Best "extras" you would recommend

[VolvoManiac850]

Boardwalk immediately comes to mind. It's not an area that will cost you extra to visit, but it has a lot of great things, including magicians (every kid I've seen watching them has always been mesmerized). The bike rentals are also there and are a great addition to the experience. I'd take Boardwalk over Disney Springs any day, especially for a younger kid.

Character dining has been discussed, but be sure to change it up a bit. Do a breakfast, but also get a dinner in there. Chef Mickey's was my favorite as a kid (back when it was at the Disney Village Marketplace!) and the new version at Contemporary (can it even be called new anymore?) is even better due to the wider variety of characters.

An autograph book may not come to mind as an "extra" right away, but it's worth getting. I still have mine from when I was 8, plus it gives kids a sense of accomplishment when they get, say, all of the Mickey characters, all of the Pooh gang, etc.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Personally, if it were my last trip for a long time (I can't even imagine), I wouldn't load it with extras but try to just take in the little things that people tend to miss while running around and trying to ride all the rides.

I think this is great insight. Sometimes people rush around trying to do as much as possible and don't realize they miss a lot by being in too much of a hurry. How about paying extra attention to the theming all around? Chat with cast members (when they have a few moments) and you can learn a lot that way. Maybe bring one of the books on where to find Hidden Mickeys, and look for those?

Another idea: the earliest performance of the Yehaa Bob show is fun and interactive for all ages. (The later shows are also very good, but the first show is the most kid-friendly).

If you really want to spend extra money, you could try an Amphicar ride (if you haven't already), but it only fits three passengers per vehicle.

 

[whiporee]

I'm a big fan of the Wishes desert party. I'm pretty sure you can get same-day reservations* most of the time, and it's nice not to have to deal with the hassles of road spots and crowds and iphones and pushing and kids on shoulders. it's not cheap, but it's one of the few must-dos on our Magic Kingdom nights.

The food's not fantastic -- SW is better -- but there's plenty of it and the CMs there really seem to go out of their way to make you comfortable and happy with your experience.

*I didn't think they were still doing this, but on my last trip they offered it, and it was nearly empty.

 

[Keyser]

whiporee - I actually liked the food at the Wishes dessert party a lot. I ate WAY too much, but I'm not sure what others were complaining about - almost everything I had was very good. I do wish they had cokes though. It was fun to do overall, but I don't know that the view (kind of off center) and avoiding the crowds was really worth the cost.

To the OP: One other option is the Cirque du Soleil show. It's pricey, but it was one of our family's favorite things on the whole trip. If you've done other Cirque shows or live near where they stop by on tours, maybe it's not the most unique thing for your trip, but if you haven't seen one before or it's hard to see them otherwise, it's pretty amazing. Of all the "extras" we tried on our most recent trip, this was the best.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I would get the extra shot on top of the Lost on the Safari at Dawa bar.

MG

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Dessert party is fun. Have a great time! Plus a memory maker if you haven't got one. The magic shots and ride photos are great.

We did a DVC one once but my friend did the one at MK with wishes and loved it. That's the one I would do next. There is also the Mad Hatter tea party for free until labor day at GF which I hope will be extended. You buy the desserts if you want them.

 

[GPC0321]

La Nouba (Cirque du Soleil) at Disney Springs is phenomenal if you've never seen it. Like another poster said, if you've seen Cirque performances before, then it may not be as awe-inspiring as it was to us (our first Cirque experience), but it is really, really good! I got the cheapest seats, and other than a few times when they were still far upstage before moving downstage and we couldn't see them (really wasn't a big deal), we saw everything perfectly. Now, I have to add that we were in the "best" of the cheapest seats, because we were one row back from where the next category seating started. I'm not sure I would've been happy all the way at the tip-top, and visibility very well could've been more obstructed there. If I had it to do again, I would spring for at least the category (3?) just in front of us. Everything would've been visible from there because they didn't have the protruding side wall thing we had to deal with.
It's a very entertaining show for people of all ages. Kids' laughter filled the theater and my 70+ year old parents thought it was just fantastic!

 

[Maggie Lizer]

My five year old LOVED SOTMK and we spent about 3 hours playing it one afternoon, just the two of us (while DH and younger DS went back to the hotel to swim).

I would also totally be interested in doing the Star Wars Dessert/Fireworks Party at DHS. The fireworks are amazing, and even my father, who knows just a scant bit about SW (like, there are Jedi, Darth Vader, and light sabers. . . oh, and a nasty giant slug guy . . . and "Rylo Ken" and some silly robots) thought it was absolutely top notch. I would love reserved viewing, and adding in some snacks and drinks sounds awesome for a special family treat.

 

[lustergirl]

I was checking for extras to do for my upcoming trip. Would like to do something different. I think the savor on the savanna at AK looks amazing.

 

[Accident]

Most of my fondest memories from trips growing up with the family is certain meals that were a little different or only at disney. How frequently have you been traveling? have you taken the time to try out things like Hoop Dee Doo Review, Whispering Canyon, The luau at poly, chef mickey, and others that are very iconic disney places to eat with something a little different happening.

If your looking for in the parks stuff, have you ever done a desert party? Hard to forget having elbow room while eating sweets and watching the fireworks.

outside the parks things that many overlook I thikn is parasailing, renting a pontoon boat and going around the lakes, over the water bridge and floating past magic kingdom. A fireworks cruise is a way to do some of that at night but I think there is something special about boating around with the family and just enjoying the lakes. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy while on the boat.

Horseback riding at ft wilderness or horse carriage at POR I think is also somethign unique but not sure the family would fit on the later in 1 ride.

and if you've never done it, watch the MK fireworks from behind the castle, they go off all around you and one of my favorite things to do when there.

 

[Shellyred8]

We did the Pirates and Pals event too and would recommend it. It was just me and DH, no kids, but it was still fun. The fireworks from the lagoon were awesome! So, if you can't get into the Pirates and Pals event, check out one of the other fireworks cruises.

We also enjoy the miniature golf. The WinterSummerland would be a little easier for the 7 year old. The Fantasia course is a little more challenging, but still fun.

An "extra" that doesn't cost extra, is a trip to the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds to the Tri-Circle D ranch to see the horses. It's amazing to see them up close.

 

[smiths02]

Pirates and Pals and Star Wars dessert party were worth it for us.

 

[smiths02]

I almost forgot. DH loved the guided fishing excursion (we did the one that goes into Epcot). He loved it so much that he booked another one for the next day (with a big discount).

 

[Cynister]

I forgot probably one of the most fun extras...pin trading! While pin trading in the parks can be a little distracting to the main goal of doing everything in the park, we also like to do a little resort hopping to the many desks & shops at the hotels. There are great pin finds everywhere! Young & old alike can enjoy this activity & you can make it as long as you want.

 

[V2000]

I would say horse back riding or Mickey's Backyard BBQ

 

[phillymummer]

I have seen a lot of people mention the Pirates and Pals Cruise. I was thinking about this for my next trip and now this thread makes me want to do it even more! Do you know how quickly the cruises fill up? For my November trip, should I be on the phone NOW for ressies or do I have some time to think about it?

 

[Mom of Jack 2009]

Most of my fondest memories from trips growing up with the family is certain meals that were a little different or only at disney. How frequently have you been traveling? have you taken the time to try out things like Hoop Dee Doo Review, Whispering Canyon, The luau at poly, chef mickey, and others that are very iconic disney places to eat with something a little different happening.

If your looking for in the parks stuff, have you ever done a desert party? Hard to forget having elbow room while eating sweets and watching the fireworks.

outside the parks things that many overlook I thikn is parasailing, renting a pontoon boat and going around the lakes, over the water bridge and floating past magic kingdom. A fireworks cruise is a way to do some of that at night but I think there is something special about boating around with the family and just enjoying the lakes. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy while on the boat.

Horseback riding at ft wilderness or horse carriage at POR I think is also somethign unique but not sure the family would fit on the later in 1 ride.

and if you've never done it, watch the MK fireworks from behind the castle, they go off all around you and one of my favorite things to do when there.

Hi! This will be the third trip together for my husband, son and I, and the first time bringing my MIL. Of the restaurants you listed, as a party of three we have done HDR and Chef Mickey. Currently we have reservations at BOG (dinner), 'Ohana (dinner), Skipper's Canteen, Raglan Road, and Hacienda de San Angel. We have never done a dessert party. One of my hesitations is that my husband has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease so he cannot eat most desserts and it sounds like the gluten-free offerings aren't that great. Otherwise we would have definitely considered that.

That you for all of the great suggestions!

 

[buzznina]

Carriage ride, mini golf, firework cruise, character meal if there is a certain character you want to meet, rent a boat and cruise the seven seas, rent a surrey bike at one of the resorts, go to the Boardwalk in the evening and watch the entertainers, pin trading or Sorcerers game at MK.
I know others have said desert parties but were not a big fan of the desert party at MK, especially my DW. I still can picture my DW after it was over and looking at me and saying "how much was it, for that" followed by "are you crazy"

 

[erinch]

Make a list every night of all the things that happened that day that you want to remember forever.

 

[Mom of Jack 2009]

Make a list every night of all the things that happened that day that you want to remember forever.

Really good idea! Thank you! I am definitely doing this!!