By Kate Cohen

A couple in beachy attire walk through the sand amongst four pink flamingos at Discovery Cove, one of the best theme parks in Orlando for adults.

Theme parks are family-friendly destinations where visitors of all ages can have fun, play, and make unforgettable memories.

While there’s plenty for kids to enjoy, the theme parks are full of thrills, excitement, and immersive experiences for adults, too.

But which parks are the best theme parks for adults in Orlando? The answer: it depends on what you’re looking for.

At Rosen Plaza, we’re in the heart of Orlando’s theme park entertainment, making us experts in all things excitement. That’s why we’ve created a guide to help you determine which theme park is best for your next grownup getaway.

Whether you’re a superfan, thrill enthusiast, honeymooner, foodie, or animal lover, the perfect adult park experience is waiting for you in Orlando.

Here’s our breakdown of the best theme parks for adults in Orlando.

The Best Theme Parks for Adults in Orlando

Superfans

The fantastical worlds and stories we’ve grown up with have come to life in some of Orlando’s best theme parks.

Star Wars Superfans: Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort

A rocky, craggy setting with a cement tower surrounding the Millennium Falcon spaceship at Hollywood Studios, a great theme park for adults.

Star Wars superfans will be blown away by Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World Resort’s Hollywood Studios. This otherworldly theme park land is fully immersive, transporting visitors to a galaxy far, far away.

Rides like Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance offer interactive and exciting experiences that put you right in the middle of the action. Pilot the famous Millennium Falcon or fight in a climactic battle against the Dark Side.

Under the guidance of “The Gatherers”, you can construct (and purchase) your very own lightsaber to use on your adventures through the park. You can also put together a customized droid companion to purchase and take home with you.

Reserve a 20-minute photo session to have portraits taken in front of the Millennium Falcon, the Black Spire Outpost market, or ancient galactic ruins. These are the pictures you’ve always dreamt of having, making you look like the Star Wars hero – or villain – you truly are.

Grab an intergalactic cocktail at Oga’s Cantina or refuel with a delicious Star Wars-inspired meal at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo.

Harry Potter Superfans: Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando Resort

A gray dragon sits atop a three-story building overlooking a wide street, breathing fire into a blue sky.

Witches and Wizards of all ages will feel right at home in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.

Both of Universal’s theme parks offer unique elements of the Wizarding World, ensuring a magical Harry Potter experience whether you visit one park or both.

In Universal Studios, you can wander through the streets of Diagon Alley, including the iconic fire-breathing dragon on top of Gringotts Bank.

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is a thrilling indoor roller coaster with 3D cut scenes and interactive sensory elements like water and fire. When you’ve successfully escaped Bellatrix Lestrange’s vault, you can grab a refreshing butterbeer or a bottle of pumpkin juice.

Choose your wand – or rather, let your wand choose you – at Ollivander’s Wand Shop. Take in a Celestina Warbeck performance or watch a telling of The Tales of Beedle the Bard with beautiful puppets.

A hand holds a plastic cup with a foamy beverage and a straw in front of a red cart that reads "butterbeer."

If you’re visiting both parks, ride on the Hogwarts Express for an immersive trip directly from Diagon Alley to the quaint village of Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure, where you’ll find Hogwarts Castle perched high on a hill.

In Hogsmeade, you can experience rides like Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Shop for traditional Hogwarts robes, enjoy a sweet treat from Honeydukes, and watch a Triwizard Spirit Rally featuring students from Hogwarts, Durmstrang, and Beauxbatons.

Harry Potter fans will love being thoroughly immersed in a world of magic unlike any reality they’ve experienced before, especially those who’ve grown up with the stories of Harry and his friends.

Thrill Enthusiasts: Universal Orlando Resort

A roller coaster on a curving track dips over a body of water with a clear blue sky in the background. This photo is from Universal Orlando, one of the best theme parks in Orlando for adults.

For a lot of adults, the allure of theme parks is the epic rollercoasters and thrill rides.

If you’re one of the theme park-goers always searching for the latest and greatest in adrenaline-pumping rides, look no further than Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort.

Islands of Adventure’s roller coasters are some of the highest, fastest, and most intricate in Orlando.

The Jurassic World VelociCoaster is one of Universal Orlando’s most popular coasters. With two launches, including one that hurtles you to speeds of 70 mph in 2.4 seconds, and four inversions, it’s an incredible ride that sends you swooping past angry raptors.

Also in Islands of Adventure is The Incredible Hulk, a massive green rollercoaster that includes a zero-gravity roll and launches you high into the sky at 67 mph. This scream-inducing coaster smashes its way into the sky and replicates The Hulk’s monstrous transformation.

There’s no denying that Universal Orlando Resort has some of the best coasters in the area. If you’re looking for a park that delivers thrill after thrill, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure are the way to go.

Runner Up: SeaWorld Orlando

A roller coaster on a descent with loops of track in the background against a clear blue sky.

SeaWorld Orlando is also home to some of the area’s most thrilling rollercoasters.

Mako is Orlando’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster, catapulting riders 200 feet into the air and racing at speeds of up to 73 miles per hour.

Named for the mythical sea monster, Kraken is a floorless coaster that will make you feel like you’re dangling as you twist, turn, and shoot up towards the sky.

Pipeline: The Surf Coaster is a standing rollercoaster designed to make you feel like you’re riding the biggest, fastest waves on the ocean with heights of up to 110 feet and speeds of up to 60 mph.

These and other thrill rides make SeaWorld Orlando a great for thrill-seeking grownups.

Honeymooners: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

A man with a popcorn container is fed popcorn b a woman with a popcorn container, sitting on a bench with Cinderella Castle and a carousel in the background.

Ah, love!

Many couples choose Orlando as a honeymoon destination full of romance and memory-making.

When it comes to theme parks that encapsulate love, the classic Disney vibes of Magic Kingdom is a perfect choice.

Magic Kingdom is the quintessential Disney park. Home to fairy tale castles and beloved characters, it exudes charm and nostalgia, both of which lend themselves to romance.

Pick up a Disney World Celebration “Happily Ever After” button to mark the occasion before taking your picture with Mickey Mouse, riding on a carousel with views of Cinderella’s Castle, and watching the fireworks show hand in hand after dark.

Surrounded by classical love stories with princesses and charming princes, you’ll find yourself making your own priceless romantic memories at Magic Kingdom.

Foodies: EPCOT, Walt Disney World Resort

Two women in Mickey Mouse shirts walk in front of an Italian-inspired building carrying food in brown paper bowls.

It’s no surprise that theme parks have become a major destination for foodies. Innovative ideas, meticulously tested recipes, and themed treats are a draw for palates from all over the world.

EPCOT’s World Showcase features some of the best flavors from countries around the globe. It has become a favorite theme park for foodies and beverage enthusiasts, particularly during one of EPCOT’s famous seasonal festivals.

As you travel the World Showcase, you’ll get to taste famous culinary dishes from countries like Morocco, Germany, France, Norway, and Japan.

If you’re over 21, most countries also feature refreshing alcoholic beverages perfect for cleansing your palate on a warm Florida afternoon.

Throughout the year, you can find EPCOT hosting festivals like the Food & Wine Festival in the fall, the Flower and Garden Festival, the Festival of the Arts, and the Festival of the Holidays. Each of these celebrated events features even more tasty additions throughout the park and opportunities to delight your taste buds further.

Mix up your EPCOT culinary itinerary with exciting rides, cultural explorations, and live entertainment for a fabulous – and tasty – day at EPCOT.

Animal-Lovers: Discovery Cove

A couple in wetsuits smiling and interacting with a dolphin in the water.

For animal-lovers, few things compare to getting up close and personal with your favorite species.

At Discovery Cove, you can swim with dolphins, mingle with flamingos, and snorkel with sting rays, all within one unique all-inclusive day resort.

When you spend the day at Discovery Cove, you’ll have access to exhibits like the Explorer’s Aviary where you can feed colorful birds and the Grand Reef where you can swim in a 1-million-gallon reef tank alongside tropical fish, sting rays, and other amazing aquatic life.

Splurging for a Dolphin Swim package is well worth your time, so you can get in the water and swim alongside Discovery Cove’s playful bottlenose dolphins.

For a relaxing journey, the Wind-Away River is a soothing lazy river that takes you through caves, under waterfalls, and through the aviary. If you’re looking to kick back without missing out on the fun, the Freshwater Oasis is the perfect place to sip on cocktails alongside Asian clawed otters and marmosets for a truly wild experience.

As an added perk, all of your food and drinks for the day are included in the cost of admission

Animal lovers can add other wildlife encounters for a day that’s even more jam-packed with up-close experiences.

Stay at Rosen Plaza for Your Next Theme Park Adventure

Whether you’re planning a kids-free day at the parks or an extended grownup getaway, the best theme park in Orlando for adults simply depends on your personality and preferences.

Whichever theme park you visit, stay at Rosen Plaza for a luxurious and comfortable retreat. Our chic accommodations, delectable onsite dining, and central location make us the perfect destination for your Orlando vacation or staycation.

Plus, our amazing resort-style amenities (and no resort fees) make our hotel the perfect place to unwind after an incredible day at the theme parks. Cocktails from ‘39 Poolside, anyone?

A yellow and orange cocktail in a hurricane glass sits on the deck of a sparkling blue pool. A hotel and palm trees are in the background at Rosen Plaza.