It’s no coincidence that thousands of couples seek out Walt Disney World each year. On the menu is a huge selection of rollicking rides, jaw-dropping shows, festive parades, theme restaurants, a bustling nightlife, and — if you know where they are — a few truly romantic spots. You can even split your time between the park and a high-seas cruise on Disney Cruise Line, which offers stops in The Bahamas and Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island.
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Language: English
Travel time: 3 hours from NYC, 5 hours from LA
Getting around: Bus, monorail, car, boat
When To Go: Disney World at its best
Best weather: March, April, November, and December
Best prices: January to mid-February, July to early October, late November to mid-December
Why Go
Magic Kingdom: Classic snuggle-worthy rides include the spooky Haunted Mansion (an 18th century-inspired mansion full of ghosts and classic horror house tricks) and the raucous Pirates of the Caribbean, in which you’ll get a glimpse of the famed swashbuckler, Captain Jack Sparrow. Fairy tales are spun in Fantasyland, where you can hop aboard Cinderella’s Golden Carousel (built in 1917) and gawk at the twinkling SpectroMagic Parade.
Knot Note: Be sure to take advantage of FASTPASS, an option available at popular rides that allows you to get a “reservation” to come back later in the day and skip the long lines. Until then, you can enjoy other attractions to truly maximize your time.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: This celebration of wildlife features the astounding 14-story Tree of Life, a Rainforest Cafe, the wet and wily Kali River Rapids white-water raft ride, live animal displays, and the cute It’s Tough to be a Bug 3-D movie.
Disney-MGM Studios: Two of the most stomach-dropping rides are located here: The truly ominous Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, an elevator ride that drops you 13 stories (you’ll hear the screams throughout the park), and the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, a wild ride choreographed to a blaring soundtrack by Aerosmith. Gather your wits — and grab a bite — in the front seat of a convertible as you watch black-and-white B movies and ’50s cartoons at the cool and dark Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant.
Epcot: Explore all corners of our world through food, drink, and exhibits at the 11 international pavilions of Epcot, including romantic restaurants such as Bistro de Paris (France), Coral Reef (The Living Seas), Marrakech (Morocco), and San Angel Inn (Mexico). And don’t miss the hysterical Honey, I Shrunk the Audience 3-D movie.
Dining: There’s a plethora of places to enjoy romantic dinners a deux. The Flying Fish Cafe pours out 5 different champagnes to toast with and serves succulent seafood and chops. California Grill dishes up market-inspired cuisine along with panoramic views of the Magic Kingdom (reserve a table during one of two seatings: during sunset or the nightly Wishes fireworks display over Cinderella Castle for extra drama). And the Polynesian Resort offers lava drinks, a traditional feast, and an authentic island luau.
Nightlife: Nightclubs are sprinkled throughout Pleasure Island, an adults-only nighttime entertainment hot-spot located in Downtown Disney. Be sure to check out Mannequins’ revolving-turntable dance floor and hard-driving riffs at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Beach Club. Nearby, you can sing the blues at the aptly named House of Blues, shake your booty to live Cuban music at Bongos Cuban Café (owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan), or settle in for mesmerizing acrobatic feats performed by Cirque du Soleil.
