Magical Extras at DW

[Nikki G]

I know this is way in advance, but my husband and I were talking about this last night and it got me thinking. We are taking the kids to DW the week after Thanksgiving this year. We are moving towards giving them experiences for Christmas from us instead of things (don't worry, Santa still brings the goods!). This past year we did MVMCP as our gift to them. We would like to do something extra again as their Christmas gift. What are some of the extra experiences that you've loved? The kids will be 9 and 6 (a very petite 6) when we go. I did some basic looking, but a lot of them are out because my little guy probably can't do them, or they are ridiculously expensive (shocking). Thanks!

 

[My3SweetSuns]

Early Morning Magic looks fun, though I can’t speak on it myself - I have it scheduled for March.
Tickets are very limited, the price isn’t crazy & breakfast is included.
There’s a whole thread on it with great info here.

I’m also doing the Star Wars dessert party with my son in March. It looks pretty amazing AND you get a souvenir stein. There are other dessert parties at other parks and firework cruises, too.

If your kids are night owls, there’s also Disney After Dark that looks pretty cool.

I’m sure someone else will chime in with other options, these are just the ones I’m familiar with.
Good luck!

 

[Klayfish]

A few weeks ago, we rented a surrey bike on the Boardwalk. The kids LOVED it, and it was cheap...like $30 or something.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Are they into pirates? The Pirates & Pals fireworks cruise could be special and fun, although potentially chilly after Christmas.

We have not done it but friends have and said it was fun.

 

[PSUGuy]

This last Nov we did the surry bike thing at Board Walk and 2 of our grand kids did the Jedi Training at DHS.

Bill From PA

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

We have two girls and we did Bippiti Boppiti Boutique. The next time we go, we are going to do the pirate's league and try out the mermaid makeup as they are a bit older now and not as in to princesses as they used to be. If princesses or pirates aren't of interest, the surrey bikes are a good time. Our girls always enjoy that. We did ours around POR, the grounds are really pretty. Another girl option (sorry, that's all I got), is tea at 1900. It's a little overpriced but my younger daughter enjoys that. Maybe one of the fireworks dessert parties that give you VIP seating access during the show? I haven't done them but I have that on my list, was looking at the Frozen show, heard really good things about that. Good luck, you'll have a blast whatever you do!

 

[Shellyb84]

The Caring for Giants tour at AK was amazing, the surrey bikes are fun, the pirate adventure cruises (we've only done the one from YC but they also have one out of the GF and I think CBR). All of those are a great value, somewhere between $30-$40.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I know this is way in advance, but my husband and I were talking about this last night and it got me thinking. We are taking the kids to DW the week after Thanksgiving this year. We are moving towards giving them experiences for Christmas from us instead of things (don't worry, Santa still brings the goods!). This past year we did MVMCP as our gift to them. We would like to do something extra again as their Christmas gift. What are some of the extra experiences that you've loved? The kids will be 9 and 6 (a very petite 6) when we go. I did some basic looking, but a lot of them are out because my little guy probably can't do them, or they are ridiculously expensive (shocking). Thanks!

I would consider HDDR. We did it followed by a holiday sleigh ride this year and that was a lot of fun. Pirates and Pals is great as well. Or a HEA dessert party.

 

[Deanie1]

Kudos to you - I read a story a few years ago about a 90 yr old woman who said that for the past 40 yrs she started to collect “experiences over things”. You are giving your children family memories that will far outlast “things”. I don’t have any additional suggestions but love those from pp’s.

 

[fhtpdw20]

They could do the Behind the Seeds tour at Epcot or the Family Magic Tour at MK.

 

[JessicaW1234]

My kids really enjoyed the pirates & pals fireworks cruise.

 

[MiracleCream]

I think it might be Jingle Bell blam dessert party instead of the star wars projection show the week after thanksgiving. I was considering that but decided to do MVMCP instead

 

[MomOfDisneyPrincess]

This is just what I have been looking for. DD wants to ride horses again, but I was looking for more things. The Caring for Giants at AK looks amazing. Are there any other animal experiences that don't cost a whole lot?

I heard they give kitchen tours at one of the AKL restaurants, Boma maybe? She is very interested in cooking, as well. I thought about the cake decorating, but $150 ish was too rich for my blood. Although, we will be celebrating her birthday.

I will definitely sign her up for Jedi training. Something we just couldn't coordinate in previous years.

Animals are her real passion, so I would be more inclined to spend more money on animal adventures. We spend hours at the petting area at AK! I just grab a bench and rest my feet while she pets and gets to know every single goat there!

 

[CrazyHare]

My daughter loved the Wonderland Tea Party hosted by the Mad Hatter and Alice at the Grand Floridian. It takes place at 1900 Park Fare around 2. It was $50 ish. She decorated a cupcake, had apple “tea”, played games and decorated a teapot and cup and saucer. It’s a kids only event. There is a photo pass photographer in there with them so you get photos of each party. It was 1 1/2 or 2 hours long.

Edit: her group was about 10 kids and there were boys and girls.

 

[PanamaMike]

Sign up for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom.
Great for those ages and doesn't cost anything.

 

[Shellyb84]

This is just what I have been looking for. DD wants to ride horses again, but I was looking for more things. The Caring for Giants at AK looks amazing. Are there any other animal experiences that don't cost a whole lot?

I heard they give kitchen tours at one of the AKL restaurants, Boma maybe? She is very interested in cooking, as well. I thought about the cake decorating, but $150 ish was too rich for my blood. Although, we will be celebrating her birthday.

I will definitely sign her up for Jedi training. Something we just couldn't coordinate in previous years.

Animals are her real passion, so I would be more inclined to spend more money on animal adventures. We spend hours at the petting area at AK! I just grab a bench and rest my feet while she pets and gets to know every single goat there!

The Caring for Giants is the only animal experience that is reasonable that I know of. I think the others are all over $150 at least.