Best Thing you have done that was an Extra Cost Experiences like Dessert Parties, etc.

[bluezy]

I can't find any information on Disney's site about the Illuminations cruise. Is it only offered seasonally? I'm just curious about the pricing compared to the Pirates & Pals cruise.

Here's the link: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/specialty-cruises/

Our most recent Illuminations cruise this past June was $371.xx plus a tip for the driver (we usually tip $50) and the boat holds up to 10 people. The current price for the Pirates & Pals cruise is $72/adults and $43/children. We're a family of 8 Disney adults so the Illuminations Cruise is less expensive for us. Plus we get a boat to ourselves and a great unobstructed view of the fireworks. There are also pre-packaged snacks (granola bars, cookies, chips, pretzels, etc.) and drinks (water, soda, etc.) on the boat for the entire cruise. While the snacks and drinks aren't anything special, it's nice to have them on the boat with us the whole time so we can snack and drink throughout the entire hour or so that we're on the boat. You can also order (at an extra cost) dinner, desserts, etc. through Disney Dining and have those on the boat as well. As an added bonus, when we did the cruise last June, our captain offered to take us over to DHS after Illluminations so we could watch the fireworks from the Star Wars show. We were happy to take him up on that offer (and added more to our usual tip for the extended service). He even stopped back at the Yacht Club dock after Illuminations so we could take a bathroom break. We spent over 2 hours on the boat that night and enjoyed every minute of it.

 

[kashzan]

By far, the best things I have done dining with an animal expert and Wild Africa Trek.

 

[JiminyOhana]

If you enjoy gardening or agriculture, the behind the seeds tour is really interesting. Fishing, especially in Bay Lake/ Seven Seas Lagoon, is also a lot of fun.

 

[Ava]

Here's the link: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/specialty-cruises/

Our most recent Illuminations cruise this past June was $371.xx plus a tip for the driver (we usually tip $50) and the boat holds up to 10 people. The current price for the Pirates & Pals cruise is $72/adults and $43/children. We're a family of 8 Disney adults so the Illuminations Cruise is less expensive for us. Plus we get a boat to ourselves and a great unobstructed view of the fireworks. There are also pre-packaged snacks (granola bars, cookies, chips, pretzels, etc.) and drinks (water, soda, etc.) on the boat for the entire cruise. While the snacks and drinks aren't anything special, it's nice to have them on the boat with us the whole time so we can snack and drink throughout the entire hour or so that we're on the boat. You can also order (at an extra cost) dinner, desserts, etc. through Disney Dining and have those on the boat as well. As an added bonus, when we did the cruise last June, our captain offered to take us over to DHS after Illluminations so we could watch the fireworks from the Star Wars show. We were happy to take him up on that offer (and added more to our usual tip for the extended service). He even stopped back at the Yacht Club dock after Illuminations so we could take a bathroom break. We spent over 2 hours on the boat that night and enjoyed every minute of it.

Thank you for link! I was searching "Illuminations Cruise" and nothing was coming up. I had assumed it was a per person charge; we're a family of only 2 adults & 2 children so a private boat would be pricey for us. Could be fun to do if we have grandparents with us or are traveling with another family though. Your Epcot/DHS combo experience sounds amazing!

To answer the OP, we have only done MNSSHP but definitely want to do it again. Hallowishes is hands down the most amazing fireworks show I've ever seen, and dressing up and meeting characters that you can't normally meet is a lot of fun.

This is a dangerous thread to read when you are actively planning a trip for this summer.

 

[bluezy]

Thank you for link! I was searching "Illuminations Cruise" and nothing was coming up. I had assumed it was a per person charge; we're a family of only 2 adults & 2 children so a private boat would be pricey for us. Could be fun to do if we have grandparents with us or are traveling with another family though. Your Epcot/DHS combo experience sounds amazing!

To answer the OP, we have only done MNSSHP but definitely want to do it again. Hallowishes is hands down the most amazing fireworks show I've ever seen, and dressing up and meeting characters that you can't normally meet is a lot of fun.

This is a dangerous thread to read when you are actively planning a trip for this summer.

Yes, it's easier to justify the cost with a family of 8. A lot of people here on the boards will post messages (I think there might even be a thread dedicated to it) looking for families/couples to share an Illuminations cruise on specific dates. Just something to keep tucked in the back of your head if you decide to try one.

 

[Wendy98]

We loved Pirates and Pals Cruise. Our captain was hysterically funny.

MNSSHP was fun. Also liked Behind the Seeds tour. We did a carriage ride at Ft. Wilderness and that was great.

I really want to do Dine with an Imagineer.

 

[tinkerbella16]

For us, it was Early Morning Magic at MK this past September. We loved it and it was well worth the extra cost. We rode 7DMT 9 times, the Carousel once, Peter Pan 6 times and WTP 6 times. At 9am we did the breakfast at Pinocchio's Village Haus and it was surprisingly great! We loved the offerings, it was quiet with not many people at all. It was great to relax, do the rides that get huge wait times before the park even opened, so we could focus on other areas of the park that day. We hope to do it again this September if they extend it.

That trip I also did MNSSHP for the first time as well and that was just amazing! That is another thing I plan to do again in September.

 

[LuvEeyore]

I have done several behind the scenes optional tours and my favorite so far is the Waynama Safari. at 180 dollars per person it is expensive but so worth it. You have to stay at AKL or Kidani to do it. You meet before 330 pm for snacks and meet with an African Cultural representative then board a safari truck with a animal specialist from the Savannahs at AKL. You tour the savanna's at AKL and Kidani. After the up close tour you return to Jiko for a tasting dinner with wine pairings. It was so great and is limited to 12 people each night. I would do the again. I would not take a child under 12 just because of the length. We were done about 9pm. This was the highlight of my 2015 trip.

I also like the Keys to the Kingdom tour. I did this years ago and it was fun.

 

[bushdianee]

Another vote for Pirates and Pals Cruise.

 

[dnkmmw]

I have done several behind the scenes optional tours and my favorite so far is the Waynama Safari. at 180 dollars per person it is expensive but so worth it. You have to stay at AKL or Kidani to do it. You meet before 330 pm for snacks and meet with an African Cultural representative then board a safari truck with a animal specialist from the Savannahs at AKL. You tour the savanna's at AKL and Kidani. After the up close tour you return to Jiko for a tasting dinner with wine pairings. It was so great and is limited to 12 people each night. I would do the again. I would not take a child under 12 just because of the length. We were done about 9pm. This was the highlight of my 2015 trip.

I also like the Keys to the Kingdom tour. I did this years ago and it was fun.

I think Wanyama is open for everyone now. I have done it a few times and really enjoyed it.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

We loved Wild Africa Trek!

 

[Tomh]

I really enjoyed the Steamtrain Tour. Surprisingly, DS12 wasn't as thrilled by it as I was, I thought it would be a winner with him.

The whole family really enjoyed the Early Morning Magic event in Fantasyland last summer though. Even though we got there like 15 minutes late, we still got plenty of ride time, and a decent buffet breakfast too. That is something we are looking forward to doing again.

 

[James McLaughlin]

We recently did the After Hours on 2/2/2017, and loved it. My family enjoyed the free popcorn and ice cream that come with the admission. Everything was walk on, with some rides being allowed to stay seated to ride again. If you can swing the cost, it's worth it!

 

[DG-12]

May sound a bit weird and different.... but... the best/most fun/extra-fee thing we did in December 2016 was... renting a golf cart at Fort Wilderness! We drove all over the property during the day, had dinner at Trails End, then drove around in the golf cart and looked at all the campsite Christmas decorations in the dark! It was so much fun! My husband loved this! I think the golf cart rental was only $62. Will never forget this experience![/QUOTE


Am totally interested in doing this in December. Do you rent the cart by the day? (We would probably just go for the evening)

 

[FastPasser]

Am totally interested in doing this in December.

You won't be able to cover as much, but you can walk through the loops as well or go on the horse drawn wagon/sleigh rides. Walking it allows you to talk to the campers that decorated their sites. They love talking about their decorations. I do it, and Halloween every year.

 

[terri33inne]

Have loved both holiday parties... MVMCP, and MNSSHP... with MNSSHP being the favorite, we've done it 2x, and would do it again. The Christmas one was one & done for me although we did enjoy it.

We did the family magic tour at MK a couple years ago which is a scavenger hunt for the kids around MK... we REALLY enjoyed that. I recommend if you have kids under 10.

The Wishes dessert party we did a few years ago was fun, and to me it was worth the cost to have a chair to sit in while watching Wishes. I think the cost has changed since then, and I would not pay the current prices for it. Also, they keep the lights on where you are sitting which I think ditracts a bit from the fireworks.

Pirates N Pals was a lot of fun, and something I would do again. We had a great captain, and had a lot of fun saying tick-tock whenever we were near Captain Hook.

We also love Hoop-Dee-Doo, and make sure we do it once a year... Not sure if that counts as an 'extra'.

 

[nicolej92]

We haven't gotten around to doing a ton of extras yet, but I don't recommend the Illuminations dessert party. Desserts were just okay, but I couldn't get over the "lake" smell which seemed more evident in that area than the rest of the park/areas around it. I felt like gagging from it the entire night.

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

For us it would be:

1. Illuminations Fireworks Cruise: We had private dining do a birthday cake and sparkling wine which was really nice. Our captain also took us to DHS for those fireworks. There were just 3 of us but we thought it was well worth it.
2. Highway in the Sky: Loved this and would definitely do it again. Great food and experience.
3. After Hours at MK: Would do this every trip if they offered it.
4. Club Villain: Enjoyed the food, drinks and entertainment.

We've done Pirates and Pals and enjoyed it but wouldn't do it again. Didn't find the Illuminations, Wishes or Jingle Jam Jingle Bam dessert parties worth it at all this last trip.

 

[Meriweather]

Club Villain
Lunch with and Imagineer

 

[tinkerbellnh]

are they still doing the Club Villain. My DS (14) and I r going in April and i think that this would b so much fun.
Thanx for the info.