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Tag Archives: Wishes Dessert Party
Disney: Get it For Less
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Downtown Disney.
The new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (aka Prince William and Kate) recently wrapped up their tour of Canada and the United States. As an ordinary commoner, it was a lot of fun to drool over admire the extraordinary designer outfits Kate wore. Sadly, I do not have the royal coffers at my disposal and must live on a more modest commoner’s budget. Fortunately for me, most style shows, websites, and magazines usually find an affordable “get it for less” option in short order.
The wheels started to turn. Could the same idea apply to Walt Disney World? Were there more affordable alternatives for magical experiences? There are.
Wishes Dessert Party. You could shell out $27 per adult and $14 per child for an uninterrupted view of the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular from the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant while noshing on a buffet of delectable desserts.
Enjoy It For Less. For my money, I’ll take a quiet, relaxed, unobstructed view of Wishes from the beach of the Polynesian Resort. Stop by Captain Cook’s for a Dole Whip for less than $3 or take a detour to the Tambu Lounge for one of its specialty cocktails and an appetizer.
AMC Dine-In Theater. The AMC movie theater in Downtown Disney recently added an exciting new “Fork and Screen” option. Guests can order and enjoy casual dining (something more than than popcorn and candy) during movie showings. Tickets alone will cost you $13 per person and entree prices are similar to those at your local casual chain restaurant like Applebee’s or TGIFridays (in the $10 range). Although convenient, this makes for an expensive night out with the family.
Enjoy It For Less. Outdoor movies (may be seasonal) by the pool or on the beach are cropping up at more Disney resorts. And, they are free! Stop by the food court or the nearby pool bar to purchase your food for alfresco dining. Whereas the AMC Dine-In Theater doesn’t accept the Disney dining plan, the food courts do.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Starting at $50 (hairstyling and makeup), your little girl can be transformed into an enchanted princess by a Godmother-in-Training at the Cinderella Castle location in Magic Kingdom or World of Disney in Downtown Disney.
Enjoy It For Less. The Harmony Barber Shop (near the Car Barn and Emporium) in the Magic Kingdom is a working barber shop and a favorite for baby’s first haircut. A little known secret is that they’ll also style your child’s hair with colored gel and pixie dust for only $7.50 – a fraction of the cost of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Reservations can be made by calling 407-WDW-PLAY.
Cirque du Soleil. Cirque du Soleil at Downtown Disney is magnificent; the talent and artistry of the performers is breathtaking. I remember being captivated when I saw my first Cirque du Soleil show in New York. Tickets for Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba start at $75 for adults and can run as high as $132 – a definite budget-buster for many families.
Get It For Less. Epcot’s World Showcase Performers are extremely talented. These free “street shows” are a lovely way to spend an afternoon or evening at Walt Disney World. From the Ziti Sisters in Italy to the candy artist in Japan to the Voices of Liberty in America, the variety of shows will entertain guests of all ages.
Bass Fishing. A two-hour catch-and-release bass fishing excursion for up to five people will run you about $270. These excursions include the boat rental, tackle, guide, and beverages.
Get It For Less. Escape to the dock at Fort Wilderness or Port Orleans Riverside to relax and unwind with some catch-and-release dockside fishing. For under $5 per 30 min, you’ll receive a pole and live bait. It’ll be up to you to create your own “I caught a fish this big” story.
This article is featured on this months Dismarks Blog Carnival
Related articles
- Strategies for Paying for Disney – FREE Disney Fun (meetthemagic.com)
- Disney Travel 101: Guest Relations at Walt Disney World (examiner.com)
Happy Father’s Day: Ten Ways to Celebrate with Dad at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is a great place to celebrate Dad. In honor of Father’s Day next week, here are ten relatively low cost ways for the whole family to say, “Thanks, Dad!” at Disney World.
- Show Him the World. What better way to let Dad know he means the world to you than to show him the World, Walt Disney World that is? Board the tethered Characters in Flight balloon (adult: $18, child: $12) at Downtown Disney and float up to 400 feet above ground to enjoy spectacular views of Walt Disney World. For an extra-special experience, take the ride at night.
- Padre Felice’s Day. That’s Happy Father’s Day in French. Visit the Kidcot stations in the eleven countries of Epcot’s World Showcase to have Cast Members write “Happy Father’s Day” in their native languages on your dad’s Father’s Day card. For even more international fun, stop in the bakeries to pick up a sweet treat to go with your card. The School Bread from Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in the Norway Pavilion, baklava from Morocco, and the elephant ears from the French bakery, Boulangerie Patisserie, would fill my husband’s box of sweet treats.
- Walk on the Wild Side. Animal Kingdom has been the home to some pretty amazing animal births this past year. Moms and dads have welcomed an elephant, gorilla, white cheek gibbon, and white rhino, this past year. Take your dad on the Maharajah Jungle Trek or the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail to try to catch some animal dads and their kids playing.
- Hot Rod. Be forewarned, a visit to Ridemakerz, a new Downtown Disney location doesn’t come cheap but it is a cool experience if your dad is a car enthusiast. Similar in concept to Build-a-Bear Workshops, guests can build and customize their own free-wheel or remote-control vehicles – you’ll even see how quickly your dad can assemble the car in the pit. With over 649 million ways to customize the cars including body type, sounds, wheels, and more, you’re nearly guaranteed a one-of-a-kind car!
- Fore! To make golfing a family affair, play a round of miniature golf at one of the two miniature golf courses (adult: $12, child: $10) at the Walt Disney World Resort. Let your dad choose from Winter Summerland or Fantasia Gardens. For a little friendly competition, suggest Fantasia Fairways, which is a miniaturized version of a true 18-hole golf course. For a more relaxed experience, head over to Winter Summerland where Santa’s elves built two golf courses at their vacation spot, one for the sun lovers and one to remind them of home.
- Dad Caught a Fish this BIG. Both Port Orleans Riverside and Fort Wilderness offer dockside fishing. Dad will surely cherish spending some relaxed quality time with his loved ones. And you’ll bring home some fish stories about the one that got away.
- Design-A-Tee. Design a t-shirt for Dad that shows how much you love and admire him. The options are endless at the Disney Design-A-Tee store in Downtown Disney Marketplace. Choose your father’s favorite style, color, and Disney characters to personalize the shirt. Finish it off with a few special words to make the shirt uniquely his.
- Fireworks. There’s no better way to end an evening at Walt Disney World than with one of the spectacular nighttime shows. For a prime viewing location and enough desserts to give you a sugar-high, reserve the Wishes Dessert Party at the Magic Kingdom. (adult: $26, child $14) For Epcot’s Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, get there early to grab a table on the water near the Mexico Pavilion. Enjoy people watching with a margarita (for the adults, of course) until the show starts.
- Specialty Cake/ Cupcake Tower. Order Dad a special cake or create your own cupcake tower using some of the unique and decadent options throughout Walt Disney World. Call “The Cake Hotline” (407.827.2253) at least 48 hours in advance to order your custom cake. The hardest part of a cupcake tower will be deciding which ones to choose. Don’t despair. The “You Won’t Believe This!” Snack Series at The Disney Food Blog won’t steer you wrong.
- Start Your Engines. This last experience isn’t exactly low-cost and it’s not something the family can do together but I couldn’t overlook the coolness factor. Dads will love the ride-along experience at the Richard Petty Driving Experience. A high-speed, three lap ride-along will run you about $110.
Happy Father’s Day!
Photo Credit by http://family.go.com
Lisa M. Battista is the author of Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers When she’s not chasing after her little ones, you can most likely find her at the beach or in the kitchen trying her hand at a new recipe. You call follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DisneyExplorer.
Ask a Disney Question: Best Places to Watch Wishes.
From Edward: Where is the best viewing spot for the Magic Kingdom fireworks and the parade that goes on before hand with all the lights. The name escapes me at the moment.
Wishes Nighttime Spectacular is aptly named – it is a spectacular display of fireworks, moving music, and even a visit from Tinker Bell. The SpectroMagic Parade adds an enormous number of dazzling lights to its floats. If you’re lucky enough to catch Wishes and the SpectroMagic Parade on the same night, it will be a wonderful end to a day at the Magic Kingdom. Be sure to check the parade and fireworks schedule; SpectroMagic generally begins one hour before Wishes but does not run every evening.
To get the best view of Wishes, you’ll want to be on the south side of Cinderella Castle (toward the park entrance) since the fireworks are launched from behind the castle. SpectroMagic begins on Main Street, U.S.A. and moves around the castle hub to Frontierland. Since it can be very crowded for these nighttime events, I recommend finding a spot on Main Street, U.S.A. This way, you can have a good view of both without having to move through the crush of guests to find a new location for Wishes. After SpectroMagic, you can have someone in your party reserve your spot while you take a bathroom break and find a snack. The most popular locations on Main Street are towards the Castle Hub near Casey’s Corner and The Plaza Restaurant. For something a little quieter, try the terrace of the Plaza Restaurant. To get a prime spot, stake your claim at least thirty minutes before SpectroMagic begins; more during the busier weeks of the year.
Another option for a great view of Wishes is the popular, seasonal Wishes Dessert Party which has recently returned. This private dessert party combines a well-stocked buffet of sweets with a reserved fireworks viewing location at The Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station. The Wishes Dessert Party beings one hour before the fireworks; if you opt for this party, it will be difficult get an up close view of SpectroMagic and take full advantage of the dessert portion of the party. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made by calling 407-WDW-DINE. The adult price is $21.99 and children (ages 3-9) are $11.99; peak pricing is $25.99 for adults and $13.99 for children.
If you are visiting Walt Disney World in Summer, 2010 (June 6 through August 14), the much beloved Main Street Electrical Parade will return to Walt Disney World and will run in place of SpectroMagic. Also, a special fireworks extravaganza will temporarily replace Wishes during Summer Nightastic!
Thanks for your questions and have a wonderful time at SpectroMagic and Wishes.
Thanks to Lisa for answering this “Ask a Disney Question” for me today. If you have any Disney questions, ask us. If we can’t find the answer, we’ll find someone who can.
Photo copyright Wikipedia.org.