Best Thing you have done that was an Extra Cost Experiences like Dessert Parties, etc.

[FastPasser]

but I couldn't get over the "lake" smell which seemed more evident in that area than the rest of the park/areas around it.

I've heard a lot of reasons to do, or not to do the Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party, but this is a first. I can assure those that are considering attending that it is not a normal occurrence.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

are they still doing the Club Villain. My DS (14) and I r going in April and i think that this would b so much fun.
Thanx for the info.

I was wondering this also. We are there in July. I know there is nothing yet for July but was hoping they were just releasing dates 1-2 months ahead and that it will hopefully show up.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My husband loved the dessert party at DHS. I really like the selection of food and the drinks they have there. The viewing area for the Galactic Spectacular is nice as well.

My top 3 favorite extras have been Wild Africa Trek, Club Villain and Marceline to the Magic tour.
I also loved the Dine with an Animal Specialist at Sanaa and every year try to do one MNSSHP.

I did the Ferrytale Wishes Cruise and found it disappointing - they ran out of champagne, the music wasn't working that evening, the food ran out. I didn't have the nice experience that River Country did. It was not fun and I emailed Guest Relations about it.

 

[phinz]

Now that I've done it, After Hours was worth every single dime and then some.

 

[FastPasser]

I was wondering this also. We are there in July. I know there is nothing yet for July but was hoping they were just releasing dates 1-2 months ahead and that it will hopefully show up.

Attendance was spotty during the last run. Some shows sold out, but on certain nights it was 1/3 sold out. It was disappointing facilitating an event for such a small crowd. It could go either way as far as it's return.

 

[snowybelle]

I absolutely loved and would do again:

1. Savor the Savanna tour/meal at Animal Kingdom. This was a very special experience.
2. MNSSHP -- went for my first (and second time) last year and now I am going to try to go EVERY year.
3. Early Morning Magic at both Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Both were great, but I would give the edge to the Hollywood Studios one. Shame they are not offering it anymore.
4. Behind the Scenes at Trader Sam's event at F&W festival. This got mixed reviews, but I went solo and had a blast meeting amazing Disney fans. Food and drinks were plentiful, one of my favorite Disney memories to date.
5. World of Color Dessert party at Disneyland California Adventure. This is the only dessert party I would do again, simply because you get to SIT DOWN for the show. Assigned seats, food brought to your table, glass of champagne... yes yes yes.
6. Illuminations Cruise. I ran into some people in the park that I knew from home and they generously invited me to join their cruise (they had extra space) -- so fun, great captain/tour guide, best view of Illuminations I've had.

I also *liked* the Star Wars Dessert Party, Club Villain and MVMCP -- but I probably won't go out of my way to repeat them, whereas everything on the list above I would do again in a heartbeat.

On the top of my wish list:
1. Keys to the Kingdom and/or Marceline tours.
2. Wild Africa Trek and/or Wanyama Safari and/or Backstage Tales. Anything Animal Kingdom really, the cast members there are so passionate about their work I could chat with them all day.
3. Disney After Hours

 

[JackieT1182]

My favorite thing of all time, and my family's too, was Disney After Hours. Having MK practically to ourselves for 3 hours was pure bliss. We had unlimited ice cream, popcorn, and bottled drinks, and we rode Tomorrowland Speedway, Buzz Lightyear X2, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Magic Carpets, Peter Pan's Flight, Mad Tea Party, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train X10 (no exaggeration - I counted my Photopass photos!).

I also really enjoyed the Star Wars dessert party. The party itself was great (I liked both the desserts and drinks), but the fireworks were awesome! The view from the party section was perfect, and we weren't all crammed in which was nice.

I wouldn't hesitate to do either event again!

 

[jmm476]

Has anyone done Tiana's riverboat cruise and ice cream social? I have it booked for May, but haven't heard much about it positive or negative... I'm also wondering if there is a place to sit on the Liberty Belle (haven't been on the boat in 5+ years) because I may need to nurse my 5 month old.

 

[randumb0]

Party for the Senses at Epcot Food and Wine

 

[danikoski]

My favorite so far has been Dolphins in Depth. I did it in 2013. I Loved it!

I also loved the Express Transportation. Seriously, best $15 I spent our whole trip last week. If we were staying longer and it had worked out with our schedule, I would have spent the $24 for the multi-day without hesitation.

I also liked Behind the Seeds, which was really good, especially for the price.

I've also done the horseback riding and, I'm a rider, but I still enjoyed it. I found it very relaxing.

I also enjoy Hoop Dee Do Revue.

I've done MVMCP, and I enjoyed it, but not 100% sure I'd do it again.

I enjoyed the Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party on the Terrace, but if I were to do it again, I'd do the garden plaza viewing.

I still have the Marceline to the Magic Kingdom tour on my to do list, and I considered for this trip both the EMM in Fantasyland and MK After Hours. If I'd had my step-son and husband with me this trip, the MK After Hours would have been perfect for them and would have been well worth it.

 

[Chuckers]

My favorite so far has been Dolphins in Depth. I did it in 2013. I Loved it!

I did that too, 2010 for me! I had my picture with Kyber!

 

[goofballs]

Our top 3:

3. MVMCP

2. Parasailing at Sammy Duvall's at the Contemporary boat dock.

1. Volunteering at Give Kids the World Village - a resort that hosts kids and their families from around the world for wish trips. For the price of a rental car or two taxi or Uber rides - priceless experience.

 

[lauradenise4779]

Has anyone done Tiana's riverboat cruise and ice cream social? I have it booked for May, but haven't heard much about it positive or negative... I'm also wondering if there is a place to sit on the Liberty Belle (haven't been on the boat in 5+ years) because I may need to nurse my 5 month old.

http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/review-tianas-riverboat-party-at-magic-kingdom-is-it-worth-it/

 

[snowdrift7]

Our favorites are Illuminations Cruise, Keys to the Kingdom tour and the Epcot Segway Tour (very very disappointed when it was discontinued). We also liked the Pirates and Princesses Party - no longer there. Unlike most people, we weren't fans of MNSSHP - except for the fireworks.

We're going to the Wishes Dessert Party for the 1st time in May (last night of Wishes).

Question - how do I find out if/when Club Villain, Disney After Hours and Star Wars Fireworks will be held in May?

 

[danikoski]

Our favorites are Illuminations Cruise, Keys to the Kingdom tour and the Epcot Segway Tour (very very disappointed when it was discontinued). We also liked the Pirates and Princesses Party - no longer there. Unlike most people, we weren't fans of MNSSHP - except for the fireworks.

We're going to the Wishes Dessert Party for the 1st time in May (last night of Wishes).

Question - how do I find out if/when Club Villain, Disney After Hours and Star Wars Fireworks will be held in May?

The Star Wars Fireworks dessert party has been opening for reservations about a month in advance.

 

[scrapquitler]

Express bus for park hopping! $24 per person for 7 days. You get the bus backstage in one park and take it directly to backstage of another park and avoid the turnstiles and security. Best Disney extra ever!!

 

[JennLTX]

We absolutely loved the Family Magic Tour when we did it last year (DS was 10 at the time), and he's a HUGE fan of the Pirate Adventure Cruises. He did the YC cruise when he was 9, the GF when he was 10, and is signed up for the POR cruise in June at age 11, so apparently it never gets old.

Behind the Seeds is also really neat and not terribly expensive either.

OH! And add our vote to renting a boat. Our first SeaRay was out of POR when they still had them, and last year we rented one at GF. SO much fun!!!

 

[ShellieMimi]

Loved:
MNSSHP
HalloWishes VIP
Star Wars Dessert Party
Party for the Senses VIP
Keys to the Kingdom
Wild Africa Trek
Pirates League
Express Transportation

Liked:
MVMCP
Wishes Dessert Party
Pirates & Pals
Behind the Seeds

Lousy:
IllumiNations Dessert Party
Ferrytale Wishes
Can't recall the name, but the "backstage" tour of World Showcase was awful

 

[ComixGirl]

I haven't had the opportunity to attend (I think it's only in September and October?) but I've heard nothing but positive praise across the board for Club Villain. As for special events that I have attended, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party was worth every penny- the crowds are much smaller so it's like how one envisions the Magic Kingdom in their mind, in certain sections it's like you have the park to yourself. Non-existent ride wait times, special character meet-and-greets (we walked right up to have our picture taken with Santa Goofy!), free cocoa, coffee and cookies, and so many prime parade/firework viewing areas to choose from. We also attended Ferrytale Wishes (the dessert fireworks cruise)- and as magical as that sounds, we weren't in love with the overall experience. There was minimal seating on the ferry (the tables were high tops with no seats), and while the desserts were delicious, you can only fill up on so many sweets before you end up in a sugar coma. lol It was nice for about 15 minutes, but I didn't think the cost justified what you got.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Not counting 1) F&W events, or 2) discontinued events, or 3) events that were cool before they modified them (Wishes dessert party), here are the ones that we’ve done that we thought were well worth it – if forced to pick only one per category, MOST favorite in BOLD :

• Dessert Parties:
  • DHS – Star Wars Fireworks
  • Ferrytale Wishes Fireworks Cruise

• Tours:
  • Sense of Africa
  • Wild Africa Trek
  • Behind the Seeds

• Other Park Events:
  • Disney After Hours (MK) – no idea if they’re extending, though
  • Early Morning Magic
  • Fishing (Epcot)

• Seasonal ticketed events:
  • MNSSHP
  • MVMCP

• Dining Events (outside of F&W):
  • Dining with an Animal Specialist

Several excellent ones over the years that have been / appear to be discontinued… Villains Sinister Soiree, Star Wars Wknd VIP Tour, Club Villain (is CV discontinued or just seasonal??)…