Valentine’s Day: tips for parents
Moms and dads deserve some special time throughout the year but of course also on Valentine’s Day. It is often difficult enough to catch a movie or go out for a romantic dinner in your hometowns, so how realistic is a romantic parents’ night out while vacationing at Walt Disney World?
No planning, no romance!
With a little magic and some advance preparation, you can have a great Valentine’s Day at Walt Disney World. Here are some tips and ideas to mark this special day.
Staying at a hotel that offers great kids’ programs is a big plus. Consider signing up small children for a half-day program with lunch while you enjoy your resort. A great company that provides in-room babysitting in Walt Disney World and surrounding areas is Kid’s Nite Out (407-828-0920).
Go to the pool, read a book, rent a bike, a boat or just take off outside the World. The Port Orleans resorts are wonderful for a stroll along the Sassagoula River. The Sassagoula River Company also provides free transportation from Port Orleans to Downtown Disney.
At Downtown Disney Ghiradelli’s is the place to go for delicious chocolate and why not surprise mom with some bath bombs from Basin. Shopping together, without the kids can be a real treat. As for dinner there are plenty of choices, from dinner with a show at Raglan Road to a more elegant setting at The Dining Room at Wolfgang Puck. Top it all off with a Characters in Flight balloon ride operated by Aerophile. The 10 minutes tethered balloon ride takes you hovering 400 feet over Downtown Disney.
Disney’s Victoria & Albert at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa ranks probably as the most romantic restaurant on property but Jiko-The Cooking Place at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of my favorites. Arrive early and tour the resort first, especially the animal viewing areas as the sun sets over the savannah.
Epcot is the perfect park for mom and dad’s night out. Stroll along World Showcase, have dinner in Italy (Tutto Italia), France (Monsieur Paul) or Canada (Le Cellier) and end the day enjoying IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. My all time favorite place to view the fireworks is Spice Road Table at the Moroccan Pavilion. Make sure to ask for a table at the windows inside the restaurant or near the water when dining on the outside terrace.
The beach of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is a great place for watching the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom and the recently opened Four Seasons Hotel offers spectacular views over all four parks from the balcony of Capa, a rooftop Spanish-style steakhouse.
The most important thing to remember is to make your dining reservations – and of course book the kids program or the babysitter. And of course, just enjoy your time together. Happy Valentine’ Day!