Please suggest a new Disney experience for us

[clydesdale6]

We have park hopped the theme parks many times, gone to Typhoon Lagoon, been to Disney quest and are looking to add something new this year. We have eaten at LeCellier and the Japanese restaurant in Epcot and this year we are going to eat at Sanaa at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Sanaa was suggested here and we are psyched about it. We never heard of it until coming to this site and it looks like a fantastic suggestion. It looks so good that we are wondering what other pearls of wisdom can be imparted to us to make this year's trip a little better.
Does anybody have any other suggestions on an experience to add to this year's trip? We will be doing one day in the parks and possibly one day at a water park, if the weather permits. What other gems do you guys suggest? Thanks.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Two things come to mind........

Our friends did a Segway Tour at Fort Wilderness and they said it was awesome! I also think there is horseback riding there and that is something our family wants to do on our next trip.

Another idea is to rent mouseboats and take them out on the Seven Seas Lagoon and also cross thru to Bay Lake. My husband and I did this and we literally went all over both. Super fun!

I have no idea of your family dynamics, but if you have kids, have they ever done the Perry mystery experience in the World Showcase? Our girls did it when it was the Kim Possible mission and it was a lot of fun for all of us.

I've also read the Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage is a lot of fun for all ages.

Another idea I've read here.....one family's tradition is to go to Beaches & Cream on their first night and they eat a Kitchen Sink for their dinner and that is how they start off each trip. I love this idea!

 

[magicaldisney]

We try to do something new each trip as well. This trip we will be horseback riding at Fort Wilderness on Thanksgiving.

Edited to add: When you are at Kidani, do the night time vision binoculars provided to guests by the firepit. It's fun to look out on the savannah at night. If you haven't visit AKL Jambo, you should walk over there and check out the Lodge.

What you didn't mention is when you will visiting WDW. Will you be there from now until the end of December? There are many many things to check out if you are.

 

[Itinkso]

3 kids between the ages of 8-12, correct?

One thing that we always do, because as DL vets this isn't possible at DL, is we have custom-made snacks from Goofy's Candy Co. in DTD. Rice Krispie treats, apples, marshmallow wands, and pretzel rods can be made to your specifications.

We've also had the silhouettes done of the DDs over the years and they are nice, inexpensive keepsakes.

We also like touring different resorts and then getting a snack or a meal. Checking out Celebration one afternoon when the Farmers' Market was there was fun - quite a few food trucks were at the Market.

Being Californians, we had never experienced eating at a Cracker Barrel. We now eat there at least once during a Florida visit.

 

[richkaryn]

We also try to add something new each trip. 2 trips ago it was the kids only pirate adventure cruise at CBR (also have at grand Floridian and port Orleans I believe). Our son loves this and we took the time he was gone to walk around the resort and go to the pool.

The last trip we did the Fork and Screen at the AMC theater at DTD. (We saw muppets most wanted during lunch. This was a bit pricey ($40+ for movie tickets for 4 and $80ish for lunch......but it's Disney so you expect to pay more and honestly the experience was worth every penny. Our son is still asking if we can do it again next trip.

 

[Ceryssa]

Definitely check into Pirates & Pals! Tons of fun for both kids and adults, one of our favorite things from our trip and WELL worth the money. If you haven't done it already, check out some of the shows on the Boardwalk at night--also another one of our favorites You could also try doing a scavenger hunt--put together your own list, or do a search for one. Maybe try one of the park experiences like Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, or the Seven Seas Adventure, or the Epcot one. Gotta love how there's always a looooong list of new things to experience at Disney!

You mentioned trying some new restaurants--the ones at the Swan and Dolphin are really good!

 

[famy27]

We did Wild Africa Trek in August, and it was fantastic. I'd highly recommend it to anyone. My DD really enjoyed it and would love to do it again.

 

[clydesdale6]

Itinkso, Yes, 3 kids between 8 and 12. We are going in Feb. We are from the opposite coast and therefore we hit " In-N- Out Burger" when we are on your side.

I will look into the suggestions made. I am getting the feeling that even though we are veterans at the 4 major theme parks, there is so much more to see. You might say, we are ready to expand our palates. Thanks to all and keep the suggestions coming.

 

[tinkerpea]

If you go to Akl before Sanaa you could do the bonfire story and marshmellows roasting,
It's on every night,and is a really lovely way to end or start an evening we stayed there for 3wks and loved every minute! They also have African musical sing along and as a pp said night time goggles,
Also if you walk through the lodge and past the pool they have many animal viewing areas with guides to tell you all about the savannah.
I'd make the most of an evening their since you're eating next door.

 

[Mom2darlingboys]

Try taking your kids fishing. Our guys loved it! Or archery lessons at Ft. Wilderness might be fun too.

 

[Caseheidi]

We love the Mini-golf locations at WDW. The Winter Summerland one is Christmas themed, and really perfect for kids. The Fantasia themed one is beautiful, but quite challenging. We took DD 5 to Winter Summer-land for the first time this past May, and she loved it. Almost for the picture taking adventure as for the golfing.

We also love spending an evening at the Boardwalk. Rent a 5 person Surrey for your family and ride around the lake a few times. Join the movie shown on the lake next to the Beach Club. Find a good bench, and watch what you can see of the fire works in Epcot.

Get tickets to La Nuba at DTD (Disney Springs?). Great show, and the kids will love it.

 

[TXTransplant]

We love the Mini-golf locations at WDW. The Winter Summerland one is Christmas themed, and really perfect for kids. The Fantasia themed one is beautiful, but quite challenging. We took DD 5 to Winter Summer-land for the first time this past May, and she loved it. Almost for the picture taking adventure as for the golfing. We also love spending an evening at the Boardwalk. Rent a 5 person Surrey for your family and ride around the lake a few times. Join the movie shown on the lake next to the Beach Club. Find a good bench, and watch what you can see of the fire works in Epcot. Get tickets to La Nuba at DTD (Disney Springs?). Great show, and the kids will love it.

Has the Fantasia mini-golf been rehabbed? We went for spring break 2013, and I was so disappointed in the poor condition of the course! There was a lot of damage and the effects at multiple holes were not working properly. It is a beautiful course, so it was sad to see it look so bad. I was kicking myself for not going to Winter-Summerland instead.

And I may be in the minority, but I did not like La Nouba - at all! I thought it was terrible actually, and would not spend the money to take a child. I have taken my son to other Cirque shows and we have both enjoyed them.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Another vote for aforementioned Pirates and Pals cruise as well at La Nouba. Both are excellent.

 

[mudman]

When are you going?

We are trying to do a few different things this time too.
Our trip is 12/28-1/3/15

Knowing that the park is going to be mobbed and because we've been a number of times we have added a few new experiences:

Renting a golf cart at Ft. Wilderness to see the holiday campsite decorations and then hope to catch the fireworks from the beach after.

Going to Candlelight processional at Epcot.

Eating at BOG dinner

Doing the Gospel Brunch at DTD House of Blues.

Touring the resort holiday decorations.

Snacking our way through each country (sharing one snack at each country as our lunch) *need some ideas here....

Visiting the town of Celebration.

So looking forward to doing new things

Great thread!

 

[winthropf]

It's evening entertainment so may be hard with young ones (suggest a nap), but Yehaa Bob in the lounge at POR. Show starts at 8:30, but get there early for a seat. Great family fun for kids and adults.

 

[Itinkso]

Not sure when in February you'll be there, but if you're there during the Princess Half Marathon, the Expo at WWoS is an interesting experience. Buses run from the resorts directly to WWoS and it's the only place where you can purchase the runDisney New Balance shoes. We did the 5K last year so we needed to go to the Expo but we met a lot of guests who were there just to shop and experience it.

If you are there that weekend, avoid DTD after the Half is finished. Every runner who doesn't have a park ticket is there!

 

[Caseheidi]

Has the Fantasia mini-golf been rehabbed? We went for spring break 2013, and I was so disappointed in the poor condition of the course! There was a lot of damage and the effects at multiple holes were not working properly. It is a beautiful course, so it was sad to see it look so bad. I was kicking myself for not going to Winter-Summerland instead.

And I may be in the minority, but I did not like La Nouba - at all! I thought it was terrible actually, and would not spend the money to take a child. I have taken my son to other Cirque shows and we have both enjoyed them.

I don't know if it was redone or not. It has been several years since we were there. We prefer Winter Summerland with our little one.

 

[Itinkso]

Fantasia was recently refurbed. I think it was within the last three months.

 

[TinaLala]

Have you thought about doing a Disney Youth Education program? They have individual programs that are really cool. Kingdom keepers, LaNouba, etc. check the, out.

 

[Lancer]

How about "Dinning with an imaginer" or "Lunch with an animal care taker" which if I remember is held at Sanaa. There is also many behind the scenes tours to choose from. One that is fairly cheap for a family and very interesting is "Behind the seeds" at EPCOT's Land pavilion.