Indulging yourself...where the cost is worth it!

[Boo Bear]

Special ticketed events like MNSSHP & MVMCP, private Wishes cruise, Dooney & Bourke, oh and last but not least, Memory Maker has been by far the best extra money I've spent.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

Not a Disney attraction, but for anyone visiting Disney for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I would wholeheartedly recommend a day at Discovery Cove with the dolphin swim experience. Absolutely, positively the most awesome and amazing splurge in Central Florida. Worth every penny and then some.

I second this! We did it for my birthday. Since then, we've had a baby and will have small children for a long while. I'm so glad we did it.

 

[cjparker0110]

Are any of those better at Disney than elsewhere? I'm blessed to live where all of those things are readily available and was wondering if there are extra special experiences at Disney in those areas.

I can't say that they are any better than anywhere else. Golf aficionados like to golf on the WDW courses for the same reason they like playing on other courses than their normal one: it's a challenge to play on a new course. As far as the rest, it really depends on what you have available, where, and also how often you do it I guess. For me, I live in the Midwest and can find lakes everywhere, but I don't own a boat so the boats are nice for me. It all comes down to preference, too. For some, WDW is all about parks. For others, it is about being at a resort and relaxing. That's where these other things come in. Hope that helps a bit.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

On every single vacation EXCEPT Disney, I do a spa day... Did it only one time at Disney and was anxiously thinking about "all the fun" I was missing. Don't know why, I do love hanging at the resort pool, etc...
I agree with PP about the home decoration thing. I plan to indulge in some serious ($$$ wise) Disney art this time. DH and I also have taken at least one tour every single trip. Love those and they can add up to some extra change fast!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

[QUOTE="Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina, post: 54338910, member: 211072 a Disney attraction, but for anyone visiting Disney for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I would wholeheartedly recommend a day at Discovery Cove with the dolphin swim experience. Absolutely, positively the most awesome and amazing splurge in Central Florida. Worth every penny and then some.[/QUOTE]
Totally totally agree! Probably the best $800 I've ever spent!!!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

I'm going to do just that for my boyfriend. He's very, very skeptical about going to disney world. "i don't care, im just doing this for you" attitude. I figure i might as well give him a little pixie dust with a bottle of wine and chocolate delivered to the room. I think it'll be worth it.

That man had better appreciate you!!! How thoughtful and sweet! Sparkle on and post on the board how it went!

 

[laughinplace199]

I am toying with doing this again come January.

This October I have planned a private Illuminations dessert party in the UK pavilion. For about four hundred dollars we will have an event guide, a cheese, meat and fruit platter, unlimited mickey ice cream novelties, Mickey shaped sugar cookies, chocolate dipped strawberries, butterscotch marshmallow squares, cotton candy, lemonade, milk and water, babycakes donuts and a Cinderella themed birthday cake. Really looking forward to it. Disney's catered events arranged the whole thing.

Wow, that sounds amazing!

 

[DisMom829]

Cabana at Typhoon Lagoon, sooo worth it!

Tell me more about the Cabana rental. What all is included. I got a less than helpful CM when I called. Can PM if you prefer. Thank you in advance

 

[okilydokily]

Today I learned what a cheap SOB I am.

I have tried a good number of the suggested indulgences, I can say a vast majority I did not find to really be worth it. I mean, I will keep trying new things as I can because I love going to Disney and trying what they offer, but to me the prices are so ridiculous on many of these things, I just can not justify doing it more than once. For me, I am 50/50 on the things I thought were actually "worth" what we paid.

Having said that, I do think the Hoop de doo is is great and have done it more than once. I would also suggest to someone to do more at the resorts. There is a lot of fun activities to do. The parks are fun, but you miss out on a lot of good things by not trying them. Bike rentals, yee haw Bob, a lot don't even cost much.

 

[Glenn]

Most folks tend to do alot of running around when they are at WDW. Add another day to your trip to just people watch & do little things you wiz by. Hang out by splash & watch how people react coming down the last drop. Grab a dole whip float & slowly eat it watching the crowd. Grab a bench on Tom Sawyers Is by the water and just watch the steamer go by. This is great to do on your last day. Maybe do some rides but the trick is to try to slow down, relax and enjoy the folks and sights around you. .

 

[missclh]

We just recently got back from our first trip ever - I wish I would have read up on these "must have/do indulgences"! The best money I spent was actually on my husband. He also had the indifferent view on Disney for the most part - didn't really want any souvenirs or anything. But when we went into the Star Tours gift shop and he did the "make your own lightsaber" for our nephew and I saw how much his face lit up when he asked me if he could get one too... I couldn't say no! (Even to the twice as expensive double bladed lightsaber!)

I say... if it makes you happy... do it (or eat it!).

 

[Ruth B]

Great thread. Thank you all but now totally struggling to decide what special event to do!!
Traveling with husband, son(8) and daughter (3).
Hubby birthday week before so thinking about;
Discovery cove( maybe just hubby and son as not sure about 3 year old)
African trek- for hubby and son
Pirates and pals cruise for all of us

Any one have experience of doing the events with young children. Thank you

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

- Private fireworks cruise for Wishes
- Contemporary Tower Club room facing MK (those oversized balconies are amazing!!)
- Signature dining

 

[belleincanada]

Just read this whole thread and now have some great honeymoon options! Also...

Couldn't agree more! we did the DVC verson on our June trip (where you pay per head and travel with fellow DVC members that have booked that night) and it was just fantastic.

We are renting points from a friend who's a DVC member.... is there a way for us to get in on this for us?

We did this years ago as well and it was wonderful, but unfortunately my daughter never forgot the trauma of seeing a mother rabbit attacking a large bird that was threatening her babies.....then the bird grabbing a baby rabbit, killing it, and following our safari vehicle around with the rabbit dangling from it's beak. OMG it was awful. Just our luck to see THAT circle of life......

This is maybe the most terrifying thing I've ever heard in my life.

 

[L&Lfan]

That's life. Many things in nature ain't pretty.

 

[belleincanada]

Lol. Yup.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

We've always stayed Moderate. We pack a lot in during our trips and usually spend NYE at EPCOT. This past trip, my parents just weren't feeling it. My dad is a colorectal cancer survivor and his stomach isn't what it used to be. My mom's knee tends to act up, and it was very hot this trip. Normally the crowds don't bother us, but we plan on staying at BC next trip - even if it is much more expensive.

We're taking the necessary steps to save. I haven't purchased coffee in a long time - I brew it at home now. You'd be surprised how much that saves! We like the fact that next year we can simply walk over to EPCOT for NYE rather than worry about the buses, etc.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

^^ Oh yeah, and while I'm at it - going to Disney during Christmas is totally worth it. If you can't afford to stay during Christmas week, just go early December.

 

[Epcot242]

I've done a tour or two but honestly the food is one of the biggest draws. Over the years the dining experience has ebbed and flowed but if there's one place we always have to hit, it's the California Grill. We go expecting to drop $100-$200 (appetizers, drinks, entrees, possibly dessert) and it's worth it every single time.

 

[revdon64]

Tell me more about the Cabana rental. What all is included. I got a less than helpful CM when I called. Can PM if you prefer. Thank you in advance

Running strictly from memory - 6 chairs, towels, a locker with key (small, for phones/wallets/etc), cooler with bottled water, refillable drink mugs, and concierge service. Also, the cabana area is roped off so that only those who have paid for cabanas can enter. I've posted the picture before, but it looks something like this: