Top 6 Disney Vacation Upgrades You Should Splurge On
A Disney World vacation offers so many options and add-ons that, sometimes, it can seem overwhelming. To help, I’ve put together a list of Disney vacation upgrades for you that are 100% worth the splurge!
1. Upgrade to a Deluxe Resort
A stay in a deluxe resort on Disney property is like nothing else! These resorts are at the top of the tier for a reason. The rooms are the most spacious, the amenities are more abundant and the pools are bigger and typically have a water play or interactive element.
They will also have hot tubs and may have bonus features such as waterfalls or sand play areas. All rooms are accessed via internal buildings and hallways. The deluxe resorts have multiple food options and some have character dining experiences right on site.
Deluxe resorts also tend to have special activities that other resorts don’t have, like a free marshmallow roast each night, or movies on the beach (most of the other resorts will however have movies by the pool). Some of the Deluxe resorts even have a Community Hall where you can do free crafts and activities.
But the feature I love most about the deluxe resorts is that many of them tend to be closest in proximity to one or more of the theme parks, with some resorts offering the guests the option of a room with a view of fireworks! One option to stretch your budget to be able to upgrade to a deluxe resort is by reserving a split stay.
This means that you would make a reservation to spend part of your vacation in a value or moderate resort, and then move resorts so that you could spend a few nights in one of the deluxe resorts as well. Your MickeyTravels travel agent will be able to give you more information and advice about how best to do this! Staying at a Deluxe resort is one of the best Disney vacation upgrades you can take advantage of!
2. Purchase Party Tickets
There are several options throughout the year. In the fall, experience Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party. During the holidays, you can attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in the Magic Kingdom. On select nights throughout the year, you can purchase tickets to an After Hours party!
All of these ticketed events offer guests extra time in the parks with fewer crowds and unique experiences. There are often special parades or fireworks shows, as well as character meet and greets with many rarely seen characters. Tickets often include special freebies such as special snacks.
Parties are a great way to experience a theme park in a new way and they offer guests a chance to ride many of the popular attractions with little to no wait! Ask your agent if there are any party dates during your next Disney visit.
3. Dine in a Signature Restaurant
Walt Disney World is not your average theme park! And that goes for the variety of dining options as well!! One of my favorite parts about a Disney vacation is the food. You are not restricted to eating only burgers and fries and chicken fingers for a week! Imagine mixing in sushi, lobster, steak…
The Disney World property has some really special restaurants and they are worth the splurge! Choose the menu you like best and make a reservation. Some of these signature restaurants even offer views of the fireworks. You can even bring the kids with you to most of the signature restaurants- each venue will have a children’s menu for your convenience.
Ask your agent for a recommendation or visit Tasty Disney to read what others have to say!
4. Purchase the Memory Maker
Purchasing Memory Maker is one of the must-do Disney vacation upgrades! The Memory Maker allows you to download photos taken by photographers in the parks, resorts, restaurants and attractions for all members of your party. Adding the Memory Maker to your resort stay in advance costs only $169, but the value that it will add to your Disney vacation is indescribable.
Parents, if you’re like me, you have an overflow of photographs of the kids, but very few of the family. Being able to use the PhotoPass photographers throughout the parks to capture those special moments of you and your family is priceless. My family loves the magic shots (special photo shopped features) the photographers can add to your photographs as well as the pictures that are taken on certain attractions.
They spend their time in line deciding what faces they’re going to make for the cameras and we love reminiscing about them as we look at our pictures when we get home.
5. Add the Park Hopper Option
For only $80 per ticket, this splurge is worth its weight in gold! The park hopper pass allows guests to “hop” between theme parks. This means that you could conceivably begin your day riding Space Mountain in the Magic Kingdom, eat your way around the world in Epcot for lunch, enjoy a late afternoon safari at the Animal Kingdom, and delight in a magical laser and fireworks show in Hollywood Studios at night.
Most guests do not visit all four parks in one day. What the hopper does, though, is it creates flexibility within your schedule, which, in turn, gives you a less hectic vacation. Too tired to stay for fireworks at the Magic Kingdom? Come back another day, even if your other plans have you at a different theme park. You can do both. The park hopper pass opens up endless possibilities.
6. Book a Magical Extra
Magical extras are things like tours, dessert parties or specialty cruises. Tours are a great way to experience a park in a different way. From a behind the scenes safari in the Animal Kingdom to a scavenger hunt throughout the Magic Kingdom to scuba diving in the Living Seas pavilion in Epcot, there are countless ways to experience magic in Disney!
Dessert parties are a wonderful addition to any itinerary. They offer comfortable seating, unobstructed views of the show and yummy treats that make your night extra special. You may even consider viewing the fireworks from your own private cruise on the Seven Seas Lagoon. There are so many options!
Splurges don’t have to break the bank. Choose what’s right for your family! You’ll be glad you did!!
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog! If you plan on going to Disney, contact me and I’ll book your trip and handle all your Disney vacation upgrades for you!
Jennifer Price
MickeyTravels, LLC
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner – PLATINUM LEVEL
1-888-898-3079
jprice@mickeytravels.com
www.mickeytravels.com
https://facebook.com/MickeyTravelsJenniferPrice/
I couldn’t recommend the Memory Maker enough – such amazing memories captured!!
That’s fantastic!