Theme park vacations: Everybody knows they're hot and dusty and exhausting, all of the food is deep-fried, the hotel room is an afterthought, and after all, they're only designed for kids....Right?
Let's take a few minutes and bust that myth, shall we? Not only might you be surprised by the overall quality of a Disney vacation, there are some truly luxurious experiences that promise to elevate your trip to new heights of opulence and sophistication. From private tours to lavish dining experiences and pampering spa treatments, here are just a few of the surprises that can make your vacation extraordinary.
VIP Access
Various group tours are available throughout the Disney parks, often offering behind-the-scenes secrets, expedited attraction access, and special activities. For example, the Wild Africa Trek gets you up close and personal with giraffes, rhinos, hippos, and other residents of Disney's Animal Kingdom, as you drive across the grasslands, cross rope bridges, and finally relax in a private retreat at the center of the savanna with African-inspired food and drinks. Or, the Keys to the Kingdom Tour, which takes you through, around, and even below the famous Magic Kingdom, as your guide leads you to the best attractions and shares trivia and fun details about the park and its creator along the way.
However, for the ultimate luxury tour, it's gotta be the Disney Private VIP Tour! Whether you're seeking front-of-the-line access to your favorite attractions, insider knowledge from an expert Disney guide, or unparalleled hospitality, treat yourself to the ultimate in stress-free fun with your own personal tour guide! For private groups of up to 10 guests, your VIP guide is a chauffeur, concierge, and butler rolled into one. If you want to be picked up from your resort in a private vehicle, ushered through your dreamiest day of no-wait experiences, and be presented with a crisp Starbucks cold brew as you step off a ride, the Private VIP Tour is the one for you.
Signature Dining
If you've ever met a kid, you probably know there's a pretty high chance they function largely on a diet of nuggets and pizza. Of course you're going to find those aplenty, but there's a whole world of exquisite culinary creations at Disney's signature dining establishments.
You could visit the award-winning Napa Rose, for example, for upscale California wine-country cuisine amid beautiful craftsman décor at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Or enjoy a spectacular omakase tasting menu at Takumi-Tei, located inside EPCOT, with dishes that include Japanese A5 wagyu steak, lobster tempura, and seasonal sushi and sashimi. You can even upgrade your party to the private Water Room, a chef's table experience complete with in-room waterfall. Perhaps you'd like to celebrate the spirit of Hawaiian cuisine at 'AMA'AMA, with a four-course prix fixe menu sourced from local fish and produce, as you watch the O'ahu sunset over the beach at Disney's Aulani Resort. If you're looking for an Italian flair, dine on butternut agnolotti and osso buco at Palo, an adults-only restaurant on the Disney Cruise Line, where every table overlooks the sea.
Too pedestrian, I hear you say. Not quite up to your epicurean standards. Fair enough! For an even more exceptional dining experience, here are two more for the bucket list:
Victoria & Albert's, the culinary crown jewel of Walt Disney World, is located in the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. With only a single seating each evening, and options including the main Dining Room, the more exclusive and secluded retreat of the Queen Victoria Room, or the crème de la crème of the completely unique menu at the Chef's Table, in the heart of the V&A kitchen, and tailored to you by the chef, this restaurant showcases modern American food at its finest. (Postscript 5/4/24: In addition to that, Victoria & Albert's was awarded their first Michelin star in April 2024, making it the first restaurant owned by a U.S. theme park to receive the honor, and the maître d’ and sommelier Israel Pérez was presented with the Michelin 2024 Florida Service Award!)
And finally, there's 21 Royal. A truly one-of-a-kind experience, 21 Royal hosts your special-occasion dinner party for up to 12 guests, in a private residence that was intended as Walt Disney's personal retreat, literally upstairs from Pirates of the Caribbean and overlooking the heart of Disneyland. Cocktails served by butlers in the salon, followed by reception on the patio. Crisp white linens, fresh flowers, gold and crystal dinnerware in the dining room, with custom menus crafted by signature chefs and expert sommeliers. Dessert on the private balcony with a prime view of the park's nighttime spectacular. 21 Royal is a unique luxury, in a unique location, that you simply cannot find anywhere else in the world.
Exclusive Accommodations
When it comes to a Disney vacation, there is no shortage of delightful places to stay. Walt Disney World alone boasts over 30,000 hotel rooms across over 20 different resorts -- and that doesn't even touch the grand total that includes Disneyland, Aulani, the international resorts in Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, and the over 5,000 staterooms across the five ships currently in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, with three more ships on the way! All of these are comfortable and well-designed, but they do have varying levels of luxury and included amenities. Let's take a look at a few options at the top of the list:
Deluxe-category resorts are already a cut above the standard, but Club Level Concierge rooms bump that up a notch. In addition to prime room placement, Club rooms have access to their resort's Club Lounge, with complimentary continental breakfast, evening desserts, wine, beer, and cordials, plus a Club Level Concierge to assist with any day-of questions about the park or other dining options.
The Bora Bora Bungalows offer standalone accommodations in 1,650 sq ft single-family bungalows at the Polynesian Resort, and are perched over the waters of the Seven Seas Lagoon, facing the Magic Kingdom. The location alone is exceptional, but these gild the lily with a private deck and plunge pool, and music piped in to the balcony so you can enjoy the fireworks from the comfort of home.
There's also a wide range of Presidential Suites throughout the resorts. Try the Royal Asante Suite at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, a 2,115 sq ft palace with a wrap-around balcony overlooking the savanna, a round living room with a thatched roof, African artwork and artifacts, and a canopy bed so large it had to be constructed on site. The Adventureland Suite in the Disneyland Hotel feels like you've stepped into a plush explorer's lodge, with a grotto in the shower complete with lightning and thunder effects on tap, maximalist décor, and secret doorways in the bookcase. Or of course there's always the 2,200 sq ft Frozen Royal Suite at Disneyland Hotel Paris, complete with Elsa's iconic ice-palace balcony overlooking the park, a massive chandelier, transparent columns, and even a grand piano with a glass top.
Are you a Four Seasons kind of family? Walt Disney World has you covered, with the Four Seasons Orlando Resort, on WDW property and directly adjacent to the parks. Start with the quality and luxury you'd expect from a Four Seasons resort, and add a five-acre water park, another Michelin-starred restaurant, and even the opportunity to arrange a private character dining experience. For a truly luxe-level stay, you can book the entire 16th floor for your friends and family -- reserving the Royal Suite for yourself, of course!
And finally, for the height of luxury on the high seas, look no further than the Concierge Tower Suite! The 1,966 sq ft penthouse, nestled inside the funnel atop the ship on both the Disney Wish and upcoming Disney Treasure, is a spectacular two-story gem with floor-to-ceiling windows, a grand spiral staircase, and a library. What makes this suite absolutely magic, however, is the private elevator! Accessible only by keycard, and only to guests of the suite, this secret hidden elevator lets you bypass the rest of the passengers and shortcut your way back to your secluded, luxurious retreat overlooking the sea.
Other Enchanting Extras
There are plenty of other luxurious options and decadent touches that are possible throughout your Disney vacation. Private cabanas on the beach? Check. A cruise on the lagoon for a fireworks-viewing party? Check. Dessert parties, in-room flowers and gifts, swimming with dolphins, custom-designed cakes delivered to your dinner table? Quadruple check! Relax into a top-tier spa treatment to soothe away miles you walked in the park, or to get you camera-ready for a special dinner. You can even make your princess dreams come true with a full wedding at the foot of Cinderella Castle, complete with a pumpkin-shaped glass carriage ride, pulled by specially-bred white horses!
At Disney, the sky is the limit! And at the Second Star Adventure Co., we're here help you with your most luxurious (or any of your other more modest!) requests! Drop us a line via our Contact form, or set up a consultation; we'd love to chat!
