Tips for a Magical Disney Honeymoon!

Often, I am asked by my Outside the Lines Travel clients if Walt Disney World is a good place for a honeymoon. While it might not be a perfect fit for everyone, it is definitely a destination to consider. Disney is not just for kids! Here are my tips for a Magical Disney Honeymoon (or even an adults-only vacation).

-Splurge on your hotel, if possible. My picks, in no particular order, are Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Grand Floridian, and Disney’s Yacht Club. Understand that there will be children everywhere, of course, but these hotels are geared more toward adult guests. If you’d like to save some money, my pick for a moderate romantic resort is Port Orleans French Quarter. Staying on Disney property is a must if you want to be certain you get all of the dining/fastpass/special event reservations that you are hoping for. Animal Kingdom Lodge deserves romantic mention as well, but doesn't have the ease-of-transportation options that the other resorts do.

Disney's Wilderness Lodge.

 Disney's Grand Floridian.

Disney's Yacht Club.

Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter.

-If possible, avoid scheduling your Disneymoon during the summer and over major holidays. September to early December is a great time to visit, and so is January to April (avoid Easter).

-Schedule some special dining experiences. I do encourage purchasing the Disney Dining Plan for your honeymoon, and for those who want to eat at Signature Restaurants, I recommend an upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan. My favorite romantic picks are below. Make your reservation for later in the evening, when fewer children will be in the restaurant!

Le Cellier - a wine cellar in Epcot's Canada Pavilion with excellent steaks/beer cheese (!) soup.

Artist Point at Disney's Wilderness Lodge - cuisine inspired by the Pacific Northwest.

California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort - contemporary cuisine with a fireworks view!

Jiko at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge -  African, Indian and Mediterranean Cuisine.

Monsieur Paul - in Epcot's France Pavilion. Delicious French food with stellar service.

And, if you are willing to spend quite a bit more, try the AAA Five Diamond Award Winner, Victoria and Albert's, at Disney's Grand Floridian. Only guests over age 10 are permitted to dine here.

-Be sure to ask your front desk concierge or Guest Services in the parks for “Just Married” buttons, and wear them proudly. You’ll likely see some extra Pixie Dust come your way if you do.  Disney cast members love to help you celebrate your magical moments. Let everyone know it’s your honeymoon with your (complimentary) buttons!

-Have a special date night where you can eat and drink “Around the World” in Epcot, or consider the Highway in the Sky Dine Around on the monorail loop. I have created personalized date nights for previous honeymoon clients, so that is also an option!

-Take a Horse-drawn Carriage Ride at Port Orleans resort! Each ride is 25-minutes long, and travels along charming pathways. Carriages fit up to 4 adults (but you can reserve one just for the two of you)! Each ride costs $55. If you don’t ride the carriage, at the very least, walk the riverfront pathway between the Port Orleans resorts. It’s very romantic!

-Rent bikes at the Wilderness Lodge and bike the path to Fort Wilderness Campground. Be sure to stop by the Horse Stables to visit Cinderella’s horses, and then pop into the Trading Post for a game of checkers, get a snack, or play some hopscotch! (Here are my daughters on this very bike ride on Christmas Day 2016)!

-Relax on the beach at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club, the Grand Floridian, or Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. If you stop by the Polynesian, be sure you grab a Dole Whip while you’re there!

-Also lots of fun at Disney's Polynesian Village - Trader Sam's Grog Grotto and Tiki Bar! Bonus - Trader Sam's becomes adults-only (21+) after 8 p.m.! It's fun bar with small plates and "interactive" cocktails. No reservations are accepted, but go anyway!

-Take some time to visit the other Disney resorts. You can do this even if you are not staying there. Sit in the lobby, browse the gift shops, try the food, and stroll around.  This is Animal Kingdom Lodge's lobby. My husband took this photo last Christmas when we went for a visit.

-Visit Disney Springs for dinner and drinks! For a night of unique fun, rent an Amphicar at The Boathouse, where you can take a 20-minute boat tour of Disney Springs. Have a cocktail at The Boathouse afterward! If you want to keep things a little cheaper, take the (free!) boat from Disney Springs to the Port Orleans resorts, stroll around, then boat back and have a drink at The Boathouse!

-Jellyrolls, located on Disney’s Boardwalk, is tons of fun! This is a dueling piano bar that is a popular after-hours hangout for Disney cast members. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be sitting next to Gaston and not even know it!

-Also on Disney’s Boardwalk is Atlantic Dance Hall, open till 2 a.m. They play music from the 80s, 90s and today. You can even sit on one of the balconies, relax, and gaze at beautiful Crescent Lake.

-Play some miniature golf at one of Disney's courses. Read more on that in this blog post.

-Take in one of the special Fireworks cruises! 

-The main bit of advice I give to honeymooners (actually, to all of my clients, but especially honeymooners) is to SLOW DOWN! Sleep in, do some people and animal watching, get a Hidden Mickeys book and spend time searching for the elusive Mickeys, eat some ice cream, step off the beaten path, and take a nap in the middle of the day. Having a plan is good, but go with the flow and take your time. And of course, Disney vacations are MUCH better when you use a travel professional for your plans, and when you plan at least seven months in advance!

Happy Honeymooning!