Lou’s email inbox is often full to overflowing with questions from listeners. As such, he has enlisted the WDW Radio Blog writers to assist him in answering some of your questions.
First of all let me say I love listening to all the podcasts. We are planning to visit soon and this will be our first visit with our son who will be 8 and staying off site. He loves Marvel, Star Wars and his food (yes Lou I brought him up right). So go with me here what do you think would be a hidden gem for him to do on his first visit. Thanks for making my journey into work each day enjoyable and keep up the excellent work but please come to visit Scotland for various meet and greet. Ta much from Glasgow. Susan
Hi Susan,
Felicia here from “A Couple Things Disney.” Lou passed along your email, and I thought I could help answer this for you.
First, let me say how excited I am to know that this will be your son’s first trip to Walt Disney World. I love that you want to do something special for him to make his trip even more memorable. My husband and I are two big kids at heart and love doing things like this.
Quite a few options popped into my head when I read your e-mail. These vary in price, so depending on what you are comfortable spending or doing, one of these might be nice to try:
Star Wars: Galactic Nights Special Event – This event will begin on April 14 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and covers your son’s love of “Star Wars” and food. It is a special ticketed event, ($129 + tax for adults and $124 + tax for children 9 and under) and from what we are hearing, it’s perfect for kids of all ages (I know my husband would love this, too). The event takes place from 7 PM to midnight and includes a plethora of “Star Wars”-themed events, such as shows and dance parties in the park, movie screenings where you learn about the making of “Star Wars,” photo-ops with “Star Wars” characters, parades, a Darth Vader-led Imperial March, interactive scavenger hunts, and, of course, fireworks. We saw an early version of the “Star Wars” fireworks last May, and they were incredible! There will also be special “Star Wars”-themed food and beverages sold throughout the park, as well as exclusive themed merchandise.
Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage – My husband and I did this last year and it was SO MUCH FUN! You start the voyage off at Disney’s Contemporary Resort with an all-you-can-eat dessert party. If your son loves desserts, he won’t want to miss this – everything from cake, to ice cream, to cotton candy, to chocolate, and so much more. You get to meet Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, and two HILLARIOUS pirates host your boat cruise. Board the boat at the Contemporary and sail off to watch the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular. Along the way, you get to play games, sing songs, win prizes, leave with some great souvenirs and a surprise from a very special guest
The Pirates League – Continuing with a pirate theme is the Pirates League at the Magic Kingdom. Reservations are required for this swashbuckling version of the Bippity Boppity Boutique. You have seven different makeover packages to choose from, all featuring makeup and varying levels of costumes and props. Your son can be taken away into the land of pirates and learn to become an official buccaneer.
- Tours – We’ve taken quite a few of these tours before, mainly the ones meant for adults, but they have great ones for kids and families, too. The “Backstage Tales” tour shows how Cast Members take care of all the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The “Behind the Seeds” tour at Epcot gives you a glimpse into what it takes to grow all the fruits and vegetables used at WDW; we’ve taken this tour and loved it! Disney’s “Family Magic” tour is a guided scavenger hunt around the Magic Kingdom. The tours vary in price and time, so you may want to do some research on which one fits best for you.
Characters in Flight – Now this may be a stretch depending on how comfortable you are with heights, but Characters in Flight in Disney Springs is a jaw-dropping flight on a tethered helium balloon that goes 400 feet in the air. We thought about doing this, but I chickened out at the last minute. It’s an 8-10 minute flight that gives you 360-degree views of Disney Springs and some of the Walt Disney World property.
I hope this helps, Susan. Let us know what you decide to do!
(Photo from the author’s personal collection.)
Readers, do you have any suggestion for Susan? Please let us know in the comments section below!
“New Yorkas” Felicia and Sean are avid Disney fans. Their first vacation as a couple was in Walt Disney World. They were engaged there, and also honeymooned there. After a combined 30 trips to the World, they are self-professed Disney travel agents and enjoy helping family and friends plan magical Disney vacations.
