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-MGM 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.

Page 1 of 3 :: First | Last :: Prev | 1 2 3 | Next