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by Cara Goldsbury, Author of
The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World
Is it possible for sophisticated travelers to really enjoy themselves
in the land of Mickey Mouse? Absolutely! Walt Disney World has undergone
a transformation much like that of Las Vegas, with an abundance
of fantastic themed resorts and sumptuous dining choices.
Maybe your image of Disney is of lackluster, motel-style accommodations.
Not so! All deluxe property choices are unique and offer that special
Disney touch. You’ll find them to be adorned with impressive
lobbies, painstakingly landscaped grounds, first-rate restaurants,
elaborately themed pools, and gracious accommodations. All offer
top-notch recreational facilities and services. In fact, each resort
is so marvelous it can be difficult to choose which fantasy you
wish to indulge.
Let me tell you about my favorites:
• Disney’s flagship resort, The
Grand Floridian, with its red-gabled roofs and Victorian elegance,
draws inspiration from the grand Florida seaside "palace hotels"
of 19th-century America’s Gilded Age. Just a short monorail
ride to the Magic Kingdom, it spreads along the shore of the Seven
Seas Lagoon with spectacular views of Cinderella’s Castle
and the Wishes fireworks display. Aquatic enticements include a
crescent white sand beach dotted with brightly striped, canopied
lounge chairs, a large sophisticated pool in the central courtyard,
a new beachside Florida springs-style pool, and a classy marina
sporting a wide assortment of watercraft. A full service health
club and spa, tennis courts, five restaurants, two lounges, and
sophisticated shopping round out the list of exceptional offerings.
• A navy blue blazer should be in order for a stay at Disney’s
Yacht Club where guests find the sophisticated ambience of a
posh Eastern seaboard hotel of the 1880s. Fronting Crescent Lake
and a sliver of beach that stretches over to the adjoining Beach
Club Resort, it’s just a short stroll to Epcot’s International
Gateway entrance and only a boat ride away to Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Best of all is the Yacht Club’s 3-acre mini-water park complex,
Stormalong Bay, offering sandy bottom pools, a giant "shipwreck"
waterslide, a tidal whirlpool, bubbling hot tubs, a kiddie pool
with its own slide next to the beach, and enough length to float
lazily in inner tubes to your heart’s content.
• The Animal Kingdom Lodge is a stunning
celebration of African wildlife, culture, cuisine, and art. Its
authentic architecture and 33 acres of grasslands filled with hundreds
of roaming, exotic animals is simply a stroke of genius. The six-story,
horseshoe-shaped structure is surrounded by a landscape of golden
boulders, tall bamboo, yellow flame trees, pampas grass, copperpod
trees, and date palms. In it’s imposing, 5-story, thatched
roof lobby are massive chandeliers formed by resplendent Masai shields,
a large mud fireplace, and handsome safari-chic seating. From common
lookouts as well as from 90% of the guestrooms are wonderful views
of playful zebra, lanky giraffe, sprite gazelle, huge ankole cattle,
herds of wildebeest, flocks of exotic birds, and more, with over
200 animals in all.
• Last but not least is The Wilderness
Lodge, Disney’s dramatic depiction of an early 1900s national
park resort. I challenge you to keep your jaw from dropping open
on your first encounter with its awesome eight-story lobby of ponderosa
pine logs, a massive 82-foot tall fireplace, and authentic 55-foot
Pacific Northwest totem poles. Outside is a breathtaking scene of
sparkling waterfalls, rushing creeks, and towering pines. The sound
of crickets is heard beneath the bridges and along the meandering
pathways lined with natural grasses, junipers, and wildflowers.
And on the shores of Bay Lake is Wilderness Lodge’s very own
erupting geyser surrounded by a steaming expanse of geothermal activity.
What about Disney’s dining choices? Once just a hot dog and
hamburger haven, Disney’s reputation for dreadful theme park
food is now a thing of the past. Think Pan Roasted Striped Bass
with Aromatic Rock Shrimp Lemongrass Risotto, 6-Hour Braised Veal
Shank with Orzo Pasta and Soy Glaze, or Cornbread Stuffed Quail
with Foie Gras and Sauce Maltaise. Just a mere sampling of the incredible
meals to be found at many of the over 270 dining spots on Disney
property. In a radical culinary transformation Disney hired top-notch
chefs to create exciting menus for some of the highest rated restaurants
in the country and first-rate sommeliers to fashion outstanding
wine lists.
Here are some of Disney’s best restaurants:
• The California Grill on the 15th
floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers an unbeatable
panorama of the Magic Kingdom and the Seven Seas Lagoon along with
picture-perfect views of the Wishes fireworks. From pristinely fresh
sushi to exceptional New American Cuisine to sensational desserts
and an outstanding California wine list, this place has it all.
Don’t be discouraged if all the coveted window seats are taken;
an adjoining observation platform offers a bird’s-eye view
of the fireworks extravaganza.
• For top-notch and innovative seafood specialties, head
to the Flying Fish at Disney’s
Boardwalk where entrees such as Potato Wrapped Florida Red Snapper
with a Creamy Leek Fondue are the norm. Contemporary and trendy,
yet whimsical, this restaurant will absolutely delight the senses
with its festive room of flying fish mobiles, sea blue sparkling
mosaic floors, and golden fish scale pillars. Named a 2003 Wine
Spectator Restaurant Award winner, it boasts an excellent international
list. Don’t forget to save room for the unforgettable desserts,
in particular the banana napoleon with warm caramel sauce.
• Fine dining in a sophisticated setting combined with virtually
flawless service sets Victoria and Albert’s
in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort apart. Here in this AAA
Five-Diamond awarded restaurant you’re served a sumptuous
seven-course meal on white linen set with Royal Doulton china and
sparkling crystal. Those seeking a special evening should book the
newly-remodeled, 6-person chef’s table found in a candle-lit
alcove in the kitchen, a spot perfect for an up-close, behind-the-scenes
look at Disney’s top chef in action.
• Epcot’s Bistro de Paris
is a charming Belle Époque dining room with an air of exclusivity.
Filled with gilded mirrors and crimson banquettes, its billowy white
drapes frame windows that overlook the World Showcase Lagoon. Servers
with delicious French accents roll out sensational dishes prepared
with only the freshest ingredients. After dinner enjoy a dessert
of crepes prepared and flamed tableside while lingering over cordials
and coffee in anticipation of the Illuminations spectacle.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge’s premier dining
room is the seductive Jiko where floor
to ceiling windows look out on a boulder-strewn creek. Twin clay
ovens draw the eye to the open kitchen where an eclectic blend of
creations prepared with African flair are turned out in exotic presentations.
Accompany your meal with a selection from the all South African
wine list, the largest in North America. And don’t leave without
ordering the incredible dark chocolate filled beggar's purses served
with a honey dipping sauce, one of Disney’s best desserts.
So, for those who think that Walt Disney World is just for kids,
think again! It’s a world of fantastic resorts and innovative
dining just waiting to be explored. You may never even make it to
the parks.
Cara Goldsbury is the author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney
World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer available
at 800-247-6553, www.luxurydisneyguide.com,
Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
or your local bookstore. For more information visit her online at
www.luxurydisneyguide.com.
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