Adding to the Magic at Disney World

Most will agree that a Disney vacation is not an inexpensive one to take and many people that go have to budget every dollar and make their money stretch as far as they can.  There are many additional experiences however that visitors who have the extra money and time can book which will make a trip to Disney World even more magical.  There are tours, dining experiences, and parties that are set up to make you feel like a true Disney VIP.

Disney World Tours:

Disney World offers a variety of tours  at many different price points.  Some of these tours are as low as $25 and some such as the Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP tour can cost around $350.  It all depends on the budget, the type of group you are with, and the amount of time you have as to which one will be best for you but these experiences are designed to make your trip extra special.  Each park will offer different tours catered around the park that you are in.  If you are in Epcot then you can check out the Behind the Seeds tour or you can have a dolphin encounter over at the Seas.  Over at the Animal Kingdom there are different safari tours and even some which include African inspired tapas and beverages.  If you are in Hollywood Studios then you can take a 5 hour Star Wars tour which will give you special access to all of the Star Wars adventures.  Magic Kingdom has quite a few tour experiences which include a Classics VIP tour in which you have a tour guide that will attend to every detail as they plan experiences for you.  You will also get special access to up to 10 classic attractions in the Magic Kingdom.  Definitely do the research and figure out which tour would be best for you group and book it as soon as possible because many of these fill up fast.

Disney World Dining Experiences:

Disney knows how to make the most of an opportunity for a great dining experience and every trip I take I make sure to have at least one special dining treat while there.  One of the best dining experiences I have had while there is the Highway in the Sky. This is a monorail dining tour that starts at the Contemporary resort for a cocktail before getting on the monorail and heading over to the Polynesian for appetizers and drinks.  You then get back on the monorail and make your way to Citricos in the Grand Floridian for dinner.  When you have finished dinner, they take you by boat back over to the Contemporary resort for a private balcony with a dessert bar set up and a great view for Happily Ever After Fireworks at the Magic Kingdom.  This experience is usually on select nights and is limited to about 25 people so book as early as you can.  Another great dining option is to pick one of the restaurants at or around Epcot or Magic Kingdom during a fireworks show.  The best restaurants with a view for the Magic Kingdom fireworks are California Grill at the Contemporary, Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian and Ohana at the Polynesian.  A good rule of thumb is to book these for about 45 minutes before the fireworks start and show up early and ask for a fireworks view table.  In Epcot, the best spots for viewing of the fireworks show are Rose and Crown, Monsieur Paul, Spice Road Table, Tokyo Dining and La Hacienda de San Angel.  These are all around world showcase and are usually great spots for not only the food but the views as well.

Disney World Parties:

Disney World is known for knowing how to throw a party and if you are there in the fall or winter there are two great parties to splurge on.  Beginning in late August, you can attend Mickey's Not 
So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom.  This is a great party for kids and adults.  Guests who attend get a bag upon entering that you can take to different spots around the park and go trick or treating.  The cast members are usually very generous with the candy and it is sponsored by M&M's so you know it will be good candy.  During the Halloween Party, there are special foods and desserts to buy that you can only get during the party and they are usually really good.  The Halloween Party is also where you can see the Hocus Pocus Villain Spell-tacular Show in front of the castle which is a great show that has the Sanderson Sisters up to their tricks.  The party will also have a special Halloween night parade and Hallowwishes which is an amazing Halloween-themed fireworks show over the castle.  If you are headed to the parks after Halloween and before Christmas, then you might want to get a ticket for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.  Like the Halloween party, there are unique desserts that you can only get at the party and there is also a Christmas Parade and special Christmas themed fireworks.  It will truly get you into the holiday spirit.  Another reason for going to one of these two parties is that during these parties are the only times that you can get to meet and have pictures made with certain characters.  During these parties characters like all seven dwarves together are out and even Jack and Sally from the "Nightmare before Christmas".  If you are there during non-holiday times, then there are dessert parties at each park where you can pay to have a special viewing spot for the nighttime shows and enjoy a dessert bar.  Some of these even include alcohol.

So the next trip you take to Disney, think about one of these amazing and unique experiences.  Every one that I have done has been well worth the extra money and have given me memories for a lifetime.

Yours truly,
Kevin Clark