Mickey’s Magical World. Credit: Visit Orlando
There are plenty of posh perks available when visiting Disney World, if you know where to find them.
We have all the tips you need to experience the happiest place on earth like a VIP, from line-skipping tour guides to award-winning cuisine and even a Forbes Travel Guide star-rated resort — it’s a luxurious world, after all.
Relax Like Sleeping Beauty
If you can’t swing a night in the ultra-exclusive Cinderella’s castle, Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is our next best pick for where to stay. This Four-Star property is the place to recharge after a long day of theme park magic.
Grown-ups will love an adults-only pool as well as plenty of other relaxing pursuits, like a round on the exclusive Tranquilo Golf Course (don’t miss the new practice facility) or a Sleep Ritual treatment at the gorgeous, 13,000-square-foot Four-Star spa.
The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. Credit: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
With in-mirror TVs and deep-soaking tubs, the accommodations offer a serene retreat at the end of an exhausting afternoon. For extra family fun after sundown, be sure to request a room that overlooks Magic Kingdom’s epic firework shows.
Of course, kids will love it here, too. They can bask in the sun on Explorer Island (the property’s five-acre water park filled with slides, fountains and even a lazy river) after starting their day with Ravelo’s twice-weekly Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy and His Pals.
The Four Seasons now offers Extra Magic Hours benefits, so you can avail yourself of extended fun in select theme parks — a perk formerly reserved only for Walt Disney World Resort guests.
Victoria & Albert’s. Credit: Victoria & Albert’s
Feast Like King Triton
A Disney experience isn’t just about the thrill rides anymore. The parks and resorts have enhanced their culinary offerings in recent years, allowing you to indulge in some magically mouthwatering meals.
Victoria & Albert’s, a Five-Star icon, is hailed as one of Walt Disney World Resorts’ premier dining destinations. We recommend booking a spot at the chef’s table, a notoriously difficult reservation available for only one party per evening. If you can snag it, you’ll catch a glimpse of the talented team behind the scenes as it creates an epic tasting menu — be sure to opt for the wine pairings from the impressive cellar of more than 700 varietals.
For a night out on the town, Disney Springs is an entertainment complex filled with clubs, cocktails and high-caliber dining options, sans Mickey-shaped cuisine. A classic family-friendly spot is The Boathouse, a waterfront restaurant that comes with unique Amphicars (land/water vehicles) and restored retro dream boats.
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Try sundowners and raw bar favorites at The Dock Bar overlooking Lake Buena Vista before heading inside to savor fresh seafood and USDA-certified Gibsons Blue Star Heritage angus beef.
Morimoto Asia and Wine Bar George are also great picks for stylish cuisine.
But if you don’t want to leave the hotel, reserve a table at Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Capa, a Spanish-inspired steakhouse on the rooftop of the Four Seasons. For the ultimate meat lover’s feast, opt for the new Chef’s Steak Tasting Experience, where chef Gabriel Massip guides you through an eight-course culinary journey. Expect table-side demonstrations, cameos from the sommelier and an exclusive dessert prepared by the pastry chef solely for the occasion.
Have a royal foodie-in-training? Don’t miss an elegant high tea party in the Garden View Tea Room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Whether you choose the classic service or a regal-themed treat, you and your little one can embrace this refined tradition while noshing on an impressive array of scones and finger sandwiches.
Fun Fit for a Princess
No trip to Orlando is complete without a visit to Walt Disney World theme parks, and the best way to have a stress-free outing is to book a guide through Disney’s Private VIP Tours. Your escort offers priority access to every ride in every park, acting as your unlimited Fast Pass for up to 10 guests. Guides provide a wealth of Disney knowledge, insider secrets, private transportation for expedited access between parks and priority seating for shows, parades and nighttime spectaculars.
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Another way to explore the parks in a special way is by snagging a ticket to Disney After Hours; once Magic Kingdom closes, it reopens more than 25 of its most popular attractions for a limited number of guests. Perhaps the rarest amenity of this event: complimentary treats like ice cream, popcorn and select beverages.
Some of our favorite à la carte activities include a visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for princess-inspired makeovers, exclusive excursions on a private yacht to take in the nightly fireworks show or behind-the-scenes animal encounters and safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
It’s worth noting that Disney rolls out the red carpet for its true VIPs: families with special needs. Disney’s Disability Access Service accommodates those who aren’t able to wait in line due to various physical challenges.
