Not every Walt Disney World vacation has to be the same. The Most Magical Place on Earth is known for their incredible theming. From their parks to their resorts, Disney are masters at knowing how to use a theme to make magic come alive. Want to shake up your next Disney vacation? You can use this same strategy to pick a theme spice up your next vacation. These are especially great for repeat visitors who have already experienced the parks by traditional means.
The possibilities are seriously endless in a place as versatile as Walt Disney World, but we gathered four of our favorite ideas for you to theme your vacation to the next level.
1. The nature lover
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Walt Disney World has a long tradition of conservation and finding ways to bring guests up close with nature, from expansions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to nature trails where you can encounter Florida’s native wildlife. Back when The Disney Institute was around, they even used to have guided tours of the resort’s 11,500 acres of preserved Florida wetlands. Today, nature lovers can still find plenty of fun ways to fill a Disney vacation.
For starters, it’s a no-brainer to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge or the Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas. If you manage to snag a Savannah View room, you’ll be able to start out your mornings watching the Lodge’s native giraffes, ostriches, and other African wildlife explore their habitat. Seems unattainable? Rent Disney Vacation Club points to cut the cost of renting a villa. Throughout the resort, you’ll be able to enjoy the resident wildlife from the lobby, the pools, and also from the restaurant Sanaa.
Enjoy your close proximity to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but a ride on Kilimanjaro Safaris is just the start of this vacation. Instead, take things to the next level by booking one of Disney’s many wildlife encounter experiences including Caring for Giants, the Savor the Savannah evening safari experience, Wanyama Safari, and the Wild Africa Trek. The Lodge has several tour experiences as well.
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The fun doesn’t stop at Disney’s Animal Kingdom though. Epcot is home to The Seas with Nemo and Friends, one of the largest aquariums in Florida. Animal lovers can book an up-close encounter with the Seas resident dolphins or even snorkel in the main tank. If you’re a gardening lover as well, don’t miss the Behind the Seeds tour, one of Disney’s most easily accessible tours, just outside of Soarin’ in The Land.
To finish things off, don’t miss the chance to enjoy the incredible native wildlife on Disney’s walking trails, such as the one near Fort Wilderness. You can even visit The Disney Wilderness Preserve in Kissimmee for a full hiking experience.
2. Romance, romance, romance
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There are just so many options for hopeful romantics visiting Walt Disney World, and what your dream experience looks like is really up to you. Walt Disney World is one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world for good reason. For starters, you’ll want to make sure you’re staying at a particularly romantic resort. A few favorites are Port Orleans French Quarter, The Yacht Club, The Polynesian, and of course, Disney’s Grand Floridian.
You’ll want to plan your days to spend as much quality time together as possible, and that’s going to mean some romantic lunches and dinners. Maybe you’ll want to enjoy fare under the stars at Epcot’s San Angel Inn or rich Italian flavors at Tutto Italia. For a top-notch romantic dinner, however, you’ll want the best, and that means Disney’s signature restaurants. Love warm lights and zesty flavors? Don’t miss Jiko: The Cooking Place at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Prefer more modern fare? You can’t beat the exquisite cuisine of The Contemporary’s California Grill timed to match the Magic Kingdom fireworks. Some of our other romantic favorites include Epcot’s intimate French bistro, Monsieur Paul, The Boardwalk’s Flying Fish café, Wilderness Lodge’s Artist Point, and The Grand Floridian’s Citricos, where you can even book a special experience in The Chef’s Domain.
Want to have an extra special night? Amp up the romance with an Evening Safari or Fireworks Viewing Dessert party atop The Contemporary resort or on a Sparkling Dessert Cruise!
3. Treat yo’ self
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We’ve touched on this trip theme idea before, but it’s worth revisiting. Sometimes you need to plan the Disney trip of all trips. You may have to save extra to pad your vacation budget, but you don’t care. When you visit Walt Disney World, you plan to treat yo’ self.
A treat yo’ self vacation means you are looking to enjoy the best of the best. First, you’re going to want to stay at Disney’s finest resorts. While Disney’s Grand Floridian is an obvious contender, it’s not the only choice worthy of this vacation theme. We especially loved our experience at the stunning villas in Bay Lake Tower at The Contemporary Resort, and guests looking for an above-and-beyond experience can also find breathtaking suites at most of Disney’s major resorts. Really looking to go all out? Book a room at The Four Seasons Orlando, located in Disney’s Golden Oak community. You may not want to leave the resort!
We already mentioned some of our favorite dining locations in the romance section, but there are plenty of others culinary experiences worthy of a treat yo’ self vacation. Brunch at The Four Seasons’ Ravello has been lauded as one of the best character dining experiences on Disney property. Narcoosee’s at The Grand Floridian is also a renowned dining location with an emphasis on seafood. Love chocolate? Plan a tour of Disney’s amazing patisseries and chocolatiers, from Epcot’s La Boulangerie Patisserie to Disney Spring’s The Ganachery.
Finally, a Treat Yo’ Self vacation means pampering, and that means some time at the spa. Senses Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian, The Mandara Spa at Disney’s Swan, and the spa at The Four Seasons Orlando all offer a wide range of stress-melting treatments you don’t find anywhere else. The bottom line—treat yo’ self!
4. Dreams do come true
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A number of our theme ideas so far have focused on fun for adults—after all, Walt Disney World is brimming with great stuff for kids to do without any special theming required. However, that’s not to say you can’t plan the most epic trip possible for your little prince, princess, pirate, or Jedi!
First, you’re going to want to stay at a larger than life resort like Disney’s Polynesian, Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside, or even the pirate-themed rooms at Disney Caribbean Beach Resort. If your little one is under fourteen, they can also visit the parks in costume. You can either get one before you arrive or splurge on an official Disney get-up at the World of Disney or many of the other stores in Disney Springs (where your little one can also custom build their own lightsaber!). If you really want to go all out, you can book your child a visit to The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League for a full character makeover they’ll never forget!
You don’t have to look far to find magical experiences at Walt Disney World, but some of our favorites are Disney’s closest character encounters, like the Princess breakfast at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, dinner with Flynn Rider and Rapunzel at Trattoria al Forno, or a visit from Disney’s princesses at Wonderland Tea at 1900 Park Fare. You can also visit one of Disney’s amazing dinner shows, like The Spirit of Aloha at The Polynesian Resort or Mickey’s Backyard BBQ.
Beyond incredible in-park experiences like Jedi Temple Training at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, parents can also splurge on giving their kids a one of a kind experience on a Pirates Adventure Cruise, a Perfectly Princess Tea Party, or at the Pixar Play Zone. Families can also take a guided scavenger hunt on Disney’s Family Magic Tour, have a close encounter with some gentle giants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, or enjoy a pirate themed fireworks Cruise!
There are plenty more theme ideas you can try for your next Disney trip. What are some other theme ideas you’d like to see us explore in the future?
