Category Archives: Extras

Chef Mickey’s

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Located within Disney’s Contemporary Resort is a fantastic character buffet. Chef Mickey’s is a perfect complement to a day at Magic Kingdom.

The breakfast buffet is the way to go. There is evey breakfast staple and anything you could want. Reservations can be made 60 days prior to the first day of your Resort stay. Chef Mickey’s is open to everyone, it is not just for guests at the Contemporary. It is so convenient to get to from Magic Kingdom. It is about a 10 minute walk or an exciting trip on the monorail. I like to make a morning reservation and go before entering the park. Then we aren’t even hungry for lunch and have a few snacks to get to dinner. So it is definitely not taking up too much of your day.

Mickey and friends come and visit the table and it is one of the best spots in all of Disney World to get photos with them.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

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Every Disney Dad strives to make their daughter feel like a princess.

Located in Magic Kingdom, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a shop where little girls can be transformed into their favorite Disney Princess. Reservations are required so be sure to plan ahead.

There are several different packages available for purchase. Girls can also bring any dress they have from home. The packages can include hair, makeup and nail polish. The shop also has accessories like shoes, wands and crowns. Your princess can get a photo shoot after as well.

I know it sounds expensive. But it is a magical experience. The attention the boutique gives each child is special. And they feel special the rest of the day in their makeup and gown. My daughter chose Elsa and then used the costume for the next Halloween. And the photos are priceless.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

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This is one fun party. There are exclusive happenings and characters only available during the event. It is expensive. Expect to pay between $100 and $200 per person depending on the night. But it is well worth it.

First off, it is fun to be part of a special event. It feels like Magic Kingdom is throwing a party and I made the guest list. For all the Hocus Pocus fans there is always a performance in front of Cinderella’s Castle. There is also a distinct parade featuring a Halloween theme. Pre-covid, and likely returning again post-covid, there are exclusive character meetings. They have characters that are not available during normal hours.

Kids can wear costumes and trick or treat for candy. Which means they just walk around getting candy all night. We get a free souvenir reusable bag to collect their candy. We use them all the time.

Space Mountain does a special Halloween edition where it is in complete darkness. That is in one word, intense. It is an entirely different experience. And it is so much fun. There are also, of course, exclusive Halloween items, drinks and snacks.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party is a wonderful party. I would say it is even something to consider when planning a Disney World Vacation. If you are considering a late August to October time frame, keep this event in mind. It is something every Disney Dad should experience.

Memory Maker: Buy it, use it, love it

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Memory maker is the most essential Disney Vacation perk. You absolutely have to buy it. For a relatively low cost you get unlimited photos. My biggest regret after every vacation is I wish we took more photos.

Disney Memory Maker allows you to download all of the photos taken at the parks. This includes ride photos and photo pass locations. These are both must haves. Where else can you have trained photographers snap photos of you on vacation? Again, take photo after photo after photo. When you think you have enough, get more. We love our iconic photos such as the ones in front of the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom. But even the photos at random locations can be amazing. Photos with just the kids or just the parents or mixed and matched. I don’t have many great photos of my wife and I together since our kids were born. The ones I do have, are from Disney World.

Tower of Terror

If you go with a large group, only one person needs the memory maker. Just link the parties on the My Disney Experience website in the friends and families list. Our family has years of vacations saved in our photo cloud. I’m always just a few clicks away from returning to Disney.

You need Magic Bands

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As part of cost cutting initiatives,  Disney World stopped including complimentary magic bands with a Disney vacation package. This saves them a lot of money. A lot. And they have spun the marketing on this to promote the My Disney Experience app and the Disney Genie Service as its replacement. They certainly aren’t stupid over there at Disney. They want you to use your phone for everything and make it so you think it’s better than the free magic bands.

You need magic bands. Even at an extra cost they are an essential vacation accessory.  Part of the fun of a Disney vacation is the planning . Picking out magic band colors with your children is a fun little pre-vacation experience. Spending up for the limited edition bands they change frequently is well worth it. The kids love them and they double as souvenirs. My kids wear them as bracelets and they love telling their friends and classmates about their Disney trip.

Magic bands are, well, magical. Kids love tapping them to get into the park and to open the hotel doors. My kids race to the door to be the first to open it. And the memories of them when they are little and can’t get them to work are recreated as they get older and master the art. They are so proud of themselves for being able to do it, because they remember when it was hard for them. I love watching them obsess over tapping their magic bands when we go through lightning lanes.

You need this photo.

You will be using your phone enough with Disney Genie. Enjoy the magic with the magic bands.