Looking for Ideas for Bonus Trip

[arichau]

Hi all,

My family took our annual DLR trip a few weeks ago. My DD will be turning 10 soon and I'm taking her on a short bonus trip (just the 2 of us) in late July right before our annual passes expire - that's my excuse - and an early birthday present - haha).

Since we were just there this trip is more about the few things we missed (Peter Pan, a few characters) and just special moments that we never seem to have time for. I'm curious if anyone has suggestions to add to our list. So far here's what I have:

- Dessert WOC meal (yay to sitting down for this!!)
- Seeing Fantasmic (unfortunately we will be there before the 29th for the rest of the openings but I'm super happy about Fantasmic!!
- Meeting more characters (she really loves this and getting autographs)
- Collecting more pressed pennies (ditto)
- Riding some of the Main Street Vehicles - and just in general spend way more time on Main Street. Probably doing the same on the Cable Cars in DCA.
- Eat at some new places we've never been before
- More Animation Academy (we never tire of this)
- More time looking through all the artwork everywhere

I know about Hidden Mickeys, apple in Snow White ride, Jungle Cruise map (although I've never asked for this), fortune tellers - but I'm sure I'm missing some things.

I'm thinking about the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour (she has read reviews and wants to do it) but I'm really concerned about the length (3 1/2 hours). She is interested in the history of Disneyland, but I'm concerned it's just too long. And if we didn't get to see the Dream Suite (which I hear isn't guaranteed) or she would be so sad. I'm concerned she's interested way more in the Suite tour and jumping the lines in 2 rides than what would take up the majority of the tour. Anybody take 9/10 year olds on this tour? I wish there was a shorter option for a tour.

This was our first trip having a Disney VISA card. Someone mentioned something to me (literally on our last day after we had left the parks) that there is a special pin you get can get with this card? She also loves pins I know about discounts and the character meets in DL and DCA but is there anything else park specific I'm missing? Also, if you've seen Darth Vader in the regular M&G area is there anything different or special about the one for VISA members?

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

You say it's a short trip, and a number of things you have listed can be fairly time consuming when added up, so I personally would skip the tour for that reason and all the others you are on the fence about it.

There is sometimes a special pin that is offered for sale only to Disney Visa card holders. I didn't see one displayed when I was there last week, and when I asked a CM at the DtD pin shop, she said there were no current offers.

I haven't done the regular Darth Vader meet and greet. The one time we did it we did the Visa one because there was almost no wait. You get free access to a digital copy of the photopass photo for the Visa meet, but if you have photopass with your AP, that's not a benefit you need.

 

[Winnowill]

My nine-year-old LOVED the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour, which we did last week. She got pretty pooped by the end, but that was largely hunger-driven (honestly - who gives you lunch AFTER a three-hour noon tour?) We did see the Dream (now called the "Royal") Suite. And, as APs, you get a discount (APs do NOT get discounts on WOC Dessert Party, BTW).

 

[deetman]

Shrunken Ned in Adventureland? It's a small thing, but oh so very DL....