Hi all – sorry I disappeared last week. I headed down to Disney World for “One More Disney Day”, and of course since I’ve been home, work and my personal life have been go, go, go….

So – now that I am back, I need to get back into the blog…

Today, Chris and I were talking about what we things we love the most at Walt Disney World and we both came up with “spa treatments” and we love them on the Disney ships too!! Talk about a WONDERFUL, relaxing, romantic and pampering thing to do during your vacation.

I have been lucky enough to have spa treatments at both of Disney’s signature spas, the spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian resort and the spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs resort.  I think that one of the most wonderful things you can do together as a couple is have a couple’s massage at one of the spas. Before we started dating, Chris had never had a massage. NEVER (insert my shaking head here)… maybe its a guy thing. For my 38th birthday Chris had our travel agent help him book a couple’s massage at the Grand Floridian spa. I remember Chris’ response being something along the lines of this…..

Hubby after his first ever massage...

when we were done (what a goofy, happy guy). He was VERY happy and nice and relaxed.  We had a couples massage where each of us had a separate massage treatment in the same treatment room with two therapists.  I remember overhearing him tell his therapist that “your husband or boyfriend is a lucky man”. I guess that meant he liked it.

In addition to the Grand Floridian spa, Disney has another full service spa at the Saratoga Springs Resort. Both facilities offer specific couples treatments, for example the spa at Saratoga Springs resort offers a Couple’s relaxation massage.  Although there are two full service spas at Walt Disney World, massage and spa treatments are also available from the Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center at the Animal Kingdom Lodge; and many of the other Deluxe resorts offer massage treatments by appointment.

In addition to spa services at Walt Disney World, the Disney Cruise Line offers full service spas on all four of its ships.  In 2009, while cruising with my family, I introduced Chris to the Vista spa on the Disney Magic. We joke that since we don’t drink, and thus don’t have a bar bill when we are onboard the ships, we take those funds for our spa bill.

Private hot tub in the Spa Suite

We were fortunate to be able to have our treatment in one of the spa suites and chose to have the Couples Choice, which is a 130 minute including a private hot tub, a lime and ginger leg salt scrub, a treatment of your choice for each of you and lastly hot tea and fresh fruit while relaxing on the roman lounge. HEAVEN!!! HIGHLY recommended. I think that all four of the ships offer the spa suites in each of the spas. The really nice thing is that the spas are in rooms where the doors open to a veranda, so you can enjoy the port or ocean views while you soak your tension away.

Couples Massage treatment tables on the Disney Magic

We took advantage of the spa on the Magic again during our honeymoon in April 2010 with four different spa treatments. In addition to repeating the Couples Choice in the spa suite, we also had a massage, and spent time in the Exotic Rasul. Disney did not bring the Exotic Rasul to the Dream, and I don’t think they brought it to the Fantasy either, but this unique and very romantic option remains onboard the Magic and the Wonder.

While Chris and I have cruised on the Dream, I was unable to visit the spa for any treatments (although Chris was…. color me jealous!) which means we have to cruise on the ship again so that I can have a treatment (or two) while onboard!!

One thing to think about, before booking that spa treatment is if your significant other would be comfortable with a massage or spa treatment. I was not sure if Chris would be, and one piece of advice he gave me for this blog installment is to discuss the treatment with your significant other. Some people have issues with strangers touching them when they are nude or covered by a very small undergarment provided by the spa an covered only by a sheet. Or they may not be comfortable with strangers of the same sex touching them. If they have issues along these lines, be sure to request your (or their) therapist be of a specific sex (i.e. a man may not want a male therapist). You could also go to a day spa at home to see how they may react and feel to strangers touching them. Better to find out they don’t enjoy spa treatments/massages before you are on your vacation.

One quick note – if you are planning on a spa treatment while you are at Walt Disney World this year (2012), it appears that your main location will be the Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa.  According to the Walt Disney World website, the spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be closed for enhancements from September 19, 2011 to early 2013.

If you and your significant other decide that spa treatments and massages are for you while you are vacationing, I hope you enjoy them as much as we do and look forward to those pampering, romantic getaways.

Thanks for reading, and we will see you in the happiest (and most romantic) place on earth.

Terri & Chris!!