Any Walt Disney World fan worth her pineapple whip knows some of the park’s best-kept secrets: Book your restaurant reservations exactly 180 days in advance, schedule your FastPass experiences 30 days before, and visit during school spring breaks at your own peril. But even the most seasoned of Disney aficionados may not be aware of what the park can offer its most elite customers. From ten-course dinner menus to 3,000-square-foot hotel suites, Walt Disney World on an unlimited budget may as well be a thrill ride unto itself.
Stay
The view from a private terrace on the 16th floor of the Four Seasons. Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Resorts
Disney organizes its hotels into a tiered system, with the deluxe resort hotels at the top of the food chain. And while grande dame The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa may still be the classic choice, the new kid in town offers luxury like the park has never seen before. “The best hotel, hands down, is The Four Seasons Resort Orlando,” says luxury travel adviser Josh Alexander of Protravel International. “They have incredible suites and some even offer a view of the fireworks from your terrace.” The property is the first and only AAA five-diamond-rated hotel in all of Central Florida, and features a five-acre waterpark, a Four Seasons motor coach to transport guests to and from the parks, and, according to Food & Wine, the best character breakfast in all of Disney World. But if a regular park-view suite (starting around $819) just doesn’t wow you, consider booking the entirety of the 16th floor. It will cost you a cool $66,000 a night, but it does include butler service, the nine-bedroom Royal Suite, and the equally impressive Presidential Suite with four of its own bedrooms.
Live
A private residence in Golden Oak. Photo: Courtesy of Bonavento
If leaving Walt Disney World is too much to bear, discerning buyers can snap up properties at Four Seasons Private Residences. The estates here are part of Golden Oak, a new luxury resort community that is the first in Disney World to offer whole ownership of custom single-family homes. These aren’t any run-of-the-mill tract houses, of course: Prices can climb as high as $7.5 million for the largest model, which is over 9,000 square feet and features luxury amenities that include an elevator and a summer outdoor kitchen. Owners can also take advantage of the private Golden Oak Club, which boasts an on-site fine dining restaurant and a concierge team that does everything from plan in-home dinner parties to transportation to the parks.
Eat
The chef’s table at Victoria & Albert’s. Photo: Courtesy of Victoria & Albert’s
With a plethora of Instagram-worthy snacks, it’s easy to overlook Disney’s superb sit-down restaurants. Victoria & Albert’s is a perennial favorite, with the chef’s table being the seat of choice for the resort’s most valuable VIPs. Only one party per evening is treated to the ten-course, three-hour meal, which is customized for each group. And expect to spend a little more here than on your Mickey-shaped burger: The dinner, with wine pairings, will set you back $400 per person. The cost isn’t much of a deterrent for a fancy foodie, however: Prime tables for Disney’s best dining options move extremely fast. “Reservations for some of the better restaurants are harder to come by than a table at a three-star Michelin spot,” says Jonathan Rubinstein, co-founder of Joe Coffee and a Disney mega-fan (he’s been to the park 11 times in the past six years), laughing.
Experience
Wearing their standard plaid waistcoats, Walt Disney World VIP Tour Guides pose with Mickey Mouse in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom. Photo: Courtesy of Disney
Of course, fine bed linens and multi-course meals will always play second fiddle to Disney’s main attraction: the parks. For those who abhor lines, there is an easy yet pricey fix: a private VIP tour guide. Elite concierge agencies like Suntastic Service offer “park pilots” to escort guests through the attractions, reserve their meals, and even carry a cart filled with park necessities like bottled water and snacks. Disney itself now offers a similar service, for a hefty fee. Guides costs $425 to $600 an hour (depending on the season), for a minimum for seven hours. For that price, however, guests are treated to a personally curated schedule for the day, streamlined access to the top rides, and prime seating for parades and nighttime spectaculars.
Play
Morimoto Asia, located at The Landing in the heart of Disney Springs. Photo: Courtesy of Disney
There’s no mandate that you have to bring your kids to Walt Disney World. In fact, Disney Springs, the downtown clubby entertainment area, might even be better without them. The sleekest watering hole is certainly Morimoto (of Iron Chef fame), which boasts a late-night sushi and cocktail menu until midnight. And oenophiles take note: Wine Bar George, run by master sommelier George Miliotes, will finally open to the public early next year.