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Walt Disney World is a great setting for celebrations of all types, but one of my favorite things to celebrate here is my anniversary. With so many activities catering to adults, fine dining to enjoy, opportunities for relaxation, and lots of fun the options for celebrating an anniversary are endless. Here are 10 (out of many) best ways to celebrate an Anniversary at Walt Disney World.
10. Shopping
I always like to commemorate a special trip or occasion with a little keepsake, and with all of the great shopping at Walt Disney World there are several things you could bring home to remember your trip that fit any budget. One of my favorites is a Christmas Ornament that symbolizes something special about that trip—pulling them out every year to decorate the trip is like taking a trip down memory lane. Another great souvenir for Disney fans is a piece of artwork. Whether it is an original piece, a print, a figurine or an animator’s sketch having something to keep in your home that reminds you of your anniversary trip each time you see it makes for a great keepsake. And of course Disney offers many beautiful pieces of jewelry as a very traditional way to remember the occasion and your vacation.
9. A Spa Day
Walt Disney World resort offers two spa locations in the Grand Floridian and Saratoga Springs resorts with the full service Senses Spa. But, you can also get some limited services at others resorts. Senses Spas offer couples massages as well as packages for couples. This is a relaxing and romantic way to spend an afternoon, maybe before having a nice dinner at one of Disney’s Signature Dining restaurants.
8. Hire a VIP Tour Guide
If you are really looing to splurge and have an unforgettable (& stress free) day of fun in the parks think about hiring the services of one of Walt Disney World’s VIP Tour Guides. While traveling with my agency, LBAC Travel in September we were able to experience the services of a VIP Guide and it was unbelievable. Backstage entrances at the parks to avoid the crowds, FastPass line access to all attractions, transportation between parks, and other perks like Fireworks viewing areas all make for a day as packed with fun as you want. Not to mention having that Disney Plus of being able to tell you all kinds of behind the scenes information, trivia and tidbits about the parks. It makes for a day that neither person has to plan or worry about the details as the VIP Guide takes care of every aspect for you.
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7. Carriage Ride or Sleigh Ride
There isn’t anything much more romantic than a private horse drawn carriage ride. Available at Port Orleans Riverside, you can book a carriage ride ahead of time to make for a memorable anniversary evening. The only thing more romantic might be a horse-drawn sleigh ride during the holidays. The sleigh ride takes place at Fort Wilderness Campground. Both experiences have the romantic sound effects of the horse clip-clopping down the road and bells.
6. Victoria & Albert’s Chef’s Table
If you and your spouse are foodies then you can’t beat the Chef’s Table at Victoria & Albert’s for an amazing and unforgettable culinary experience. Here your dinner will be catered to your palate with the Chef creating a multi-course meal of fresh and creative plates for you to enjoy. The Chef’s Table is a very tough reservation to get so you will want to be ready to book it as soon as it opens up for your anniversary vacation. But, if you are not able to score the Chef’s Table you really can’t go wrong with a meal in the dining room at Victoria & Albert’s either.
5. Wild Africa Trek
Walt Disney World offers many behind the scenes and specialty tours and all of them are excellent. But for an Anniversary I particularly like the Wild Africa Trek at the Animal Kingdom. Here your guides are animal specialists who guide you on a walking tour and then a safari of the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and the savannas at Kilimanjaro Safari. This includes some areas and experiences you can only have on the Wild Africa Trek like the rope bridges over the Nile Crocodiles. Toward the end of your experience you are taken to the hut on the savanna where you are served a camp style snack of some delicious foods. It doesn’t get much more romantic than sitting out on the savanna surrounded by animals while enjoying the peace and quiet with your spouse. It is very “Out of Africa.”
4. Disney Springs Experiences
During your stay you may want to skip a day in the theme parks to visit Disney Springs—there is so much going on there and so many unique experiences. At the Boathouse you could take a ride out on the water in an Amphicar. There are not many places in the world that you can do this, board the card, drive into the lake, tour around in a retro style car on the water, then drive back up on dry land. The Aerophile Balloon is another romantic option. This tethered hot air balloon takes you high above Disney Springs for some outstanding vistas of the Walt Disney World property that you really can’t see anywhere else. Definitely a memorable experience. Cap off your afternoon with a stop into one of the great lounges at Disney Springs like The Edison, Enzo’s Hideaway or Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar.
3. California Grill
I love the California Grill. I think it is probably my favorite restaurant at Walt Disney World, and it is definitely high on the romance and celebration factors for an Anniversary Meal. The food is amazing—fresh, creatively prepared, and absolutely delicious. The wine selection is beyond compare as well. The service is outstanding, and the inside setting is understated and refined. But the most amazing part of a dinner here are the views. Since the California Grill is located at the top of the Contemporary Resort, the views from inside the restaurant and the viewing platforms are breathtaking. You can see all of the theme parks, but of course the proximity to Magic Kingdom makes it the star. My suggestion—schedule you dining reservation around sunset. Unless it is a cloudy, rainy day the sunsets are magnificent viewed from here. Then you can use your receipt to come back up to enjoy the view of Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After Fireworks and maybe cap off the night with one more drink in the lounge.
2. Fireworks Cruise
Imagine enjoying a perfect view of the fireworks with just your spouse—no crowds, no pushing, no jockeying for position. Just you and your spouse celebrating your anniversary with a private fireworks cruise. These are available to enjoy both Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After fireworks and Epcot’s Fireworks. They can fill up quickly as there are limited boats and at Epcot limited spots, so try early at 180 days to try to get your cruise reserved. You can even add a celebration with decorations or purchase food or a cake to enjoy onboard while you watch the fireworks. The cruises start prior to the show and take you on a bit of a “tour” on the water before pulling up for the fireworks.
1. Stay Club Level
I can’t think of a better splurge on your anniversary trip than staying at one of the Deluxe Resort’s Club Level. Each of the deluxe resorts offer club level accommodations that include some planning perks (some at an additional price). They all offer a sense of luxury and “VIP” while you are at Walt Disney World. The excellent Club Level staff checks you in at the Club Level desk rather than at the front desk, and they are available throughout your stay for any needs you may have. They have all been wonderful in my experience. And then you have the Club Lounge itself which offers breakfast, snacks & drinks through the day, beer & wine in the afternoon, heavy hors d’oeuvres in the evening, and cordials and desserts at night. It is so convenient to go to the lounge to grab a snack or drink after being in the parks, and the morning & evening selections I have experienced have been quite good. If you want a way to enjoy another level of resort stay for your anniversary I think looking at a Club Level room is a great way to do it.
Have you celebrated your anniversary at Walt Disney World? What was your favorite “special” activity?
