Disney's
10 Most Magical Experiences
by: Cara Goldsbury
How
do you narrow down a place like Walt Disney World into
just a few days? A great way is to be sure to experience
Disney’s most wonderful offerings first and foremost
and then allowing the rest to just fall into place. Here
are the best of the best:
An
Epcot Illuminations Cruise — Each evening
boatloads of visitors depart from the docks of Disney’s
Boardwalk Inn and Disney’s Yacht Club headed for
Epcot. Their destination is a prime position under the
bridge between the United Kingdom and France for a view
of the Illuminations fireworks spectacular. 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 the first day. Call 407-WDW-PLAY.
Dinner
at the California Grill — The California
Grill on the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary
Resort is a definite highlight for any connoisseur of
cutting-edge cuisine. Through immense windows is an unbeatable
panorama of the Magic Kingdom and the Seven Seas Lagoon
and on many nights picture-perfect views of the Wishes
fireworks. From pristinely fresh sushi to the exceptional
New American Cuisine to sensational desserts and the outstanding
California wine list, this place has it all.
Breakfast
With Cinderella — High atop Cinderella’s
Castle in the Magic Kingdom is your chance to feast in
a fairytale setting with Cinderella, Jasmine, Aladdin,
and Belle. Kids love the grand dining room where through
glittering leaded-glass windows is a birds-eye view of
Fantasyland. The characters make their way around the
dining room and give each child quality time signing autographs
and posing for pictures.
Beachside
Vista of the Magic Kingdom’s Fireworks
— On evenings when fireworks are on the Magic Kingdom’s
agenda, head to one of the Polynesian Resort’s idyllic
white-sand beaches, grab a hammock, kick back, and view
the festivities.
Your
First Glimpse of Cinderella’s Castle —
As you walk under the train station at the Magic Kingdom
and into a world of make believe, the splendor of Main
Street is spread out before you with that celebrated fairy
tale castle sitting at the end.
The
Sight of Exotic Animals Grazing Below Your Guestroom Balcony
— A stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
comes with a view of its marvelous savanna filled with
hundreds of roaming exotic animals. After dark the preserves
are lit with a moon glow effect, perfect for a nighttime
stroll or after dinner entertainment from your room balcony.
A
Picturesque Ride on the Monorail — Hop
on board Disney’s favorite form of transportation
for a delightful journey around the Seven Seas Lagoon,
through the interior of the Contemporary Resort, past
the Magic Kingdom, and off through the pine trees on your
way to Epcot.
Cocktails
in the Grand Lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
— This resort’s favorite gathering
spot is an exquisitely soaring, 5-story lobby of stained-glass
cupolas and filigreed chandeliers. Find a seat on a cushy
sofa and take pleasure in the lively big band orchestra
while sipping a strawberry-topped glass of champagne.
Reliving
the Drive-In of Your Youth At Disney-MGM Studios
— At the Sci-fi Dine-In Theatre, guests are served
in sleek 1950s-era convertibles while watching B-grade
sci-fi and horror trailers on the big screen. Waiters
on roller skates carhop the darkened, starlit theater,
speaker boxes hang on the side of your car and, of course,
popcorn and hot dogs dance on the screen during intermission.
Though the food is just so-so, who cares when Godzilla
is your entertainment.
A
Float Through Splash Mountain — Who can
resist the charms of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Bear,
and the rest of the gang, even if it culminates in one
heck of a plunge? Drift round the briar patch in a hollowed-out
log while toe-tapping music plays among the cabbages and
carrots, jugs of moonshine, chirpin’ birds, and
croakin’ frogs as you relax and bob your head to
the beat. As you float through bayous, marshes, and caverns,
all a delight to the eyes with loads of colorful detail
and too-cute cavorting characters, the heartwarming theme
song “Time To Be Moving Along” plays. It’s
guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
