I started off with another column this week, when I was confronted by the calendar and noted that my piece would fall on Valentine’s Day. So out the window went the other one, and here’s what we ended up with instead…
A Selection Of Romantic Disney Spots — Past and Present
The R.M.S. Queen Mary, Long Beach, California Once this Queen was slated to be a key player in the Disney Sea project. Don’t think so? One needs look no further than Tokyo and the S.S. Columbia for the end result.
Aboard the Queen, I have enjoyed two romantic evenings. On our honeymoon, my wife and I enjoyed a harbor view room, and several fine meals, including a great dinner at Sir Winston’s at the stern of the ship. On another visit, we shared a romantic dinner with our closest friends at Chelsea’s. That ended with some of the most decadent desserts I think I have ever consumed. A great visit back to an era of elegance in travel…
Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian’s Garden View Lounge During a weeklong visit to the WDW Resort, we decided it was just time to sit down and relax. On the go from dawn to dark and then some, it was one hectic day after another in an effort to see and do it all.
So that afternoon, we just called (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463) and made a reservation for tea.
We left the rest of our group in the Magic Kingdom and took a short ride aboard one of the smaller boats across the lagoon to the Grand Floridian. It was a pleasant walk from the dock through the resort into the lobby of the hotel. Noting we were early by a few minutes, we sat down to enjoy the pianist playing a selection of vintage pieces including some of my favorite Gershwin. When he concluded, we were surprised by an orchestra taking up where he left off, from the balcony above the lobby.
That set the mood and we went to the Garden View Lounge ready for anything. We were not disappointed at all. A fine selection of small treats awaited us from sandwiches of all kinds to canapés for a first course along with our selection of teas. We each had our own pots complete with knitted covers or cozies. (The adjacent gift shop had all of the various items used for service on sale if you really wanted to take home the experience.) Had we wanted a smart cocktail (something like a Sidecar or a Cosmopolitan is right at home here) or a glass of fine wine, the staff was at the ready. The second course was a selection of some exquisite pastries that simply seduced the palate.
It was a good two hours of relaxed elegance, and extremely romantic from start to finish.
The Mark Twain after dark at Disneyland If there is one thing wrong with Fantasmic, it is that the operation of the show has removed this as an option for romance in the Park.
Final call to board the Mark Twain at the Frontier Landing Photo by Roger Colton, June 1999
A ride along the Rivers of America with someone special snuggled close is or was just one of those things you must experience to see how unique it really is. On a cool night, that extra warmth doesn’t hurt either. But the sounds along the way, the frogs, crickets, the steady “chuff” as the steam engines exhaust and the paddle wheel turns…
And a healthy kiss or two doesn’t hurt either.
The Monorail — Disneyland or Walt Disney World Okay, so I hear you saying, “The Monorail? What’s romantic about that?”
As they say in real estate, it all comes down to this: location, location, location.
In the case of the Monorail, it’s the rear cabin on the train. It is private and closed in, unlike the rest of the train. Once the cast member closes the door, you are alone until you reach the next station. Now I’m not advocating anything here, but private moments inside the Park or Parks are rare indeed. So snuggle up, and enjoy.
The Sun Wheel — Disney’s California Adventure Again, private moments… Start to finish, if you play it right you can enjoy some quality time and some great views with someone special. After dark works best for me with the Disneyland Resort in view in it’s lighted condition.
Victoria and Albert’s Now, if I were to pick my ultimate romantic experience, (it’s still on the list of things to do) it would be dinner at the Chef’s Table at Victoria and Albert’s at the Grand Floridian. How about an epicurean delight of six-courses with a selected wine to accompany each course? I’m more than ready! AAA awarded it the prestigious Five Diamonds.
So check a link or two here and contemplate your next romantic encounter at a Disney theme park. What I have listed should be only the start to the possibilities for you and that special someone…
A final note of import. Save the full passion for the hotel room. Remember, you never know when you may be on camera or who is watching? And this is a family resort, sheesh!
Don’t be shy! Even last minute plans are better than none, and trust me, I have learned the hard way what happens when you don’t have something ready on Valentine’s Day for that someone special in your life!
Roger wants to remind everyone to do his or her part and support the JHM site as best you can. And his web pages are located at http://www.privatecarservice.net.
Coming next week: Nothing!!!
Roger’s busy with a private railroad car excursion to Reno, Nevada, this week, and will return with another column on Friday, February 28, 2003 (as his wife goes off to Hawaii without him for that weekend, and that really is another story!) The column may have something to do with the wonders of the Silver State, but nothing to do with Las Vegas…