What special things have you done on your trip?

[saymama]

Besides the ordinary- rides, shops and normal stuff. I am trying to get my inlaws some special things to do. This is our 3rd trip that we are taking with them, paid by them. So far, I know I want to try for the illumations cruise as Illuminations is my FIL's favorite thing. And I'd like to get them cirque tickets. Is there anything else that is just an awesome special thing that I can do that is not usually an ordinary disney highlight?

 

[scoutsmom99]

Maybe a behind the scenes tour for them (my mother and I did KTK in October and it was fabulous)? Or maybe you could arrange for a private dining event for them at the Grand Floridian(or somewhere else!)?

 

[MNRMommy]

We enjoyed the chef's table at Grand Floridian Victoria & Alberts. It was one of the best meals I have ever had and the Chef was really fun and informative.

I have also heard of (but don't know of anyone who has used) a company that can arrange personalized scavenger hunts within a park which culminate in the discovery of some sort of present or flowers etc. Might be fun. Gifts of a lifetime I think they were called. I think they do in park photography too.

 

[lauran cameron]

There is an excellent resturant in WS at EPCOT in Japan...
We've gone there manY times...their food is excellent and the best part is you have this HUGE table with a grill in the middle where your cheif will cook it all right in front of you! They also put on a little show for you by doing tricks with their utensils and the food. Exquiste cuisine w/some added fun!

BON APPETITE!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My ILs enjoyed the carriage ride. I was surprised that it was my MIL's favorite activity. My FIL loved HDDR and the ping pong table at the GF pool.

Lori

 

[DeterminedOne]

If they haven't already ... Leave a Legacy at EPCOT. I think that's pretty special. DH and I did it in November because it was part of the package. When we were standing in line for the pictures there were two little girls who appeared to be around five and six years old with their heads together having their picture taken. Watching that was very moving for me. All of a sudden I realized the significance of Leave A Legacy. We're such Disney fans that it makes me all warm and fuzzy to think that we will be a part of EPCOT for the next twenty years. And in case anyone is interested, our picture is located at West 2-E-14-7-16.

 

[gabsmom]

We just returned from spending New Years. This was our 5th trip and we never had seen Cirque. We went to Cirque on New Years Eve and it was awesome. IMO it is something not to be missed.

 

[mariethecat]

Behind the scenes tours. We did The Backstage Safari tour last week and it was wonderful. It makes you appreciate the work that goes on behind the scenes so much more. We got to touch a rhino and saw a tiger being operated on. We also did the Keys to the Kingdom tour and that was good also but my favorite was the Animal Kingdom tour.

 

[llij]

The WISHES cruise was very wonderful! We also set up a scavenger hunt with Gifts of a Lifetime which my parents and children thoroughly enjoyed.

 

[cobbler]

Neat things that we did different for this trip was horseback riding for hubby and the kids pony rides at FW.

Also did a scavenger hunt at our resort (ASSports), they give you one and when you are done you turn it in.

We also tried to find hidden Mickeys.

 

[diswedwish]

We tried a lot of neat stuff on our last 2 trips, courtesy of the Gold and Platinum Plans. Some we'd pay for separately and do again, some we wouldn't.

We liked the Illuminations Cruise but we probably wouldn't pay for it.
We loved Cirque and would definitely pay for that again.
We loved Victoria and Albert's (although that depends on your in-laws. My mom would love it, my dad would hate it). We would pay for this again.
We tried a lot of the backstage tours and the highlights for us were Dolphins-in-Depth and Aqua Seas, but we probably wouldn't pay to do these again - they took the plan that included these away If you love animals Backstage Safari is really neat too.
We tried the watermice and horsebackriding, they were fun, but we wouldn't pay for these.
We also enjoyed parasailing, but there's no way we'd pay the extra $ to do this if it wasn't included in a plan!

I'd also emailed Gifts of a Lifetime before our last trip and was presented with a really neat scavenger hunt idea, but at the time we didn't have the $ for it. so that would also be something very different.

HTH and have fun coming up with ideas

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian.

A nice light adult activity.

 

[mickeysaver]

We have checked out lots of the clubs at PI. I think that the Adventurer's Club and the comedy club are my favorites.

We love shopping at DTD!

We have done a carriage ride at dusk over at FW. It was wonderful.

We have done La Nouba. We enjoyed it a lot. It's been about 3 years ago though. We keep hoping for a new show.

We have done a pre-season Braves game at Cracker Jack Stadium. We arrived early to watch the Braves work out. We didn't seek autographs, but many people there did. The Braves won, so that was cool.

We did the Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian. OMG, I never expected to even like this, but it is my favorite memory of our last trip.....and oddly enough...my mother outlaw was a part of that and it was still awesome.

 

[benedicttw]

You did not say if this is their first time or not. If it is their first I would not do a backstage tour. If they have been there do a tour, they are very informative and alot of fun. Try the watermice from one of the MK resorts. Great to be on the water and see the resorts and the MK from the water.
Hoop-de-doo review is also fun.
we always enjoy resort hoping to see the different designs and decorating
take a walk on the Boardwalk, rent a bike for 4 and stop in Jellyrolls
try the Segway tour in Epcot. (we are going to try this next time down) looks like a blast.

Most of all have fun.

 

[Cass]

We have done a few special things...

- Breathless Illuminations Cruise
- Scavenger Hunt at Epcot
- Sunrise Safari at DAK (you have to stay at AKL concierge)
- Pirate Cruise from GF (for kids)
- Discovery Cove (swim with Dolphins)
- Horse and Carriage Ride at WL
- Cirque de Soliel

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

It is according to the time of year you go but we like to do a lot of different things. As many times as we go we always have a long 'to do' list for any upcoming trips.

At Christmas time we enjoy taking the Resort Monorail and stop at each one to check out the decorations, take in the EWP, eat a bite here and there and just look in corners.

Going over to Boardwalk, getting something to eat and sitting watching the people and all the activities after dark and going to Jelly Rolls is always a blast.

Playing miniature golf late evening is something special. Not crowded and so relaxing.

Walking the grounds of the French Quarter and going over to hear the piano player at Riverside.

Going to some special attraction while a parade is going on and most everyone else is there.

Walking around the World Showcase and stopping for a bite here and there, Wine & Festival time or not. Taking in Illuminations and then slowly walking toward the front, in no rush. get a seat at the Bakery up by the fountain and sit and watch the hoards file out and then getting to your bus with no line and plenty of seats back to your resort.

Making time to talk to fellow guests and CM's. You learn so much from either and if you are lucky enough to know something that helps them have a better time, all the better. Give the gift of time to some poor hapless newbie who is overwhelmed with it all. Make magic happen.

Spend a day taking in the small delights of World Showcase (can you guess my favorite park?) and see all of the live entertainment programs. You can shop as you walk from place to place also.

Stay at your resort after everyone has left for the parks and enjoy the scenery, theming, and pools. Get a late start and arrive fresh while everyone else is about to give up all hope.

Sleep late if you want, it is vacation not boot camp. If you are tired you are not going to have any fun anyway and you sure are not going to make it fun for anyone else either.

Whatever you decide to do , do NOT try to get your money's worth. Will never happen and in the meantime,while counting your pennies you will miss the golden opportunity of a lifetime.

If someone does something to make you angry, get even, give them a smile. They probably need it more than you do and even if they do not respond as they should you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you did the right thing and that should make you enjoy the rest of the day even more.

See the magic through the eyes of a child, whether it is yours or another's.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[Alaska Catdog]

We went in November and the following are unusual things we really enjoyed.

Dolphins in Depths (we got to pet dolphins, how cool is that!)
Keys of the Kingdom Tour (Our first trip! We loved it)
Sunset Safari (at Animal Kingdom Lodge, you must stay there on the concierge floor to do this)
Water Mice Rental(We did it at the Yachtclub but I reccommend at the Contemporary as theirs go faster)
Wishes Fireworks Cruise (I really liked this)
Illuminations Fireworks Cruise (DH really liked this)
Treasure hunt for DH's 40th birthday present through Gifts of a Lifetime (Fantabulous)
La Nouba (not to be missed)
Dinner at Victoria and Alberts (delightful)
It was so much fun, have a great time whatever you do.

 

[johnsonet]

Good question~

Over the years we have done the following "extras":

My Perfectly Princess Tea Party (absolutely wonderful! )
Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Lounge at GF
Pirate Adventure at GF (awesome!)
Family Magic Tour (the character interaction at the end makes this terrific!)
Getting our hair wrapped!
Taking out "Water Mice"
Sunrise Safari available to AKL Concierge guests
Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba
Gifts waiting in the room for my family (ie. costumes for the little girls, a gift certificate for a massage for my mom at AKL...an AKL tshirt for my dad - all of this when we were staying Concierge; if not, have something delivered from the Disney Florist...it's very festive to come back to your resort room to find flowers, food, balloons, etc.)
Put the kids at one of the Kids' Clubs and do the Monorail Bar Hop (a lot of fun )!!

Have fun

OH! And if I ever have/utilize childcare during a stay I want to do the Segway Tour!!