If money were no object what would you do?

[mrsjoannh13]

Hope this is an appropriate place to post this....

If you could plan an experience for your family at Disney and cost was not a factor, what would you do? I want to do something extra magical and memorable as a surprise for my family while at Disney and I haven't been in so long I wouldn't know where to begin. This is also the first time for me going with my DD (turning 3 during our stay).

My traveling party includes me and DH, DD, and my two parents (one will be in an ECV - I mention that as I looked into a VIP tour at MK but they can't accommodate ECV's so that's out!).

Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Looking for things beyond dinners - we already have several good ones booked. Hoping some of your Disney veterans and pros can help me out here. Thanks!!!

 

[TeamSy]

What about a Wishes or Illuminations cruise?

 

[kmdrago1783]

VIP tour! Skip ALL of the lines.

 

[kmdrago1783]

VIP tour! Skip ALL of the lines.

Sorry just saw the latter part of your post... some other ideas--

Staying at a deluxe resort
Bippity Boppity Boutique for your little one
Wishes or Illuminations Dessert party
When are you going-- one of the special ticketed evenets like the Christmas/Halloween parties?
Princess tea at the Grand Floridian

 

[mrsjoannh13]

little one is probably too young for the fireworks. Unfortunately, when we are there, they will be at 10 pm and her normal bedtime is no later than 8. Was thinking maybe a birthday cruise of some sort - before fireworks - maybe sunset time with a custom cake. Would love other suggestions - thanks!

 

[TXPyroMom]

We have done the Princess Tea Party 2x @ GF. My DD was 5 the first time and 7 the second. We enjoyed it immensely both times, but I feel like 3 may be too young to be able to sit through the entire thing, but you will know your DD best. There is a lot of singing and story telling and it is a magical experience.

At 3, everything is going to be magical We have stayed in a TPV room and the Contemporary and it was spectacular. DD could watch the castle change colors as she fell asleep each night and we could watch Wishes from our balcony each night in our PJs. A TPV room would definitely be my pick.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Stay overnight in the castle.

 

[LaurenT]

If money were absolutely no object - I'd move into a grand villa at AKL - permanently! Then I'd take one month a year and spend it at one of the new Poly bungalows.

 

[GaryDis]

Wishes or Illuminations Dessert party

If money is no object, then it should be Wishes and Illuminations Dessert party.

 

[JZCubed]

Hope this is an appropriate place to post this....

If you could plan an experience for your family at Disney and cost was not a factor, what would you do? I want to do something extra magical and memorable as a surprise for my family while at Disney and I haven't been in so long I wouldn't know where to begin. This is also the first time for me going with my DD (turning 3 during our stay).

My traveling party includes me and DH, DD, and my two parents (one will be in an ECV - I mention that as I looked into a VIP tour at MK but they can't accommodate ECV's so that's out!).

Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Looking for things beyond dinners - we already have several good ones booked. Hoping some of your Disney veterans and pros can help me out here. Thanks!!!

Accommodations:
Stay at Contemporary so that your family can walk/ride ECV to Magic Kingdom (if necessary). If you can swing the cost - Bay Lake Towers is attached to Contemporary and the Villas are lovely - some with views of Magic Kingdom and/or the fireworks.

Resort Dining:
California Grill has he best view of Magic Kingdom and is a Signature (which means expensive and arguably good food).

Park Dining:
Since you'll likely spend more than your fair share of time at Magic Kingdom - make reservations (ADR's) for Be Our Guest dinner (when not at CA Grill) and Cinderella's Castle for lunch (or breakfast). With an ECV, you'll be more comfortable in a sit-down restaurant than a Qwik Serve.

3 y.o.:
Before we ever started traveling to Disney with our child, the Guide Books suggested that you allot about 4-hour windows inside the Park with a typical child. This does not necessarily include dining opportunities. Then plan on plenty of time at the hotel swimming pool. You can always go back into Magic Kingdom at night.

Add-on's:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/
Disney has many add-on's (see link above). Personally, we found the fireworks cruises to be a waste of money when staying at Contemporary/Bay Lake - we had a hassle free view that was almost as good.

Other Parks:
With a 3 y.o. - Epcot is depressing to me, but some folks live for the World Showcase - not for my 3 y.o.. Hollywood Studios is a maybe, but Animal Kingdom is a definite (Safari, Flights of Wonder, either/both Lion King & Nemo Shows, Tricera-Tops). Since AK is least favorite Park for most others, Saturday is almost always the 'best' day to attend.

**If I were planning a 3-4 day trip with my 3 y.o. and a person marginally limited by an ECV - Magic Kingdom for all but one of those days (that I attended Animal Kingdom). And plan to spend plenty of afternoon time at the resort swimming pool.

 

[gzmtlock]

With the ages and mobility issues in your group, I echo the TPV room at Contemporary. I've never stayed in one, but did get an Epcot-fireworks view room at BWI one time - it was great being able to see them, even over the tree tops. A full-on view of Wishes would be fantastic! And you get a gift delivery to the room on DDs birthday, and tell her that and the fireworks are from Mickey (or her favorite character) for her birthday.

 

[River Country]

Oh wow!!!!!!! I would book main building at the Grand Floridian with the MYW Platinum Package. OR a Bungalow at the Poly For starters.

BBB I believe your DD will make the cut I think they have to be 3 years old for that
Wishes Dessert Party
Depending on time of year

Mickey's No So Scary Halloween Party with Premium Package
Food and Wine Festival with Premium Package
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Dinner in the Castle

Yea the VIP Tours are great I've done a few of them but with ECV and the 3yo I'd pass.

 

[hakepb]

Grand 1 yacht
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/specialty-cruises/

 

[mrsjoannh13]

We have booked theme park view rooms at Contemporary. Anything very late night (Wishes) will be too late for our 3 year old. Definitely considering a birthday cake and champagne on Grand I. Thanks for suggestions and please keep them coming!

 

[kathy884]

When my son was three DH had a convention at the Contemporary, we had one of the high up tower view rooms for four nights. Oh was that balcony heavenly -- watching the electric light parade from our own private space after a busy day. It was so much fun being on the monorail too. Pricing it for myself, though, it's just so expensive and I end up staying offsite.

The other thing that sound so cool to me is to stay in a Savannah View room at the AKL and do that Wild Africa Trek -- believe your little ones would be too young for that. Pricing it out, though, that would be a big time vacation budget buster for us. Three nights with the trek and two days at theme parks plus, food, air, etc. would take what I usually budget for a nice full week vacation. Something I've thought about but changed my mind on -- just too much money and I opted for a different kind of vacation where my money could go further.

I think a big part of my having a problem with Disney deluxe prices is that I've done so many offsite budget Orlando trips that were really a ton of fun. // If money were no object though, I would consider these. But alas for me and most people money is usually an object, and I tend to be pretty value conscious. Personally, though, for high season which is when we go to Orlando, I think deluxe prices are absolutely outrageous.

 

[ErinCat]

Personally if money was no object, I would stay at the Villas at AK and do the Night Safari...but for you...I also suggest going full out with the best accommodations you can get at the Contemporary. You can also get special "in room" celebrations, Disney Floral and Gifts sets up a bunch of toys etc in the room. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/floral-and-gifts/

 

[jiminykrikkit]

Order a lavish custom birthday cake. We have done two custom cakes and they were beautiful. They recreated our wedding cake once and added little hidden mickeys on it. So awesome!

Is she old enough for BBB? Sorry not too familiar with it. If not, or even as another option, consider hiring someone to come in and do DD's hair and makeup in the room. Dress her up in the costume of her choice (maybe a little shopping trip could be part of the experience). I think it'd be more likely to achieve an authentic princess look this way, if DD is into that.

What about the in-room celebration stuff? Disney can have surprises in the room when you get there?

 

[Buttrcp16]

Ditto to the custom birthday cakes. There's a cake chatter thread somewhere that's helpful. We ordered one last year for my dad's birthday. It was spectacular. And not cheap. LOL. We had it served at our dinner at the California Grill... which unfortunately I don't really recommend as a place to eat. I was unimpressed. Narcoosee's is way better!

 

[jiminykrikkit]

Ditto to the custom birthday cakes. There's a cake chatter thread somewhere that's helpful. We ordered one last year for my dad's birthday. It was spectacular. And not cheap. LOL. We had it served at our dinner at the California Grill... which unfortunately I don't really recommend as a place to eat. I was unimpressed. Narcoosee's is way better!

We had our replica wedding cake delivered to Narcoossee's

 

[scrapquitler]

Presuming I won the Powerball and money was really no object, I'd stay at the best suite on the property (Grand Floridian, maybe? I dunno), and do one of those VIP tours where you don't have to wait in any lines in all the parks.