Disney truly has so much to offer, it is impossible to do everything in one vacation. I was both surprised and pleased with the amount we were able to do and see, especially with two small children in tow, but there are so many things I wish we could have squeezed in even if I knew time and the patience of the kids weren’t on our side. Besides the rides and attractions we missed out on in each park, there were many side things I had wished to try out but we never managed to do. So I decided to compile a list of those fun extras for a future trips.
(via urbanspoon)
The Kitchen Sink Ice Cream – Beaches & Cream is an ice cream shop at the Disney Beach Club Resort, and the Kitchen Sink Ice Cream is a huge pile of ice cream and toppings placed into container resembling a kitchen sink. It’s pricey (around $25 I think) and enough to feed a family. I wanted to do this to see Drake’s face when such a huge bowl of ice cream was placed in front of him. I also think it’s just one of those fun memories kids will never forget because of the novelty and whimsy of it. You can find the recipe here!
Chip ‘n’ Dale Sing-A-Long Campfire – I mentioned the campfire held at the Fort Wilderness Resort previously, I really was hoping we could try it out. There is nothing I enjoy more enjoyable in the summer than fresh s’mores off the campfire. Along with the meet and greet, sing-a-long and movie under the stars, it would have been a pretty magical experience for Drake.
Pin Trading – I blogged before about Disney pin trading and hoped that Drake would enjoy this little hobby and come back with some new pins as a souvenir. As it happened we didn’t start trading until Day 4 of our trip as we kept forgetting his lanyard with the pins on our mad rushes out the door. Once Drake got the idea though, he really enjoyed it and wanted to see all the pins cast members had to offer wherever we went. Since I only bought 6 trading pins for Drake he could only do 6 trades since he didn’t want to give up any of his new ones. Now that I know it appeals to him, I might buy more so he can trade more and collect more pins he likes. Of course he came home with all new animal pins.
Electrical Water Pageant – The Electrical Water Pageant is a nightly water parade done by many of the hotels near Magic Kingdom. There is a rough schedule of when it passes by each hotel and even if you are not staying at the hotel, you can still watch the parade as it floats by.
Polynesian Resort — 9 p.m.
Grand Floridian — 9:15 p.m.
Wilderness Lodge — 9:35 p.m.
Fort Wilderness — 9:45 p.m.
Contemporary Resort — 10:05 p.m.
Magic Kingdom — 10:20 p.m. (only during extended MK park
hours)
Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party – We never did get to see Wishes, the nightly firework show at Magic Kingdom due to the late time. We did get to see other late night fireworks at the other parks, but they were crowded and hot and if you wanted a good seat, you really needed to park yourself down in a spot early. Before we left I heard about a restaurant that had a dessert viewing party during the fireworks where they pump in the same music from the show into the restaurant, and you can eat a buffet of desserts while watching from the air conditioned restaurant. Now they had me at dessert buffet, but the appeal of also being in an air conditioned space without the crowds also has its appeal!
Restaurants – Disney does some amazing theming in every aspect of the park. On this trip we did a lot of quick service places simply because with two little ones sitting down for an extended meal was unlikely. As Drake and Juliet get older and easier to manage, I would love to try out more of the themed restaurants including Cinderella’s Royal Table set inside the castle and the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater in Hollywood to name a few. Disney takes such care to make every part of their parks an experience, and it’s fun to sometimes be able to step out of reality for a little while and just have fun.
I’m sure as the countdown begins for our next trip in a few years, this list will get longer as new extras are added because there is always more to do at Disney!
What are some of your must see/do/eat at Disney?
apricot / 425 posts
The Winnie the Pooh breakfast at the Crystal Palace is a must do! We booked an 8am breakfast and we were able to get into the Magic Kingdom, because of our reservations, before it opened to the public! We got fantastic family photos in front of the castle with no one in the background… and after breakfast (which was an amazing buffet) we were some of the very first people out in the park.
We also did dinner at Chef Mickey’s in the Contemporary. The buffet was amazing, my 3 year old loved meeting Mickey & the gang, and we were able to catch the monorail over to the Magic Kingdom just in time to see the fireworks.
But my BIGGEST Must Do is go back again during the Food & Wine Festival thats held every fall. We loved the food stations set up in the World Showcase (and Disney Dining Snack Credits can be used for any food items!) and got to sample some amazing things. My daughter loved the World Showcase just as much as we did.
I cannot wait to go back!!
blogger / pomegranate / 3044 posts
Omg, that first photo looks so good! I am not adventurous enougjbfor Disney with two LOs, but maybe some day
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
You found all the goodies at DW. My next visit will be so much more magical. Great job documenting your trip for us.
nectarine / 2530 posts
I wonder if you could do the Chip N Dale campfire without actually being a guest at the parks/guest at the resorts? Everything seems to indicate that you don’t have to be staying at that resort to join in the campfire, but I wonder how they would know if you weren’t staying at any of them? Or if they care?
I wouldn’t want to break the rules, but if we could get a little Disney magic next summer when we’re in FL, I know we’d all really enjoy it! I almost wish it was a paid experience
nectarine / 2210 posts
We did eat at Beaches and Cream and it was pretty amazing. We didn’t get the kitchen sink though and instead opted for individual ice creams, but there was a table of teenage boys next to us who got it and it did look pretty incredible.
As for what I’d love to do on our next trip, I really want to eat in France at epcot. We tried it last time, but it was already booked full of reservations. And I can’t wait to go to the new Fantasyland, since it hadn’t yet opened last time we were there.