Magical Moments - Romantic Disney II

After our last posting entitled "Romantic Disney", we received a few emails and calls from friends requesting another installment. So, in the interest of celebrating Valentine's Day, we will once again attempt to lay out a three day weekend in agenda form. However, this time, allow us to set a slightly different scene.

You have been married for 10 years. You have married way out of your league - as most of us do - and she, along with everyone else, knows it. She is more than a princess to you, she is a queen. You understand what it means to find a good thing in finding a good wife, and you want to show her your appreciation as well as your adoration. So, you set off to create a magical memory that will capture the first decade of marriage and will set the tone for the decade to come.

Surprise her with the trip. Cards are easy, and everyone gives them too, so don't give a card. Instead, find a nice envelope and place a little glitter inside. When she opens it, tell her it is pixie dust that will give her the ability to fly off for a weekend for two. If you have plane tickets, place them in he envelope too.

Once again, if you arrive by plane, remember the Disney Magical Express to travel the 33 miles from the Orlando airport to your resort. When you arrive at Disney's Yacht Club Resort, your wife will find The Disney Dozen bouquet of roses you ordered in advance from the Dream Makers (407-WDW-GIFT)The first day can be spent at the Magic Kingdom. Enjoy the park and take as many pictures as you can. Once ready, leave the park for the Polynesian resort, where you will set sail on a Fireworks Cruise that will allow you to experience the Wishes Fireworks Spectacular in a totally unique and secluded way. This ride upon a 25 foot pontoon boat, with a driver, will run you around $300; but I guarantee this will never be forgotten. Besides, that is only $30 a year for the decade you are celebrating! For an extra special experience, add a dinner from the resort from which your cruise launched. (Cruises actually launch from the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and Polynesian.)Day two will begin with a light breakfast from room service. Spend quiet time together. Then, set off on a Water Taxi or simply walk to EPCOT, where you will spend most of the day enjoying the park. Return to your resort mid-afternoon for a few moments in Stormalong Bay (the pool) prior to your 75 minute Swedish Relaxation Massage. A quick shower will reinvigorate you as you leave for your dinner reservations at Victoria and Albert's at the Grand Floridian.Victoria and Albert's will be another memorable experience, though a bit pricey. Be sure to dress appropriately in a dinner jacket and slacks for this 2-hour anniversary dining experience. Don't forget the camera!

Once you return to your resort, you can enjoy the Yacht Club's own beach, which serves as a great location for wonderful memories. The Boardwalk is just across the water and the lights are beautiful on the water at night. Take time to enjoy Movies Under the Stars, where you will enjoy a Disney movie on the beach. Again, take as many photos as you can of each other and of the surroundings.Then, it's off for a stroll around the Boardwalk located directly across Crescent Lake. If you feel ready to take on the night, you could dance the night away at the Atlantic City Dance Hall, or you could simply stroll hand-in-hand around the beautiful resort area.Your final day can be spent at Hollywood Studios or back at the Magic Kingdom. If you opt for the Magic Kingdom, split a cinnamon roll at the Main Street Bakery. And, once again, take a lot of photos. Also, have others take photos of you. Have fun, and let it show.

Keeping in mind that photos are a great way to capture the moment, organizing them in a memory book is an even better way to relive the moment. Sure, your wife could do this, but remember, this is about YOU taking the initiative. Upload your photos on http://www.shutterfly.com/ once you return home and create a special keepsake that is unique to your anniversary trip. These photo books are generally inexpensive ($11 - $40) but will be priceless in her eyes. Be sure to add captions that tell her again how much you love her.

Don't tell her about the book. Simply order it and wrap it as a special last minute gift a month later. This will also help the mood of the magical moments last a little longer.

Well, that's it; a romantic, three day anniversary getaway to Walt Disney World. Sure, there are many other scenarios, maybe we will cover them eventually. In the meantime, let us know what your thoughts are. Post comments in the section below, or send your own posting that details how you would plan a romantic Disney vacation for two. Just send it to DLuminations@gmail.com.

Magical Moments - Romantic Disney

Just imagine it, Mickey and Minnie holding hands while they watch the fireworks over Cinderella Castle. That's about as romantic as a cartoon mouse can be; right?

Actually, Walt Disney World offers a number of ways to experience the resort as the center of a romantic getaway that rival those found on the Disney Cruise Line. And, because they are Disney related, these experiences offer uniqueness that is, well, magical.

Now, you may be asking "What might those ways be exactly?". So, for those of you who seek to take a romantic journey through Disney, here we go.

Taking into account all that Disney has to offer in Orlando, I decided it would be best to write this post in a form similar to an itinerary. Consider it my gift to those husbands who are tired of being called unromantic, but don't know anything to do about it beyond ordering flowers.

For the sake of planning, let's say this is a three-day weekend. If you are flying in, remember to take the Disney Magical Express from the airport. Sure, you could get a limo, but for a 33 mile trip, that money will be better spent later.

You will then arrive at your Disney Resort. I recommend Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. "What?", you might exclaim aloud, knowing my aversion for zoos and the like; but yes, I recommend this resort. First, the Grand Floridian was the obvious choice, but we aren't going for obvious; we are going for romantic and unique. Second, this is the most secluded resort on property. Third, it has great subdued colors and decorations. The darker, earthy tones set a mood. And, you will be setup for a nice moment later.

Since you have called ahead and spoken with the Disney Dream Makers (407-WDW-GIFT), your wife will find her very own glass slipper as she opens the door to the room. There are actually many things she could find, however, inside every woman desires to be treated like a princess. So, this weekend, your Cinderella will have her own 5" glass slipper sitting on a pillow of carnations and pearls. The best part is that you have become her Prince Charming.

You may spend the day in the Magic Kingdom, so your Cinderella can admire her castle, but don't overdo it. From here, you might leave the park and hop the monorail for the Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club where your Cinderella will be treated to a deep tissue massage. Unfortunately, the spa will be closed until 2013 for refurbishments. So, you'll take the bus (though slightly less romantic than the monorail) to Saratoga Springs Resort, where she will partake in a personalized firm pressure massage as well as a spa manicure and pedicure.

From there, your evening will end atop the Contemporary Resort, where a meal for two at the California Grill will be an almost perfect end to the day. Once your meal of Seared Rare Tuna or Grilled Pork Tenderloin is finished, you will walk out to the balcony where you will catch a special view of the Wishes fireworks spectacular over her castle.

The next morning, you will attend the Around the World at Epcot Segway Tour. You will be a part of a small group, but this is a very unique way to explore the world showcase before it is open to the general public. It makes for nice photos and it is a fun, memorable activity that will last 2 hours. The remainder of the day can be spent enjoying Epcot. Plan to depart the park in time to catch dinner at the Hollywood Brown Derby in Hollywood Studios. A nice meal would be the Cobb Salad (originating from the Brown Derby) or the Duck Two Ways. Sharing the Double Vanilla Bean Creme Brule would be a nice way to finish the meal.

When you make your reservation, be sure to get the Fantasmic Dining Package. This allows you to take advantage of special seating for this wildly popular fireworks show without requiring you to arrive 3 hours early. After Fantasmic finishes, you will return to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and sit together on the Arusha Viewing Area, rocking and talking into the night.

On your last morning, you will wake and attend the Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure at 7 am. Apparently, animals are extra cute or mysteriously exotic shortly after dawn. Either way, it is a memorable way to spend the morning. Spend the remainder of the day enjoying the park and the shows - I highly recommend Nemo - before you depart for home.

Have suggestions on other romantic ways to enjoy the parks, let us hear them. Add suggestions in the comments area below, or send a complete post of your own to DLuminations@gmail.com.