 |
Disney World Luxury Attractions
Valaer Murray February 12, 2007PAGES: 1 2
How to have a five-star vacation at Disney parks and resorts
When designers conceived Walt Disney World's Cinderella Castle in the 1960s, the plans included a special suite among the gilded spires for Walt and his family. But the private accommodation fell into disuse until recently, when it got a deluxe renovation for the "Year of a Million Dreams" celebration. The plan? During this special promotion, a Disney cast member will tap random Disney World visitors on the shoulder and invite them to spend a night in the 650-square-foot fairy-tale apartment.
See our slideshow of Disney World's Top 10 Luxury Attractions<
Disney's practice of surprising people at the parks with fantasy adventures is what makes every guest to the Orlando theme park feel like a VIP. For Cara Goldsbury, author of "The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World Resort," that surprise was a random offer for a complimentary fireworks cruise, simply because someone had cancelled at the last minute. "It's an example of just one of the many things that sets Disney apart," she said.
This individual attention may make a Disney vacation feel luxurious, but an extensive menu of concierge services ensures that Disney can make any little whim or grand dream happen -- for the right price. "Disney World is a place where money talks," said Bob Sehlinger, author of "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World." "There's very little that money can't buy." Resort concierges and Disney event planners have been known to arrange unique moments like a creative marriage proposal on the monorail or an elaborate dinner party in the Haunted Mansion.
They'll even fulfill those bizarre requests that most hotel concierges would scoff at for anyone but big stars. "One guest needed needed 15 towels, 20 face cloths and 30 hand towels in one bathroom, and double that in another," said reservations agent Brock Botts. "The room looked like a linen closet afterward."
And Disney goes beyond special requests and random surprises. With the VIP Tour Service, guides work with guests to customize their tours of the park so they can hit as many attractions as possible in the least amount of time. This ensures a minimum of waiting in endless lines, even for popular attractions like Expedition Everest. The service can also score special, reserved seats for popular shows like Cirque du Soleil's 'La Nouba' and 'Finding Nemo - the Musical,' arranging for you to come in through the back door and be guided to your seat -- the complete star treatment. (If anyone mistakes you for Brad orAngelina, don't correct them.)
Some of the most difficult tickets to come by are the ones for Cinderella's Royal Table (a meal with all the Disney Princesses). To reserve tickets, dedicated parents usually have to wake up in the early morning hours -- and do it days in advance. But if the "Once Upon a Time Breakfast" is all booked up, you have other options, according to Bob Sehlinger. "The Walt Disney travel company can set up private functions," he said, "which includes renting characters." It's true -- opening up your wallet will make Cinderella or Snow White magically appear at your dinner table. Sure, there are plenty of fun character meals, but the chance to have Mickey or Jasmine at your family's private table is wish-upon-a-star material.
And there's plenty of it to go around. Each year, the PGA FUNAI Classic is held on two of Disney's six golf courses: PGA pros give lessons and GPS-enabled golf carts dish on course strategy. The upscale Spa at the Grand Floridian offers romantic, candlelit couples' massages as well as the "My First..." spa treatments for little girls. Guests looking for a posh evening can book the private Grand 1 Yacht and hire a butler to serve champagne as they sail around the Seven Seas Lagoon, getting a glimpse of the nightly fireworks display.
See our slideshow of Disney World's Top 10 Luxury Attractions
PAGES: 1 2
