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Discover the Sophisticated Side of Mickey Mouse |
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Monday, 08 November 2004 |
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Page 1 of 2 Is it possible for sophisticated travelers to really enjoy themselves in the
land of Mickey Mouse? Absolutely! Walt Disney World has undergone a
transformation much like that of Las Vegas, with an abundance of fantastic
themed resorts and sumptuous dining choices.
Maybe your image of Disney is of lackluster, motel-style accommodations. Not so!
All deluxe property choices are unique and offer that special Disney touch.
You’ll find them to be adorned with impressive lobbies, painstakingly landscaped
grounds, first-rate restaurants, elaborately themed pools, and gracious
accommodations. All offer top-notch recreational facilities and services. In
fact, each resort is so marvelous it can be difficult to choose which fantasy
you wish to indulge.
Let me tell you about my favorites:
• Disney’s flagship resort, The Grand Floridian, with its red-gabled roofs and
Victorian elegance, draws inspiration from the grand Florida seaside “palace
hotels” of 19th-century America’s Gilded Age. Just a short monorail ride to the
Magic Kingdom, it spreads along the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon with
spectacular views of Cinderella’s Castle and the Wishes fireworks display.
Aquatic enticements include a crescent white sand beach dotted with brightly
striped, canopied lounge chairs, a large sophisticated pool in the central
courtyard, a new beachside Florida springs-style pool, and a classy marina
sporting a wide assortment of watercraft. A full service health club and spa,
tennis courts, five restaurants, two lounges, and sophisticated shopping round
out the list of exceptional offerings.
• A navy blue blazer should be in order for a stay at Disney’s Yacht Club where
guests find the sophisticated ambience of a posh Eastern seaboard hotel of the
1880s. Fronting Crescent Lake and a sliver of beach that stretches over to the
adjoining Beach Club Resort, it’s just a short stroll to Epcot’s International
Gateway entrance and only a boat ride away to Disney-MGM Studios. Best of all is
the Yacht Club’s 3-acre mini-water park complex, Stormalong Bay, offering sandy
bottom pools, a giant “shipwreck” waterslide, a tidal whirlpool, bubbling hot
tubs, a kiddie pool with its own slide next to the beach, and enough length to
float lazily in inner tubes to your heart’s content.
• The Animal Kingdom Lodge is a stunning celebration of African wildlife,
culture, cuisine, and art. Its authentic architecture and 33 acres of grasslands
filled with hundreds of roaming, exotic animals is simply a stroke of genius.
The six-story, horseshoe-shaped structure is surrounded by a landscape of golden
boulders, tall bamboo, yellow flame trees, pampas grass, copperpod trees, and
date palms. In it’s imposing, 5-story, thatched roof lobby are massive
chandeliers formed by resplendent Masai shields, a large mud fireplace, and
handsome safari-chic seating. From common lookouts as well as from 90% of the
guestrooms are wonderful views of playful zebra, lanky giraffe, sprite gazelle,
huge ankole cattle, herds of wildebeest, flocks of exotic birds, and more, with
over 200 animals in all.
• Last but not least is The Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s dramatic depiction of an
early 1900s national park resort. I challenge you to keep your jaw from dropping
open on your first encounter with its awesome eight-story lobby of ponderosa
pine logs, a massive 82-foot tall fireplace, and authentic 55-foot Pacific
Northwest totem poles. Outside is a breathtaking scene of sparkling waterfalls,
rushing creeks, and towering pines. The sound of crickets is heard beneath the
bridges and along the meandering pathways lined with natural grasses, junipers,
and wildflowers. And on the shores of Bay Lake is Wilderness Lodge’s very own
erupting geyser surrounded by a steaming expanse of geothermal activity.
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