If you are already visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth in February, you’d be forgiven if you aren’t interested in splurging extra cash on Valentine’s Day festivities. It’s expensive enough between the resort, the parks, and the food, right?
Even though I am not a huge V-Day fan when it comes to the commercialism of it all, these days, I can’t help but take any excuse to spread the love and enjoy any special day. While jewelry companies might be banking on our guilt about going bigger and bolder, real romance doesn’t need to cost a fortune. It comes from a different place of connection and affection, not a price tag where the more zeros, the better. So, what if I told you that you could make this coming Monday a special occasion with a little bit of creativity instead of an extreme credit card bill?
With the celebratory day of love just around the corner, I’ve got five solid yet impressive ideas for you to woo the one you love. Better yet, they require little to no preparation and allow you to bank memories, not extra debt.
Settle in for a Movie Under the Stars
When we visit the parks, we tend to be on the move nonstop until the second we settle for sleep, making it easy to forget about some of the extracurricular activities that our Disney resorts have to offer. Why not leave the fancy dinners, along with the hustle and bustle of the parks for another night, settling in for a movie under the stars at your resort instead?
Snuggle in with some pool towel blankets and a hot beverage while you enjoy the night sky above. Movies run on a different schedule at each location so check with the front desk before you camp out your spot. Don’t hold me to this, but early schedule reports for the 14th are suggesting you might be able to see such movies as Tangled at Fort Wilderness Campground, Beauty and the Beast at Disney’s Boardwalk, Lady and the Tramp at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, or Enchanted at Port Orleans Riverside, just to name a few.
Take a Balloon Flight in Disney Springs
Let your love take flight, literally, in Aerophile – The World Leader in Balloon Flight. Located in the middle of the Disney Springs West Side district, overlooking up to 10 miles of surrounding panoramic views, the balloon’s basket holds up to 29 people alongside one Aérophile-certified pilot on an eight-minute journey. The balloon is tethered, so you won’t need to worry about any mishaps, and the cost is low compared to the impact your flight will have.
Tickets cost $25 for adults (ages 10 and older) and $20 for children (ages 3 to 9), issued on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning that if you didn’t book a special treat eleven months in advance, like everything else on your vacation, you are still good to go! If you are considering that perfect moment at sunset to fly, I’d recommend being there early so you can get in line. You could always mill around the area if you are too early.
Recreate your Lady and The Tramp Spaghetti Scene
The gesture doesn’t have to be grand; it might just be a fun, silly little moment that the two of you remember for a lifetime. Order yourself some pasta, get that camera ready and try your luck at recreating that Lady and the Tramp spaghetti scene. You know, the one where the dogs chew daintily on the same pasta strand, not realizing until their cute, little noses are drawn together with surprise and delight. Oh, come on, you know that’s cute. If nothing less, it will be funny as anything to attempt giving you a fantastic blooper reel for your end result.
If you want to spend the extra money, set the scene with a waterfront location like Terralina Crafted Italian. And I checked for you; there are still reservations available for both lunch and dinner on the 14th.
Take a Sunset Safari
Anywhere else, this idea would take months, maybe even years, to plan, but in Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, you won’t need more than a plan a few hours in advance. What could be more romantic than rolling through the wild lands of Kilamanjaro Safari, watching the animals roam around their large area while the sun sets on a perfect day in the park? Plus, the animals are always more active first thing in the morning or right before sundown. Cue your safari, party of… okay, more than two, but you get the idea.
On the 14th, sunset in Orlando is set for 6:15 pm, so be sure to keep an eye on the queue throughout the afternoon to make sure you time it correctly. If you get there a bit too early, stick around the area and walk through one of the animal trails as you watch the sky change colors.
Get a Couples Caricature
Within each of the parks and throughout Disney Springs, you will be able to find talented caricature artists who can create a souvenir for you on the spot that you will never forget. Sit together and allow one of these incredible independent artists to capture your romance at the moment. Each artist has a different style, so be sure to check out a few of them before you settle on the right one. Even in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day, just take notice of which ones have work that is more in line with the style you like.
Now, these aren’t cheap as such, setting you back between $70 and $100 on average, but the cost pales in comparison to the extravagance of other gifts, and this will always serve as a moment shared, likely something you would have never otherwise done.
Don’t forget all of the amazing-looking treats that Jackie showed us last week. All of them look delicious, so I have a feeling you can’t go wrong. Except for the cupcakes; you all know how I feel about those. 
Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day, spread the love.