Want to celebrate Valentine’s Day at Walt Disney World? This guide to the holiday covers the most romantic restaurants, things to do, and more around the parks and resorts, with tips & info for the perfect date night. Or, if you’re simply in the mood for festive food, we have a list of all the drinks & desserts available in 2025.
As retired Disney Adults who went as far as to honeymoon at Walt Disney World, we know a thing to two about romantic restaurants and experiences at Walt Disney World. It’s primarily how we approached the parks for 15 years! As a couple, we’d take a trip to Walt Disney World over Las Vegas, New Orleans, Sedona, Savannah, Sonoma, or any other supposedly romantic cities…except Paris.
Suffice to say, Walt Disney World isn’t just for kids or families. That should be increasingly obvious given the shifting demographics, with childless adults making up an ever-increasing share of guests. Walt Disney World has responded accordingly, building bars, restaurants, attractions, and entire resorts that cater more towards couples. In other words, there are endless opportunities for adults at Walt Disney World, and the perception that it’s a destination for
Whether you’re wanting the best ways for adults to do Disney or are looking for Disneymoon options, we have you covered with our Guide to Honeymooning at Walt Disney World and our Tips for Adults Doing WDW. Another good option if you don’t want a full meal is our list of the Best Bars & Lounges at Walt Disney World.
Since Valentine’s Day is a holiday that revolves around restaurants, we’re going to focus here on eating. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least offer a few quick hits for everything else…
Romantic Resorts at Walt Disney World
- Port Orleans Riverside
- Port Orleans French Quarter
- Gran Destino Tower
- Riviera Resort
- Grand Floridian
- Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Yacht Club
Romantic Things to Do at Walt Disney World
- Horse-drawn carriage ride at Fort Wilderness Campground or Port Orleans.
- Couples spa treatment at one of the Deluxe Resorts
- Drink Around the World at EPCOT
- Stroll around Crescent Lake, Port Orleans Resorts, Seven Seas Lagoon or Disney Springs
- Boat rides around the same areas (plus Bay Lake)
- Skyliner
- Fireworks Dessert Parties
- Photoshoot by Tangled Toilets
Romantic Rides at Walt Disney World
- Carousel of Progress
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
- Carousel
- Dumbo and other spinners
- “it’s a small world”
- Space Mountain
- Haunted Mansion
- Impressions de France
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Living with the Land
- Country Bear Musical Jamboree
Now let’s turn our attention to the most romantic restaurants at Walt Disney World, several of which are inside the parks or offer last-minute ADR availability for Valentine’s Day 2025…
Cake Bake Shop – This is bound to be a controversial pick, but hear me out. No restaurant at Walt Disney World went as all-out for Christmas as the Cake Bake Shop. We were so blown away by the interior that, even though we were underwhelmed by the cakes and overwhelmed by the size of our bill…we’re still eager to return for a date night this coming holiday season before enjoying Candlelight Processional at EPCOT.
As soon as the Christmas decorations went down, Gwendolyn’s Enchanted Rose Garden went up. Here’s how Cake Bake Shop describes the new decorations package: “Enter a realm of pure wonder where every meal becomes a storybook moment. Surrounded by cascading roses, twinkling lights, and a sprinkle of Pixie Glitter magic, you’ll discover our Pixie Dolls in an enchanting scene, gracefully overlooking the restaurant. Chantilly sways delicately on her swing, Rosette rides majestically atop Buttercream the unicorn, and Brûlée stands proudly beside Prince Earl. Every detail has been lovingly crafted to spark joy and transport you to a world of enchantment.”
Sounds pretty romantic to us! For more about how to make the most of a meal at Cake Bake Shop, check out our new review: The Best Thing About Walt Disney World’s Controversial New Cake Bake Restaurant Is Not Cakes.
Toledo Steakhouse – This excellent table service restaurant is at Gran Destino Tower, the new high-rise hotel adjacent to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Toledo has delightfully moody lighting, and is a rooftop restaurant with views of the fireworks at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
While the atmosphere is perfect for a romantic meal, it’s the menu that really pushes Toledo over the top. In addition to some truly glorious cuts of beef, Toledo also serves tapas. (It’s in the full name: “Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood.”) While it’s difficult to pass up those steaks, the smaller plates are great for sharing–and make for some easy conversation.
Toledo is also one of the few top-tier restaurants at Walt Disney World that is excellent, adult, and fairly priced by real world standards. There’s a reason it was one of the restaurants recognized by the Michelin Guide, and the only one that won’t break the bank. (That’s not to say Toledo is inexpensive–it isn’t. It just offers commensurate value for money without a significant Disney pricing premium.)
Topolino’s Terrace – Located at Disney’s Riviera Resort, this is another rooftop restaurant with views similar to Toledo. The biggest difference is that Topolino’s Terrace is a convenient Skyliner flight from Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Pop Century, or Art of Animation.
After dinner, we’d recommend taking the Skyliner to Epcot, where you wander around Crescent Lake, enjoying the evening entertainment on the BoardWalk. Better yet, if you have park admission, enter Epcot via International Gateway for a lap around World Showcase.
California Grill — The rooftop restaurant at Contemporary Resort is going to be the pick of many fans as the best place for a romantic meal at Walt Disney World. The ambiance is top-notch–sophisticated decor with a view of Magic Kingdom and great views of the fireworks.
California Grill is a strong contender, but also overrated. This is especially true now that Toledo and Topolino’s Terrace have opened. Both of those restaurants offer similar views (albeit of different parks) and better cuisine at comparable price-points. California Grill is also the least adult of the trio.
However, we wanted to include it as there’s otherwise a shortage of approachable options near Magic Kingdom. We don’t view anything in-park as romantic, so you’re left with the monorail loop resorts as the top picks.
Todd English’s Bluezoo or Anywhere at Swolphin – We really enjoy this restaurant over at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel (a short walk from Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios), and find it to offer exceptional value for money, great food, and a relaxed ambiance.
Really, though, just about any option at the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve fits the bill on this front. Two other sleeper picks are Rosa Mexicano or Amare. Last-minute ADRs are typically fairly easy to score for any of these restaurants–even for Valentine’s Day.
STK Orlando – In terms of atmosphere, this is the most chic and trendy restaurant at Walt Disney World. In the evenings, it has a quasi-party atmosphere, with a more “adult” playlist than you’ll find anywhere else. To get you in the mood for the special holiday, expect to hear tunes like Lonely Island’s gift-giving song. Suffice to say, STK really embodies the two s’s of Valentine’s Day: steak and…snuggling.
It’s not for everyone, but STK is worth considering if you love steak and want a less-Disney and more real-world experience. Alternatives in Disney Springs include Paddlefish, the Boathouse, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, Morimoto Asia, or Jaleo.
Citricos or Victoria & Albert’s – These two restaurants are obviously very different, but the commonality is that both are located at the Grand Floridian, Walt Disney World’s flagship hotel. Both will offer sophisticated settings and high-end menus, and Citricos is one of the top Signature Restaurants at Walt Disney World following its reimagining a few years back.
Victoria & Albert’s is next level. Unquestionably the absolute best restaurant at Walt Disney World, it’s the only Michelin-starred or AAA 5-Diamond restaurant in Walt Disney World. It’s also the least family-friendly, as children under 10 aren’t welcome in the main dining room. However, it’s also incredibly expensive, a bit of a production, stuffy or attentive (depending upon your perspective), and perhaps not ideal for a Valentine’s Day dinner.
These are the two best options outside of the parks at Walt Disney World. After dinner, we recommend a long walk on the beach over to Disney’s Polynesian Resort, where you can enjoy the Magic Kingdom fireworks…or simply the serene and romantic atmosphere of these resorts in the evening.
Sanaa or Jiko – Both of these restaurants are at Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village and Jambo House, respectively) and offer varying degrees of refinement and sophistication, plus adventurous menus. Ambiance-wise, Jiko is the better pick. Menu-wise, it’s more of a toss-up. Jiko is the more expensive and ambitious, Signature Restaurant. (We’ve had some mixed luck with Jiko recently.)
The other reason both make the cut is for the experience they offer. Before dinner, enjoy sunset overlooking the savanna. Afterwards, head back out and grab the night vision goggles and see if you can spot any wildlife. Finish things off with a drink at Victoria Falls Lounge, one of Walt Disney World’s most underrated bars.
If you’d prefer to stay in the park, Tiffins at Animal Kingdom is another option. That’s more about the spirit of adventure and travel than it is romantic, but the menu makes it more adult and the atmosphere is generally good. Do a late ADR for optimal romance.
Monsieur Paul or Takumi Tei – Located in the France and Japan pavilions of World Showcase EPCOT, Monsieur Paul and Takumi Tei are our top in-park picks as Walt Disney World’s best restaurants for Valentine’s Day. These are dramatically different from most in-park dining, with a classy-but-restrained dining rooms and more adult ambiance.
These are also two of the least family-friendly in-park restaurants at Walt Disney World, so expect to see few (if any) kids. This is because both are really expensive, having eliminated their a la carte menus and now offering only pricey prix fixe menus. While we cannot vouch for the current courses, our past experiences at Monsieur Paul and Takumi-Tei have been superlative.
With that said, we have a tough time with the costs. To each their own, but we’d opt for Citricos, Tiffins, or one of the other Signature Restaurants before paying the premium for this duo. Or, if money were no issue, we’d upgrade to Victoria & Albert’s.
However, there is something to be said for the in-EPCOT options. Given the short walk from Crescent Lake, it could easily be a “dressed-up, date night” type experience if you’d like that. But that’s true of any World Showcase restaurant–you could also do a later seating so you can enjoy strolling through an empty World Showcase after your meal. That’s the perfect romantic nightcap.
Finally, if you don’t need a full meal for Valentine’s Day, here are the limited-time desserts & drinks that Walt Disney World is serving up during February 2025…
Disney Springs
Amorette’s Patisserie (Available Feb. 1 through 14; mobile order available)
- Carl and Ellie Petit Cake: Vanilla chiffon soaked with Chambord simple syrup, white chocolate mousse, raspberry jam, and white chocolate crispy pearls (New)
- Mini Valentine’s Croquembouche: Chocolate Pâte à Choux, chocolate-hazelnut custard, and chocolate ganache (New)
- Painting the Roses Red Amorette’s Rose: Chocolate biscuit with dark chocolate mousse and raspberry sauce filling (New)
The Ganachery
- Red Velvet Ganache Pop: Ruby ganache layered with cream cheese ganache covered in 65% dark chocolate (New) (Available Feb. 1 through 28)
- Chocolate-covered Cherry Ganache Square: Amarena cherries, vanilla bean, and white chocolate covered in 65% dark chocolate (New) (Available Feb. 1 through 28)
- Mickey Chocolates: Milk chocolate with caramel crispy pearls and dark chocolate with strawberry crisps (New) (Available starting Feb. 1 while supplies last)
- Sweetheart Minnie Chocolate Piñata: Dark chocolate shell filled with marshmallow treats and white chocolate crispy pearls (Available Feb. 1 through 16)
Summer House on the Lake (Available Feb. 13 through 19)
- Pizza alla Vodka
- Filet & Crab Cake Duo
- Heart-shaped Desserts from The Cookie Bar
Vivoli il Gelato (Currently available through Feb. 25)
- Love Potion: Float with vanilla gelato, Fanta Strawberry, and whipped cream (Non-alcoholic)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
The Mara (Available Feb. 1 through 14; mobile order available)
- Valentine Mousse Cake: Amarula mousse and chocolate sponge inspired by the iconic Zebra Domes
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Pineapple Lanai (Available Feb. 1 through 14)
- Heart Float: Banfi Rosa Regale Sparkling Red with DOLE Whip Raspberry topped with raspberries and strawberries
Disney’s Riviera Resort
La Petit Café (Available Feb. 1 through 14)
- Trois Macarons: Raspberry ganache, strawberry jam, and milk chocolate ganache
Various Quick-Service Restaurants (Available Feb. 1 through 14; mobile order available)
Raspberry Macaron Heart: Macaron filled with raspberry cream and passion fruit curd; available at the following:
- Carousel Coffee and BoardWalk Deli at Disney’s BoardWalk
- Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Woody’s Lunch Box (Available Feb. 1 through 28; mobile order available)
- Chocolate-covered Strawberry Lunch Box Tart: Chocolate pastry, strawberry jam, chocolate fondant, strawberry crisps, pink curls, and heart sprinkles (New)
Magic Kingdom
Sunshine Tree Terrace (Available Feb. 1 through 14; mobile order available)
- I Lava You Float: Fanta Strawberry and passion fruit flavor served with DOLE Whip Orange and topped with popping candy (Non-alcoholic)
Ultimately, you can make do a lot to make for a romantic Valentine’s Day at Walt Disney World even if you dine at none of these restaurants. As noted above, any meal in World Showcase can become romantic with a late seating and a slow stroll out of EPCOT–even eating at the Italy booth. (Okay, maybe not that one.)
You can also make your own itinerary so you’re backloading slow-moving boat or dark rides like Living with the Land, Spaceship Earth, Navi River Journey, Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Spend more time simply soaking up the atmosphere and less on racing from ride to ride. Even something like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin can be romantic if you make it so!
Generally speaking, Walt Disney World is a pretty romantic place–especially at night. Don’t fret too much about planning the “perfect” Valentine’s Day evening, as doing a date night together and simply giving things the old college try will be just fine.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
What’s your perfect Valentine’s Day at Walt Disney World? Any preferred date night restaurant you’d recommend? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendations? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
