What do you do that makes your trip magical?

[MSS91]

What are your tips / secrets/ experiences that you do that make your trip extra magical?

For us, we book one splurge experience per vacation, usually a spa treatment or rent a polar patio

 

[tsme]

I order my DD a gift from Disney Florist from Mickey & friends. Now that she's older, she knows it's really from us, but she still gets really excited when she receives it. We also try to make sure to do at least one thing that we haven't done before. Last year, it was the Backstage Tails Tour in AK. This year, we're taking one day & going to the dark side for the day.

 

[southernprincess1]

We have a few things we are doing to make our upcoming trip special. One thing is trying all new restaurants for our table service meals. We're also planning on making rope drop at MK for the first time. We're also considering the Behind the Seeds tour at Epcot.

 

[EvilQueen2018]

We are doing a version of Elf on a shelf. There's a mouse in the house, a duck ran amuck, a fairy magical birthday, etc. I'm planning a special activity tailored to each person. My son will get dinner at his favorite steakhouse, my husband is getting a NASCAR experience, Our youngest is getting BBB, etc. I'm going to give them a gift every day. It will be their park shirt for the day, some light up stuff for dark, a challenge they need to complete, and some snacks.

 

[Jannephotog]

It's not just during the trip, but I'm putting together park bag goodies for my brother & sister in law for our upcoming trip since it's the first time we are all 4 going to WDW together & celebrating his completing chemo. Trying to spark some Disney Magic before we even leave home!

 

[Upup4fun]

What are your tips / secrets/ experiences that you do that make your trip extra magical?

For us, we book one splurge experience per vacation, usually a spa treatment or rent a polar patio

What is a polar patio?

 

[andiraye]

I'm usually the designated planner and I really try to think about the overall arc of our trip. I like to have a first day with some excitement to it, a phenomenal last day and in betwen a good variety of activities and downtime that keeps everyone looking forward to what's around the bend.

 

[AussieDisneyMum]

I will be trying to 'tailor' the experience as much as possible. Invitations from 'Mickey', phone calls from 'Mickey', gifts from 'Tink', etc. My DD thinks the Disney characters are her personal friends, and I want to let her believe that as long as possible.

 

[Schulyn]

We went around Christmas and instead of ordering an Xmas stocking package from the florist we brought our own stocking stuff from home to save money. Then the kids got stockings from mickey without spending too much

 

[Max'smomma]

We did a nightly gift for grandson aged6 and granddaughter aged 8 . I included a letter (unsigned) with details from that day and info planned for next day. They decided that MMwas coming in our room and when they were good they got a great gift, when not so good they got a small gift! Last day the toy a letter from MM and friends. We did rent a pool cabana on an off park day it was fab! We stayed at BLT and the cabana had comp sodas, water, fruit tray, lotion tray, and big couches and beds in addition to loungers. We loved the comp fridge in the heat, we had 9hours of shaded pool comfort, and a semi- restful day! Even the kids agreed it was the best $200 we spent! We also did the Pirates and pals cruise to see fireworks, it was spectacular! And the kids had free rein of quality snacks, bags of white cheddar popcorn, cotton candy, treasure chests full of choc coins, mix your own snacks, drinks, veggies, fruit, and more! The cruise was a blast and the fireworks were great from the water. Normally you also see the water patent, but it was canceled bc of recent events.

 

[Nicholmom3]

We are "DisneyBounding" this trip! I am a fanatical planner (helps extend the magic for me) and I have planned different coordinating outfits for every day inspired by a disney movie or theme. For example, our first night we are going to dinner at the yachtsmen steakhouse and then to MK for Wishes. We have a Neverland theme. I will have a light blue sundress (wendy), my daughter will have a blue and white striped shirt with teal shorts (Mr. Smee)
my husband will wear a red and gold polo with khaki shorts (Capt Hook) and my son will have a green polo with darker green shorts (Peter!)

We have days for Pooh & Friends, Villains, Wonderland, Nemo, TLM, Classic, and Star Wars. I'm super looking forward to our Villain day

 

[addiemon]

@Nicholmom3 I'm doing the same thing this trip! Currently planning Anna, Judy Hopps, Belle, and Ozma of Oz (even though she's not really Disney)...in addition to actual costumes for MNSSHP.

I'm watching everyone's magic tips around the boards pretty excessively! I'm planning some treats for Mousekeeping (in addition to tips), picking up some fun stuff to hand out to kids at the party (not candy or other potentially suspicious items, but glowsticks and the like), etc.

This is our honeymoon 0.5, and I figure making magic for others will help make extra magic for us.

 

[Nicholmom3]

@Nicholmom3 I'm doing the same thing this trip! Currently planning Anna, Judy Hopps, Belle, and Ozma of Oz (even though she's not really Disney)...in addition to actual costumes for MNSSHP.

I'm watching everyone's magic tips around the boards pretty excessively! I'm planning some treats for Mousekeeping (in addition to tips), picking up some fun stuff to hand out to kids at the party (not candy or other potentially suspicious items, but glowsticks and the like), etc.

This is our honeymoon 0.5, and I figure making magic for others will help make extra magic for us.

Oooh! What kind of treats for MouseKeeping?

 

[addiemon]

Oooh! What kind of treats for MouseKeeping?

I bought the Disney Princess adult coloring book, so I was thinking every day I'd lay out the tip with a colored page, and maybe some Halloween candy (individually wrapped) or Halloween-themed dollar store knick-knacks, given our timeframe.

 

[Nicholmom3]

I bought the Disney Princess adult coloring book, so I was thinking every day I'd lay out the tip with a colored page, and maybe some Halloween candy (individually wrapped) or Halloween-themed dollar store knick-knacks, given our timeframe.

Thanks for the idea! I think I might pick up some Boston themed postcards to put with our tips. What a great idea!

 

[Jonas_Swe]

What are your tips / secrets/ experiences that you do that make your trip extra magical?

For us, we book one splurge experience per vacation, usually a spa treatment or rent a polar patio

I like to take my time, since it's unfortunately quite far between my longer visits, and indulge in Guided Tours or specialty events like one or more tickets to MNSSHP.

 

[addiemon]

Man, I've been looking at all the guided tours- I'd love to do one but they're so pricey! Our big splurges for this trip are hotel upgrade (from POP Century to POR) and a couples massage- hubs is more of a relaxed vacationer vs my "cram in as much as possible" style so I thought he'd like that better...next time though! I want to do the Keys to the Kingdom and Savor the Savanna.

 

[Jonas_Swe]

Man, I've been looking at all the guided tours- I'd love to do one but they're so pricey! Our big splurges for this trip are hotel upgrade (from POP Century to POR) and a couples massage- hubs is more of a relaxed vacationer vs my "cram in as much as possible" style so I thought he'd like that better...next time though! I want to do the Keys to the Kingdom and Savor the Savanna.

Yeah, some of them can be a bit pricey. But believe me, they're worth every penny if you go at a slower time of the year, and hit one of the big ones!

I've been fortunate to have visited during the slower parts of the fall earlier, and one time I did Keys To The Kingdom at MK. It turned out it was only me and my (then) DH attending the tour. So yes, we had a full day personal guided tour of the entire MK!

On the other visit we did the Backstage Tour at Epcot WS. A much smaller group than usual and we had plenty of time to walk around and talk to the tour guide in pairs or just one on one. Without slowing down the tour.

To me these experiences have counted far more than an upgrade in accommodations.

 

[addiemon]

That sounds amazing! It is my not-so-secret dream that DH will enjoy this trip so much he'll be up for upgrading to annual passes-- we just moved to Maryland so a last-minute-fare weekend trip would be pretty easy for us with APs. That would give us the chance to do more cool stuff like that! But DH isn't quite as into Disney as I am, so I'm trying to make sure we do a lot of things I think he'll enjoy as well as my major priorities.

But I'll definitely keep your recommendation in mind for our next trip! (APs or no, this will definitely not be our last WDW vacation!)

 

[fauntleroy1953]

DH and I loved doing Wild Afrika Trek. Great time,especially having an amazing lunch right on the savannah. We leaned over the croc pit( just a little). Hovered above the hippos with our" monkey tail" straps. Had our own truck,so we got very close to the animals. We just happened to pull in front of the lion area just as the male lion roared three times. The two CM guides had worked there 5 years and never heard the lion roar until that day. What a sound. It went right through your chest! It was drizzly the whole day(February) and we were given blankets while in the truck. But it was great weather for seeing animals.
When we did Keys To The Kingdom,we saw Cinderella jogging while listening to her IPod during her break. We got to go into the locomotive in Behind The Steam Trains and watch the engineer fire up the engine- literally.
Take one tour a year- they are so special!