First few times we visited Disney World we were kinda clueless. Of course, we visited the parks and Disney Springs, and enjoyed the Resort we stayed at, but that’s it. With proper research lacking, we were unaware of all the amazing options available for an extra something special at Disney.
Before our last trip to the World I was much more thorough. I made it my mission to properly research the whole shebang, and so I did. It was my husband’s birthday, as well as my middle daughter’s twelfth, and I wanted to do something else, something special. I was blown away with the options available. There are so many special events, parties and experiences at Disney World to choose from. That said, they all cost extra, and most of them don’t come cheap. Some are definitely worth it, some may not be, mostly, it’s a matter of personal opinion.
Seeing the abundance of option, I thought i might concentrate most of the options together in this post for you, to help ya’ll (all that without going into the different tours that are also available).
Special events:
These are seasonal special events , usually either at Magic Kingdom or Epcot. The seasonal parties to celebrate Halloween and Christmas are after dark special events, while the Festivals at Epcot are full day events. The parties are what they call ‘after dark’, and even if you have park tickets for the day, you will need to buy tickets for the party. On the days the parties run, the park closes early for all guests, but if you have tickets to the party you can stay the whole day. Also, the party usually starts at 5 pm, but entrance to party goers starts a couple of hours earlier, so they can enjoy the park and rides even before the special party events (such as special parades, dance parties, trick or treating etc.).
International Food and Wine Festival at Epcot
Running every year since 1995, the International Food and Wine Festival is a yearly event. This year running from August 31st to November 13th 2017. As it’s name, this is a Food and Wine festival, special kiosks are set up around the World Showcase, with food and drinks that reflect the various countries represented in the Festival. Countries and vendors may change from year to year. Admission is part of park admission, but food and certain special activities will cost extra. I haven’t yet had the pleasure of visiting during the Festival, but it is definitely something I wish to do in the future.
Epcot Flower and Garden festival
This annual Festival, usually set in Spring time, March through May, combines beautiful Spring time gardening with good food and plenty of entertainment and special events,
International Festival of the Arts at Epcot
This is a new one, started only January 2017. This coming year it will be running January 12th until Febuary 19th 2018. It’s meant to celebrate art as a whole, but especially Disney art, in the past and present. Guests are surrounded by amazing visions, watch creative processes live, enjoy live shows and excellent food and wine, having a new experience every time they go.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Just as it sounds, this is a one of a kind, not so scary, Halloween Party in the Magic Kingdom. This party usually runs every year from the end of August right through until November 1st, mostly three times a week. This is a wonderful fun event. You can dress up, with certain restrictions, found on the Disney World site . There’s so much going on during the party. You can enjoy trick or treating trails, most rides are still running during the party, there’s an amazing great parade, the Boo to You Halloween Parade, the Villains Spectacular, the Hallowishes Fireworks show and so much more…
I actually discovered this wonderful enjoyable party just before our last trip, and one of my best decisions was to buy the tickets for the party. We actually did the party on the day we arrived. We checked in to our hotel (AOA), got settled, and went off to the Magic Kingdom. Taking advantage of the early admission to the park, we enjoyed the rides, and at five were off to start our trick or treating. The parade is amazing, Hallowishes fireworks show is amazing, it’s all amazing😀 , and to me it’s an experience you would want to enjoy at least once. Unfortunately, our next trip can’t be during that period, so we’ll be missing out on the party. Saying that, I will definitely try to do it again in the future.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Also a seasonal special. The Micky’s Very Merry Christmas Party is, as it sounds, a party celebrating the Winter Christmas holiday season. Starting from November 9th, running through until December 22nd, this party is all about Christmas. It’s amazing how only nine days apart, the park changes from a Halloween celebration, with all the amazing décor, to a full on Christmas celebration. The vibe of the decorations and parade can be caught on the yearly Disney Christmas TV Special, broadcasting from Disney Land and Disney World. At the party you can enjoy the Once Upon a Christmas parade, Mickey’s most merriest celebration – a special holiday stage show, a special Frozen show starring Anna and Elsa, and the Holiday Wishes fireworks show. Just like the Halloween party, special tickets are required for this event.
Dessert Parties:
Dessert Parties are events held in almost every one of the Disney World parks, on fireworks shows nights, binding together an enjoyable dessert party, for us sweet toothers, with special seating or viewing areas for the show. There are different dessert parties at the different locations, they keep evolving and changing. You can even enjoy the dessert parties during the Halloween and Christmas parties (with extra cost, of course). Here’s a current list of the optional dessert parties:
The fireworks dessert party at Magic Kingdom – optional with Plaza Garden viewing or Tomorrowland Terrace viewing. Enjoy great desserts while viewing the fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom.
Frozen Ever After dessert party at Epcot – this is a relatively new one. You can enjoy a wide array of desserts, Frozen inspired, while seated viewing Illumination at Epcot. An added bonus is an extra opportunity to ride the Frozen Ever After attraction after the show ends.
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – this dessert party is Star Wars themed (surprise surprise). With a wide selection of Star Wars themed desserts, some savory options, and plenty of specialty beverages, with and without alcohol. On top of that you receive a Star Wars novelty (at the moment, it’s a Chewbacca stein). Just like the other dessert parties, there is a special viewing area for the fireworks show. This one is a definite yes for us. I’ve seen the reviews, and I’m planning to book it for our next trip.
Happy Hallowishes dessert party, fireworks holiday dessert party and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Dessert Party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – are the holiday special event dessert parties available.
Special cruises:
Pirates & Pals Fireworks Dessert Voyage – this is a special one. You enjoy a dessert party at the Contemporary Resort, with the company of Captain Hook and Patch, and after you’re escorted out to the boats, and go for a cruise for a view of the fireworks. This one is mostly for the little Pirates. Reading the articles and reviews, it’s not one of the best dessert parties offered, and more of a special pirate experience for the little ones.
There used to be another option – Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise – but at the moment it is no longer available.
Illumination cruises – these are specialty cruises, to book individually. The boats are small, and carry up to 10 people. The price includes the pontoon boat, driver, water and soda, and bagged snacks. You can order Private dining to be delivered to the boat. The boat takes you to Epcot for an excellent view point for Illuminations. We did this one on our last trip. I booked it as a surprise for my hubby’s Birthday. I also had a Birthday cake delivered to the boat. We had the boat to ourselves. It was absolutely amazing. We had the time of our lives. Illuminations is an amazing show, and the view we had was unbelievable. It wasn’t cheap, but in my opinion, it was really worth it.
Special experiences:
Bibbidi bobbidi boutique – This is a real princess/knight experience for the little ones. Set in an enchanted beauty salon, either in Disney Springs (Once upon a Toy Store at marketplace) or at the Magic Kingdom (Cinderella’s castle), to get a magical makeover for young princesses or knights, aged 3 to 12. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is owned by Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother, operated by her apprentices – Fairy Godmothers in training. Girls can choose hairstyle and then have make up added on, nail colour and accessories too. You can even add a Disney princess costume (extra cost). Boys can be transformed into a knight. This experience is the just right for your little princess or knight, but be aware, this experience doesn’t come cheap (as of October 2017 the basic package is 64.95$ plus tax, and if you want to add the costume, well then it can jump up to 199.95$ plus tax).
The Pirates League
Join the Pirates league, and transform into a pirate, mermaid, siren, empress or zombie. This experience is for boys and girls, aged 3 and over (including the older boys and girls among us). There are plenty of packages to choose from starting from 19.95$ plus tax and up to 99.95$ plus tax. This is a great fun experience. Not only transforming into a pirate or mermaid or one of your other choices, but also go through an initiation, then it’s time for your oath, and you’re sworn into the Pirates League. At that point you will enter a hidden chamber for a photo opp. On our last trip we did the mermaid package for all my girls (aged at the time: 6, 12, 17). They loved it (and so did we). Going through the makeover was great fun, and the initiation and being sworn in, well, that’s one of those things the girls will remember for years to come. I wholeheartedly recommend this one.
Wanyama Safari
This experience is something I just learnt about lately. In the past it was limited only to those that stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, but as of late it is now open to all. If you’re into wildlife and good food, this experience combines the both. First you get to enjoy a safari ride within the savanna in the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and after that you enjoy a dining experience at Jiko, which is considered one of the best restaurants at Disney World. At the moment cost is just over 200$ plus tax per person.
Disney Floral & Gifts
With Disney Floral & Gifts you can surprise your partner or kids with a special Disney gift awaiting in your room on arrival. There is an array of set gift baskets to choose from, different themed baskets, or you can build your own gift basket if you wish to. This, as of most Disney experiences, is not cheap. But if you wish to immerse yourself and your family in just a little more magic, well then, it may be worth it to you and your family.
Those are most of the events, experiences and parties available at Disney World. There are also special tours available at the parks, but I won’t be getting into those.
Yes, you can certainly enjoy Disney World without taking part in the special events, festivals, parties or experiences. Especially when it’s your first visit. But if you’re planning a longer stay at Disney, or if this isn’t your first visit, or even if you just want to amp up the magic, then go for it.