Most Romantic Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

When you think of a romantic getaway, the first place that comes to mind might not be Walt Disney World. After all, WDW is for kids, right? Think again!  

Increasingly, couples of all ages are visiting the home of the world’s famous mouse without kids and discovering just how exhilarating an adult adventure here can be. Today, we’ll explore some of the most romantic Resort Hotels on Walt Disney World property for Guests who want to plan the perfect couple’s escape to Walt Disney World.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

It won’t come as a surprise to Walt Disney World Guests that Disney’s flagship Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, is the first entry on a list of romantic Resort Hotels in WDW. After all, this Deluxe Resort Hotel positively oozes romance and charm from every meticulous pore.  

Victorian-era opulence abounds here. We’re talking gigantic bird cages that would give even Big Bird room to stretch out, dangling crystal chandeliers, and a grand piano complete with pianist (because romance means being serenaded in your Hotel lobby)!  

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa boasts an impressive dining line-up, so even with the uber-romantic Victoria & Albert’s still unavailable, Guests have no shortage of elegant spots to enjoy a meal.  And if that’s not enough, the Grand Floridian Spa onsite finally reopens January 26, so go ahead and pamper yourself with a massage for two!

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort: Riverside

The dreamy ambiance at this Moderate Resort Hotel earned it a spot on this list.  Disney’s Port Orleans Resort: Riverside is the perfect spot for a romantic stroll past plantation-style mansions and adorable tin-roofed cottages, amid beautifully verdant landscaping.   

What’s not to love about a Resort that hugs a meandering river? Opt for an evening walk along the Sassagoula River, board a water taxi for a relaxing cruise down to Disney Springs, or enjoy a waterside horse-drawn carriage ride – the romance is baked right in!  

For an extra dose of bliss, check out the quiet pools at Magnolia Bend, flanked by classic columns.  Sure, the feature pool Ol’ Man Island is a rustic swimming hole that’s a ton of fun for the whole family – but when we stayed at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort: Riverside, you couldn’t tear me away from these heavenly quiet pools.  Tranquility?  I think so. 

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort 

It may be overshadowed by the behemoth that has become Disney Springs, but Disney’s BoardWalk is also a great place to discover nightlife, dining, shops, and sometimes even street performers.  And a wonderful home base here for an adult getaway is Walt Disney World Swan Hotel or its sister Resort, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel.  

Contemporary luxury-theming reigns here – you won’t find “Disney” characters or theming anywhere, which might be perfect for you if you’re on a romantic couples vacation.  Take a swan paddle boat out for a romantic spin with a loved one, or arrive in Disney’s EPCOT Theme Park or Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park in style on a Friendship Boat.  

Full-service Mandara Spa, now open, waits to pamper lucky Guests on site.  Even before your treatment begins, the Meditation Garden and Tea Garden set the perfect relaxing tone for a romantic couple’s experience.  And feel free to sleep in when you stay at the Swan and Dolphin!  We’re told the beds here are the most comfortable in Walt Disney World.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort

If a rustic escape to the great outdoors is more your romantic style, Disney has you covered.  Stay at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge to get away from it all, but with fair warning, you might not want to go home!

The lobby here is one of the most stunning of all WDW Resort Hotels (especially during the holidays). Think cavernous log cabin in the Pacific Northwest, where despite the soaring ceilings, you’ll still get a sense of warmth, and there’s always a cozy spot by the enormous fireplace to curl up with a loved one.

A particularly cool feature at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort?  The bubbling springs that begin in the lobby, and wind their way outside, over boulders, finally emerging as a waterfall into Copper Creek Springs Pool.  You can also watch the Resort’s geyser, themed after its famous counterpart in Yellowstone National Park, erupt once an hour.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

What could be more romantic than a cruise along the European Riviera?  If a transcontinental jaunt isn’t in the cards right now, try a stay at a Disney Resort inspired by Europe and the Mediterranean.

Disney’s Riviera Resort is Walt Disney World’s newest Resort, and it’s a stunner, full of both Disney whimsy and old-world charm inside and out.  The pools are ideal for sunbathing, with plenty of lounge chairs.  And the Resort scores serious transportation points with its Skyliner station – fancy a ride on a gondola with your significant other, featuring panoramic WDW views?

Then again, you don’t even have to leave Disney’s Riviera Resort to enjoy a fabulous view.  Dine at the rooftop restaurant Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera to enjoy not only delicious Italian and French dishes but also enviable views across the WDW property.  While this is a Disney Vacation Club Resort, you don’t have to be a DVC member to stay here.  

Bottom Line

You may have noticed that the majority of the entries on this list fall under the Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort Hotel category.  That’s not to say that a Guest can’t plan a romantic escape at a Value or Moderate Resort Hotel!  

However, the amenities that are common at Disney Deluxe Resorts (adult theming, fabulous pool complexes, more dining and transportation options, spas, extra Resort activities) make it a breeze to create a romantic atmosphere. Happy planning, and let the romance commence!