Something a bit special

[Cochise]

This is an open lets have your views thread, all ideas welcome.

We travel in October for 3 weeks with my Mum and Dad for the whole time and my Sister arriving for the last two weeks. That makes for a truly memorable holiday in Orlando that we think will never be repeated with us all there. Iam the sole organiser and trip planner, most things are sorted but this is nagging me........

I am looking for ideas on what people have considered that little touch/event/meal etc that just stood above the rest, i have ruled a shuttle launch out, ruled a limo out due to the cost. I am thinking of a fireworks dining etc etc or anything....just want something a family of the following years will all say WOW!! We wont forget that...my Dad is a plumber of 40 years so sheez he is one awkward sod to please....
Ages are 69,67,46,43,38,37,12,11,10,8...PHEW

 

[Pegasus928]

What about a hot air balloon trip.
You would need 2 ballons for all of you to fit in (maybe even 3) but as you pay per person that wouldn't matter.
It means an early start but the one we went on offered a buffet breakfast in with the cost once we got back to the hotel we originally met at. And that was after the bottle of champagne they opened once we had landed (it's a tradition apparently)
The other advantage of this is that you don't have to sacrifice another day to do it - as by the time you are all done it is still only about 9-10 o'clock.
This is who we did ours with.

http://orangeblossomballoons.com/

 

[fearfall]

i would go for dinner at cinderellas royal table http://allears.net/menu/menu_crd.htm

 

[natalielongstaff]

why not look into some of the grand gatherings events

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Grandgathering.htm

 

[team harris]

What about a Wishes Cruise?

 

[mickeyforpresident]

I would say a Wishes cruise too - make it even more special and get private dining there too.

Otherwise why not a meal, to coincide with wishes at either California Grill or Narcoosees (sp?!!).

You know of course that something really simple like all watching Wishes on Mainstreet USA can be just as magical and not cost anything extra at all.

How about queueing for Mickey's autography and having a whole family picture taken - now that would be really special!!!!

What a lovely thing to want to arrange!!!! I'll keep thinking.

 

[tink too]

What about a hot air balloon trip.
You would need 2 ballons for all of you to fit in (maybe even 3) but as you pay per person that wouldn't matter.
It means an early start but the one we went on offered a buffet breakfast in with the cost once we got back to the hotel we originally met at. And that was after the bottle of champagne they opened once we had landed (it's a tradition apparently)
The other advantage of this is that you don't have to sacrifice another day to do it - as by the time you are all done it is still only about 9-10 o'clock.
This is who we did ours with.

http://orangeblossomballoons.com/

I second a hot air balloon trip - it is a fantastic experience! We also flew with Orange Blossom Balloons and can recommend them. I'm sorry Pegasus928 - but I have to disagree that 3 balloons would be needed - there were 8 in our basket and one of the other balloons that departed with us had 12 in their basket!

 

[Cochise]

Some cracking ideas, not too hot on heights in certain situations so cant say how i would react on a baloon ride. I panicked on the Banff Gondola in May.

 

[Beep]

Hi, not sure about your budget but how about Cirque du Soleil? It is a fantastic show and we still talk about it a few years on.

We are going out for our wedding and a special part of that is that my Mom and Dad will be with us for two weeks. We were trying to think of something special we could do to as, like you, I don't think we will be there with them agian
.
We are taking them to CdS as a thank you and hoping to afford Jiko afterwards.

I remember someone on here posting that they had taken a picnic to the beach at the Poly and watched Wishes from there. That would be a great experience and not costly.

How about something like a carriage ride at POR or FW?

Backstage tour at one of the parks maybe?

If they like Illuminations how about a cruise there as opposed to Wishes?

Hope that helps

 

[tink too]

Some cracking ideas, not too hot on heights in certain situations so cant say how i would react on a baloon ride. I panicked on the Banff Gondola in May.

My DH is terrible with heights - a few rungs up a ladder and he's feeling light-headed - but oddly enough, the balloon flight did not phase him at all.

In fact, he's just asked me to book another balloon trip for our April vacation so we can bring DD7 along this time.

 

[Pegasus928]

I second a hot air balloon trip - it is a fantastic experience! We also flew with Orange Blossom Balloons and can recommend them. I'm sorry Pegasus928 - but I have to disagree that 3 balloons would be needed - there were 8 in our basket and one of the other balloons that departed with us had 12 in their basket!

I stand corrected

The ballon we had had 5 of us plus the pilot and I doubt we could have got anymore in. They must have some bigger baskets than the one we had that they use for larger groups maybe.

 

[paulh]

we did a segay round celibration for sons bday.but both dw and myself enjoyed it
http://www.zetours.com/
it is cheaper than the disney one and we loved going round celibration
Paulh

 

[paulh]

just realised there are 10 of you think he only has 6 spots avalable at a time,so the disney one might be your best option on the segway
Paulh

 

[heatherbelle]

We too did a balloon ride. I bought it for DH for this birthday and at the time he was none too thrilled with it. However, 6 months later when he was actually there, he said it was the highlight of this holiday and still talks about it now. At the time the kids went free too.

The balloon didn't actually go that high, it just to seem to float across the roof tops of houses to miss the power lines. We were able to wave and shout at people in their gardens. We also went over the lakes and the balloon came down really low, as if to almost skim the water. It was something really different that we will always remember, and something you would probably only do once in a life time.

The other thing I would suggest would be a family meal at Chef Mickey's if will bring joy to everyone in your party no matter what there ages. I think someone has already given you the link to the grand gatherings. The food is nice and lots of interaction with lots of different characters. We now go here on every holiday, it's turned into a tradition.

I would forgot the fancy meals, as these may be too stuffy for the kids.

Edit - If they don't want to ride in the balloon, you can follow in the chase cars.

 

[Cochise]

Looked at the Grand Gatherings and it says on-site only. We have a villa at Windsor Hills.

 

[natalielongstaff]

Looked at the Grand Gatherings and it says on-site only. We have a villa at Windsor Hills.

oh thats a shame ! maybe an illuminations or wishes cruise then or one of the backstage tours.

 

[Cochise]

Sarah has suggested that we have a lads and girls thing seperate. Possibly down to Tampa for the lads to watch a Buccs game and find something for them to do either in Tampa or back in Orlando. Ah shucks Tampa will be at Wembley on the 25th October so the window of 16/10 to 30/10 when we are all there is looking a no no for another Bucs home game, have to look at the Jags.

 

[Camac]

Sarah has suggested that we have a lads and girls thing seperate. Possibly down to Tampa for the lads to watch a Buccs game and find something for them to do either in Tampa or back in Orlando. Ah shucks Tampa will be at Wembley on the 25th October so the window of 16/10 to 30/10 when we are all there is looking a no no for another Bucs home game, have to look at the Jags.

You could always watch a local college game. DH and DD saw Florida State University v Wisconsin University at the Rose Bowl in December and had a great time. The college games are very well supported and it is easier (and cheaper)to get tickets than for the NFL games.

We did the segway tour of Celebration on Christmas Day followed by lunch at the Celebration Hotel it was the highlight of our holiday. Those who do not do the segway could take a horse drawn carriage ride around the town.

The Blue Man Group at Universal is also a great show to catch - difficult to explain but great fun for all ages.

 

[sehandiph]

We were in a similar position and we had a great time - did a backstage tour at Disney - the dolphins in depth - there were only 8 of us - two lots of four - each of us got a video (ok its is a few years ago) but we still talk about - my 80 year old mum especially. not sure if you have to be over 12 though.

we have also done the segway tours and found them great - the one round Epcot and the Off road Segway at Wilderness lodge - a lot of standing up though - again I'm not sure of the ages for children on these.

What about one of the airboat trips near to WDW? I believe they are great but we have yet to try them out.

Sharon

 

[Cochise]

Again thanks for suggestions. A good friend of mine from the boards visited Boggy Creek and I am sure he was a little on the disappointed side with it for the outlay, kind of sticks in my mind.