Walt Disney World Resort will bring out the child inside everyone
When my husband Joe proposed, of course I was excited about the wedding, and the prospect of being his wife for as long as we both shall live. However, I was VERY excited at the thoughts of the honeymoon. We live to travel, and have seen some of the most amazing sights together, so I knew this trip would be once-in-a-lifetime stuff.
However, when it came to researching and booking it, I found the thoughts of isolated beach huts, white sands and tropical waters leaving me cold. The more I looked at typical honeymoon destinations, the less I wanted to go on a typical honeymoon. Joe agreed, surmising that this trip would be about what we wanted, not what we ‘should’ do. In brainstorming where we actually would like to go, it became clear that the States was our number one choice, with Orlando being a must.
I thought it might be strange to go to the home of Disney World on a romantic trip without any kids, but then, it might just be wonderful. So after stops in the Napa Valley, San Francisco and Las Vegas, we landed in Florida for six nights of bliss in the Sunshine State.
Our first stop was Universal Orlando, three nights at its new Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. It was perfectly nice, big, clean and modern and great for families, but it was pretty much what I expected from Orlando – slightly impersonal and lacking a bit of character. Perhaps if it hadn’t been our honeymoon, I’d have been thrilled with the accommodations, but it just felt a little sterile.
Still, the parks are the main draw and we took in Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in one long day. In retrospect, I’d have given them a day each. There’s a lot to see – you could spend a half day in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter alone. That segment of the parks cleverly links the two by Hogwarts Express (meaning if you want to see the whole thing, you have to buy a ticket for each park). It’s the best part of Universal by far, even if you’re not a Potter-loon.
We are, so we were thrilled by Diagon Alley, Gringott’s Bank with a fire-breathing dragon and Hogwarts in all its glory. We were not thrilled by the queues; the Fastpass you can purchase as an add-on does not work for the most popular rides, which in my opinion defeats its purpose.
Next up was Discovery Cove. I’ve longed to visit this park since I was a teenager, but the idea of swimming with dolphins in captivity has become a lot less PC in the last two decades.
However the animals here don’t perform in tanks for baying crowds, they swim in salt water in the open. A lot of them are rescues with conservation projects underway. So I said I’d give it a shot, and I’m so glad we did.
Discovery Cove is like no other park in Orlando in that it only allows 1000 visitors per day. It’s an oasis of calm, quiet and elegance, and within its walls you’d be forgiven for thinking you were on a tropical island. We had a cabana with a stocked fridge and sun beds, and a gorgeous view of the Dolphin lagoon.
Your day pass includes your meals; you arrive for breakfast early and if you’ve booked a Dolphin experience, you’re allocated a time to return for it. Other than that, they day is your own to relax at your leisure.
I was conflicted going in to the Dolphin experience, worried about disturbing the gorgeous creatures or interfering with them unnaturally. However I was pleased to find out our interaction with them was minimal, a few strokes and a quick jaunt across the lagoon, and they were very much in charge. They love humans, and not once did I feel like they were poorly treated, quite the opposite in fact.
For the latter three nights we checked in to Disney World. I had been before, ten years previously, but had never stayed on site. I had a feeling that lodging there would make all the difference, and I was right.
Upon arrival at the Polynesian Resort, one of the oldest hotels there, we were greeted with lai flower garlands, and led to our room. We’d been upgraded to club level (because we let it be known we were honeymooners, I suspect), which included snacks, drinks and meals in the hotel.
Disney’s hospitality is legendary, and it did not disappoint. We were even given newlywed badges that declared “Happily Ever After”; we would see newly engaged and married people wearing them all over the parks, as well as special bridal Mickey ears, so quickly worked out we weren’t alone in our honeymoon decision.
It was Easter weekend, it was hot and it was crawling with small, screaming children, but we entered the Magic Kingdom in a love bubble. Joe was amazed at the size and scope of Disney – it’s essentially a city with a motorway inside linking the resorts, parks, nightlife and cark parks. We rode Space Mountain, got drenched on Splash Mountain and took selfies in front of the iconic castle.
That evening, we headed for Epcot. I’d never been to the lesser known Disney park; it has an emphasis on science and tech, which hadn’t appealed to 22-year-old me. However it has just as much emphasis on food of the world, very appealing to me now.
The park is divided in two sections, the World Showcase and Future World. We started in the latter, and were really surprised by the calibre of the rides there. Epcot is definitely more for grown-ups than smallies; I was enchanted by gorgeous topiaries of the Disney characters, Joe was taken with the Test Track, a ride where you “design” your own car and then ride in it at top speed, and Mission Space, a NASA-style shutter simulator. Be warned, if you get carsick, that one is not for you.
We then strolled on to World Showcase and were both highly impressed. Miniature versions of some of the globe’s greatest landmarks abound, and in each “country”, a sample of its delicious cuisine, street-food style – and drinks! Epcot is definitely the most alcohol friendly park, too.
You can book in to some of the more fabulous restaurants for a sit-down meal, there’s at least one in each location, but it was a balmy night so we wandered through Mexico, China, Italy, Morocco, London and Canada munching on tacos, dumplings, pasta, cous cous, bangers and poutine, all washed down with Margaritas, Prosecco and beer. We would have returned to Epcot at least once, if not twice, had we had the time.
And that was our problem – time. We underestimated Disney, thinking we could easily do the four parks in three days. Not if you want any time to relax and take it all in. We ended up running around Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios in a flap trying to see everything, and only got to visit Disney Springs, the entertainment complex full of bars, restaurants, shopping and shows, once. Each park deserved a full day, and an extra one for chilling by the fabulous pool and enjoying the gorgeous resort.
I don’t know why I figured Orlando wouldn’t be a romantic place to start married life. From the swaying palm trees and tranquillity of Discovery Cove to mutual geeking out over Harry Potter, to the sublime over-the-top hospitality of Disney, it was a trip full of once-in-a-lifetime, memory-making moments. Gorgeous weather, friendly people, things to ooh and aahh at, lots of shopping, great food and drinks, shows to marvel at and beautiful firework displays abounded.
We spent our last night watching the best one of all, the famous Disney Hollywood Studios Night Time Spectacular. It takes place as the evening turns from dusk to dark in an amphitheatre on a lake, and it’s an incredible experience complete with gorgeous music, water-acrobatics, pyrotechnics and all your favourite Disney characters. I was awed by it, and so was Joe, who I’m sure didn’t expect to be so enamoured with the home of the most famous mouse on earth.
So if you want to go to Orlando, go. Whether you’re 25 or 75, bringing kids or not, just do it. We’re planning a return trip for Easter next year to celebrate my dad and his mum’s 60th birthdays, a real family affair. Only this time, we’ll give Disney the time and attention it deserves.
GETTING THERE
Aer Lingus fly direct to Orlando four days a week from Dublin, prices from €279 each way.
Seven nights at Walt Disney World Resort, including return economy flights with Aer Lingus departing from Dublin direct to Orlando International and accommodation at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort costs from €1,457.21 per person.
Price based on two adults travelling and sharing a standard room and includes transfers to and from Orlando International Airport and Disney’s 7-Day Ultimate Ticket for the whole party. Price is based on a departure date of September 8 2018. For current pricing, full terms and conditions and to book www.disneyholidays.ie or call 1800 812 676.
Getting around: Everywhere in Disney World is accessible by bus or monorail, and the system is seriously impressive. Similarly, if you’re staying in a resort, you can access everything from your hotel room to your ride fast passes and even pay for food and gifts with your Mickey bands. Yep, we had a laugh at the names as well.
See the Visit Orlando website here for planning tips, tickets and information on the Orlando area and its attractions.
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