Special "Treats" for Mom/Daughter Trip

[BethR9]

Going on a mother/daughter trip in the middle of January with my 9 year old. What are some special things/experiences we could do together while at Disney? She’s not really into the princesses anymore (too cool) and not really the characters either. I’m up for any suggestions either in park or outside. What about dining reservations? Anything special there I should try for? Thanks for any tips you can provide! We won’t be back for quite a long so looking to make this extra special. Money isn’t really an object for a “wow” treat… I wanted to do the extra morning hours at Magic Kingdom but see they are only scheduled for Tuesdays. Will that change or is that only when they do that now?

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Maybe some sort of tour? The Behind the Seeds one is quite interesting if you're fans of Epcot or gardening at all. She's too young for some of the really interesting ones (like Keys to the kingdom) but there are others the two of you can do.

You could try to get a reservation for Dining with an Imagineer. They're hard to come by, but very worth it. Nine might be a little young but if she can sit still and listen well she might enjoy it based in her interests in Disney imagineering.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I'm planning a mother/daughter trip in 2018 when DD is 12. We want to do things we don't/haven't done before. On our short list are, HDDR, 4 parks one day, spa day, Cali Grill during fireworks (I've done this with SO but not the kids) and Grand Floridian Tea.

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

How about the Ferrytale Wishes fireworks dessert cruise? I think it is Mondays and thursdays in January. Renting Sea Racers is really fun too but your daughter wouldn't be old enough to drive so I'm not sure if it would be as much of a thrill.

 

[lborne]

PP hit my favorites - GF tea followed by pedicure, manicure (at the GF), and the Cali Grill during fireworks.

 

[BethR9]

I'm intrigued by the California Grill. Never thought to look into that but I just did. What time would you suggest to get a reservation for so we can stay for Wishes? say Wishes is at 9pm. Can we just order dessert or is that frowned upon?? I have the Wishes dessert party booked with the plaza garden viewing. Would this be a better view and less crowded? I could probably do more desserts at Cali Grill for less money than the dessert party. But where's the better view?

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I'm intrigued by the California Grill. Never thought to look into that but I just did. What time would you suggest to get a reservation for so we can stay for Wishes? say Wishes is at 9pm. Can we just order dessert or is that frowned upon?? I have the Wishes dessert party booked with the plaza garden viewing. Would this be a better view and less crowded? I could probably do more desserts at Cali Grill for less money than the dessert party. But where's the better view?

For full out dinner I would aim for 7:30. For just desserts maybe 8:00. It really is an amazing view. I've heard others on the board go for just dessert and it isn't frowned upon.

I've never done the Wishes dessert party so I can't compare the views. I would imagine they are completely different perspectives.

 

[BethR9]

For full out dinner I would aim for 7:30. For just desserts maybe 8:00. It really is an amazing view. I've heard others on the board go for just dessert and it isn't frowned upon.

I've never done the Wishes dessert party so I can't compare the views. I would imagine they are completely different perspectives.

Thank you! I may just do both. I'd like to see Wishes more than once on our trip so this might be another good way.

 

[Accident]

I would recommend the Afternoon Tea at Grand Floridian.

As a father who watched his daughter grow up visiting WDW time to time, you just adjust with their age and how they want to visit the world. Looking back, I loved the little girl times but the preteen, teenager and now young adult years have just changed how we view, enjoy and do WDW. Each special in it's own way and be careful about adding too much extra to it to make up for your memories of the princess years. You don't need to replace each thing they don't want to do with something new but you can ease in the next phase of options you normally overlook (but save some for the teen and you adult years).

 

[REEREEG]

Maybe doing an archery lesson (be like Merida or Katniss). We are going to do that before Mickeys Backyard BBQ. Maybe you could do it before Hoop Dee Doo?

 

[disneydreamin23]

For just a fun little experience, I would say pick a pearl at Japan in Epcot. You can get a cinderella carriage cage necklace on ebay for around $5-10 for the pearl to go in.

 

[famy27]

Depending on budget, I'd say Wild Africa Trek at AK. I did this with my DD when she was 8 (she's 10 now), and it was an absolute Disney highlight.

I'm doing a mom and daughter trip first week of January, so I love that you started this thread.

Here are some other suggestions:
Dinner at Le Cellier (DD's favorite restaurant)
California Grill during Wishes (but might be tough to get at this point)
Dessert party (our favorite is Star Wars)--since your DD is 9, you wouldn't have to pay adult price for her
Behind the Seeds Tour
Spirit of Aloha dinner show

We also do fun little things, like making a meal out of snacks in WS. Or we go to a more "adult" place, like Trader Sam's, and just sit and have good conversation.

 

[BethR9]

How much is the Wild Africa Trek? What all does it entail and for how long?

Love all the suggestions!

 

[mickeymom22]

You could do an alphabet scavenger hunt. Find things in the park to take pictures of that represent each letter.

My daughter really enjoyed a pirate makeover when she was that age. It was a really fun experience.

You could also head over to Beaches and Cream (at the Beach Club) and share a kitchen sink sundae.

Yehaa Bob Jackson is a fun "free" show at Port Orleans Riverside. I think it starts at 8:30 pm on Wednesdays through Saturdays.


I know you all will make special memories together!

 

[famy27]

How much is the Wild Africa Trek? What all does it entail and for how long?

Love all the suggestions!

Wild Africa Trek is $189-249 per person, depending on season and time of day. We did the summer afternoon tour, so we paid the lowest price. It's a three-hour tour, and you get a harness and are clipped in above the hippo and crocodile enclosures. You then walk across the rope bridges above the crocodiles (which you may have seen when on KS). After the hiking portion, you board a private safari truck and head to the savanna, where you eat lunch/snack in the building you can see from KS. Finally, you take a more in-depth safari tour, where you get closer to the animals and make frequent stops for pictures. A photographer accompanies you on the tour, and you get a CD of all of your pictures included. My DD absolutely loved the tour, and so did the other kids who were in our group. I think there were about 12 of us total. It's just a really cool, unique experience.

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[BethR9]

That Trek looks amazing!

Love the Beaches and Cream idea!

Thanks everyone! Looking forward to making some magical memories!

 

[writerguyfl]

I'd also consider La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil at Disney Springs. It's a unique experience and children's tickets (ages 3 to 9) are roughly $20 less than adult tickets.

If your trip is now and December 16th, children's tickets are 50% off. Details here: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/kids-la-nouba-ticket/

I've seen La Nouba 25-30 times. The theatre is well designed and there really isn't a bad seat. There are six seating categories: Golden Circle, Front and Center, Category 1, Category 2, Category 3, Category 4 (limited view). Don't bother paying for Golden Circle or Front and Center; Category 1 or 2 are just as good as far as I'm concerned.

Unlike many Disney World experiences, it's usually possible to get seats to La Nouba upon arrival or even same-day. (They sometimes have discounted tickets only available once you get to WDW.) Even if you don't choose to do La Nouba, keep it in the back of your mind. It's a great back-up plan in case you experience inclement weather during your trip.

 

[BethR9]

Thank you, writerguy, for those details!