Spas at the Magic Kingdom
© Lain Ehmann
But Disneyworld is host to some of the most posh spas in central Florida. And what could be better for a mom -- or a dad! -- on the go than an hour or two at a relaxing oasis in the midst of hte Disney frenzy.
As with everything else, Disney provides several choices for the family spa-goer:
THE DREAM: Though I've yet to go to this one, I have on my list to visit Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa(http://www.disney.ca/vacations/disneywor... with spa choices from water therapies and soaks to traditional massages and facials. If you're a guest at the Grand Floridian, you can enroll your child in the hotel's kids' programs, to make sure you can relax, care-free. The hotel is Disney's "flagship," and is truly something to marvel at. It's modeled after the infamous Hotel Del Coronado, off the coast of San Diego, which was featured in Marilyn Monroe's movie, "Some Like It Hot."
THE NIGHTMARE?: Disney also offers a spa at its Disney Institute (http://disney.go.com/DisneyWorld/DisneyI... I've never seen the Institute, as it's kept pretty separate from the rest of the "kingdom" and is typically frequented by business travelers. However, a friend told me her absolute worst spa experience took place at the Disney Institute, so I hestitate to recommend it to anyone I want to stay on speaking terms with! Her assessment that it was more stress-producing than relaxing -- something we parents do not need after a long day of standing in line and peeling cotton candy out of our hair.
THE REALITY: A spa experience I can vouch for is aboard the Disney Magic, on the Disney Cruise Line. While the rest of our voyage was somewhat traumatic (see my previous articles), the spa was wonderful -- although at times I felt I was going to slide right off the table during my massage due to the pitching of the waves! The highlight of the voyage, however, was the open-air massage on the Disney Island, Castaway Cay. It's just you, your massage therapist, and the open air -- although I was a bit disconcerted to see some folks right on the other side of a small stand of bushes that was meant to shield me from beach-goers! Hope they weren't there when I leapt, naked, onto the table. (Okay, I didn't LEAP, but you know what I mean).
Go To Page: 1 2
