Extras--Which Ones are Best?

[rexmundi]

I am planning my trip for November and am wondering which "extras" are the best. I am planning at least one character meal and am thinking about the Illuminations cruise. I remember a few years ago they had stuff at the Disney Instutute for kids (like drawing classes, acting classes, sculpting, etc). Do they still have those? Are any of the guided tours worth the money? I have three kids (11-year-old DS, 5yo DD, and 2yo DD). My wife and parents will also be on the trip. Any ideas?

 

[cruisnfamily]

Here's what we are doing for "extras" this trip:

1)Hoop De Doo Revue
2)Disney Quest
3)MK Fireworks Cruise
4)Family Magic Tour
5)Lunch at the Castle
6)Cape May Character Breakfast
7)Fantasmic

Wow! Reading back over that it's alot to do, we're only gonna be there 4 days!

By the way, our kids are 7 & 10

 

[JulesMom]

Cirque du Soleil is awesome!!!

I also really like Disney Quest.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Sorry, they discontinued the classes like you describe at Disney Institute. I always wanted to take one of those, too, but never got to do it.

The Family Magic Tour is fun for kids and parents. You are on a hunt through the MK for something special. When you find it, you you meet up with some very special people. You hop, skip and jump your way through the MK and have a fun time.

Disney Quest is a fun extra if you passes will allow it.

Renting a boat at the Polynesian or Yacht Club is a fun way to see things.

Hoop De Doo is a very fun show - I didn't care much for the food, but loved the show.

 

[Mortlives]

If you're looking for the best extras, so far, our favourites have been:

• Dinner at 'Ohana
• Dinner at Boma
• Sushi and Kirin in the bar on the 2nd floor of Japan (only downside is you can only see, not hear, Illuminations)

We haven't tried any tours yet, but we felt the above were worth the outlay. Oh, yeah, and a meal at the Crystal Palace (Can't do Disney without seeing Eeyore).

Kungaloosh (Adventurer's Club, too)!
Mort.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

We're doing several (DisneyQuets, HDD, normal tourist stuff ), but are trying a new one this year, the Behind The Seeds Tour. It's a one-hour backstage tour of the fish farm and hydroponic gardens at The Land attraction. Neat tour, eight bucks a person, it gets pretty good reviews. Don't know how that would stack up with kids, but good for adults, especially DW, a biologist.

For the kids, how can you beat HDD?

Enjoy!