Before my son was born, my husband and I liked to get away, just the two of us. We both had pretty busy jobs and needed a break, but couldn’t afford to take more than a long weekend away from work. Years prior, I was on a writing assignment at Walt Disney World. It was my first trip to WDW ever; I was 26. WDW spoiled the journalists for the press event, which was wonderful, but I remember being shocked by how wonderful WDW was, and how happy I felt there.
Years later, when my husband and I were looking for a fun place to get away with little fuss for a long weekend, I talked him into going to WDW. He had been once before, as a boy.
Our first trip as a couple was when Pleasure Island was still up and running. We were busy all day exploring all that WDW has to offer and having fun dancing at night. We had such a terrific time, enjoying wonderful weather, great food, and lots of adventures. During the day we went parasailing, went on a Segway tour of Epcot’s World Showcase, and ate our way around the World.
Nothing like bonding by learning a new activity.The Epcot Segway Tour may be gone, but you can still take out a Segway at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort. Photo by Donna Fesel.
And so began a great tradition—a long weekend at WDW in the fall, just the two of us. We live in New York. Leaving our car behind, we embraced the relaxation of not being behind the wheel and checking out all the cool modes of transportation at WDW. Each year, I learned more about WDW by asking friends for advice, reading whatever I could get my hands on, and asking cast members for advice and recommendations while at the park.
To Infinity and Beyond. Hanging with Buzz Lightyear on an early trip. Photo by Donna Fesel.
On our first trip together, we stayed at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge on the recommendation of a friend. We found the coziness of Wilderness Lodge so homey and inviting, and we adored the very romantic boat rides between the Lodge and the Contemporary (for wonderful food), the Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort (for Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue), and of course, between the Lodge and the Magic Kingdom.
Enjoying wonderful seafood at Disney's Flying Fish Cafe. Photo by Donna Fesel.
If you have been to Wilderness Lodge, you will appreciate how my breath was taken away when I entered the majestic lobby, marveled at the running brook right in the middle of it all, and how awesome it was to discover the Fire Rock Geyser on the path to the boat dock.
During that very first trip, we passed a Disney Vacation Club cast member in one of the parks and began contemplating DVC ownership. Several years later, after our son was born, we bought into Walt Disney's timeshare program, selecting our ]Wilderness Lodge as our “home resort.” We continue to enjoy the majesty and hospitality of Wilderness Lodge as well as embrace the opportunity to use our DVC membership to explore other Disney resorts.
Trick or Treat. A couple of pirates at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Photo by Donna Fesel.
My husband and I returned to WDW several more times before our son was born, savoring the experiences we were discovering together. We got up early, stayed up late, and had a blast. I love kids, and the noise of kids having fun (years of being a camp counselor, I bet), but we also quickly discovered that in the middle of WDW as a family fun epicenter, there were quiet sweet moments that we could share.
Date night at Disneyland's amazing Napa Rose. Photo by Donna Fesel.
We stood on the rooftop deck outside WDW’s marvelous California Grill at the top of the Contemporary Resort and enjoyed the sunset, and then the Wishes fireworks. We were doted on by the most wonderful server we’ve had in our years of travel at California Grill. We got up very early and went on the Keys to the Kingdom tour at Magic Kingdom, where we got to walk through the secret utilidors and enjoye chatting with our fellow tour guests.
Atop Disney's Contemporary Resort. Photo by Donna Fesel.
We strolled through Disney’s Boardwalk in romantic moonlight. We sat on the swinging benches outside the Beach Club and walked in the sand. We ate delicious food at Disney’s Flying Fish Café, Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Coral Reef at Epcot. We laughed ourselves silly at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. We got our faces painted and acted like kids at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.
A romantic walk on the beach at Disney's Vero Beach Resort. Photo by Donna Fesel.
Since my son turned 3, we’ve gone to WDW, Disneyland, or Disney’s Vero Beach Resort every year. We love being together as a family, having a blast, enjoying family time, and savoring watching my son get older and discover new experiences. Yet, for every trip we’ve made as a family, thanks to the child care options at WDW, Disneyland, and Vero Beach, my husband and I still steal one evening away on each trip to enjoy dinner, a walk, and just being the two of us.
And last, but certainly not least, splurging on a one of a kind meal at Victoria and Albert's. Photo by Donna Fesel.
We’ve taken a few hours as a couple to walk on the beach at Disney’s Vero Beach, to splurge on a wonderful meal at Victoria and Albert’s for my milestone birthday, and use the monorail to resort hop for cocktails. We find that my son loves the Disney child care options (he loves making new friends), and that we all enjoy coming back together as a family after a little breather.
