It's no wonder that Walt Disney World has become one of the country's top wedding and honeymoon destinations: Everything a couple needs to pull together an event and celebrate — including Disney-designed wedding dresses — is here.
Photo Tour: Disney Weddings & Honeymoons >
With tons of things to see and do, international cuisine, sports and water activities, nightlife, and accommodations to suit just about every budget, Disney is an easy choice.
In fact, many couples choose to have a wedding as well as a honeymoon here. Disney's wedding specialists can help organize a wedding or vow renewal using the park's unique facilities.
For example, you can recite your vows overlooking cascading waterfalls... exchange rings on a tropical island during a Disney Caribbean cruise... or get married in Victorian splendor with Cinderella Castle in the background. You can even choose to enhance the day with a ride in Cinderella's Glass Coach, a white dove release, or even the presence of a Disney Character or two.
FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART. LITERALLY.
But wait! Isn't this place best known for family vacations (and attracting more than its fair share of screaming kids)? The answer is yes; loud, overtired, and overstimulated young 'uns are out in full force in areas open to the public. So if you insist on a serene and sophisticated honeymoon, this really is no place for you.
However, on the other hand, if you are willing to put up with having other peoples' kids around, you can create a semblance of an adult vacation for yourselves here -- and have fun in the process if you take things in stride.
CHOOSE YOUR LODGINGS CAREFULLY.
As far as I'm concerned, the hotel you choose will make the biggest difference in the experience you have. On a visit, we stayed at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, which had little to offer beside low rates. The room itself was small and somewhat depressing. Amenities (like room service) were limited, while the enticing see-through mini-bar was not.
A tiny bathroom barely had room to turn around in. The room also lacked a private, separate dressing room, which may be important to some newlyweds. What it did have going for itself, though, was privacy. Since the five motel-like units that comprise this resort are all two stories tall, you can park outside your door and not have to deal with another perky staff member after check-in.
At the other end of the lodgings spectrum, Disney's top-of-the-line Grand Floridian Hotel (check rates now) is the opulent choice. While it's the most expensive place to stay in the complex, it has certain advantages: dedicated honeymoon suites on a private floor, its own Monorail stop, and a decor intimidating enough to kids to make most behave like little ladies and gentlemen. In the photo at right, it's in the distance, beyond the Disney Wedding Chapels in the foreground.
The Honeymoon Suites at the Grand Floridian Hotel feature a Jacuzzi tub big enough for two, a king-size bed, and a view. While the room we inspected could have used some freshening up, it would certainly make a comfortable place to retreat to.
