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INTERCOT - Walt Disney World Inside & Out - Info Central
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Romance at Walt Disney World
While
what's "romantic" to one couple may be just plain silly to another, here are
a few tips to enjoying a romantic getaway at Walt Disney World (WDW).
Resorts
The
resorts that are considered to be the most romantic, are also the most
expensive. The Polynesian offers the tropical splendor of a South Seas
getaway. The Wilderness Lodge has
the rustic isolation of a National Park Lodge (think turn of the century)
complete with fireplace. The Grand Floridian offers the opulent charm of a
Victorian seaside resort complete with it's own orchestra that plays in the
main building most evenings - don't be afraid to waltz with your partner!
The Yacht & Beach Club, as well as the Boardwalk Inn, have the charm of a
seaside resort. You can practically smell the salt air and feel the mist of
the ocean. The Contemporary is also considered by some to be romantic for
it's tower room view of the Magic Kingdom and it's nightly fireworks.
Perhaps a less expensive, but equally romantic option, would be to have
dinner at the California Grill on the 15th floor of the hotel. The lights
are dimmed and the music piped in for the nightly fireworks. (While a meal
at the California Grill isn't cheap, it's a lot less expensive than a room
at the Contemporary!) Of course all of the hotels at Walt Disney World have
their own charm - and even a walk around the All Star Music in the evening,
hand in hand with the stars twinkling above can be incredibly romantic.
Meals
Dining at
Walt Disney World need not be a free for all with children screaming and
characters flitting around (although that can be fun too). Perhaps one of
the most romantic meals a couple can have (if you can afford it), is at
Victoria & Albert's at the Grand Floridian. Seating is limited and each
table is attended to by your own maid (Victoria) and butler (Albert). A
harpist or violinist provides mood music while you dine on some of the most
exquisite culinary treats. For an extra special treat, try to book the
chef's table. This little nook is right in the kitchen where you watch your
chef prepare a meal exclusively for you. This is the one restaurant at WDW
that demands a jacket and be prepared for the meal to last approximately 3 hours, all
while having your taste buds tantalized.
Slightly
less expensive is the California Grill (as mentioned above) at the
Contemporary, the Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club, 'Ohana at the
Polynesian, Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian and the Flying Fish Cafe at
the Boardwalk.
If you
want to get away from the kids, try Disney Springs. A new mix of high end
restaurants and bars is perfect for a couples night "on the town."
The parks
also have some romantic dining spots, though it is best to go later in the
day, when hopefully, the kids have already dined. The Coral Reef at Epcot
offers a view of the marine life at The Living Seas. The San Angel Inn in
the Mexican Pavilion also in Epcot has a very romantic atmosphere - if you
can get a table by the "river of time" and you manage to go when it is not
too crowded. A late diner on the patio of the Rose & Crown Restaurant in the
United Kingdom section of Epcot's World Showcase can provide an ideal view
of the park's evening pyrotechnical wonder, Illuminations. For a truly
special experience, book a table at Monsieur Paul's, the Signature
restaurant located upstairs in the France Pavilion. Fine French cuisine in
an intimate, exquisite dining room provides the ultimate date night setting.
At
Disney's Hollywood Studios, some of the best dining can be found at the Hollywood Brown Derby.
You're transported back to the Hollywood of yesteryear complete with
celebrity caricatures on the walls. Besides having excellent food, the
restaurant also offers a Fantasmic! package - you go and have a delicious,
and hopefully romantic meal, and then get passes to see the spectacular
Fantasmic! No waiting for hours in line for you! Now that's romantic!
What could
be more romantic than dining in Cinderella's castle in the Magic Kingdom?
Try to get a late seating because this restaurant does draw the family
crowd. But if you can get a table by the window...You and your partner will
be treated royally and you can also enjoy the evening fireworks while
dining!
Romantic Rides
El Rio De
Tiempo in the Mexican Pavilion wins the contest hands down as the most
romantic ride to hold hands and cuddle on. But there are plenty of other
rides to try throughout the world that come under the heading of romantic.
Just remember to keep it to a kiss and a cuddle - all rides are carefully
monitored!
Magic Kingdom
Ride
around the park arm in arm on the Walt Disney World Railroad (best time is
late in the day)
If the
canons of Pirates of the Caribbean scare you, cuddle close
Stick
close together in the Haunted Mansion (although you might be joined by a
hitch hiking ghost at the end of the ride)
Drift over
the city of London and Never Never Land in Peter Pan's Flight
Ride side
by side and hold hands on Prince Charming's Regal Carousel
Take a
tour of Tomorrowland together on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (rarely
a wait and always a refreshing break from the crowds)
Epcot
Enjoy 15
minutes of history side by side on Spaceship Earth
Take a
wild ride, side by side, on Test Track
Disney's Hollywood Studios
The
Great Movie Ride shows some of the great romantic scenes Hollywood has to
offer
Romantic Shows
Studios
Hold
hands at the Theatre of the Stars during Beauty & The Beast
Hold hands
and enjoy the mists of the ocean with The Voyage Of The Little Mermaid
Catch the
late showing of Fantasmic! after a scrumptious and romantic dinner
Epcot
Keep
your arms around each other during the romantic Impressions de France
After a
romantic dinner on the patio of The Rose And Crown, watch Illuminations
Take a
break at dusk or after Illuminations and watch the fountain in the center of
Future World dance to the music
Romantic Interludes In The Parks
Animal Kingdom
Slowly
walk hand in hand through the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
Ignore the
crowds and get lost. Wander around the "hidden trails" to nowhere. With the
flora and fauna you can forget where you are!
Hollywood Studios
Sit on a
bench on Sunset Boulevard and enjoy the music of the 40s (dancing is
optional)
Wander
around the NY Street Backlot. Declare your undying love, by singing in the
rain!
Epcot
Wander
through the gardens of the World Showcase
Take a
breather and watch the water "jump" outside of the Imagination Pavilion
Take in
the street performers of the World Showcase - don't be afraid to dance!
Magic Kingdom
Take a
breather on a porch in Main Street
Have your
photo taken among the flowers on Main Street
Peruse the
tile mosaic in Cinderella's castle
Evening Activities
Not
necessarily romantic, but for place to get away from the kids in the
evening, try Disney Springs. You can dine at one of the newest high end
restaurants, listen to live music on the Front Porch at the House of Blues,
or stop in for a drink at Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar.
Check out
the Boardwalk at night. You can dance at the Atlantic Dance Club, get caught
up with the dueling pianos at Jellyrolls, or just stroll along under the
stars.
Head over
to the beaches of the Polynesian, Contemporary, Grand Floridian or
Wilderness Lodge, nightly there is a Floating Electrical Parade on the water
(not unlike the Main Street Electrical parade). Nothing beats a quiet walk
from the Polynesian to the Grand Floridian (or vice versa) on a starry
night. You'll pass the wedding chapel and think that you're the only ones
around.
In conclusion, the most important thing to do to ensure a romantic Walt
Disney World vacation, is to slow down and take the time to enjoy the beauty
of WDW. There's no way that you're going to do it all or see it all, no
matter how many days you're there. Take a day to sleep in. Take some time to
lounge around the pool. Go for a midnight swim. Discover the joys that are
uniquely Disney. It's your vacation - ENJOY!
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