Discover the Sophisticated Side of Mickey Mouse
By guest writer Cara Goldsbury
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The Wilderness Lodge
Villas, one of author Cara Goldsbury's picks for
sophisticated accommodation at Walt Disney World.
All the other resorts
are also discussed
and described in her book,
The Luxury
Guide to Walt Disney World.
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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.
Staying at Disney
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.
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.
Dining at Disney
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 epoque 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.
Related Articles, etc
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, or your local bookstore. For more
information visit her online at
www.luxurydisneyguide.com.
Originally published
1 Feb 2004
You may freely reproduce or distribute this article for noncommercial purposes as long as you give credit to
Cara Goldsbury as original writer.
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