Here’s Why You Need To Plan a “Guy’s Trip” to Walt Disney World

Admittedly, when planning a guy’s trip, Walt Disney World isn’t going to be the first destination to spring to mind. The mouse house is thought of more as a family-friendly vacation replete with kiddie rides and activities. And while it may be all of those things, WDW is also home to much more. The following are just a few of the reasons why you should consider this central Florida resort for your next trip with the boys.

1. It Boasts World-Class Golf Courses

The grounds of WDW are home to a quartet of championship-caliber courses, each presenting its own unique set of challenges, from the bunkered greens of the Lake Buena Vista course to the plentiful water hazards of Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course. Completing the trio of 18-hole courses is Disney’s Palms, a classic tournament course which was redesigned in 2013 by the Arnold Palmer Course Design team, an effort that resulted in the award for “Renovation of the Year” by Golf Inc. Magazine. If, however, you’re looking to squeeze in a quick nine, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course may be the perfect fit. This picturesque walking course is also a certified wildlife sanctuary, providing for a lush backdrop to your friendly competition with the fellas. Disney also offers the Sunset 9 promotion at all of its courses, which includes nine holes of golf before dusk, as well as a pre-round drink (domestic beer or soft drink), hot dog, and golf cart usage (pull carts only at Oak Trail).

2. You Can Enjoy Bass Fishing Excursions

If strolling the links isn’t your bag, then perhaps a fishing excursion may be your angle. Several WDW resorts offer guided bass fishing experiences that put visitors aboard either a tournament-style NITRO fishing boat or a 21-foot Sun Tracker pontoon. Excursions are offered in two or four-hour increments, with the opportunity to tack on an additional hour at the marina. Each outing includes rod and reel, (live or artificial) bait and tackle, and non-alcoholic beverages with the accompaniment of an experienced guide who will help you try to land that largemouth bass. NITRO excursions can accommodate a pair of guests, while the pontoon can carry up to five fishermen.

3. The Fun Doesn’t Have to Stop at Night

While Walt Disney World will certainly never be confused with Las Vegas, there is still plenty for adults to do once the sun goes down. For instance, the nightlife at the recently re-imagined Disney Springs is second to none. At Raglan Road, you and your party can belly up to one of the Irish pub’s four imported bars and sample spirits and authentic cuisine as you enjoy the nightly entertainment, while Splitsville Luxury Lanes allows you to keep the competitive juices flowing in a 50,000 square-foot space that offers bowling and billiards (among other activities). Many resorts also include sports bars — such as Rix Sports Bar and Grill at Coronado Springs — ensuring that you and your buddies won’t have to miss a minute of the big game. 

4. You Can Find a Great Steak Here

What would a guy’s trip be without a meal featuring prime aged beef? At WDW, it’s easier to find a good steak than you would probably think. Shula’s Steak House honors the Florida coaching legend with its selection of steaks served in an elegant setting that celebrates the legend of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins, while Narcoossee’s allows guests to bask in the opulence of the Grand Floridian as they mix it up with expertly-prepared surf and turf entrées. Even while visiting the parks, guests won’t have to settle for anything less than a succulent steak, as evidenced by Epcot’s Le Cellier Steakhouse and Coral Reef Restaurant. The former is housed in a Canadian château and specializes in meaty entrées like the “Le Cellier” filet mignon, while the latter takes guests below the surface where they can enjoy a meal in the shadow of a 5.7 million gallon aquarium that is home to more than 2,000 aquatic creatures.

5. Don’t Forget About the Thrill Rides

While we have thus far concentrated on highlighting the quintessential man’s man activities, let’s not forget this resort was built around amusement parks. The great part about being among the guys is that you probably won’t have to take a spin on the Mad Hatter’s tea cups or suffer through It’s a Small World. Instead, you can feed your need for speed by boarding roller coasters such as Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. Other thrilling adventures include Mission: Space (which simulates G-forces), the ghastly and random drops of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — an experience that lets you geek-out to the iconic films while immersing yourself in the action.