If you’re a Disney adult, a lot of your travel might revolve around going to Disney parks. By now, you’ve memorized park maps. You know every word of the Haunted Mansion spiel. You know how to maximize every minute of your time in the parks.
If that’s you, it might be time to travel somewhere that’s not Disney. But where to go? Consider one of these destinations, which we chose for their immersive experiences and Disney ties.
If you love Epcot’s Germany pavilion, you’ll love Munich. Beer halls like Hofbräuhaus and Augustiner-Keller feature long communal tables, live music and festive vibes.
Munich’s historic center is compact and walkable with plazas, beer gardens and pretzels (not necessarily Mickey-shaped) throughout. Should you want to venture further out in the city, public transportation is efficient and intuitive.
The real star of Bavaria, though, is Neuschwanstein Castle, widely cited as the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. To get there, you can join a guided day tour from Munich or rent a car for the roughly 90-minute drive. But the most rewarding (and budget-friendly) option is the train to Füssen, followed by a bus or uphill hike to the castle.
While “The Sound of Music” isn’t a Disney original, it joined the catalog when Disney acquired 21st Century Fox in 2019.
Many tour operators in Salzburg, Austria, offer Sound of Music tours, which bundle transportation, narration and filming lore in a way that feels very familiar to anyone who’s ever boarded a Disney bus. These tours can be an efficient way for travelers to explore some of the most iconic filming locations, including the gazebo and the church in Mondsee where Maria and Captain von Trapp were married, which sits well outside the city.
But you don’t need a tour to soak in the Salzburg magic. The historic old town is compact, flat and extremely walkable. You can stroll into Mirabell Gardens and stand by the Pegasus Fountain to recreate your own “Do-Re-Mi” moment for free. From there, it’s a scenic hike to Schloss Leopoldskron, the home featured in the film.
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Fans of Disney’s Animal Kingdom have likely taken multiple rides through Kilimanjaro Safaris. It might be time to experience the real thing in Tanzania, home to Mount Kilimanjaro. Book a safari, and you’ll see wild animals like lions, cheetahs, elephants and zebras up close in their natural habitats.
Most travelers book all-inclusive safari packages, which bundle lodging, meals, guides and transportation. While these packages can be expensive, often starting in the low thousands per person, you generally don’t have to put a lot of effort into managing logistics, like coordinating dinner reservations or rides.
The most opulent safari lodges or glamping sites sit adjacent to watering holes, where elephants wander past your deck at sunrise.
Kawaii culture, which describes Japan’s celebration of cuteness, means nearly everything in Tokyo has a character attached. It might not be Mickey — it could be Pikachu or Hello Kitty — but the spirit is quite Disney. In Tokyo, some trains and train stations are decked out with cute characters, and even construction sites feature cartoon animals politely asking you to watch your step or guiding you where to go. Disney adults will likely appreciate this level of whimsy.
Meanwhile, Tokyo’s snacks are elite. Convenience stores sell beautifully packaged meals and desserts that look as good as they taste, while vending machines dispense everything from frozen crepes to hot pork cutlet sandwiches.
And just in case you can’t travel without a smidge of Disney, there’s Tokyo Disney Resort, home to what many fans argue is the best Disney park in the world. It’s also far cheaper. One-day adult tickets to Tokyo Disneyland start at just 7,900 yen (about $50), a bargain compared to Walt Disney World tickets, which start at $119.
5. Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class ships
For Disney Cruise Line fans curious about alternatives, Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class ships offer familiar scale and over-the-top theming.
Similar to the themed lands in Disney parks, these ships are divided into themed neighborhoods, like Thrill Island (which includes an entire waterpark made up of six slides), the kid-friendly Surfside (featuring an actual carousel) and Central Park, which places 30,500 real plants on the ship.
Ships feature top-tier entertainment, with Broadway-caliber musicals and ice rink performances.
Disney adults know Oahu is home to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, located in the swanky resort area of Ko Olina.
But you don’t need to stay at Aulani to experience the island’s Disney-esque magic. On Oahu, you can find a Dole Whip pretty much anywhere. The scenic drives and designated viewpoints feel almost Imagineered.
Don’t miss the hike to Diamond Head State Monument. The crater trail winds upward through tunnels and old military bunkers before opening onto sweeping views of the water and Honolulu skyline. The summit can get crowded, so arrive early in the morning.
And then there’s the Polynesian Cultural Center, with different cultural “villages” featuring activities such as dance performances, craft-making and spear-throwing demonstrations.
7. San Francisco, California
Much like Disneyland’s trains and streetcars, San Francisco stands out for its iconic and charming public transit system: the cable car. The $9 ride to Fisherman’s Wharf will put you close to the antique arcade Musée Mécanique (which was featured in “The Princess Diaries”), Ghirardelli Square and a whole bunch of barking sea lions that are free to watch.
Disney adults might also enjoy making the pilgrimage to the Walt Disney Family Museum, which was founded by Walt’s daughter, Diane Disney Miller.
And fans of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room will love San Francisco’s strong tiki culture, with bars like Smuggler’s Cove, the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar and Trader Vic’s (just across the Bay Bridge in Emeryville).
8. Yosemite and Sequoia national parks
If you like the vibes in Disney California Adventure’s Grizzly Peak area, just go see the real thing, which is not actually that far away.
Yosemite offers the towering granite cliffs and cascading waterfalls that inspired the land’s design — think Half Dome, El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall. Sequoia lets you stand at the base of the largest trees on the planet.
Yosemite and Sequoia are within a half-day’s drive from Anaheim, California, making them realistic add-ons or alternatives to a Disneyland trip. If you plan to visit multiple parks, consider getting the America the Beautiful Pass. At $80 for U.S. citizens and residents, it’s far less than even a single day at a Disney park.
9. Utah and Arizona’s national parks
Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos famously inspired the scenery for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Zion is just downright beautiful, with steep cliffs framed by deep canyons. And rather than look at the diorama version of the Grand Canyon from the Disneyland Railroad, you might as well see the real thing.
Staying in Kanab, Utah, makes it easy to do day trips to all three parks. Kanab, which is famously the filming site of many Western movies, today houses the Little Hollywood Museum.
Alternatively, stay in the town of Moab as a base to see both Arches and Canyonlands.
The Las Vegas Strip is built on immersive theming. Hotels like The Venetian Las Vegas lean all the way in, with gondoliers who sing as they glide through indoor canals under a permanently blue fake sky. A literal roller coaster runs through the New York-New York Hotel & Casino.