Your Disney Splurge!

[Anonomom]

Our first WDW splurge was actually one we hadn't planned on. I had to cancel an already-paid-for trip in 2011 because of a death in the family, and the only discounted room available when we re-booked was a TPV CL room at CR. I had never even considered paying that much (in the area of $350/night) for a hotel room before, but I was sold the moment they met us at the door of the resort and greeted us by name. CL is the only splurge we'll forego other experiences to afford.

 

[godders]

Splurges for this trip:
Theme Park view room at the Contemporary (just one night though)
Several character meals - CRT, Tusker House, 1900 Park Fare, Akerhus and Chef Mickeys

Splurge from last trip - The number of Pins I bought. I just couldn't help myself!

 

[dsdeleon]

Worth it: fishing excursion on bay lake, hoop dee doo, AKL
Meh: Dessert party

Soon to find out: DCL

 

[acellison]

My mom and I splurged on our last trip and booked massages at the GF Senses Spa. It was a great experience and nice to relax and be pampered during my Disney vacation.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Victoria and Albert's (twice in the main room, once at the chef's table) - Worth it every time

The Backstage Magic tour was a bit of a splurge, too, and very worth it.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Club level at Contemporary was definitely a splurge, even with the 30% RO offer. But watching Hallowishes from the balcony while enjoying "free" desserts and apertifs made it totally worth it! The best part was DS already in his PJs and ready for bed. Would do it again if we stay at the Contemporary.

 

[midnightlouise]

The holiday parties! With 4 of us and it can be a bit of a splurge, but we've loved it every time. We've done Halloween twice and Christmas will be our 4th time this year.

 

[IvyWinter]

Boyfriend and I are splurging on a tandem parasailing experience on Seven Seas Lagoon. Its going about $210 for the both of us to take a 12 minute, 600 foot up flight....and im super pumped!

 

[myrtleturtle]

I just booked this for September! Was it hot when you went? Did they have cool towels or anything to help with the heat? Were sandals ok?
I switched Wild Africa Trek to this because I think it'll be easier on my DH - and we do love Jiko...

It wasn't unbearable, we went at the end of June. No cool towels, but we were offered a towel to wash our hands when we got to the table at Jiko. I was told when I booked no open toed shoes, probably because of the climbing into the truck. But honestly, you use a set of stairs and once you are on the truck you are sitting on benches. I think sandals would have been fine.

 

[prairiesarah]

Our last trip, which was DS"s first trip. He was in Grade 1 and animal obsessed. After much debating, booking AofA, cancelling AofA, and a bit of waiting, I splurged and booked a one bedroom DVC suite at AKL. It ended up being the best thing we could have done. I booked the value category as I ended up finding it the day I booked on the 30% off room discount and knew from (a ridiculous amount of) research that we had a 2 in 6 (or is it 7?) chance of getting a safari view. I just couldn't justify the extra cost of guaranteeing a safari view, but was will to take the risk on this room type. I had prepped my DS that we weren't guaranteed a safari view but it was a possibility. Well, the grin on his face when we checked in and the CM told us "and your safari view room is ready" was well worth every cent we spent. It was an amazing trip even though we didn't spend a ton of time in the parks. We ate breakfast on our patio every morning watching the giraffe's, we relaxed, we swam, we saw every animal on the sheet of paper they give you at the hotel that lists all the animals you could see. It was pretty magical.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We love to splurge on Club Level. It's worth it to us.

I also love Disney Dooney's.

Next year, we are doing our first Disney Cruise (our first cruise ever) and that's pretty pricey but I think it will be worth it.

 

[bookgirl]

Disney Florist.

Mom and I will often do a 'birthday' trip in October. Last year I had two of the Disney Florist items delivered along with a balloon and some light up Mickey necklaces. A bit on the pricey side but well worth it. My mom loved her bag, the snacks were plentiful and I think we ended up bringing some home with us, and it was great to get the phone call (I made sure the stuff would be delivered while we were gone and it also happened that she would be going back to the room while I was going to a park) that she had walked into the surprise.

I wouldn't do it every trip but it was a very nice treat.

 

[cjnix29]

we stayed CR Atrium club for a split stay. So only four nights, but it was awesome! The first night I didn't sleep because I watched the castle change colors all night from my bed!!! We splurged on DCL once, and upgraded at the port to a fabulous, fabulous suite on the Fantasy. Well worth the one time only experience, but I dont' think I could justify paying to do it again. My DS had more fun on our next Carnival cruise than he did on Disney!

 

[GaryDis]

Two splurges: CR Tower room for the true millenium, and the DL Fantasmic! dessert buffet, back when it was at the Disney Gallery.

I don't think I'd go for a tower room at the Contemporary again, unless I had a special reason. It was fun, but the novelty wears off, and I've been in too many other hotels with spectacular open interiors like that.

As for the DL Fantasmic! dessert buffet, it feels really special now, since they've turned the gallery into the Dream Suite. But it was also special because of the way it had to be booked: Show up at RD, then rush to the reservations window in New Orleans square. Two shows/night meant two seatings, 15 people per seating. Since you didn't know how many seats were being booked by the people in front of you, you couldn't tell till they either closed the window or you got to the front whether or not you'd get seats. Just getting seats was more of an accomplishment than any sort of FP+ booking from home. We're still debating whether to do any of the night show parties in WDW, but they'll never has as much magic as this.

 

[Sweeney1996]

My mom and I splurged on our last trip and booked massages at the GF Senses Spa. It was a great experience and nice to relax and be pampered during my Disney vacation.

I have splurged(or my husband did) for this on our upcoming trip. I am looking forward to it.

 

[dylans mommy]

Our splurge might not seem huge to some people but it was to us!

We stayed 1 night at AOA and then 9 nights at Pop century. We were on the dinning plan and had hopper tickets. We were able to relax during the week and just truly enjoy all of the family time.

Our trip in Janurary I am looking at doing the pirates and pals cruise! My boys will absolutely love it!

 

[Puffy2]

These are extras I have tried over the years:
1. Cinderella's breakfast. I really enjoyed it. It is crazy expensive, but worth it for me, to do at least once.
2. Chrystal Palace Breakfast. If I don't do CRT breakfast , Chrystal Palace is a must now. It just really makes the vacation for me. Other character meals don't seem to have the same appeal, however (did not care for Garden Grill, Hollywood and Vine, Liberty Tree Tavern or Chef Mickey).
3. Illuminations Cruise. Shared this with other DIS families..and while it was nice, probably won't do again.
4. Illuminations Dessert Party. Over rated and probably a waste of money. It was "nice" I guess, but as you can tell, not something I'll do again.
5. Epcot Segway tour. Do they even still do these? Interesting and gave me the opportunity to ride a Segway. Would only recommend if you trip is longer than 4 nights.
6. Polynesian Concierge. Loved, but it has gotten too expensive. When you can take the extra money it would cost for concierge and use it to eat like kings on your trip, it is over priced! Same for Contemporary Concierge...really liked, but. and Swan Concierge. I did not care for Yacht Club concierge. Too crowded.
7. Once we are in one of the parades. This is a luck /chance thing. Although unique...not as much fun as you would think. Plus it ties up a good part of your touring day. Would not go out of my way to do it again even if given the chance.
8. Mickey's Christmas Party. Crowded, cold, kids tired and wanted to go back to the hotel after one show, some hot chocolate and part of a parade. For us, waist of money.
9. Photo on mainstreet of family. Worth the $12 they charged at the time.
10. it's not disney, but did a VIP tour at Universal Studios...would not do again. We had to tour park on the guide's schedule...and were not allowed to stop and see characters, etc...
11. Rented a little mouse boat at Polynesian for 30 or 45 minutes or so. Loved it.
12. Boat ride on speed boat at Yacht Club...it was fun, but would depend on how much they charge now.

 

[Tanooki]

The splurge that was definitely our favorite was the Illuminations cruise We've done it it twice and it was just magical, although much too cold in December...
We did the Tomorrowland Dessert Party a few times and it was worth it but we won't do it anymore at the "new" price
The Frozen Premium package last summer was too expensive and not worth it at all. We did enjoy the frozen treats during the parade and the reserved seating for the sing-along but the dessert party was a bust : too hot (not hungry at all), too crowded (we had to ask a family to share their table) and my kids were too tired to stand and wait. Dh even left with the youngest before the fireworks even began!

Our next splurge is the Family culinary experience at the Contemporary. I'm going alone with DD since it's our most expensive splurge yet and we're the ones who like to cook in the family It's also a surprise for her so let's hope it's worth every penny

 

[N8sgirl12]

We splurged in June during Star Wars Weekends to go to Jedi Mickey's dinner at Hollywood & Vine (paid out of pocket). Since one daughter is 10 and considered an adult at Disney (the ONE thing I really hate about Disney!) it was almost $200 just for 3 of us so definitely felt like a splurge to me! But the characters were so cute dressed up as Star Wars characters that it was worth it.

I also splurged on Hoop Dee Doo Revue with a friend on a girls' weekend and that was totally worth it as well. Loved the food, but the entertainment was just wonderful. SO fun; highly recommend.

 

[kmdrago1783]

Splurged last trip on Bippity Boppity Boutique for DD and a room at the Contemporary.

For our upcoming trip in October we are splurging on the Polynesian for our 7 night visit and MNSSHP. Also doing CRT and Le Cellier for the first time. We are doing Hoop De Doo too-- we have been but this will be our kids' first!