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Best Way to Spend an Evening Away From
Parks The addition of West Side and Pleasure Island to Disney Marketplace created what is now known as wildly successful Downtown Disney, a combination of over 70 scene-setting restaurants, shops, and nightclubs. During day it’s a perfect getaway from parks, but at night after parks close, Downtown Disney comes alive. At Disney Marketplace you’ll find A-plus shopping, largest Disney Store in world, and volcano-smoking Rainforest Cafe. Pleasure Island is a nighttime mecca with 8 clubs and a nightly New Year’s Eve celebration. And then there’s West Side, loaded with dining and entertainment venues including Wolfgang Puck Cafe, House of Blues, Gloria Estefan’s Bongos, Cirque du Soleil, and Disney Quest.
Best Restaurant For Kids Dine among crashing waterfalls, lush tropical foliage, and dripping vines while being bombarded with thunderstorms and noisy Audio-Animatronic wildlife at Rainforest Cafe. Or head to Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge for an all-you-care-to-eat blow-out of rib-stickin’ barbecue served piping hot in iron skillets accompanied by plenty of hootin’ and hollerin’. Kids love crazy show put on by hobby horse-racing waiters outfitted in western attire who can’t resist making a huge production out of serving food, birthday celebrations, and those unfortunate enough to leave for restroom.
Best Disney Resort Restaurant The California Grill on 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort is a definite highlight for any connoisseur of cutting-edge cuisine. The immense windows present an unbeatable panorama of Magic Kingdom and Seven Seas Lagoon and on many nights picture-perfect views of Wishes fireworks show. From pristinely fresh sushi to exceptional New American Cuisine to sensational desserts and outstanding California wine list, this place has it all.
Best Theme Park Restaurant In Epcot’s France Pavilion is Bistro de Paris, a charming Belle Époque dining room with an air of exclusivity. Filled with gilded mirrors and crimson banquettes, its billowy white drapes frame windows that overlook World Showcase Lagoon. Servers with delicious French accents roll out sensational dishes prepared with only freshest ingredients. Afterward order a dessert of crepes prepared and flamed at your table while lingering over cordials and coffee in anticipation of nightly Illuminations spectacle. Best Way to View Epcot Fireworks Presentation Each evening boatloads of visitors depart from docks of Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Disney’s Yacht Club headed for Epcot where, from a prime position under bridge between United Kingdom and France, is a view of Illuminations fireworks spectacular that can’t be beat. Cruises are offered nightly with your choice of either a pontoon boat seating 10 or a beautiful reproduction of a 1930s Chris Craft accommodating 6-7 people. Although reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance, they sometimes sell out on first day. Call 407-WDW-PLAY.
Best Way to Spend a Lazy Afternoon When your muscles are aching and your body is screaming for rest after days at parks, sooth your jangled nerves at Disney’s Grand Floridian Spa. Immerse yourself in luxury with one or two feel-good treatments guaranteed to rejuvenate and swiftly get you back on your feet and ready for another long day of walking. For ultimate in romance consider Grand Romantic Evening where, in a candle-lit couple’s room, each person receives an aromatherapy massage.
Most importantly slow down and enjoy magic. Resist urge to see everything at breakneck speed. You can’t possibly cover it all, so think of this as your first trip to Disney, not your last. There will be time to pick up all things you missed on next go-round. Be spontaneous. If something catches your eye, even if it’s not on your daily list of things to do, stop and explore or else you may miss something wonderful.
Cara Goldsbury is author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get Most Out of Best Disney Has to Offer available at 800-247-6553, www.luxurydisneyguide.com, Amazon.com, or your local bookstore. Visit her at www.luxurydisneyguide.com.
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". A former travel agent and agency owner, she has traveled extensively throughout the world.
