What special thing did you do that was worth every penny?

[flakypuff]

I am planning a trip in April 2007. I want to add a few surprises for my children 10,15,17. :wizard:
What extra things did you do..shows, special seating, boat rides anything that you think was well worth the cost. :scratchin Things I need to book now. Thanks for the ideas :cool1:

[mousiemom]

You must do the character breakfast or lunch. Eat in Mexico @ World showcase, by the lake and watch the Illuminations show. Make up Disney Bags for the trip and give it to them when you check into your hotel. You must do the photopass and buy really good pictures of the family in front of the castle or the ball. Well worth it. When we got back from our trip in Jan. we ordered some pics and they were delivered the next 2 days. Very satisfied!!! I love how you can add borders and such. Have fun!!

[DisneyBill]

Cirque, HDDR, Illumination Cruise.

[DVCLiz]

Mouseboats and the Segway tour. You have to be 16 to drive a Mouseboat or take the Segway tour, though. But when all of yours get to be 16, it will be fantastic!!!!

[MEG&MINNIE]

We purchased the Disney Dining Plan...we got a chance to eat at so many different resturants and had many character meals etc, that we would not have gotten if we didn't buy the Dining Plan !!!! Definitely worth the money!!!!.:thumbsup2

[daisyduck123]

We purchased the Disney Dining Plan...we got a chance to eat at so many different resturants and had many character meals etc, that we would not have gotten if we didn't buy the Dining Plan !!!! Definitely worth the money!!!!.:thumbsup2


The Dining Plan gets my vote also. We ate at places we would have never been able to eat at otherwise. It was so much fun planning uor ADRs & choosing where to go.

[Maybelle]

Dining plan, dinner at the castle on our first night of our first ever Disney trip, Fantasmic ( we did the Fantasmic dinner which worked great for us so we didn't have to get there so early)!

[flakypuff]

Oh how wonderful! what is a HDDR?
mouse boats sound fun! Oh boy Id better start planning and saving my pennies :banana: thanks so much! keep them rolling in :goodvibes

[Babs50]

Cirque de Soleil and Fantasmic Dining Package.

[stitchluva22]

deff dining in Canada...and all the character breakfasts and dinners

[dare2dream]

Hoop Dee Doo Review. I have looked all over this website to try to get some more info for you but was unsuccessful. As I recall HDDR is a dinner show held near Fort Wilderness Campground. It's a wild west dance hall type review with corny jokes. A family style buffet is served for dinner. Some folks really love it, others think it is way too corny. Most people say it's fun to experience at least once.

Good luck with the planning and have a great trip.

Brenda

[MaryPA]

Cirque! Last year DH and I went. Expensive yes - worth every penny - YES! DH really liked it - and we both thought it wouldn't be his "thing", He was just going for me.

I highly recommend it - even for your kids ages.

[RCBA]

Probably the dining plan.... our meal total was around $1000 for a week, we would not have ate at all those great restaurants without it!

[anty30]

How about a behind the scenes tour? They take you through the underground secret tunnels and give all kinds of interesting tidbits.

[travelin' tigger]

How about a behind the scenes tour? They take you through the underground secret tunnels and give all kinds of interesting tidbits.

This sounds like you're talking about the KTTK tour - you must be 16 and older to take this one. But there are other tours geared to those who are younger!!

BTW, the KTTK tour would be my special thing that was worth every penny - there is SO MUCH to learn about MK and those 4 hours were great !!! :thumbsup2

[flakypuff]

:wizard: lots of Magic here :thumbsup2

[malibuconlee]

We got a Leave a Legacy Tile the first time we were at WDW. We've been three times now. Three and Five years after the first. It's always to neat to go back and see it. IF DH and I decide to have kids, or take a trip with family it would be so neat to show them the tile!!

[misskrystal]

We did Leave A Legacy in Epcot. Now we have a permanent reminder of our fantastic holiday waiting for us when we go back!

[anty30]

My bad. Did not realize you had to be 16yo. I do believe there is a family tour though.

[The House of Mouse]

Family Tour at MK would be a little young for your crowd, we did it when the kids were 7&9. My votes go for Leave a Legacy and Hoop Dee Doo, thought it would be corny, but ended up being pleasantly surprised!

[LisaMayTX]

I'm starting to look at planning our next trip (March 2007), and am considering getting the dining plan. There will be 5 of us (me 43, DH 44, DD 15, DS 14 & DSis ??), and I think it would be wonderful to experience restaurants we might not normally go to, but is it a lot of work? I mean, do you have to plan out every meal and get ADR's for each one?

Thanks in advance!
:scratchin

[karebear1]

You should only need to make ADR's for your sit down meals- and if you go to a sit down meal you absolutely will want ADR's! Depending on the time of year you go (and even in the dwon season) it can be difficult to get into a sit down restaurant. On the dining plan 1 meal a day is a sit down- the other is fast food and then a snack. And no.... it's not a lot of work.... it;s a lot of FUN planning your meals and where you'll eat!

[bdg100]

Be the last family in the parks. Plan a late night, watch the fireworks and the parade. Plan on being at the back of the park. For us, it was fun to see the park so empty. We just sat on a bench, enjoyed the night and each other's company. Another thing that is free and well worth your time is a walk on the Boardwalk. Pick a nice night, bring $20 for ice cream and walk up and down the Boardwalk. If you time it correctly you can see the fireworks from Epcot. You will also see various (free) entertainment on the Boardwalk. What a great way to spend an evening. I wish me and my family were there right now. Have fun.

[flakypuff]

WOW sounds so nice..
One year we rented golfcarts and went downtown disney in them. That was a while ago maybe 10 years ago..we stayed at what is now the boardwalk.. :thumbsup2

[disneyinmay]

You must do the character breakfast or lunch. Eat in Mexico @ World showcase, by the lake and watch the Illuminations show. Make up Disney Bags for the trip and give it to them when you check into your hotel. You must do the photopass and buy really good pictures of the family in front of the castle or the ball. Well worth it. When we got back from our trip in Jan. we ordered some pics and they were delivered the next 2 days. Very satisfied!!! I love how you can add borders and such. Have fun!!

Can you tell me more about the photopass? I have never heard of that!

[Mark P.]

Cirque, It's a must!

[Shelly F - Ohio]

DH & I went to WDW Feb 11 - 18 just in time for Valentines day. I found the address to the Saratoga Springs Resort where we would be staying and a week ahead of time I ordered a box of goodies from the Popcorn Factory.

Check out their web sight popcornfactory.com

This way I did not have to try and back his Valentines day gift. I called two days before we arrived to confirm that the package arrived and asked them to deliver it to our room when we arrived.
When we arrived and we were waiting outside for the bellhop to take us to the room,I saw a package that a few CM where discussing how to handle. Since DH knew nothing of what I had planned I was attentive to what was taking place. I saw the package leave with a CM driving a van, then a bellhop took us the the room shortly after the van with the the box left. Sure enough when we arrived there on the TV was the box I saw the CM leave with.

Yes we arrived Feb 11 and I let DH open the box before 2-14. We had snacks that I did not have to worry about packing and getting crushed along the way or try to hid them from DH. And at the cost of less than $25 including shipping and handling how could you go wrong.

[Girlie Goofy]

We were at DW for our daughter's senior trip. We splurged, and rented a limousine for the transportation back and forth to the resort. That made all of us feel special. We also booked the dinner show at the Polynesian. Since we booked it so early we ended up center and front row. Whatever you do at DW, itis magical and beccomes a family tradition, so be aware of what you start!

[kathyseb]

Sit up front with the driver in the Monorail.

The best tour that we took was the Steam Engine Train Tour.

We would do it again in a hearbeat. Downside to it, you have to get there really early in the morning. But to walk up to MK and be one of a handful of people there....to walk out onto Main Street USA and have it empty....priceless.

[jlovesee]

DEFINITLY the Fantasmic lunch/dinner plan.

Jennifer

[Disney5Mom]

We did the Wishes Fireworks Cruise. We loved it!

[flakypuff]

boy, i was planning on 10 days I'd better make it 10 weeks :rotfl2:

[mousiemom]

Go to www.disneyphotopass.com and you can read up on it. This is one of the best ideas!!! They give you a photopass card(the photographers) and everytime you see them give it to them and all your pics from your trip will be on this card. You can pay like $99.95 for the CD and you will have of your pics. From 20 to 300. When you get home you can view your pics online for 30 days. You can add borders, like the year, etc. This was my 5yr. dd 1st time to ride the Tower of Terror, so we bought a pic of us in front of TOT and added the year at the bottom. They're the best pics and I took 17 rolls myself. Have a magical day!

[mkygrl]

A few suggestions...Ohana (Poly) and Wispering Canyon (WL) are fun dinners with the family. We also love Park Fare (GF) and Chef Mickey's (CR) for character meals.

Disney Quest was fun for all. The retro (I'm not that old :eek: ) games were fun for the grown ups and the kids liked the newer stuff. Fun to all play together.

One thing we did "special" this last trip was the Wishes dessert/fireworks cruise.

This included 16 people ranging from 5 to 70 and some preteens as well. Everyone had a blast and spending the time together was fabulous.We had a great dessert, won trivia prizes and an amazing view of the fireworks. My dad (70 yrs young)who has gone to WDW too many times to count and loves all the shows & fireworks said he didn't want to watch them any other way-on a ship on the water with his family (and a belly full of sweets!).

[Pluto's Honey]

We were at DW for our daughter's senior trip. We splurged, and rented a limousine for the transportation back and forth to the resort. That made all of us feel special. We also booked the dinner show at the Polynesian. Since we booked it so early we ended up center and front row. Whatever you do at DW, itis magical and beccomes a family tradition, so be aware of what you start!


How early did you book it to have up front? just wondering where we will be. thanks

[wdwfamilyinIL]

The one thing I didn't see was letting the kids help pick where you eat. Before we make our adr's we all set down and pick a place.
I also had a small gift for every night of our trip. I would sneak it our of the suitcase, and they thought it came from a character.
Photopass and the ddp are great, but that has already been mentioned.

[jessica52877]

Because the OP's kids are so old this doesn't much apply to her but maybe someone else would enjoy it! We did the pony ride for my 3 year old at Fort Wilderness and he still talks about it today, $5!

[Cam2Mike]

Sit up front with the driver in the Monorail.

The best tour that we took was the Steam Engine Train Tour.

We would do it again in a hearbeat. Downside to it, you have to get there really early in the morning. But to walk up to MK and be one of a handful of people there....to walk out onto Main Street USA and have it empty....priceless.

My 7 year hold DSs are train addicts..can you tell me more about the train tour. Thanks

[hsmamato2]

Bring as much digital memory that you can,take pictures and videos of everything everywhere- you'll start to feel silly after a hwile, but you'll be glad you did when you get home! I've been like 15 times,and still take an average of 500 pics every year- the places remain alsmost the same, but our family changes ,it's fun to see that. Also one year we let the kids try out that "put yourself in the picture" thing, in the tatooine traders outside of Star Tours,it cost like $35 bucks for 2 small pictures, but it's a pricelessly funny memory!
- If you have 10 days, the best thing you can do for your family is DON'T do too much- give yourselves some relaxing days by the pool,and you may not like the rush of tours, sometimes just wandering through the parks at your own speed is the most fun of all.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Hoop Dee Doo Revue - by far the most fun I had at WDW (my first trip being last November). Both my wife and I we very sick and soaked from the walk from the ferry to Pioneer Hall in the pouring rain without raingear or an umbrella. We had to wait an hour outside to get in (they tell you to get there 45 mins early - I suggest 15) and when the show finally started we forgot all our woes and just enjoyed the show. I had a few beers and volunteered myself to go up on stage for the Davy Crockett skit as the Indian Brave (DON'T DIE DAVY!! - I really hammed it up, thoroughly embarrassing my wife). Afterwards WDW provided buses back to each resort hotel. I would not pass up this show on any trip I take to WDW.

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

last year when we went dh went on the seguway tour at epcot- it was around 80 dollars american, and he loved it! i didnt go- but wish i had, he still talking about it a year later! check out off kilter in the canadian pavillion, they are awesome. when theyre looking for voulenteers at indiana jones scream really loud! i did and got picked ot be an extra, lots of fun. also we got picked to be the captain and engenier on the backlot tour, that was way too cool- especially when dh got all the water dumped on him! if anyone loves pooh bear, check out the character dining at crystal palace, its about 26 or so each if i can remember. worth every penny!

[NJtoATL]

MUST DO'S:

Hoop Dee Do Revue - Fort Wilderness
Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues DTD
La Nouba (Cirque Show) DTD :thumbsup2

Not in any particular order. I enjoyed all of them.

I've done the Luau. It was a little to long for my blood, but enjoyable.

You won't go wrong at any on these choices. :)

[amwhitaker]

Disney Dining! Got to try alot of restaurants we never ate at before. It was also nice to have everything prepaid.

[mom23boys]

We did the Wishes Fireworks Cruise. We loved it!

I suprised my family with this in August. There were 11 of us, my family, DM, Dinlaws and DSis and her boys. They loved it. It was the highlight of our trip.

[skooniebird]

I am planning a trip in April 2007. I want to add a few surprises for my children 10,15,17. :wizard:
What extra things did you do..shows, special seating, boat rides anything that you think was well worth the cost. :scratchin Things I need to book now. Thanks for the ideas :cool1:


Hoop Dee Do Review for older kids and adults and Donald's breakfast O' Saurus for all ages was our favorite character dining out of the 4 we did. Princess breakfast was a huge disappointment.

[mouselover75]

WE LOVED HOOP DEE DOO!!!! very pleasantly surprised. Even our 5 yo dd thought it was hysterical! During one of the scenes, it sounds as though the chubby actor passes gas. When they said "you did it!" he said "OH NOOOO! SHE DID IT" and poiinted to our DD!!! She was so embarrassed that she buried her head in my lap, but was giggling the whole time!

our waitress was very sweet and it turned out that she was from MS, too.
We did this the very first night, used our dining plan, too.

I also recommend only arriving 15-20 minutes early, especially in the off seasons.

We will definately do this again!

[Boater]

First I would stay at a deluxe resort.
Second I would stay in Concierge in a deluxe resort.
The pampered feeling is fantastic.

[jenr812]

I didn't see these mentioned -

POR has a carriage ride for $30 (don't forget to tip the driver!). It's a 30 minute ride thru POR and POFQ - so relaxing and fun. We all loved it. Our driver was wonderful and he said he's been doing it for about 15 or so years. You can book it 90 out thru the disney dining line. We booked the first one of the evening at 6pm and made it in plenty of time for our 7:30 ressie at Ohana. (another MUST DO!!)

POR also has boat rentals. We rented a pontoon and while admittedly I was a bit against the idea at first (not sure why - just figured it wasn't something we needed to do at WDW!) it was one of the highlights of the trip. Probably because we let all three kids have a turn driving the boat (even the then 2 yo!) and they had a blast! I can't remember how much it was but I am positive it cost under $50. We got the big pontoon :)

You don't have to stay at POR to do these things.

[DonnaL]

Cirque gets my vote also.......as a previous poster said....expensive, yes, but, worth it!!! Also, KTTK tour was great. DH and I did it last May when we went w/o the kids. Our two boys plan to do it 1/07 when we all go. DD isn't really into tours and such, so she doesn't want to go. The boys also went to Cirque this past December when we were there and they loved it also. We've also done the mouseboats and they were a lot of fun.

[flakypuff]

First I would stay at a deluxe resort.
Second I would stay in Concierge in a deluxe resort.
The pampered feeling is fantastic.

Wish i could $$$ :rolleyes:

[f7prez]

My 6 yo daughter thought the tea party at the Grand Floridian w/ Alice and the Mad Hatter was her favorite thing from our last trip.

[MichaelH]

The Backstage Magic tour my wife and I did this and it was fantastic. You have to be 16 to do it, that is the only downside.

I have also done the Disney Dive Quest. If you dive it is well worth the price. I have done the dive quest the last three times I have been to WDW.

[Mickeefan]

Almost 6 years ago, I split the cost of an Illuminations Cruise with another couple and surprised my parents and my nephew with it. It was the best thing I've done at Disney so far. They still talk about it.

I did the Luau, too. I enjoyed it, but that might have been because of all the Mai-Tai's I was drinking! :rotfl2:

[WAHMto5]

The dining plan by FAR was the best for everyone to enjoy soo many great eats!!

[DisneyMomx7]

Dining Plan
Family Magic Tour
Wishes Cruise
Many character meals
For the kids: Wonderland Tea Party
Pirate Cruise
Grand Adventures in Cooking

DH and I went to California Grill one night and put the kids at the Neverland Club. They loved it so much they were upset when we came back to pick them up!

[jenr812]

ITA about the dining plan!!

[ImaFunMom]

1. Purchasing the dining plan

2. Letting DS play in the arcades

3. character breakfast and dinner (inc. in DP and well worth it for us)

4. eating at Boma (also in DP - was one of our fav. restaurants)

[cflood78]

Dolphins In Depth at Epcot. Book 90 days out. 8 people a day get back stage and in the water with the dolphins. Educational, fun 3-4 hours. You dont acually "swim" with the dolphins but you put on wet suits and get in the main tank in epcot. You do hand signals to get them to do tricks, you touch them, get to hold them, and you get a picture with them and a t-shirt. Kind of pricey but worth every penny.

[snowbird gal]

Cirque du Soleil La Nouba......it may cost a bit but definitely worth every penny :cool1:

[makinorlando]

Wishes Cruise

Character Meals

[loopner67]

#1 - Paying $90 for 4 1/2 hours to put our two boys in the "Cub's Den" at WL while we went to Le Cellier (in Epcot) for dinner alone!

#2 - Spending the extra money for the WL over a moderate hotel. Being able to see the fireworks from our balcony was more magical than anything we'd done before at WDW.

#3 - Character meals - our fave is breakfast at Ohana. Stitch Rocks!

#4 - Paying $106 for the disk of all of our photopass pictures. I now OWN all of those pictures and don't have to pay for Disney to make the pictures or worry about my 30 days online expiring. Mine, all mine.

#5 - Paying to be picked up by a Town Car Service at the airport and being taken back by it. We got off the plane, then saw the guy with the sign w/our last name, plopped our luggage in the trunk off the car and off we went. No delays. No worries about our luggage.

#6 - Getting Room Service one night because we were too tired to go out to eat and still wanted a decent meal.

#7 - Buying desserts in the Main Street Bakery at MK.

#8 - Spending $59 on the sweatshirt I *really* wanted vs. the one with a lower price tag.

[AJMlovesRLM]

Awesome tips, everyone!

THANKS

[disneynewbee]

I vote hoop de doo revue and leave a legacy. We had an 11yo and 13yo with us and they also realllllllllly loved hddr.

[UP Disney]

We did La Nouba this year and it is absolutely worth it. It was DD17, DD20, DH and myself. Wow. What a performance. I've never seen so much action at one time. I had to buy the DVD so that I can watch it over several times to see what I missed the first time.

[Mickee]

I surprised the family with a boat ride on the Breathless, it is a 24' 1930 ( reproduction) mahagony chris craft speedboat that picked us up at the Boardwalk and took us for a tour and then we tied up under the Bridge to watch the show at Epcot.
I don't think I can ever top this one....

Family was quite surprised, we went to the boardwalk for dinner and were walking down the pier to take the shuttleboat back to our hotel and they saw the boat coming, and I said lets skip this shuttle and watch this boat pull up and then the driver pulled up to the dock and was yelling out the kids names.
Boy were they shocked when I said what are we standing here for, let's go!

[Dnerds]

If you happen to be staying at POR--not to be missed is Bob Johnson. He plays piano in the hotel bar and puts on a great show! Gets the crowd involved. Got to see my 65yo Dad do the Hokey-Pokey! :D
Its great for kids--even though its in the bar.

[DisneyBill]

Are you starting to wonder now how people who've spent 1 day at each park say "they've done Disney", and "why do you go back so much?" :lmao:

[HunnyPots]

Character meals at Crystal Palace, Garden Grill, and especially dinner at 1900 Park Faire! All had wonderful food and the family photos we got are priceless. Also, I'd say our day at Typhoon Lagoon was well worth it. DH and the kids loved the rides and I relaxed while floating in an inner tube for the better part of the day!

[mom2fivecs]

Wishes Cruise

Character Meals


Where can I find out more about the Wishes Cruise...TIA

[mickeyluv]

I didn't see these mentioned -

POR has a carriage ride for $30 (don't forget to tip the driver!). It's a 30 minute ride thru POR and POFQ - so relaxing and fun. We all loved it. Our driver was wonderful and he said he's been doing it for about 15 or so years. You can book it 90 out thru the disney dining line. We booked the first one of the evening at 6pm and made it in plenty of time for our 7:30 ressie at Ohana. (another MUST DO!!)


You don't have to stay at POR to do these things.

How do you book the carriage ride? Can you book it before you actually leave home or can you book it once you arrive at WDW? We're won't be staying at POR. TIA

[jenr812]

How do you book the carriage ride? Can you book it before you actually leave home or can you book it once you arrive at WDW? We're won't be staying at POR. TIA
I called the disney dining line (the same one you call to make meal ressies). I have recently discovered that the price is now $35 btw. Still a great deal. I believe you could possibly try to book at WDW but spots are very limited so chances aren't too good unless there is a cancellation. HTH!

[skooniebird]

Hoop Dee Do Review and Donald's Breakfast o'Saurus at AK.

[CharityLynn]

Well you aren't going at the time of our "special thing worth every penny" but I'd say ours is Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party..

[Iluvtgr]

Where can I find out more about the Wishes Cruise...TIA

You can go to wdw official website and it will tell you about it. We are going to wdw in May and I am surprising my family with the Wishes Cruise which sounds like so much fun. Actually, I originally planned on the Illuminations Cruise, but it was sold out. If you are thinking about booking one, I recommend doing it as soon as possible because they get booked fast!

[reeeoga]

Name Badges for everyone. We had them last Nov. and CM's call you by name. I am getting some for my parents and sister who are comming with us this year. The only place I have found them is at laughingplace.

Personalized shirts. I am getting 4 made with the Pirate flag on the front and 3 with "We want the Red Head" on the back. The fourth will have "Red Head" for the wife (she is a Died Red head). :lmao:

Immagination pavilion has a way to send an email photo, for free, home. Do it.

Pearle in Japan. Worth the $45 mounted for the wife.

Go see the live shows :thumbsup2 . I HATE musicals and I liked the live shows. There is something about a group of people suddenly starting to sing and dance, all at the same time :confused3 , that I find just stupid, but I liked the shows. :confused3