Help me spend $500

[pocomom]

We managed to sneak in a super budget trip to the world next week. We're staying in our rv at the campground. Eating in the rv/picnicking with 4 days out of 7 at parks. The kids have gift cards for spending money, and every dime is accounted for ....it is my 40 th birthday but we are going to celebrate dd's 13 and by all accounts it looks like our last trip to the world as a whole family.
My mom gave me $500 for my birthday, and told me I had to spend it there on something fun. She knows when she gives me money it normally goes to something practical and/or for the kids.I couldn't get breakfast at Cinderella's which is one experience I know we all love. (Mainly for the part about getting into the parks before opening) What else should I do? Dinner and where? Some other special experience ? My kids are 5 , 9 and 13 and then there is my husband and of course, me.

 

[Malibustyle23]

Holiday party, dessert party, fireworks cruise, behind the scene cruise, private carriage ride, hot air balloon at DTD, shopping spree.

 

[Marionnette]

We managed to sneak in a super budget trip to the world next week. We're staying in our rv at the campground. Eating in the rv/picnicking with 4 days out of 7 at parks. The kids have gift cards for spending money, and every dime is accounted for ....it is my 40 th birthday but we are going to celebrate dd's 13 and by all accounts it looks like our last trip to the world as a whole family.
My mom gave me $500 for my birthday, and told me I had to spend it there on something fun. She knows when she gives me money it normally goes to something practical and/or for the kids.I couldn't get breakfast at Cinderella's which is one experience I know we all love. (Mainly for the part about getting into the parks before opening) What else should I do? Dinner and where? Some other special experience ? My kids are 5 , 9 and 13 and then there is my husband and of course, me.

Happy Birthday!

If you haven't been to Cirque du Soleil, tickets would run just about $500 for 5 people.

Tickets to MNSSHP would run under $500, even after tax.

At $34 (plus tax) per adult, the Family Magic Tour could be a fun splurge with plenty of money left over to go to Beaches and Cream to order the Kitchen Sink or to buy the Mickey Pants Sundae available at both B&C and the Main Street ice cream parlor in the MK.

 

[stsomewhere]

Add another day at a park

Food and Wine Festival at Epcot- use the money to buy extra snacks. Try new foods.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Pirates and Pals cruise with an ADR somewhere before the cruise.

 

[fofinia]

We loved the fireworks cruise. We sailed from Contemporary. And watched wishes. It was really fun.

 

[jen73]

Buy yourself a Dooney disney purse! Or a nice piece of jewelry!!

 

[okeydokey]

Cirque de solidify is incredible. If you could get decent priced tickets you could also pick up some jewelry or a trinket of some kind as a keepsake. Then you could have an experience plus something to take home.

 

[okeydokey]

Cirque de solidify is incredible. If you could get decent priced tickets you could also pick up some jewelry or a trinket of some kind as a keepsake. Then you could have an experience plus something to take home.

 

[Dashzap]

I'm in the minority, but I wasn't crazy about the Illuminations fireworks cruise. It was nice, but not worth the money.

We loved Cirque du Soleil.

 

[Scully127]

dont waste your $ on Cinderella's royal table. we ate there in aug and it was horrible. Cape May Cafe buffet is awesome and then we did the pirate and pals fireworks cruise out of the contemporary. that whole day was under $500 and was the best day we had on our trip (other than the frozen summer fun event)

 

[lynn46356]

Pick a Pearl at Epcot/Japan would be one fun thing to splurge on for yourself and your daughters. We love the Illuminations Cruise at Epcot. Perhaps check daily for a cancellation for the Tomorrowland Dessert Party or CRT. You never know.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Illuminations Cruise

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

If the decor would go in your house, get a nice print.

 

[Agent7]

I would personally pick a holiday party or a dessert firework viewing. Both are awesome. Plus with the holiday party you can turn a non park day into a park night, you wouldn't be as tired and they are so much fun.

Or you could pick a character dining experience. I like Chef Mickeys but my BF's favorite is Crystal Palace. I'm pretty sure you can reserve Crystal Palace before park opening too (if thats why you like Cindy's).

 

[TinkTock]

As amazing as Cirque du Soleil is, since this is most likely the last family trip to Disney World, I'd spend the money on something you can only do or get at Disney World. I would probably choose a reasonable tour and silhouettes of everyone in the family.

 

[NewRVLady]

see I wouldn't blow it on ONE experience

I'd do a couple sit down meals-lunch-on those days with no park food

It could be QS-just so I wouldn't have to go back to campground for lunch

 

[tina.tina]

I would do a pre-opening breakfast at Crystal Palace if you can't get CRT. I liked late breakfast, too, because the interaction with the characters was amazing since there weren't many people left before lunch began.

Canoeing, carriage ride, or horseback riding at Fort Wilderness would all create wonderful family memories that won't take all of your money.

I've heard a lot of people like the Behind the Seeds tour at the Land in Epcot and it's not too expensive either.

My mom and I are really interested in the Wishes dessert party and I would look into that if I were you.

An extra park day would be great and MNSSHP would be cool, too!

Have a great time.

 

[bellebud]

I'd definitely buy something as a keepsake, and do an experience.

We've rented pontoon boats (from any marina) and drove ourselves around the lakes. I like renting from the Poly or Contemporary - it's so cool driving under the monorail line (where it goes into the Contemp) and on both lakes. You could bring some snacks and have a little picnic on the boat.

You could get a souvenir that you'll always look at, like a mickey clock or something to put in your living room. I have a nice, small wooden one that's the shape of a hidden mickey, so it's not "too" disney, but subtle and nice for the living room.

Have fun deciding!

 

[Eureka]

Cirque du Soleil. We went in 2013 and four tickets was just about $500. We did the Illuminations Cruise in 2011 and while we enjoyed it, I'm not sure I would spend $300 again to do it. I enjoyed La Nouba much more.