What special thing did you do that was worth every penny?

[LisaMayTX]

I'm starting to look at planning our next trip (March 2007), and am considering getting the dining plan. There will be 5 of us (me 43, DH 44, DD 15, DS 14 & DSis ??), and I think it would be wonderful to experience restaurants we might not normally go to, but is it a lot of work? I mean, do you have to plan out every meal and get ADR's for each one?

Thanks in advance!

 

[karebear1]

You should only need to make ADR's for your sit down meals- and if you go to a sit down meal you absolutely will want ADR's! Depending on the time of year you go (and even in the dwon season) it can be difficult to get into a sit down restaurant. On the dining plan 1 meal a day is a sit down- the other is fast food and then a snack. And no.... it's not a lot of work.... it;s a lot of FUN planning your meals and where you'll eat!

 

[bdg100]

Be the last family in the parks. Plan a late night, watch the fireworks and the parade. Plan on being at the back of the park. For us, it was fun to see the park so empty. We just sat on a bench, enjoyed the night and each other's company. Another thing that is free and well worth your time is a walk on the Boardwalk. Pick a nice night, bring $20 for ice cream and walk up and down the Boardwalk. If you time it correctly you can see the fireworks from Epcot. You will also see various (free) entertainment on the Boardwalk. What a great way to spend an evening. I wish me and my family were there right now. Have fun.

 

[flakypuff]

WOW sounds so nice..
One year we rented golfcarts and went downtown disney in them. That was a while ago maybe 10 years ago..we stayed at what is now the boardwalk..

 

[disneyinmay]

You must do the character breakfast or lunch. Eat in Mexico @ World showcase, by the lake and watch the Illuminations show. Make up Disney Bags for the trip and give it to them when you check into your hotel. You must do the photopass and buy really good pictures of the family in front of the castle or the ball. Well worth it. When we got back from our trip in Jan. we ordered some pics and they were delivered the next 2 days. Very satisfied!!! I love how you can add borders and such. Have fun!!

Can you tell me more about the photopass? I have never heard of that!

 

[Mark P.]

Cirque, It's a must!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

DH & I went to WDW Feb 11 - 18 just in time for Valentines day. I found the address to the Saratoga Springs Resort where we would be staying and a week ahead of time I ordered a box of goodies from the Popcorn Factory.

Check out their web sight popcornfactory.com

This way I did not have to try and back his Valentines day gift. I called two days before we arrived to confirm that the package arrived and asked them to deliver it to our room when we arrived.
When we arrived and we were waiting outside for the bellhop to take us to the room,I saw a package that a few CM where discussing how to handle. Since DH knew nothing of what I had planned I was attentive to what was taking place. I saw the package leave with a CM driving a van, then a bellhop took us the the room shortly after the van with the the box left. Sure enough when we arrived there on the TV was the box I saw the CM leave with.

Yes we arrived Feb 11 and I let DH open the box before 2-14. We had snacks that I did not have to worry about packing and getting crushed along the way or try to hid them from DH. And at the cost of less than $25 including shipping and handling how could you go wrong.

 

[Girlie Goofy]

We were at DW for our daughter's senior trip. We splurged, and rented a limousine for the transportation back and forth to the resort. That made all of us feel special. We also booked the dinner show at the Polynesian. Since we booked it so early we ended up center and front row. Whatever you do at DW, itis magical and beccomes a family tradition, so be aware of what you start!

 

[kathyseb]

Sit up front with the driver in the Monorail.

The best tour that we took was the Steam Engine Train Tour.

We would do it again in a hearbeat. Downside to it, you have to get there really early in the morning. But to walk up to MK and be one of a handful of people there....to walk out onto Main Street USA and have it empty....priceless.

 

[jlovesee]

DEFINITLY the Fantasmic lunch/dinner plan.

Jennifer

 

[Disney5Mom]

We did the Wishes Fireworks Cruise. We loved it!

 

[flakypuff]

boy, i was planning on 10 days I'd better make it 10 weeks

 

[mousiemom]

Go to www.disneyphotopass.com and you can read up on it. This is one of the best ideas!!! They give you a photopass card(the photographers) and everytime you see them give it to them and all your pics from your trip will be on this card. You can pay like $99.95 for the CD and you will have of your pics. From 20 to 300. When you get home you can view your pics online for 30 days. You can add borders, like the year, etc. This was my 5yr. dd 1st time to ride the Tower of Terror, so we bought a pic of us in front of TOT and added the year at the bottom. They're the best pics and I took 17 rolls myself. Have a magical day!

 

[mkygrl]

A few suggestions...Ohana (Poly) and Wispering Canyon (WL) are fun dinners with the family. We also love Park Fare (GF) and Chef Mickey's (CR) for character meals.

Disney Quest was fun for all. The retro (I'm not that old ) games were fun for the grown ups and the kids liked the newer stuff. Fun to all play together.

One thing we did "special" this last trip was the Wishes dessert/fireworks cruise.

This included 16 people ranging from 5 to 70 and some preteens as well. Everyone had a blast and spending the time together was fabulous.We had a great dessert, won trivia prizes and an amazing view of the fireworks. My dad (70 yrs young)who has gone to WDW too many times to count and loves all the shows & fireworks said he didn't want to watch them any other way-on a ship on the water with his family (and a belly full of sweets!).

 

[Pluto's Honey]

We were at DW for our daughter's senior trip. We splurged, and rented a limousine for the transportation back and forth to the resort. That made all of us feel special. We also booked the dinner show at the Polynesian. Since we booked it so early we ended up center and front row. Whatever you do at DW, itis magical and beccomes a family tradition, so be aware of what you start!

How early did you book it to have up front? just wondering where we will be. thanks

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

The one thing I didn't see was letting the kids help pick where you eat. Before we make our adr's we all set down and pick a place.
I also had a small gift for every night of our trip. I would sneak it our of the suitcase, and they thought it came from a character.
Photopass and the ddp are great, but that has already been mentioned.

 

[jessica52877]

Because the OP's kids are so old this doesn't much apply to her but maybe someone else would enjoy it! We did the pony ride for my 3 year old at Fort Wilderness and he still talks about it today, $5!

 

[Cam2Mike]

Sit up front with the driver in the Monorail.

The best tour that we took was the Steam Engine Train Tour.

We would do it again in a hearbeat. Downside to it, you have to get there really early in the morning. But to walk up to MK and be one of a handful of people there....to walk out onto Main Street USA and have it empty....priceless.

My 7 year hold DSs are train addicts..can you tell me more about the train tour. Thanks

 

[hsmamato2]

Bring as much digital memory that you can,take pictures and videos of everything everywhere- you'll start to feel silly after a hwile, but you'll be glad you did when you get home! I've been like 15 times,and still take an average of 500 pics every year- the places remain alsmost the same, but our family changes ,it's fun to see that. Also one year we let the kids try out that "put yourself in the picture" thing, in the tatooine traders outside of Star Tours,it cost like $35 bucks for 2 small pictures, but it's a pricelessly funny memory!
- If you have 10 days, the best thing you can do for your family is DON'T do too much- give yourselves some relaxing days by the pool,and you may not like the rush of tours, sometimes just wandering through the parks at your own speed is the most fun of all.

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

Hoop Dee Doo Revue - by far the most fun I had at WDW (my first trip being last November). Both my wife and I we very sick and soaked from the walk from the ferry to Pioneer Hall in the pouring rain without raingear or an umbrella. We had to wait an hour outside to get in (they tell you to get there 45 mins early - I suggest 15) and when the show finally started we forgot all our woes and just enjoyed the show. I had a few beers and volunteered myself to go up on stage for the Davy Crockett skit as the Indian Brave (DON'T DIE DAVY!! - I really hammed it up, thoroughly embarrassing my wife). Afterwards WDW provided buses back to each resort hotel. I would not pass up this show on any trip I take to WDW.