Special seatings or other fun things

[millie0312]

Hi everyone,
I'm working on planning our first (ack!) WDW trip and need some help. I was looking at trying to find special things to do (like the fireworks cruise or Pirates and pals cruise) or even things like F! special dining and seating but am having a hard time finding much of it.
We are planning on going in Sept 2016 with a then 9 year old and a 2 year old and DH, myself and my mom. We are planning on staying at the BC for 14-ish days with a DDP. We aren't really interested in a tour that would take up a ton of park time (it's our first visit and not sure when we can come back since we usually do DLR yearly) and with the young kids if its too much adult info we will lose them.
I've heard a little bit about how awesome some of the cruises are and of course the parades and fireworks but looking for thoughts/experiences on the "special" dining or seating/viewing as well as a general idea of cost and what would be involved. We are thinking about something fun to splurge on like special dining for a show/fireworks and/or cruise, but the info is a little harder to find on some of them. Any help would be appreciated!! TIA

 

[seshat0120]

I did the Fantasmic Dinnner package last year at Mama Melrose. It was 1 TS credit on the dining plan. I enjoyed the food more than I thought I would.

The dinner package seating was in the center and we sat about 4 rows up. The only drawback with that was that we got a little damp from the spray...the wind was also blowing towards us helping it along.

 

[Kirk]

I have 2 grandsons(3 & 6) and a granddaughter (11).

For the boys I'm doing Pirate Day:

Breakfast a Hollywood & Vine HS (Jake and the Never-land Pirates)
Pirates League MK (Pirate Dress-up)
Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial MK
Pirates Voyage Fireworks Cruise (Contemporary)

For the Girl - Princess Days:
Bippity Boppity Boutique MK (Bought an Elsa Costume on Amazon to save a little money)
Mother/Daughter My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party Grand Floridian

Cindy's Royal Table & Akershus Breakfasts on other days

For Me Beach Boy Day:
Cabana Rental at Typhoon Lagoon (Born and raised in CA)
Illuminations Boat Cruise out of the Yacht Club

 

[minnie mum]

You can find most of the info required for the F. dining package here: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/fantasmic-dining-package/

We've done this many times and obviously like it. We prefer doing this at lunch time as a welcome break after a busy morning. HBD is our favourite restaurant, but is 2 credits on the DDP. Mama Melrose is good too, and is one credit. We really like not having to line up and enter the theatre early. We usually aim to arrive a little more than 30 minutes before the show. And the preferred seating is in the center section.

If you want a little extra during evening festivities, then you could consider doing the Wishes Dessert party at MK. Here's some info:https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/wishes-fireworks-dessert-party/