| The Spa at the Disney Institute | |
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Most
visitors to Orlando typically cruise the ubiquitous theme parks, rub virtual
elbows with throngs of clamoring tourists and peruse cheesy souvenirs. But
after a day or three of trekking through Disney World, a visit to a spa can be
as thrilling a venture as a ride on Space Mountain.
Disney World
is currently hosting a year-long celebration of its founder’s 100th
birthday, and travelers there, as well as to other attractions, will
find a surfeit of discounts, ranging from hotels to spa services. One spa on
site I had the pleasure of visiting recently helped counter the effects of
fanny-pack strain, throbbing bunion pain and general tourist over-load.
Disneyphiles
may be more familiar with the Grand Floridian and its spa facilities, but
there’s another spa you may find just as appealing. Especially if you’re
not a frequent spa-goer. The Spa at the Disney Institute, located conveniently
on the grounds of Walt Disney World, is located in a modest fitness center.
Many first-time spa visitors are attracted to this very basic facility,
according to Manager David Bremer. “We aren’t very exotic and a lot of our
guests are first-timers,” he said. “We also try and word all our services
and description in the brochures very simply. That way it’s easy to
understand and visualize.” Translation: don’t look for frou-frou
treatments and cutting-edge body work. But do look for (and receive) a
professional ambiance and personal care amenities.
Baby
boomers, honeymooners and international guests comprise most of the clients
who frequent the Institute, Bremer added. Along with the spa treatments,
guests can take advantage of state-of-the-art Cybex weight and cardio
equipment, an exercise pool, sauna, steam and whirlpool. The products used in
the spa include Phytomer, derived from ocean plants off the western coast of
France, Sothys and Judith Jackson, whose aromatherapy line is based on
essential oils from trees, plants and flowers.
My few hours
spent at the Disney Institute enabled me to sample a basic Swedish massage,
reflexology, a full-body treatment and a much-needed facial. If time had not
been an issue, I would have also gone for a toning marine wrap and a seaweed
treatment pedicure, but now I have a reason to return.
If you opt
for the Swedish massage, (25, 50 or 80 minutes), make sure you specify your
comfort level to the masseuse. All well-trained professional therapists will
encourage you to speak up if you are uncomfortable with their technique. With
that in mind, I asked for a lighter hand on the massage and it was immediately
corrected.
The
reflexology massage (25 minutes) was like being transported to heaven with
only one downside: it was over way too soon. If you’ve never had one of
these (and this was my first) you are in for a treat, as long as you’re not
ticklish. The pressure points of the feet are targeted, supposedly, to
correspond to different parts of the body, releasing energy and relieving
stress. If I was told it would also lighten my hair color, I would have
believed that, too. Bottom line is, it feels fantastic, and for 25 minutes all
stress was relieved. One of the best parts of this treatment, done by the
wonderful Kimberlee, was I didn’t have to leave the table for my next
treatment: Karisoftness, Nourishing Body Treatment (50 minutes). And Kimberlee
applied that as well!
Beginning
with a gentle exfoliation, she applied a fragrant melted shea butter to my
skin for hydration. Soft massage strokes helped the absorption and left me
feeling soft and glowing. Finally, an anti-stress vitamin C facial (50
minutes) refreshed my skin with essential oils and aromatherapy. The cooling
treatment was a perfect antidote to Florida’s harsh sun and humidity. And I
might have been mistaken, but I think I saw Snow White drop in for a
mini-hydrating toner mask—and her skin was positively glowing.
Naomi Serviss is an award-winning travel/entertainment writer based in New York whose work has been published in The New York Times, Daily News, Newsday, Boston Herald, American Way, Latitudes, Traditions magazines and assorted newsletters and web sites.
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