Happy "dilemma"--In-laws are giving us $1000 to spend at Disney

[kfeuer]

We're going to Disney in mid-September with my in-laws, and my MIL just leaked that they're giving us $1000 as our 10th anniversary present and they want us to "blow" it at Disney on something special to commemorate the trip (besides being our 10th anniversary, it's my children's first trip to Disney).

I'm a frugal soul (it's the only way we could ever get to Disney in the first place) and I've never, ever contemplated spending that much money on something at Disney (or anywhere else for that matter, unless it was furniture or something)! It almost pains me to think of spending that much money on something frivolous, but that's what they'd like us to do (although I think spending half of it might do the trick, and we could save the other half).

Anyway, I'm looking for ideas. Is there anything you've always dreamed of buying or doing at Disney? Here's what I've thought of so far (although these fall in the category of things to make our trip special vs. something neat to take home, I'm open to doing both). I welcome all comments and suggestions:

Getting one of those little tiles at Epcot for each of my boys
Booking one of those boats to watch the fireworks (anyone done that? Is it worth it?)
A few treatments at the GF spa--mommy could use some pampering

We already have our food budget covered (and I've already made PS at several nice restaurants, I don't feel the need to add any more). Anyone know of anything special I could get for my boys (DS #1 is 2.5, DS #2 will be 5 months)? Is the Art of Disney store still there (I think it was near Tony's in MK)? Our last big Disney trip was 5 years ago so I know a lot has changed, but that store had some cool stuff.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[frannn]

You could have a very good (or several) meal, stay at the Grand Floridian for part of your trip, have your names engraved in one of the park's pavement tiles, have a personal photo session with Mickey, purchase a piece of art at Art of Disney, and/or....go to the Disney outlets and buy a really nice souvenier there that you wouldn't normally spend the $ on. I know they usually have watches, statues, a few other upscale collectibles. At DTD, there is a separate room at WOD that has beautiful, more expensive souveniers. You could even use that $ to put a down payment on DVC or a second trip (maybe just the two of you)! Regardless of what you do with the $, I would bring back something really nice for your MIL & FIL.

 

[lindabacker]

I thought they had done away with the Mickey 'n you photo session at DD? Does anyone have any onfo on this? Is there another place to do this?

 

[nicknamy1996]

I would buy 1 traveler check for at least $500 of it and do a WOD shopping spree. Buying plenty of stuff to have around the house to remind you of your vacation, something real nice (perhaps for the mantle if you have one), something for the in-laws (of course)

 

[jcanary]

If you can afford it, I would definitely use it for a down payment on the Disney Vacation Club. This will give you and your family years of vacations that you will enjoy for a long time. We were just down for my daughters 16th birthday and she was able to take three of her friends and two of them were literally crying that we had to leave. These are memories they will remember a lifetime.
The brick is a nice idea, we have had one of them given to us as a thank you for bringing some friends down in our DVC unit. Enjoy it but I would really look at something long term.

 

[ErinC]

I have read of others having a photo session with a Disney photographer(not necessarily with mickey). They will take family photos of the whole family in several spots in DW. I think it costs a couple of hundred dollars. You get all the pictures to take home with you, and you could have some blown up or reprinted. These would make a wonderful memory of your trip, and you could even use some as a gift for your inlaws. At least you would have something tangible for some of the money you spent.

 

[LKS]

The Disney photographer idea is great. We looked into this for our trip, but ended up not doing it. They have morning sessions in the MK and Epcot, I think, and they also use the GF, AKL and WL for family portraits. I was so tempted, but it was kind of expensive.

We have done an illuminations cruise and that was a lot of fun, but you might already find that they are mostly booked for September.

We ate at V&A Chef's Table on our 15th anniversary and loved it. By the time you add in child care and wine pairings, you would certainly spend most of half of the money. We loved it, but our kids were old enough for the Neverland Club which they loved. Not sure I would have done it if I had to hire a sitter. I have heard they are wonderful, but it would have been a more complicated decision.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

You can still get the bricks? I thought you couldn't do those anymore?
If you can- how do you do it, how much, etc???

 

[latenthart]

The photography sounds like a terrific idea.

Another idea:

Have you looked into discovery cove by seaworld?
Discovery Cove offers two types of daily admission packages as well as a special "Trainer for a Day" package. The only activity with an age requirement is the dolphin-swim experience, which requires guests to be at least 6.

http://www.discoverycove.com/pricing.asp

they also have special occasions packages
http://www.discoverycove.com/news.asp

 

[Jenn]

Book the Hoop Dee Doo Revue AND the Poly Luau. (They are $50 per person for dinner and a show)

Our family of 12 is doing HDD next Sunday and it's costing $477 - so that could burn some $$ quickly.

The Illuminations cruises are $120 and worth every penny. They take your group (up to 10 adults - up to 12 if it includes kids) for a ride in the boat for a bit letting the kids take a turn driving, then they park underneath the bridge between the UK and France and you have the best view of Illuminations imaginable.

 

[safetymom]

BibbidyBobbidyBoo, they do not sell the bricks anymore. Shades of Green are selling a brick though.

http://www.armymwr.com/shades/bricks.doc

 

[EthansMom]

I don't know whether this would work for your schedule, but how about taking one of the Disney cruises out of Port Canaveral -- maybe there would be enough money for a 3 or 4 day cruise?

EthansMom

 

[Boo Mc]

This is something kind of small compared to the other ideas but I've never done it because it wasn't something we "needed". I've always thought it'd be fun to get the color caricatures of the kids to hang in their rooms. I think they're only about $30 or so but every time I slow down at the booth I always talk myself out of it. Anyway, might be a cute reminder for the boys' first trip.

 

[wdwstar]

Go to the beach club and check out the artist in the lobby, you can have your two children painted for about $80-$125(im not the price , something like that) they do beautiful work, and a present for yourself and your inlaws, as a thank you gift, im sure they would be speechless (and love it !) we leave this week and im taking my two daughters there to have theirs done.

 

[kfeuer]

Originally posted by ErinC
I have read of others having a photo session with a Disney photographer(not necessarily with mickey). They will take family photos of the whole family in several spots in DW. I think it costs a couple of hundred dollars. You get all the pictures to take home with you, and you could have some blown up or reprinted. These would make a wonderful memory of your trip, and you could even use some as a gift for your inlaws. At least you would have something tangible for some of the money you spent.

Thanks for all the great ideas! I especially love the above idea--anybody know who you have to contact to set this up? I've looked on Deb Willis website, DW official website, a couple of guides and I can't find mention of it anywhere. Thanks again!

 

[Janell Ebert]

I would go to the art store at MGM and buy something that appealed to me. I would do family pictures as well with photographer taking with characters. I have also done sillowettes (however you spell it) you can get whole family done at same time. They give you two. Do buy the frames they are hard to frame otherwise. I didn't, wish I had. Not bad at all price wise. We had these done on Main Street Disney think their was someone doing it in frontierland to. Take kids to Disney Quest go to Circus thing on Pleasure Island. Boat for fireworks is fun. Sunday at Gherdellis the earthquake for 20 bucks or Beaches and Cream kitchen sink. Swim with the dolphens at Sea World. Go to Universal or Busch Gardens. I think I have spend your money by now. Jewelry and lots of pins are all ways nice.

 

[LAinSEA]

If I had the cash I'd upgrade my ressies to concierge at a deluxe resort and let the staff make the vacation just that much more special.

 

[ErinC]

Kfeuer, I read about it a little on the DVC boards. I will try to find a link to it in a little while, or I will post over there and see who remembers the details.

 

[ErinC]

Kfeuer, I'm not very computer literate but I'll give this a shot. Here's a link:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=249297&highlight=+photo++session


If the link doesn't work do a search on the dvc board for "photo session"

Hope this helps, Erin

 

[Kallison]

If you are not staying at a deluxe resort I would definitely upgrade to one.

Skip[ the tiles and bricks -- that is not for you, that is more money lining Disney pockets. How often are you going to go searching for it on future trips anyway.