When you think of a luxury vacation, the first place to come to mind likely isn’t a theme park. Maybe your mind is wandering off to visions of long lines, screaming kids (and maybe parents), menus of deep-fried everything, and the coordinated chaos that comes with a trip to a theme park. But what if I told you Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, are flipping the script and actually offer incredible luxury experiences the whole family can enjoy on your next vacation?
That’s right! At Disney Parks on both coasts, there are a handful of luxury add-ons and experiences you can book right now to make your vacation both easier and more luxurious than you may have thought possible. So no matter which castle you’re visiting, you can feel like true royalty with these luxury experiences that money can buy at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
Luxury experiences at Walt Disney World
Book a VIP Tour
The most obvious luxury add-on at Walt Disney World is booking a VIP tour. The day begins with a guide picking your family up in a private car at your Disney hotel (or another select hotel if needed) and whisked away to the theme parks. Your knowledgeable guide will ensure you get to every must-do on your list, from attractions and shows to character meet-and-greets. And along the way, they will share stories and trivia about Walt Disney World.
What I love most about VIP tours is that everything is planned around your family’s desires. This all starts with a pre-arrival phone call where you will share what you want out of your day, whether that’s to hit every ride at Magic Kingdom or to park hop to every rollercoaster at Walt Disney World. Pricing is dynamic, but ranges from $450 to $950 per hour, with a minimum of seven hours and a maximum of 10 hours, for up to 10 people. Theme park tickets are not part of the price of the tour.
Stay at two of the most luxe hotels in Orlando
Nestled inside Walt Disney World are two of the most luxurious hotels in Orlando, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort and the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa. Either of these options is perfect for families looking for luxury accommodations at Walt Disney World. I’ve had the chance to stay at both of these properties, and you really can’t go wrong with either one. It’s really just down to which amenities fit your group.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
The Four Seasons caters more to families with large rooms (some overlooking Magic Kingdom) and amenities such as a water park and kids’ camp. Even better for families, you don’t have to go far to see Disney pals, because the Disney Character Breakfast with Goofy and Pals takes place every Thursday at Ravello. For adults, there’s also a fantastic spa where you can spend an afternoon basking in the serene atmosphere that feels a world away from the hustle of the parks.
JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa
Closer to Disney Springs is the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa. The elevated resort is ideal for adults traveling together (though the property does allow children, so don’t worry if you’re toting kids, too). From the moment you walk through the doors, your mind forgets you’re at Walt Disney World, which can be a nice break for adults who want a Disney vacation without seeing Mickey all of the time. The resort features two pools, a massive spa, seven restaurants and lounges, and more.
Dining experiences worth savoring at Disney World
There are literally hundreds of dining experiences at Walt Disney World, but two of them stand out for their exclusivity and overall upscale vibes.
Victoria & Alberts
The crown jewel of dining at Walt Disney World is Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The restaurant is the only Michelin-starred theme park restaurant in the world. That alone makes it worthy of your time, especially if you’re a foodie. There are three different dining experiences at the restaurant: The Dining Room, Queen Victoria’s Room, and The Chef’s Table. I’ve enjoyed a meal in The Dining Room, which offers a multi-course tasting menu paired with wine or zero-proof cocktails (note these pairings are at an additional cost).
While there’s no set menu at Victoria & Albert’s since the chefs curate something new nearly every week, you’re sure to have some of the best bites of your trip here. During my dining experience, I was able to try everything from Glacier 51 Toothfish and Miyazaki A-5 wagyu to a delightful dessert spread of seven sweet endings. The service at the restaurant is unmatched, with a dedicated service team taking care of you throughout the evening.
Prices for The Dining Room start at $295, with optional wine and zero-proof pairings starting at $155 and $115, respectively.
Wine tasting at Wine Bar George
When you’re looking for a good glass of wine at Walt Disney World, the first place you should be going is Wine Bar George. The restaurant is right in the heart of Disney Springs, and while the main menu features over 200 wine options, all sold by the ounce, the glass, or the bottle, there’s an even better way to sample the menu: the Learn How to Taste Wine Like a Master Sommelier class.
This 90-minute event is led by the restaurant’s namesake, George Miliotes, who is one of just 279 Master Sommeliers in the world. The class starts with a brief intro on how to taste wine before sipping six different options in a blind taste test. Throughout the class, guests are encouraged to ask questions about anything related to wine. I promise you, Miliotes has a wealth of knowledge about the industry and can break down just about any wine concept for beginners and novice wine drinkers.
I’ve been lucky enough to sit in and enjoy one of these sessions, and I walked away learning so much about wine and trusting my own palate. It’s also worth noting that Miliotes never pulls the same six wines in a group, so you can take this class again and again without having the same lesson twice. During my class, Miliotes poured tastings of a $300 bottle of wine that was easily one of the best I’ve ever tried.
The class is just under $140 per adult.
Take a Magic Kingdom fireworks cruise
One of the most magical events at Walt Disney World is the evening fireworks display at Magic Kingdom. But instead of getting smushed into a crowd, what if there was a better way to enjoy the nighttime spectacular?
Enter a Magic Kingdom fireworks cruise. The private charters depart from Disney’s Contemporary Resort and take a short ride around Bay Lake to Seven Seas Lagoon for a front-row view of the show. Each boat comes equipped with speakers so you can hear the show’s music, too. Even better, all you have to do is step aboard and relax because each boat has its own captain, plus snacks and soft drinks.
Cruises start at $500 and can accommodate up to 10 guests. This is a great option if you’re traveling with multiple smaller groups so you can split the cost a few ways, too.
Luxury experiences at Disneyland Resort
Schedule a VIP Tour
Just like at Walt Disney World, Disneyland has VIP Tours that you can book for your family. There are two options, including the traditional VIP tours, which are similar in style to the Disney World option mentioned previously.
The other option at Disneyland is the Land of Dreams Tour. This VIP Tour spans 12 hours and can accommodate six people. The tour includes all of the standard inclusions of a regular VIP tour (though with two tour guides), plus complimentary Park Hopper tickets, one table-service meal, one quick-service meal, snacks, a Disney PhotoPass Capture our Moment session, and more.
VIP Tours at Disneyland range in price from $500 to $800 per hour, based on tour type and the date of your park visit.
Stay in a themed suite or villa
Just minutes from the two Disneyland theme parks is the Disneyland Hotel. This is my favorite hotel of the three options at the Disneyland Resort, not just for the beautiful grounds and easy access to the theme parks (hello, nearby monorail), but also for its impeccable themed suites.
The resort boasts four signature themed suites, all with two bedrooms, sleeping four to six adults. You can pick from the Adventureland Suite, Pirate Suite, Big Thunder Suite, or Mickey Mouse Suite. My favorite is the Adventureland Suite, which is adorned with nods to the area of the same name at Disneyland, with animal print accents, shelves loaded with props, and even a bedroom themed like a safari tent.
Besides the themed suites, there’s also a massive three-bedroom villa, which is technically part of Disney Vacation Club but can also be booked with money. The beautiful accommodation is part of The Villas at the Disneyland Hotel and features three bedrooms, a lavish living room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Disneyland Hotel grounds and surrounding resort, an indoor-outdoor fireplace, a full kitchen, and more. This is truly one of the most luxurious rooms at Disneyland Resort that anyone can book.
Host a dinner party at 21 Royal
Disneyland is filled with scrumptious dining options, ranging from classic theme park fare like hand-dipped corn dogs to award-winning restaurants. But one truly spectacular dining option is 21 Royal. The if you know, you know, dining experience is right in the heart of Disneyland Park in New Orleans Square, though many guests walk right by without even noticing the hidden dining room. The space was once meant to be a private residence for Walt and Lillian Disney, but now it plays host to luxury dinner parties that anyone can reserve.
The evening starts with a special escort from Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa to 21 Royal, followed by signature cocktails in the salon. The gathering continues out on the patio for a casual reception and tour of the different rooms inside 21 Royal. Then, dinner is served inside, complete with gold-plated dinnerware and fresh flowers on the table. The evening ends with dessert on the balcony overlooking the Rivers of America.
Reservations at 21 Royal are available for up to 12 guests. Pricing is available by calling the 21 Royal Concierge.
