’re looking for somewhere to toast your Disney escape, drinking options abound, but Wine Bar George in Disney Springs is the best spot. It has the largest wine list of any Disney World restaurant or bar and offers small sample pours, even of their highest-end options. If you’d like to dial things up a notch, excellent margaritas—along with top-shelf mezcal—are on offer at La Cava del Tequila in Epcot.

At Disney World everything is supersized. (Have you seen Cinderella’s Castle?) So it’s no surprise that the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival stretches for four months from the late summer into the fall. For adults looking to unwind and indulge, this is the event of the year.

Over two dozen international booths take residence throughout Epcot, with options from Africa, Mexico, France, the Alps, and elsewhere. Highlights in past years have included the piri piri shrimp at the Africa booth, hummus fries from Morocco, and flan de chocolate abuelita at Mexico’s post. Non-region-specific options are also been on offer, and have included locavore cuisine at Greenhouse Guru and themed booths like Citrus Blossom (where every dish features oranges) or Mac and Cheese, Hosted by Boursin, where the star of the show is—of course—mac and cheese in an array of flavors.

If full-blown gluttony isn’t what you’re after (can’t imagine why), other adult-friendly events throughout the year include the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, with entertainment, amazing topiary, and—of course—booths serving up an array of dishes. Runners would do well to enter any of the themed races that take place at Disney World throughout the year, though the biggest draws are the Walt Disney World Marathon and the Disney Princess Half Marathon. And if you want to run in a princess tutu, you’ll have plenty of company.

Fine dining and ritzy hotels are a great start when it comes to seeking luxury. But in the end, everyone is a mere mortal when waiting in line for rides—and those waits can be notoriously long. On average, wait times hover between 30 minutes to well over an hour. Holidays, spring break, and Disney events can drive that number even higher.

To feel like the parks are truly yours, Disney’s Private VIP Tours offer an entirely customizable itineraries with a private guide for you and up to 10 people total. That means skip-the-line access to many rides, backstage access to popular shows and attractions, a Disney VIP Tour Guide, VIP parade seating, private transportation between all of the parks, and—depending on the itinerary—tastings at some of Disney’s best dining spots. The grand total? Around $3,000—at least—for seven hours (which is the minimum time required to book).

For the ultimate Disney high-roller there’s one goal: Club 33. This much-whispered-about members-only club is the stuff of legend, but is only available to the most dedicated Disney fanatics. Styled after Walt Disney’s own exclusive VIP salon at Disneyland in Anaheim, Club 33 provides incredible perks at Disney World plus access to four exclusive lounges across the parks: Harambe House (Animal Kingdom), Constellation Club (Epcot), Spotlight Lounge (Hollywood Studios), and Captains Quarters (Magic Kingdom).

Membership includes free park tickets every day of the year, five full-day Private VIP Tours, park hopper tickets, skip-the-line privileges on rides, dining discounts, and more. But those hoping to join Club 33 must have deep pockets—there’s a $30,000 initiation fee and a $15,000 per year membership fee. You’ll also have to write a letter explaining why you deserve to be a member. But if you’re after an experience that’s totally exclusive—and are willing to put in the effort—Club 33 is hard to top.

One Feivel-sized note: If you’re planning to rely on Disney’s FastPass+ to reserve your ride time and skip the line, you’ll have to think again. Disney discontinued this feature during its phased pandemic-era reopening and it’s unclear if FastPass+ will return.