So you have an extra $500, what do you do?

[Parker Clan]

Universal is amazing but it would cost you more than $500. If you are willing to put in some more money I highly recommend it. We never go to FL without visiting both Universal & Disney

 

[quandrea]

Private Illuminations dessert party. Call Disney Catered Events. You can book a fully customised, private party while viewing Illuminations for about $500. Ask for Uk Pubside or Bonsai Terrace--they have the lowest venue fees and food and beverage minimums. There is nothing that compares to a private party. You will be treated like a VIP with your own party planner, an event guide and a server. I've done two, third one scheduled for October, this time at Animal Kingdom.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Definitely Universal for a day with those ages

 

[snowybelle]

Universal, Wild Africa Trek, or Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.

All are great options... I'd probably rank them in that order based on the info in your post.

 

[Baloobus]

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party?

Great idea and I should have mentioned - we have done it before and probably won't repeat.

 

[Baloobus]

Universal is amazing but it would cost you more than $500. If you are willing to put in some more money I highly recommend it. We never go to FL without visiting both Universal & Disney

This seems to be the leader in the clubhouse. My girls have really gotten in to HP this summer. However, with splitting it between US and IOA, they really stick you with the $$.

Plus, the Park 2 Park is the only way to ride the train. I can't imagine going and not being able to ride it.

 

[vallygirl0221]

Given what you have said and the age of your daughters my top 3 would be

1. Universal (both sides can be done in a day)

2. Girls Spa afternoon, make one of your park days a half day, then take your DDs for mani pedis at one of the spas, let DH find something that interest him for a few hours (bike rental, boat ride, etc) then meet back up for dinner at the resort where your spa appointments are, perhaps GF so then you could watch the fireworks from there after dinner.

3. EEMH and memory maker

 

[kagmypts]

Do you have the option of extending your trip? If so, I would stay another day or two!

 

[mamamelody2]

Universal!

 

[cvjw]

We have done all the tours. I do not recommend undiscovered future world or the marceline to mk. Your girls are too young for keys to the kingdom, so my vote is for the wild Africa trek. It was truly amazing. One of my most favorite Disney experiences. So worth the money, although it is pretty expensive.

I do not recommend taking a day away from your planned vacation for universal. If you can add a night, then yes, visit universal.

 

[over50visits]

Universal, absolutely. Amazing rides (once you've done Harry Potter nothing anywhere seems close), best employees in town, and you don't feel like your wallet is being squeezed at every turn. Disney has our heart, but oh...Universal.

 

[epcotty]

Gatorland! Just kidding.

I'd go with Universal. We always enjoy it there

 

[nacho113]

My family (of 4) and I are heading to WDW in a few weeks. Through the graciousness of a family member, we have some extra money to augment our trip.

We have 7 day park hoppers already and will be there for 7 days, and currently only have plans to go to the 4 parks.

We have a 15 year old DD and a 12 year old DD.

So, possible options we are exploring -

A) Keys to the Kingdom Tour

B) AK Wild Trek Tour

C) Some combination of smaller tours - UnDiscovered Future World and/or Marceline to MK

D) Go to Universal for a Day

E) Some other unknown option - Legoland, Gatorland, etc.

I know those last two may be heresy on this board/forum, so my apologies.

I would appreciate any opinions you have.

Thanks.

Any chance you could add a couple of extra days to the vacation? This way you can add other things without cutting back on your park days.

Another thought might be to add the "park hopper plus" option to your tickets (I believe this only adds $15 to a hopper ticket). You could probably reduce your park days (to maybe 5 or 6 days) and add this option for a similar price to what you already paid. Then you can visit the waterparks, the mini-golf courses or ESPN wide world of sports (one "plus" visit per day of your ticket) https://www.undercovertourist.com/blog/disney-park-hopper-plus-option/

We are big Universal fans (with a side of Harry Potter mania) so a big thumbs up on this idea.

 

[mybestieismickey]

I also wouldn't add Universal unless you can add an extra day. Wild Africa Trek was so much fun! Really cool when we did it and I was sad when it was over. But even more fun as a memory. We did it in April and DH only did it to humor me. At least three times since he has randomly mentioned to me how much he liked it.

 

[maramarrie]

Hmmm...I've done a couple tours, but none you've mentioned. I really want to do the Wild Africa Trek, so that would be the top of the options you listed. If you're water lovers the AquaTour or DiveQuest experience seem really cool, too. Alternatively, if it was in the schedule to do so, I'd just want to use it to extend my stay by a night or two...work in a couple days of rest/resort fun and prolong the vacation.

 

[WedWayPilot]

My family (of 4) and I are heading to WDW in a few weeks. Through the graciousness of a family member, we have some extra money to augment our trip.

We have 7 day park hoppers already and will be there for 7 days, and currently only have plans to go to the 4 parks.

We have a 15 year old DD and a 12 year old DD.

So, possible options we are exploring -

A) Keys to the Kingdom Tour

B) AK Wild Trek Tour

C) Some combination of smaller tours - UnDiscovered Future World and/or Marceline to MK

D) Go to Universal for a Day

E) Some other unknown option - Legoland, Gatorland, etc.

I know those last two may be heresy on this board/forum, so my apologies.

I would appreciate any opinions you have.

Thanks.

If it falls on a day you are there and tickets are available Early Morning Magic was really worthwhile for our family. Another idea would be to visit Kennedy Soace Center if you have never been. They have ticket options that will pick you up at Disney if you don't have a car.

 

[HeidiGW]

hum, so many ideas...i would certainly get the Memory Maker. are you doing a dining plan? if not, Park Fare dinner is fun. Afterwards give the girls their own "Cinderella moment" and let them have a shopping spree. I realize $100-150 doesn't go very far in the gift shops, but they would have a blast! And, all your souvenir shopping is covered and done.

 

[srwarden1928]

Cirque. DW and I went to it on our arrival night of our first WDW trip. It is a terrific show, but kind of expensive. It also ends in December of this year, so if you don't

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Wild Africa Trek

 

[Kalia]

I would do Cirque de Soleil, memory maker and if there is anything left use it for lots of ice cream and frozen drinks.

We first went to DisneyWorld on our honeymoon 2 years ago and compared to the wedding photographer it seemed cheap. We have so many photos of the 4 of us together and it is really quite rare to have that as usually one person has to take the photos. I would consider Memory Maker an essential purchase now for us.