Galentine’s Day: Disney Edition

Happy Galentine’s Day to all who celebrate! And to all who don’t, go make yourself some waffles, watch all of the seasons of Parks and Recreation, then get back to me. Galentine’s Day is the day before Valentine’s Day, when you celebrate your friendships with all of the amazing women in your life. And you know the very best way to celebrate together? A trip to Walt Disney World.

In all seriousness, the past few years have certainly seen an increase in “girls trips” to Orlando to enjoy all that the Disney parks and resorts have to offer. And here at TouringPlans we’ve been getting more questions about the best resorts and restaurants for groups of women traveling together. Rather than answer with my personal opinion, I decided to consult my best friend … the data. Let’s look at the resorts and restaurants that are bigger draws for groups of gal pals, and where that party type has higher satisfaction than the general population.

Explain the Math

After a Walt Disney World vacation, Touring Plans users are able to fill out our post-vacation survey that gives us lots of data about their experience at the World. We ask all sorts of questions about their trip and about their demographics. In order to get data for girls trips, I applied the following filters to the surveys:

• 3+ adult women in the party
• No men in the party
• No kids in the party

Any other parties get thrown into the “other” bucket – the baseline for comparison.

Once I’ve got the two groups, I can figure out how frequently different parties visit or rate the different resorts or restaurants.  And I can also compare satisfaction scores across groups. The resorts and restaurants in this post are not just ones that parties of all women are more likely to choose, but they’re also the ones parties of women are more likely to enjoy.

Resorts for Girls Trips

1. Polynesian Villas

2.5x more likely to be chosen for girls trips
7% higher satisfaction for parties of all women

With its tropical vibes and landscaping, the Polynesian Villas are a dream destination. Picture you and your friends lounging by one of the quiet pools with a cocktail in hand. The Polynesian is a great blend of luxury and leisure – and it allows you to feel like you’ve traveled a lot further away than Orlando, making it an ideal retreat for bonding with your besties.

Logistically, the studios at the Polynesian are a great option for groups of friends. The rooms are spacious, and there are three separate sleeping surfaces with the pull-down bed. And with the split bathroom design, three people can get dressed at a time in their own separate spaces.

2. Port Orleans – French Quarter

2x more likely to be chosen for girls trips
2% higher satisfaction for parties of all women

This quaint resort breathes Southern hospitality and charm. Jazz music floats through the air while gas lamps guide you to your building after a day in the parks. Whether you’re indulging in beignets or taking a stroll along the Sassagoula river, French Quarter offers a great place to relax and connect with your friends.

The rooms at Port Orleans – French Quarter certainly aren’t large. In fact, they’re just 70% of the size of the Polynesian studios. Most reviews we have from women who have taken girls trips and stayed at French Quarter specifically mention that they got connecting rooms to have more space. Still, if you’re paying cash, two rooms at French Quarter could cost less than a studio at the Polynesian. French Quarter already has really high satisfaction overall, but ratings from girls trips are even higher than ratings from everyone else.

3. Grand Floridian

1.5x more likely to be chosen for girls trips
10% higher satisfaction for parties of all women

If you’re looking for elegance and sophistication for your girls trip, you can’t do any better than the Grand Floridian. From its classic Victorian architecture to the lavish amenities and top-notch service, the resort exudes luxury wherever you go. You have access to plenty of fancy dining on-site, a spa day at Sense Spa, and even Enchanted Rose – a gorgeous lounge. This is the fancy, treat-yo-self girls trip you’re looking for.

If you’re looking for the most space to spread out in, Grand Floridian is the easy choice. Its standard rooms are 448 square feet – the largest you’ll find on property. That’s almost 10% bigger than the studios at the Polynesian. And they have three separate sleeping surfaces thanks to the daybed.

4. Cabins at Fort Wilderness

1.5x more likely to be chosen for girls trips
10% higher satisfaction for parties of all women

For the quietest retreat, you should consider the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. Your party gets its whole own building. You can spend your days exploring the large resort, roasting marshmallows around the campfire, going for group carriage rides, or even boating or biking. Within its laid-back atmosphere and endless outdoor activities, it’s a great choice for girlfriends wanting to explore the outdoors together.

The Cabins fit four separate sleeping surfaces into one set of rooms, which potentially allows more people to share the same room and split the rate for a more affordable trip! The drawback is that there is only one bathroom for all of the people sharing the space. Although it does have a separate sink outside the main bath area as well as inside, you’ll have to leave plenty of time for getting ready in the morning.

Restaurants for Girls Trips

1. Todd English’s bluezoo

5x more likely to be chosen for girls trips
25% higher satisfaction for parties of all women

Thanks to its sleek style, reliably great seafood dishes, and handcrafted cocktails, this is an upscale restaurant that might be the perfect spot on your next girls trip. Thanks to its location in the Dolphin, reservations are typically pretty easy to get. The open kitchen features a unique rotisserie that makes the fish being grilled on it seem to dance on the coals. Order the nightly fish selection, or you could fashion a great meal just from appetizers and desserts!

Note: bluezoo is a winner with women, but it doesn’t accept the Disney Dining Plan. If you’ve added the DDP to your upcoming trip, you may want to save this one for another time.

2. Il Mulino

3x more likely to be chosen for girls trips
20% higher satisfaction for parties of all women

If you’re looking to be transported to downtown Manhattan for a night out with your friends, Il Mulino at the Swan is an excellent choice. This location is a spin-off of the acclaimed Manhattan location. Food is shared family-style for sharing, so you and your friends can try multiple dishes. Pair your meal with a glass of wine from their extensive selection, and you have a great girls night. The dishes are somewhat overpriced for what they are, but order a risotto, the spaghetti carbonara, and the veal saltimbocca to share. Like bluezoo, Il Mulino does not accept the Disney Dining Plan.

3. Le Cellier Steakhouse

2x more likely to be chosen for girls trips
10% higher satisfaction for parties of all women

If your all-girls getaway includes an EPCOT day (and it absolutely should), indulge in a feast in this steakhouse in the Canada pavilion. It’s known for its cozy ambiance and great steaks, this popular spot is a great option for the carnivores in your crew. Spring for the filet mignon, or opt for the cheddar cheese soup.

If you’re dining with a group of women, order a steak or two and a few sides – the mac and cheese, loaded mashed potatoes, and the poutine. Pair it with some wine from the many options, and enjoy the friendly Canadian service.

4. Citricos

2x more likely to be chosen for girls trips
10% higher satisfaction for parties of all women

Citricos recently got a glow-up that makes it a lovely place for girlfriends to gather, eat, and gab. The decor is loosely inspired by Mary Poppins Returns, but that really means that there are cozy chairs perfect for a couple of hours of catching up over delicious food and drinks. It’s upscale without feeling stuffy. The chicken roulade is a Touring Plans favorite, and it works well with the (seasonal) strawberry salad.

What Does This Mean For You?

1. If you’re planning a girls trip, consider the amount of space in your room, the number of separate sleeping surfaces, and how many people can get ready at a time. The Polynesian and Grand Floridian are both especially good for space considerations – but you pay handsomely for all of that convenience.
2. Restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin make good girls trip picks. They have large menus with plenty of options for everyone, they’re easier to get into with or without reservations, and they’re not as rushed as in-park dining locations. But if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, they might not suit you as well.
3. No matter what you choose to do, Disney World is an excellent choice for a girls trip – Galentine’s Day or not. Gather up some girlfriends, pack your bags, and run away to Orlando for a few days!