| > | | | | surrounded by a steaming expanse of geothermal |
| Is your image of Walt Disney World one of sleeping | | | | activity and erupts hourly from early morning until late |
| in motel-style accommodations and dining on | | | | night. |
| hamburgers as you roam the theme parks? Well, | | | | Best Resort Pool |
| it’s time to change that picture. Instead of a | | | | Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach |
| chain motel, how about an African-style lodge or a | | | | Club offers three acres of winding, watery delight. |
| resort with the sophisticated ambience of an | | | | Here you’ll find sandy bottom pools, a giant |
| exclusive yacht club? Instead of chicken fingers, how | | | | shipwreck waterslide, a tidal whirlpool, bubbling |
| about Potato Wrapped Florida Red Snapper with a | | | | hot tubs, a kiddie pool with its own slide near the |
| Creamy Leek Fondue, Basil-Crusted Rack of Lamb | | | | beach, and enough waterway to float lazily in inner |
| with a Ragout of Spinach, Shitakes, and White Beans, | | | | tubes to your heart’s content. |
| or Grilled Buffalo Top Sirloin with Sweet Potato | | | | Best Resort Restaurant |
| Hazelnut Gratin and Sweet Onion Jam? No question | | | | The California Grill is a definite highlight for any |
| about it, Walt Disney World offers an abundance of | | | | connoisseur of cutting-edge cuisine. The modern |
| amazing themed resorts and superb restaurants that | | | | decor and constant bustle of excited diners only adds |
| are perfect for the sophisticated traveler. Here are | | | | to its drop-dead setting on the 15th floor of |
| some of the best experiences to indulge in while | | | | Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Its broad |
| touring Mickey Mouse land: | | | | windows present an unbeatable panorama of the |
| Most Luxurious Resort | | | | Magic Kingdom and the Seven Seas Lagoon and on |
| Disney’s flagship resort, The Grand Floridian, | | | | many nights picture-perfect views of the Wishes |
| with its red-gabled roofs and Victorian elegance, | | | | fireworks show. From pristinely fresh sushi to the |
| draws inspiration from the grand Florida seaside | | | | exceptional New American Cuisine to sensational |
| palace hotels of 19th-century | | | | desserts and the outstanding California wine list, this |
| America’s Gilded Age. Just a short monorail | | | | place has it all. The open show kitchen is a treat, and |
| ride to the Magic Kingdom, it spreads along the shore | | | | the cocktail lounge has some of the best views in |
| of the Seven Seas Lagoon, offering spectacular | | | | the house. And don’t be discouraged if the |
| views of Cinderella’s Castle and the Wishes | | | | coveted window seats are all taken. Head out to the |
| fireworks display. You’ll also be treated to | | | | adjoining observation platform during the fireworks |
| some of Disney’s very best restaurants along | | | | presentation where you’ll get a |
| with two sophisticated pools, a crescent white sand | | | | bird’s-eye view of the extravaganza. |
| beach, a full-service health club and spa, tennis courts, | | | | Most Romantic Restaurant |
| and sophisticated shopping. | | | | Victoria and Albert’s at Disney’s Grand |
| Most Atmospheric Resort | | | | Floridian Resort offers fine dining in a elegant setting |
| Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a stunningly | | | | combined with flawless service. Honored with a AAA |
| faithful celebration of African wildlife, culture, cuisine, | | | | Five-Diamond Award for the 3rd year in a row (the |
| and art. Here the atmosphere literally pulsates with | | | | only such restaurant in Orlando), diners feast on six |
| the beat of drums throughout 33 acres of glorious | | | | sumptuous, prix-fixe courses served on Royal |
| savanna filled with hundreds of roaming exotic | | | | Doulton china with crystal glasses to the strains of |
| animals. The lodge’s 5-story, thatch roof lobby | | | | the enchanting sound of harp music. Those seeking a |
| is a wonder with its massive overhead chandeliers | | | | special evening should book the 6-person |
| formed by resplendent Masai shields overlooking | | | | Chef’s Table set in a candlelit alcove in the |
| safari chic seating. Don’t even consider a room | | | | kitchen, perfect for an up-close, behind-the-scenes |
| without a savanna view, well worth every penny for | | | | look at Disney’s top chef in action. |
| its front row view of the wildlife. The resort boasts | | | | Best Theme Park Restaurant |
| an 11,000 square foot pool overlooking the savanna, | | | | Epcot’s Bistro de Paris is a charming Belle |
| a full service spa and fitness center, and one of | | | | Époque dining room with an air of exclusivity. Here |
| Disney’s loveliest restaurants, Jiko, serving | | | | you’ll find gilded mirrors, crimson banquettes, |
| international food with an African flair. | | | | and billowy white drapes that frame windows |
| Best Resort For Romance | | | | overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon. Servers |
| Disney’s Polynesian Resort’s lush | | | | with delicious French accents roll out sensational |
| grounds and white sand beaches with views of | | | | dishes and stylishly plate them tableside. Fresh |
| Cinderella’s castle are a dream come true. | | | | ingredients are prepared simply in tantalizing sauces, |
| Tangerine and mahogany tinted longhouses are | | | | and the all-French wine list is a pleasure. Afterwards, |
| scattered throughout this luxuriant property where | | | | order a dessert of crepes prepared and flamed at |
| ducks and ibis roam the dense vegetation and thick, | | | | your table while lingering over cordials and coffee in |
| grassy lawns. Meandering pathways lined with volcanic | | | | anticipation of the Illuminations spectacle. |
| rock are tiki torch-lit at dusk, and soft Hawaiian | | | | Most Exotic Restaurant |
| melodies set the mood for memorable nights. Come | | | | The Animal Kingdom Lodge’s premier dining |
| nightfall, pick a hammock on one of three beaches | | | | room is Jiko (Swahili for cooking place), one of |
| for a spectacular vista of the Magic Kingdom | | | | the most seductive spaces yet at a Disney hotel. |
| fireworks. | | | | Floor to ceiling windows look out on a boulder-strewn |
| Best Resort For Nature Lovers | | | | creek. The soft, contemporary lighting, fantastically |
| I challenge you to keep your jaw from dropping on | | | | shaped in the guise of bird wings, hangs from a rich, |
| your first encounter with the awesome eight-story | | | | blue ceiling creating the feeling of open space. Giant, |
| lobby at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Sheer | | | | twin clay ovens draw the eye to the open kitchen |
| walls of ponderosa pine logs, an 82-foot fireplace, | | | | where an eclectic blend of creations prepared with |
| and authentic Pacific Northwest totem poles overlook | | | | African spices and ingredients are turned out in |
| rugged stone and hardwood floors topped with | | | | attractive presentations. Accompany your meal with |
| Native American rugs, teepee chandeliers, and a bevy | | | | a selection from the all South African wine list, the |
| of park ranger staff who roam the lodge | | | | largest in North America. |
| attending to guests. Outside is a breathtaking scene | | | | In short, Walt Disney World is not just for kids! |
| of roaring waterfalls, rushing creeks, towering pines, | | | | It’s a world of fantastic resorts and |
| and a boulder-lined, hot springs-style swimming pool, | | | | innovative dining just waiting to be explored. You |
| one of Disney’s best. On the shores of Bay | | | | may never even make it to the parks. |
| Lake, Wilderness Lodge’s very own geyser is | | | | |