Hi,
Sorry it took me awhile to get back..thank goodness for being able to click on my name and hitting "see recent posts by Ozymoe"...it's like Hansel's and Gretel's breadcrumbs, sometimes that's the only way I manage to find my way back to a thread in which I've posted.
From what you've said about your group and the kids' ages I have four suggestions, two at Disney and two off property.
1) I am not sure what the "magical gatherings fireworks cruise" is, but the Wishes fireworks cruise takes (10 or 12) people on a cruise around the lake after dark (you must book the 8:30 cruise I believe...if you do this, be sure to ask).
Our captain took us past lighted resorts and told/showed us interesting facts (I don't want to say what, because it's most magical to enjoy the ride and the information firsthand). We then anchored (along with a handful of other small craft far apart) in the middle of the lake and experienced the most magical fireworks display! It was as if we were truly princes and princesses...and the fireworks were a "command performance".
I do a lot of Disney fireworks (my b-day is the 4th of July
) but the "lake experience fireworks" were something else! Now, if this duplicates (or comes close to duplicating) the Magical Gatherings fireworks cruise...I'd save it for another time.
2) Myuki (Miyuki?) is the woman that makes the candy creations (by a little umbrella cart in front of the department store in Japan). She speaks sweet broken English as she makes the birds and animals. She has no fingerprints because sculpting the hot candy many years ago caused burns, leaving her with none. Her grandfather taught her this craft, and she in turn is teaching it to her young daughter. Watching her make these creations is, in itself, fascinating...but if you are there about 20 minutes before her posted arrival time, chances are when she arrives, she'll ask you to choose an animal...and then make it and give it to you (free).
If I were doing this, I'd check her schedule, under Japan, on the white single sheet of park times you get on first entering Epcot (I think she only comes Mon thru Thurs...or maybe Sun thru Thurs?), and then I'd "just happen" to wander past her with the kids when she's already doing a presentation. That way they can have the fun of "discovering" her...and you'll find out how interested they are in coming back to the next presentation 20 minutes early (if they want to have a candy animal/bird made for them). Her dragons and flamingos are my favorites to watch her make!
3) This next suggestion can be a "knock your sox off" memory for some kids...it was/and is for mine. We still do this every so often. There is an Orlando attraction called Sky Venture.
Sky Venture
6805 Visitors Cir.
Orlando , FL 32819
Phone : (407)903-1150
This is not too far away from WDW just off International Drive (about 20-30 minutes from DTD). It is a vertical wind tunnel. There aren't a whole lot of these in the world. Skydivers come from all over to practice maneuvers in it. The guys who help you "fly" are experts and can do all sorts of special things/tricks in the "tunnel". It doesn't cost anything to watch them, I could do that all day and have fun! The best part though is watching your own children/spouses/yourself! do it.
It is relatively expensive. $38 apiece for the experience I will describe below:
When you arrive and buy your ticket (you must call ahead and make reservations) you will then walk up a steep flight of stairs to gain access to the viewing room. Those who are going to "fly" are taken as a group (6-10?) to another room where they learn the "mechanics" of doing this, also the hand signals. They are given nylon flight suits and helmets to wear (btw come dressed in soft-soled shoes like sneakers).
After about 20 minutes to 1/2 hour the "recruits" come out to a special area across from where the "watchers" are sitting on a small bleacher section. They line up and the first one goes into the tunnel with the expert who uses hand signals to have the recruit hover about 3 feet from the floor in a position as if they were freefalling while parachuting. The recruit stays in the tunnel for 1 minute (there is a countdown clock). She/he then exits the tunnel and the next recruit enters the tunnel. After each member of the group has this initial experience they do it once again...for another minute. Depending on the skill they demonstrate/willingness to do a bit more, they do other things with them too.
When my family did this for the first time I said...whoa...how is that enough time??? The kids assured me that it seemed muuuuch longer than 1 minute! Anyway the whole experience takes quite awhile and is like nothing they have ever done (or will possibly ever do again). It is so safe that I intend to do it this autumn (hee hee I was going to say "this fall" but thought the better of it). The floor is a grid through which a column of air passes, giving you the ability to "float/fly" above it...so really, "falling" isn't an issue. The tunnel itself is made of something that looks to me like clear super-thick plexiglass. It is approximately 12? (maybe 13, 14) feet in circumference, although I'm guessing at that.
I have seen children younger than 8 doing this, actually I think there was a 5 year old in one of the groups (I don't know what the restrictions are because ours were 11, 11 and 13 and age/height restrictions were never an issue). Adults also do this...actually there are usually as many, if not more adults doing this than children.
Lol...do you think any of the adults in your party are up for this? If this is something you think you might do I offer the following suggestions...1) it is way more fun if there are "watchers" in the group (perhaps some who aren't so keen on doing it?). The watchers can videotape...priceless! ...and enjoy the whole experience as much as those doing it!...and 2) if everyone wants to do it, break into two groups going at two separate times, one right after the other so everyone can have the fun of watching, doing and videotaping.
Also...the Orlando entertainment book has a two for one special for this...one time per year use coupon. The 20% off coupon is good anytime across the board, so it may be beneficial for each family to consider the advantage of purchasing an Orlando entertainment book...if you already have the entertainment book and have decided to do this, whoo-hoo...you just found another savings from it!
Last comment...my girls (now 16) just came in to say this is on their list of "best things they ever got to do at DisneyWorld"...lol...even if it isn't Disney, they think in Disney terms...I have taught them well! They also commented that the ages your kids are is exceptionally great for doing this...but they might be biased because that's how old they were the first time!
Okokokok....so here's my last one (it is on their list of best dinner shows we ever attended as a family)...but wait...when are you going because maybe this is on their list because of something extra I did that revolved around the time of year it was...
