Love Disney but feeling a bit “been there done that?” Looking for something extra special for the birthday girl? Curious about how the magic is made? Need a little adrenaline kick for dad?
Look no further. Disney has created a raft of special experiences to enhance your next visit. These tours and experiences will liberate you from lines and give you the opportunity for a more intimate look at the Disney you love.
Recently, Macaroni Kid had the opportunity to check out several of these “premium experiences” as a guest of Disney Resort. We came away believing that every Disney visit should include at least one.
Learn how the Magic Happens: Dine with an Imagineer
Perhaps our favorite was, at first blush, the least thrilling. We had the honor of lunching with a real-live, hard-working Imagineer at the Brown Derby in Hollywood Studios. Imagineers are the creative heart of Disney: the secret sauce if you will. Sure, lunch was delicious. But the magic was learning how Disney makes the magic. How a new attraction, restaurant or resort begins with a “blue sky” session where the sky’s the limit on creative ideas and nothing is written off as “impossible.” How the theming extends to each smallest detail. How the story rules the development.
Gary (can we call you that?) shared “secrets” about beloved attractions: the story of the Yeti at Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom, the careful integration of Captain Jack Sparrow into the cherished Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Magic Kingdom, the tiny enhancements to the Haunted Mansion (did you notice the creepy sounds of creaking wood that now accompany the rising of the ceiling in the entry hall?).
And here’s the thing: anyone can enjoy lunch with an Imagineer and learn firsthand how Disney creates the magic. How cool is that?
A delicious four-course lunch and the incredible company of a story-telling Imagineer: $64.95 for guests 10 and over, $37.27 for kids 3-9.
Wishes … with Pirates
Sure, the Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks show is spectacular. But how about the chance to dress as a pirate and enjoy it from a boat?
“Pirate and Pals Fireworks Voyage” starts at the Contemporary Resort with a snack reception and photo opp. Kids dressed in their best pirate garb practice their “ahoy mateys” with good-natured pirate hosts. After the kids have filled their bellies with cake, cookies, chocolate coins and other goodies, you will head to the boats and out to sea. Your pirate host will keep the crew engaged with games and giveaways until Wishes begins.
A firework show unlike any other, Wishes tells a story of dreams set to music that syncs with the firework display. You won’t miss a thing, as the music and the story is magically piped into your boat.
A visit (and photo opp) from Peter Pan awaits upon your return.
Cost: $53.99 Guests 10+ / $30.99 Guests 3-9
Transform your Princess into a, Well a Princess.
Ever wonder what really goes on in Cinderella’s castle? Among other things, it is home to The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique where Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother and her minions transform little girls into princesses. Guests from 3 to 12 can enjoy the full treatment: princess hair, make-up, manicures, princess dresses and lots of sparkles.
Can you put a price on feeling like a princess? Sigh, I suppose one must. Prices range from $49.95 to $189.95.
Drive a Racecar.
Driving a high-performance car 90 miles per hour around a race course can be the perfect antidote to too many lines and too many princess encounters.
See that picture? That’s me kissing a $265,000 car. Just after I took her for a spin around a racetrack. Six times.
The Exotic Driving Experience has come to Disney.
After a short training video, don your helmet and jump in your Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi or Porsche and navigate her through a course specially designed to show you how that baby accelerates through the straight-away, banks through the curves and navigates the cones. There’ll be an instructor by your side, but you have the wheel. At the end, you’ll get to see the details of your performance on the computer. Sadly, then you’ll have to kiss her goodbye.
$189 for six laps with you behind the wheel. Or, let a professional take you for a thrill ride for $99.
Wild Africa Trek
Sure, the Hippos are fun to look at. But they are even more fun to feed.
You will begin your three-hour journey by getting dressed for it. You will be outfitted with safari vest, radio from which you’ll be able to hear your guide, harness (yup, you’ll need it later) and keepsake water bottle, all perfect for the upcoming photo opps with the professional photographer who will accompany your trek.
A short hike will bring you to an overhang above the Hippo’s home, where you will be clipped in for safety and have the chance to toss entire heads of lettuce to hungry hippos. After the hippos have been fed, your journey will continue to a series of rope bridges that tower above the home of more hippos and lots of Nile Crocodiles (that harness is sounding like a good idea now). Later, you’ll shed your harness and jump aboard a jeep that will take you through the heart of Animal Kingdom, where you’ll have the chance to linger and learn.
The highlight of the Trek? An African-inspired snack at an open air hut in the middle of the animal preserve. From there, you can really see the animals at play … we watched giraffes chasing Thompson Gazelles around just for fun. I’ve never seen anything like it.
Your $189 (though prices can vary) includes a custom-CD with photos from your Trek.
