Your favorite "extra" things to do???

[praisefor3]

This will be our 14th visit. However, since we have always had a young one in the bunch, we haven't done a lot of "extra" things as just being in the parks or at the resort and doing the "normal" things was more than enough "magic". This time I want to consider and look into doing some of the "extras". Can we get a list going of some specific suggestions (like not just "character meal" but your specific favorite character meal)? For example, I read a post about the Illuminations cruise and have only just recently heard about it. You don't even have to give me many details. If I can just get pointed in the right direction I can find the details. I think I'm missing out on some opportunities out there that I didn't even know existed! Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge!

 

[SGMCO]

We're going to start taking some of the tours offered in the parks.
Starting with "Behind the Seeds" and I also want to take
"Wild by Design" in AK. There is a whole list of tours that are offered.

 

[LuvMikEMouse]

We are trying the Segway tour this time.

 

[moxiecola]

Are you talking with or w/o kids? And if it's with what are their ages?

 

[DT83097]

DH and I did the Illuminations cruise for our Anniversary and it was really great - you board a pontoon boat from the YC dock and take a leisurely boat ride over to the International Gateway at Epcot - boats dock under the bridge for an "up close and personal" view of the fireworks. They provided snacks and drinks - or I've read that other people have brought their own. It is not cheap $275 when we did it in 2007 but I would do it again if I had the extra change!! Our boat captain was great and told us some little known Disney facts as we were making our way over to Epcot and back. It was just a really nice, relaxing evening all around.

We also did the Pirate & Pals cruise in 2009 and that was alot of fun as well. You leave from the Contemporary go out into the lake to catch the Electrical Water Pageant and then after some fun pirate games and trivia (by Pirate "Patch" or his brother "Patch"), they float you over in front of MK to watch Wishes (with music piped in)! This was fun for kids and adults. We were again celebrating our anniversary and pirate "Patch" had us stand in the aisle for a quick dance - music included!!

Looking forward to hearing about other "extras" to try!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We really liked both the Illuminations and Wishes cruise.

 

[rock_doctor]

Take the kids horseback riding in Fort Wilderness. You could also do the Marshmallow Marsh (if it is still going...). The horseback riding is self explanatory but the MM was a nice trip. You climb into a big canoe (10-15 people) and then paddle down one of the back lagoons, the leader points out all of the interesting sights along the way (including alligators...) then you get to an area on the other side of the lake where CMs have a huge going. You sit around the fire listen to stories, sing songs and roast marshmallows. It is actually a nice trip. I don't know if they do it anymore but if they do go for it. It is fun.

 

[praisefor3]

Well our kids are 19, 12, and 5 so I am more interested in just "general" things for everyone. We are used to having to "adjust" activities because of our kids all being so different in age.

We are strongly considering the Illuminations cruise!

 

[Handbag Lady]

We've done both Segway tours (Epcot and WLC) and enjoyed them.

We've also done the AquaSeas tour and had a great time. On our "dive" it was us (two adults) and a family. The kids had a great time and wanted to get back in the water right away. It is just like snorkeling, only it is closer to scuba, only you don't actually do a deep dive, or a dive at all as you are just on the surface. But there are sharks! And Turtles!

Another thing we like to do, which takes no extra money and certainly no planning, is Bus Roulette. Basically, at your resort, you take the first bus that comes and go to where it goes. If it is at a park, you stay at the park about an hour and then back to the buses. We've seen WDW resorts that we normally wouldn't have seen, gone golfing, and had a lovely dinner at Olivia's all because of Bus Roulette.

 

[skipperkim]

We are trying the Segway tour this time.

Loved it so much I've done it twice.

I also have seen La Nouba 3 times and have been to HDDR twice. I also liked the Mickey's Magical Milestone tour. Not sure if they are doing that anymore since part of it was in Mickey's house. I've also did the KTTW tour at MK. It's a long tour and I wouldn't recommend it if was hot out. I did this tour in Aug and being outside for that long of time wasn't a pleasure.

I'd love to do the Undiscovered Future World tour.

 

[daisyduck123]

"Extras" we have done:

Cirque de Solei
Illuminations Cruise
MVMCP
manicure at Periwig salon (BC)
DVC tour (ended up purchasing)

 

[goopysolelady]

We're going to start taking some of the tours offered in the parks.
Starting with "Behind the Seeds" and I also want to take
"Wild by Design" in AK. There is a whole list of tours that are offered.

"Behind the Seeds" is great! Did it last year on my own but already talked son-in-law into doing it with me this time. Think we may have other family members join us too! Make sure you look for the "hidden Mickey's" ... I even found one the tour guide had not seen! .... and, an added bonus, it's not that expensive ! Worth the extra few dollars!

 

[everythingALICE]

I really love HDDR! So corny, but it always puts a smile on my face...the free drinks included with dinner doesn't hurt either. This trip my mum and I are doing Dolphins in Depth, so I'm looking forward to that!

 

[eastcarolinafan]

The Aqua Seas Tour at Epcot. Swim in the aquarium and wave to all the people eating lunch at the Coral Reef.

Don't miss it. You will never forget it,

 

[randyolson]

Aquaseas is just perfect for the entire family, all age groups. We’ve done it and just couldn’t have enough of the “underwater” sealife.

 

[Linda67]

We did the segway tour at Fort Wilderness and loved it
Our guide was wonderful and did a little trivia quiz on the way round which was really good fun

 

[eeyorepixie]

Having 3 DD's BBB is a must, my girls always look like they have died and gone to heaven when they are in the salon chairs

 

[Leota]

Another thing we like to do, which takes no extra money and certainly no planning, is Bus Roulette. Basically, at your resort, you take the first bus that comes and go to where it goes. If it is at a park, you stay at the park about an hour and then back to the buses. We've seen WDW resorts that we normally wouldn't have seen, gone golfing, and had a lovely dinner at Olivia's all because of Bus Roulette.

I love it. I think we'll have to try that this coming trip.

We have done Breathless Cruises, Breathless Bursts, Water Mice rentals, CdS ( a fw tmes) HDDR, Luau, several Tours, Biking at FW, MiniGolf, afternoon Tea at GF..... This trip we are planning to do a Carriage ride at POR (we got rained out last time we had one scheduled)

It's kind of hard to guess to what to recommend when we don't know what ages are going. If it's just adults or 16 and up, then definately one of the Tours. If it's younger kids, then biking or boating are good. If it's mid-range kids then one of the shows is nice.

There's so many extras to choose from. We've been a few times too. It's nice that there's so many things outside just the Parks. It keeps each trip Fresh.

 

[iluvhawaii]

• Rent watermice. We did this at a MK resort. Great fun. Older one can drive one on his/her own; younger ones can pair up with parents.
• Rent surrey bikes. We did this at an Epcot resort. We did a 4 seater for a family of 4. Youngest couldn't reach the pedals so she sat in the basket up front and rang the bell when it was needed--she LOVED that.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

Aquaseas is just perfect for the entire family, all age groups. We’ve done it and just couldn’t have enough of the “underwater” sealife.

Including a few mice that were hanging around down there.