On our recent trip to Disney World, we dined at Cinderella’s Royal Table, head bopped to favorite Disney Broadway tunes, spied African wildlife through night vision goggles, and more! It was a rare opportunity to leave our boys with their grandparents and see parts of Disney that are challenging to explore with littles in tow. We chose to take full advantage of it! In our three days at Disney, we packed as many *extras* as we could fit and afford into our itinerary. Read on for reviews on the “grown up splurges” we opted for!
Disney on Broadway Dining Package
I *LOVE* Broadway. Well, off Broadway. I’ve only had the opportunity to see one show (Aladdin!) on Broadway itself. And this Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Package, a special for the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, sounded *SO* appealing! Usually we eat our way around the World Showcase, sharing one or two things from each country until we’re full. Time for something new! Several restaurants were part of the package; we chose Great Britain’s Rose & Crown. Excellent choice it seemed. On a surprisingly cold and rainy day in Florida, hot British tea and the best shepherd’s pie I’ve ever had hit the spot.
Then we meandered our way to the concert stage. Two singers from Disney’s NYC Broadway shows tag-teamed each night. Can’t say I recognized either one, but they were both excellent, and clearly having a great time singing some Disney favorites. Songs from Frozen, Tarzan, Mary Poppins, Freaky Friday, The Little Mermaid and more! It was great.
Final thoughts: Were I forced to pick my favorite splurge, this one may barely eek out above Cinderalla’s Royal Table. It was an awesome night. Do this if you’re at Disney during the Arts Festival.
Starlight Safari
We haven’t done much that the resorts offer on our trips to Disney; the parks just offer so much already. But this Starlight Safari at the Animal Kingdom Lodge sounded really appealing. So we boarded an open air truck, grabbed a provided blanket, bundled up against the cold, and aimed our night vision monocle out at the savanna! A truly unique way to see the animals, we really enjoyed the easy conversation with our guide and other guests on the safari. The animals were often quite close to us as well.
The only thing I didn’t realize when booking is that it was mostly hoofed animals, no lions, hippos, elephants, etc. That was an unexpected bummer, but given that it’s a tour around the resort, it makes sense that they keep the more potentially dangerous animals elsewhere. So if you want to see them, be sure to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris at the Animal Kingdom itself!
Final thoughts: This was a really fun experience. I’m glad we did it. It’s not something I’m planning again and again for future, but it was definitely unique. I was sad that we had to leave the park early to make our tour, but they do offer a 10pm late night tour instead if that’s your thing.
Keys to the Kingdom Tour
In 5 hours of walking on this tour, I bet we only heard a fraction of the trivia that could be shared about the Magic Kingdom. But I’m so glad we went. The Keys to the Kingdom Tour offers a unique perspective on the park and the Disney brothers who had such vision. It was fascinating.
And I was likewise fascinated that we could take it again with another guide and hear almost completely new information! Apparently there’s only 30-ish things that tour guides must say on this tour; the rest is left up to their discretion and interests. Our guide liked the puns on Main Street and Peter Pan, so we got a lot on those things! But what would another guide say?! Might have to find out on our next trip.
Final thoughts: Don’t take this tour if it’s your first trip to Disney World; use that trip to soak in the magic. But if you’ve been before, don’t have young children with you, and don’t mind losing half your day away from the actual park, go for it! I love doing something new on vacay, and if you’ve been on Space Mountain a couple times before, I bet you wouldn’t mind touring the famed Utilidor hallways for a bit. Maybe don’t pair it with Cinderella’s Royal Table on the same day like we did; we hardly had time to explore more than the new Fantasyland in the actual park. C’est la vie.
Cinderella’s Royal Table
There are few theme park attractions as romanticized as Cinderella’s Castle, and dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table is the way to see it. Sure, a gazillion photos are taken each year in front of the castle, but few are allowed into the castle itself unless you’re a cast member or paying a pretty penny for a meal. To my complete shock, hubs agreed to the Signature Celebration Package at Cinderella’s Royal Table! Always treating me like a pretty princess *insert heart eyes.*
Likely one of the most expensive dinners at Disney, Cinderella’s Royal Table Signature Package includes: a photo op with Cinderella and Prince Charming, a 3-course meal, princess sightings, a prime viewing location for the evening’s fireworks, and a dessert party.
The photo op included some scripted (on their part) conversation about something Cinderella-related. I think Prince Charming asked me what Cinderalla-related theme I thought the fireworks should be. Uhh… it’s been a long time since I “met” a Disney Character; I have no idea what I stuttered out during the slightly awkward “what is this question” moment. I think Andrew was equally squirmy to whatever Cinderella asked him. This made for less-than-ideal photos, but a funny memory. Oh well! At least there’s an attendant who will take your photo for personal photos so you don’t have to pay for the official ones.
Dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table was way yum. I had butternut squash soup and salmon. They also brought to the table a glass of champagne for each adult guest, a sword or fairy godmother wand for guys and girls, no matter your age (plus an extra two swords when we mentioned two cuties at home!), and a box of Cinderella’s pumpkin coach chocolates that I didn’t eat till we got home!
It was loud at Cinderella’s Royal Table, and full of kids being kids. It was definitely not the quiet, romantic dinner one usually gets when spending so much money. But nevertheless, it was fun and special. We certainly weren’t the only grown-up couples there (one had just gotten engaged — so cute!). They had a magical “wish” ceremonial wand waving that we couldn’t really hear but was mostly for the kids anyway. Took some cute photos with Disney princesses: Ariel, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Jasmine came to see us. Cinderella was, of course, still downstairs greeting all her guests with Prince Charming. I even convinced Andrew to get up and snap a photo with one! *Big win!*
The firework viewing was great. They do ask you to be at the special viewing area quite early after dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table, and there’s not really enough time to do a ride, but it’s an excellent chance for people watching, which I love to do! Plenty of space in the cordoned off lawn to not feel crowded (at least not in January). And the Happily Ever After show is incredible. Loved how they lit up the castle with so many colors and Disney scenes.
And finally the last part of our package with Cinderella’s Royal Table was a dessert reception. For this we trekked down the way a bit to Tomorrowland for a dessert buffet with dozens of options. There’s nothing like chocolate overload at 9pm. Yum. But honestly, I was still full from dinner, and the terrace they took us to didn’t have good viewing of the second, different nighttime show at the Castle. Boo. I think we could have abandoned our chocolate and our specially reserved table to view, but honestly, I was so tired by then that I’d already been “sleeping” on the grass post-fireworks. Oop. Save that show for next time I guess *wink.*
Final thoughts: And so… what did I think of the Signature Celebration Package at Cinderella’s Royal Table? Frivolous, and unnecessary and completely over the top? Yes. But isn’t that why you go to Disney World? It’s that exact “over the top” pixie dust magic that you’re hoping to experience on your Disney vacation. So yes, Cinderella’s Royal Table is expensive, especially if booked as a package, but should you wish to splurge, embrace the moment, be ready for the forced Prince Charming/Cinderella conversation, and make some amazing memories together with your loved ones.
