Happy Valentine's Day Disney Style

Dream Dates at Disney

Welcome to those of you joining me from Mommy Mouseketeer and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 2nd stop on our Magical Blogorail.

Love is in the air!  It's February and time for Valentine's Day.  This month on our Magical Blogorail we are talking about Dream Dates at Disney.

I thought a lot about “dream date” ideas for WDW and came up with a slew of things like a special dinner in Victoria & Albert's at the Chef's Table, or a spa package for two followed by a nighttime cruise on the Seven Seas Lagoon to watch fireworks, or staying the weekend in the King Kamehameha Suite at the Polynesian Resort.  But then I thought that these dream dates are really unattainable for me, and while they are a “dream”, I’d rather dream about something that could happen as oppose to something that might happen if I won the lottery.

As a parent to younger children, most of you know that getting away with your significant other for a date night takes logistics akin to a Navy Seal Operation.  Date night at Disney World can require even more intense planning.  So, I’ve come up with a “plan”.  I believe there are 5 key elements needed to plan a Dream Date at Disney World.

1st:  Secure supervision for the kiddos.  You could bring the grandma or an aunt to watch the kids.  Maybe you are lucky enough to have an older sibling to put in charge for the evening.  However, if you are not, Disney has few options available to you.  Certain deluxe resorts (Animal Kingdom Lodge, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, and Yacht & Beach Club) offer child care services for children 3-12.  Hours range from 4:30 p.m. to midnight, with some exceptions.  Activities offered at the clubs include board games, puzzles, arts and crafts, video games, Disney movies.  Another option is hiring a sitter.  Disney recommends Kid's Nite Out.  Kid's Nite Out Caregivers are at least 18, are insured and bonded, have hands-on training and childcare experience, including child/infant CPR and basic first aid. They will provide one-on-one in-room childcare in a resort room 24 hours a day with a variety of activities, including reading, coloring, or games.  Child care at the resorts, and Kid's Nite Out service are both fee based services with minimums and certain restrictions.  I've never used the resort child care, but have used Kid's Nite Out and was pleased with the service.

2nd:  Map your location.  You got to have a place to go on this date, right?  For me, I am going to pick World Showcase in Epcot.  I find that it is one of the few places at WDW where you can just “be” and not feel like you have to do anything.  What’s more relaxing than a nighttime stroll around the World Showcase Lagoon?  I know that many people complain that World Showcase is just an over-the-top themed mall, but it’s still has a wonderful ambiance.  It’s one of the few places around the resorts that is perfect for people watching, listening to music, and just hanging out.

3rd:  Food & Drink.  The moment you have a chance to break away from the kids for the evening, an adult dinner has to be in order.  Since I’m at World Showcase, I wouldn’t take time out for a sit-down dinner.  Instead, I would eat around the world on this date.  My husband and I are foodies and love to try new dishes.  While the food at Epcot is not overly adventuresome, it is still tasty (I’m thinking we won’t see chicken feet in China, or haggis in United Kingdom anytime soon).  A little nibble here and there is a perfect evening for us.  Top it off with a signature drink or two from around the World, and we’re as happy as clams…how ever happy that is!



4th:  Entertainment.  Of course, our date night is not complete without some entertainment, and the best entertainment in the entire Walt Disney World complex is Illuminations (IMHO).  Watching this nighttime show gives me goosebumps every time.

Me and my Honey...hint, he's
not the bright orange one!

5th:  Of course, this dream date night is not complete without having the right company at your side.  For that I will need my dear, sweet husband of 13 years who condones my love of Disney, even as crazy as it seems, tolerates my idiosyncrasies, and loves me despite it all.  I can’t think of a better person to enjoy my Disney Dream Date with.  Happy Valentines Day to you!!


Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is The Disney Point.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make astop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ Mommy Mouseketeer
2nd Stop ~ The Magical Mouse Pad  <you are here>
3rd Stop ~ The Disney Point
4th Stop ~ The Disney Chick
Final Stop ~ Manda’s Disney Blog