The most popular wedding location

Getting married at Walt Disney World? It's definitely not a surprizing question, as Walt Disney World is reportedly the most popular wedding/honeymoon location in America since 1995, when Disney went officially into the wedding business. This needs not be proven, as it is only natural for such an event location to be a success.

And why is that? When could people express at best their need for fairy-tales and fantastic if not in the most romantic moments of their lives. And what girl has not dreamed of being the fairy or the princess of her Prince Charming? So, what better location than the very Fairy Tale Home, Walt Disney World?

Poor taste?

Well, don't get frantic when you'll see what I'm about to say. I agree, we live in a world of illusion, we know that, but do we really need to be that obvious about it? I mean, come on, not only seems it a fake, a cartoon event, but it's, in my opinion, a proof of poor taste, it's — allow me this juicy oxymoron — a “kitsch in style” (as if this could be!), and very expensive too! Unless your ethnic background allows or requires marriage at a very early age! With children it's not bad taste, it's children's stuff, it's cartoons, but when it comes to grown-ups, it's already too much! But it's only my opinion, after all, a matter of taste and you know what they say, "it's beautiful if I like it!".

Costs

Pretty or not, tasteful or detestable, who cares after all? A "Disney fairy tale wedding" is an excellent business! The simplest possible wedding at Walt Disney World is about $3,500 — an intimate wedding, with up to 10 guests. The price includes a four-night “honeymoon” at Disney resort, a daylight ceremony, a wedding cake, a bouquet for the bride and a marriage certificate (signed by Mickey!), and several other trimmings, no reception.

For a Custom Wedding — a more flexible package, with more than 10 guests, ceremony and personalized reception — the costs start from $7,500.

An average Disney wedding with around 100 guests costs $20,000.

Leaving aside personal impressions, fact is that at Walt Disney World you may have probably anything you can imagine as long as you can afford it:

• Cinderella's glass coach (is available for rental for $2,200),
• a white-dove fly-over (for as little as $250!),
• private fireworks ($2,500) or confetti cannons ($500),
• and even the Magic Kingdom (this one would cost $42,000 or more — only to rent for a reception, with no other expenses!).

Well, if your mind's made up (and if you have the means), dream on, because you're about to experience the true fairy tale dream-wedding!

For more information on Disney hotels and parks visit http://www.Disney-Hotels.org - a complete guide to accomodations, dining, recreation and much more at Disney World and Disneyland.

A great way to get rejuvenated and re-energized for the next busy day at the Walt Disney World is to take advantage of one of the luxurious spas that are located at the deluxe resorts from Walt Disney World. Each spa has unique and special features but all of them provide a relaxing environment to unwind and lay back.

Grand Floridian Spa

Walt Disney World's top spa, the Grand Floridian Spa, is located in the Magic Kingdom. Guests at the Grand Floridian resort have direct access to the spa. If you're not staying at the Grand Floridian you can get there by monorail, boat and bus. The great thing about the spa is that it encourages parents and children to relax together, side by side. They even have a special program for the children that features a class on skin care and good health and also a mini facial, pedicure and manicure.

The pampering at the Grand Floridian Spa is over the top as you have so many choices that you don't even know what to start with. However, one of the staff members will help you decide on your treatment program based on your individual needs and prefferences. You can start by enjoying a massage to release the tension and stress in the muscles you have accumulated during a day full of events in the parks. There is a wide range of massage therapies to choose from: swedish, shiatsu, reflexology, a special soothing massage for future mothers and also the Floridian signature citrus zest massage.

After relieving the stress in muscles, the next step is taking care of face and body skin. What woman can say no to a facial that rejuvenates and revitalizes the skin and soothes the senses? Men can also enjoy this part as the spa offers facial treatments for men that provide deep cleaning and conditioning. For the body you can choose body wraps to detoxify and relax, paraffin and OPC body masques and also a sugar scrub.

If you came to spend your honeymoon at the Walt Disney World, you can't miss the special program for couples at the Grand Floridian Spa - a couples massage in a romantic environment with scented candles and everything. Couples can take home a part of the magic by attending a massage class where they can learn more about different massage techniques they can use after leaving Disney World.

The Grand Floridian Spa has a boutique that allows you to purchase many of the treatments used in the spa to be used at home. They have their own line of bath and body care products that are sold exclusively at the boutique.

Saratoga Springs Spa

The Saratoga Springs Spa is located in the downtown Disney area. It recreates the relaxing atmosphere of the healing spas of Saratoga Springs, New York. Its signature program is the Adirondack Stone therapy that uses heated stones to relax tense muscles and soothe nerves. As you would expect from Saratoga springs, the spa is famous for its hydro massage therapy. You can also get swedish, aromatherapy, motherhood, reflexology and shiatsu massages as at the Grand Foridian Spa but you will certainly be interested in the forest inspired massage that combines reflexology and Swedish massage.

Skin care treatments include facials for ladies, men and also teenagers, body wraps and masks. If you want to feel special you can choose the maple sugar treatment or the seaweed wrap that will certainly give you a glowing look.

Mandara Spa

The Mandara Spa at the Walt Disney World Dolphin brings a more exotic touch as it is modeled after a Balinese style retreat and features the relaxing customs and rituals of the East. The spa focuses on both physical and mental feeling of wellbeing. It features two asian interior gardens that set the mood the moment you enter the spa. You're welcomed to visit the tea garden, a replica of a traditional Balinese pavilion used for relaxation, and meditate in the Meru temple before you enjoy the treatments that the spa has to offer.

As expected, all the treatments are inspired by Asian traditions. The signature programs include Bali inspired rituals like the traditional cleansing ceremony practiced in the palaces of Java since the 17th century or a Balinese massage, a combination of stretching, elements of shiatsu, accupressure and Swedish massage. Lime and ginger treatments, coconut rubs, milk ritual wraps or seaweed wraps complete the ultimate sensory experience.

Other specials include tooth whitening, hair and nail treatments and a makeup and styling session for the brides who plan to hold their wedding at the Walt Disney World.

You can also find the Zahanati Spa at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the BoardWalk Inn, the Contemporary, the Wilderness Lodge and the Yacht Club also offer spa services. Regardless of which spa you decide upon you will leave the Walt Disney World feeling relaxed and refreshed.

Looking for Disney accomodation, dining and recreation info? Pete Anderson has the complete Disney hotels guide - http://www.Disney-Hotels.org - where you will find useful tips for the perfect Disney vacation.

On September 12, 2005, the newest member of the Disneyland family of theme parks and resorts opened to the public. Hong Kong Disneyland is located on the island of Lantau, positioned to look out over Penny's Bay and the Chinese Sea. Started as a joint operation between The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong SAR government, Hong Kong Disneyland brings the magic of Disney to a whole new environment, respecting the aspects of the culture of the country where it makes its home. The park boasts 2 glamorous hotels, the Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Hollywood Hotel.

Hong Kong Disneyland has some of the attractions that will be familiar to visitors of Disney's other parks. Main Street looks like a piece of Americana transplanted, with the Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad for a trip around the park. There's also Adventureland, with the exciting Jungle River Cruise and all of the animal sights and sounds. Tarzan has made his home in Adventureland, where guests can take a ride on a raft to cross to Tarzan Island where they can visit Tarzan's Tree House. For those who love the movie The Lion King, there is a musical performance based on the story as well – The Festival of the Lion King.

In the original Disneyland, Fantasyland is well known for the symbol that people think of when speaking of Disney - Cinderella's Castle. Hong Kong Disneyland's version is the castle of Sleeping Beauty, where children can explore the fairy tale and their own imagination. They can also visit the grotto of another Disney princess, Snow White. Cinderella is there too, represented by a beautiful carousel ride. There's everyone's favorite bear at The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride. More popular Disney rides include the Mad Hatter Tea Cups and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Children and grown-ups can watch a 3-D movie with all the favorite Disney characters at Mickey's PhilharMagic or The Golden Mickeys at Disney's Storybook Theater.

The fourth area, Tommorrowland, gives visitors a Disney vision of the future. The three main attractions include 2 of the fastest most exciting rides in the park. Space Mountain is a literally rocketing rollercoaster. Orbitron lets you pilot your own jet through the sky of whirling planets. You can also play a cosmic game of Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters with the whole family. In 2006 guests will have a new adventure to enjoy. Autopia will have visitors driving futuristic electric cars around a track meant to envision the roads of tomorrow.

Visitors can choose to stay inside the park at one of the two beautiful new hotels. The Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel is designed to take you back in time to the grandness of the Victorian era. The European influence is obvious in the 400 luxuriously appointed rooms. Guests can enjoy spa services at the hotel as well. At Disney's Hollywood Hotel, the 600 guest rooms are decorated in an art deco style, meant to bring back the allure of the golden age of Hollywood.

Although the park exposes local visitors to traditions and exhibits from the Western world, local culture is honored as well. At the opening ceremonies children sang in English, Cantonese and Putonghua. The Hong Kong Children's Choir was followed by other local traditional performances such as Chinese acrobats and dancers performing a Lion Dance. The ceremonies were attended by members of the local government as well as representatives from Disneyland theme parks in other countries. The culture of the Hong Kong region is also reflected in the cuisine served throughout the park. Yes, guests can find food that is more often served in the West, but also local dishes that they'll enjoy as well.

For more information on Disney hotels and parks visit http://www.Disney-Hotels.org - a complete guide to accomodations, dining, recreation and much more at Disney World and Disneyland.