By Connor – Happily Ever After Hours
After months of planning, countdowns, and excitement, Sara and I finally set off on our honeymoon adventure—and let me tell you, it was everything we dreamed of and more. From a chef’s tasting menu in North Carolina to golf, fireworks, and building lightsabers, our trip was a whirlwind of unforgettable experiences, sprinkled with pixie dust and a whole lot of magic.
Here’s our full recap—from Wilderness Lodge to Epic Universe.
Our First Stop: Chapel Hill Charm
Our road trip to Disney began with a stop in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where we stayed at the gorgeous Siena Hotel. This boutique hotel had that perfect blend of European elegance and Southern hospitality. After checking in, we had a reservation at Il Palio, the hotel’s award-winning Italian restaurant—and it did not disappoint.
We splurged on the Chef’s Tasting Menu, which turned out to be one of the best meals of the trip. Each course was beautifully plated, thoughtfully paired, and built like a story. It set the tone for what would be a honeymoon full of great meals and even better memories.
Wilderness Lodge and the Power of the Pin
After our quick overnight stay, we made it to Walt Disney World and checked in to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, which immediately wowed us with its cozy, rustic atmosphere and breathtaking lobby. The “Happily Ever After” celebration pins were the first bit of magic to hit. And let me just say—use the pins if you’re celebrating anything. The Power of the Pin is real. Cast Members went above and beyond throughout our stay, and while it didn’t guarantee anything specific, it absolutely opened doors for us—free desserts, upgraded rooms, and more moments of magic than we could count.
We kicked off the trip with a meal at Geyser Point Bar & Grill, a hidden gem tucked beside Bay Lake. It was the perfect casual start—great drinks, stunning water views, and bites that hit the spot. The Bison Cheeseburger? Highly recommended.
A Rainy Day on the Magnolia Golf Course
Day two brought one of the highlights of our entire trip: 18 holes at Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course. Right from the start, we felt the magic—when the course pro greeted us, he gifted us branded golf balls, coasters, and a couple of complimentary drinks to start the round off right.
The course itself? Absolutely stunning—and incredibly challenging. We battled through some tricky hazards and unexpected rain but stuck it out. As luck would have it, the Florida skies opened up right as we were putting on the 18th green, capping off our round in dramatic, stormy style.
Cakes, Crystals, and Couples Massages
The next day took a creative turn with a Cake Decorating Experience at Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs. Sara got to experiment with a mirror glaze for the first time while sipping mimosas, and our instructor Chloe made the entire class feel relaxed, educational, and genuinely fun. It gave us a new appreciation for the intricate desserts we usually just snap photos of.
From there, we headed to the Grand Floridian Spa for a couples massage—and I’ll say this without hesitation: this was one of the most relaxing things I’ve ever done. From the crystal selection ritual at the start, to the spa’s heated tile loungers, sauna, and soaking tubs, everything was curated to perfection. When our names were called and we stepped into the dimly lit lounge for our massage, the world just melted away.
A Two-Park Day (and Dinner in a Castle)
Our Animal Kingdom morning started with a downpour, but we didn’t let that slow us down. We ducked into the Festival of the Lion King show, which is still one of the best performances on property and then headed straight for the Kilimanjaro Safari once the rain cleared. Seeing the animals so active after the storm was a real treat.
From there, we park-hopped to Magic Kingdom, where I made a beeline for Casey’s Corner (my favorite snack spot in all of Disney) for a classic hot dog and a quick breather. That night, we dined inside Cinderella’s Castle at Cinderella’s Royal Table. It may be known as a character meal for families, but let me tell you—it’s also a dreamy, romantic dinner spot. The food was fantastic, the setting unforgettable, and we had front-row views of the castle windows overlooking Fantasyland.
We closed the night sipping cocktails at Wilderness Lodge, watching the fireworks from afar with full hearts and happy feet.
A Magical Upgrade at Saratoga Springs
Next up: Saratoga Springs Resort. We had only booked a regular studio room, but again—Power of the Pin. When we checked in, the Cast Member smiled and upgraded us to a 1-bedroom villa with a full kitchen and in-room laundry. That upgrade came at the perfect time—we were running low on clean clothes and ready for a little more space.
Having the ability to do laundry, cook breakfast, and spread out made the last half of our trip even more relaxing.
Savi’s Workshop and a Steak to Remember
At Hollywood Studios, we kicked off the day by building custom lightsabers at Savi’s Workshop. It’s hard to put into words how special this was—yes, it’s a splurge, but the presentation, story, and craftsmanship made it absolutely unforgettable. We left feeling like true Jedi (or maybe just kids again).
That night, we dressed up for a big dinner at STK Orlando, and I’m not exaggerating when I say this was the best steak I’ve ever had. I went with the 14oz NY Strip, perfectly seared, seasoned, and buttery with every bite. Sara ordered the 8oz Filet, and the tenderness was next-level. Every bite was indulgent, but well worth the splurge. We split sides of truffle fries and mac & cheese, and the espresso martinis didn’t hurt either.
If you’re planning a romantic evening, this is the spot.
Our Grand Finale: Epic Universe
For the grand finale of our honeymoon, we made a spontaneous decision to head over to Universal’s brand-new Epic Universe—and wow, are we glad we did. This park is next-level immersive.
We spent most of our time exploring the How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, where the mac and cheese cone was a hit and the rides captured the spirit of the films in stunning detail. Over in Super Nintendo World, we jumped, raced, and explored with Mario and friends, and even got to ride the Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Coaster—a new highlight of any Orlando trip.
Each world felt complete, immersive, and thoughtful—from Celestial Park’s kinetic sculpture gardens to the Ministry of Magic ride that blends screen effects and set design in a whole new way. You’ll need two days minimum to really take it all in, but even one was enough to blow us away.
Final Thoughts
This trip was everything a Disney honeymoon should be—romantic, magical, spontaneous, and filled with moments we’ll never forget. We were treated so kindly by cast members, upgraded at every turn thanks to a simple pin, and filled our days with just the right balance of thrills, rest, and indulgence.
Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, an anniversary, or a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, we can’t recommend this kind of trip enough. And if you need help pulling together your own version of the magic? We’ve got just the people to help—Chelsea and Jen are ready to plan your dream trip from start to finish.
Stay tuned for our upcoming guides on honeymoon planning, deluxe dining reviews, and why cake decorating might just be your next favorite Disney activity.
Happily Ever After Hours 
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