This is likely going to be a long blog because I want to review a bunch of different tours that we personally experienced this June during our visit to Disney World in Florida. As a friendly reminder, I am in NO way affiliated with Disney and receive nothing to in return for my reviews.
Tour Dates June 10-15
Participants: 5 year old active girl, she's going into 1st grade and 44.5" tall
Myself and my husband, My mother who was in a wheelchair most of the days because she can't walk over 6-7,000 steps per day without injuring herself.
We scheduled 3 events that were kids only for Sydnee.
The first was The Pirate Adventure Cruise.
Price: $39-49.00
Ages: 4-12 year old
Time: 9:30-11:30am
Link: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/pirate-adventure-cruises/
Summary:
Sydnee ranked this as her favorite tour. We dropped her off before the tour and my mom hung out at the hotel while she was on the tour and Jacob and I headed over to ride Tower of Terror and Rocking Roller Coaster.
She returned on time with a hat, bandana, treasure chest and mouthful of stories. There were six kids and a couple adults on their boat, they sailed around and met some fun characters. The tour included a story, boat ride, snack (bathroom break!) and hunt for treasure. The goodies she came away with were worth more than we paid for the tour and she had an amazing time.
(10/10) Recommendation: All kids aged 4-10 would love this, older kids would enjoy this if they like that kind of thing. Highly recommend! We will do this again.
Wonderland Tea Party
Price: $59.00
Ages: 4-12 year old
Time: 2:00-3:00pm
(7/10) Recommendation: Older kids aged 8-12 would love this, younger kids would enjoy this if they love Alice or are able to sit and concentrate on a task for 10+ minutes.
This isn't exactly kids only but kid focused.
The Pirate's League
Price: $18.95 +
Ages: 3+ year old
Time: By Appointment
(8/10) Recommendation: If your kid likes having their face painted and is into Pirates or Mermaids this is a cool experience. This would be a great add on for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween.
Family Tours/Dinning Adventures
(8/10) Recommendation: Probably more fun for adults who like to garden but interesting enough to take the kids along.
Ages: Anyone
Time: 8:00pm
(6/10) Recommendation: Eat dessert at a restaurant and Fast Pass the ride. I'd recommend Character dinning for a better value.
Star Wars Guided Tour
I booked this for Jacob, who is a huge Star Wars fan. Sydnee has seen the most recent movie and my mom has only seen the original three. I'm somewhere in the middle. All that being said, everyone loved this tour. My mom rode most of the day, the tour starts at 8am an hour before the park opens. Everyone gets a listening device so you can hear the tour guides. Our three guides were great. They knew tons of Disney secrets and Star Wars trivia.
(10/10) Recommendation: If you like Star Wars, do it!
(9/10) Recommendation: If your kid is 4-10 this is great.
Ultimate Night of Adventure VIP Tour
(3/10) Recommendation: Use your Fast Passes and save your money
Please let me know if you have questions about these tours or anything Disney. We travel there a lot and I am happy to give advice. I have two teenage kids who didn't make this trip but have been many times so I've been to the parks with all ages of kids, on adult only vacation (my honeymoon for one), with parties as big as 14 and as small as 2. :)
Tour Dates June 10-15
Participants: 5 year old active girl, she's going into 1st grade and 44.5" tall
Myself and my husband, My mother who was in a wheelchair most of the days because she can't walk over 6-7,000 steps per day without injuring herself.
We scheduled 3 events that were kids only for Sydnee.
The first was The Pirate Adventure Cruise.
Price: $39-49.00
Ages: 4-12 year old
Time: 9:30-11:30am
 |
| Photo: Nana |
Summary:
Sydnee ranked this as her favorite tour. We dropped her off before the tour and my mom hung out at the hotel while she was on the tour and Jacob and I headed over to ride Tower of Terror and Rocking Roller Coaster.
She returned on time with a hat, bandana, treasure chest and mouthful of stories. There were six kids and a couple adults on their boat, they sailed around and met some fun characters. The tour included a story, boat ride, snack (bathroom break!) and hunt for treasure. The goodies she came away with were worth more than we paid for the tour and she had an amazing time.
(10/10) Recommendation: All kids aged 4-10 would love this, older kids would enjoy this if they like that kind of thing. Highly recommend! We will do this again.
Wonderland Tea Party
Price: $59.00
Ages: 4-12 year old
Time: 2:00-3:00pm
 |
| Photo: Disney PhotoPass |
Summary:
Sydnee said this one was fun but not a highlight. I think she was on the young side for this. This is a kid's only event and they get cupcakes and a cute tea set. The Mad Hatter and Alice show up and help with the party. This party included pictures of all the kids (so you have to find your kid). The photos make it look like a blast and the tea set is really nice. (7/10) Recommendation: Older kids aged 8-12 would love this, younger kids would enjoy this if they love Alice or are able to sit and concentrate on a task for 10+ minutes.
This isn't exactly kids only but kid focused.
The Pirate's League
Price: $18.95 +
Ages: 3+ year old
Time: By Appointment
Summary:
 |
| Photo: Me |
Sydnee likes pirates and mermaids so this was a blast for her. She loved the nail polish and the makeup. It was super hot the day we visited and her makeup lasted all day. The experience is typical Disney so there are extras you get to take home (the makeup and nail polish) and the women who are doing the make-overs really sold the pirate theme. For the more robust packages you're going to be spending closer to $50 but the nice part is they handed me (not my kid) the pricing guide and allowed me to choose what to buy during the appointment. This is a great lower cost and more "boy" friendly version of the Bippity Boppity Boutique.
(8/10) Recommendation: If your kid likes having their face painted and is into Pirates or Mermaids this is a cool experience. This would be a great add on for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween.
Family Tours/Dinning Adventures
 |
| Photo: Me |
Behind the Seeds
Price: $25.00/$20.00
Ages: Anyone
Time: 10:30 - (offered several times per day)
Summary:
My mom picked this tour. We've ridden Living with the Land multiple times and always wanted to
 |
| Photo: Our Guide |
take the tour. She was able to walk during this short hour long tour but it would have been easy to push the wheelchair. We learned about the plants and how/why they grow them in the Epcot greenhouses. Sydnee was excited to feed the fish and taste the cucumbers. Our tour guide was great and they gave us listening devices so we could hear her even over the noise in the greenhouses and the tour group. Our group had about 15 people and we all got a chance to ask questions. They even gave us a handout so we could replicate the hydroponics at home. Sydnee didn't get bored and I thought it was fun. If you like gardening this is a must do for the price if you have an extra hour to devote to it.
(8/10) Recommendation: Probably more fun for adults who like to garden but interesting enough to take the kids along.
Frozen Ever After Dessert Party
Price: $79/47Ages: Anyone
Time: 8:00pm
Summary:
To be honest I booked this because I failed to get a Fast Pass for Frozen Ever After the last two times we visited and Sydnee LOVES Frozen. Turns out the ride was the best part. The desserts were good and typical Disney desserts you can get at almost any restaurant. We got moved inside because it was raining so we had to walk to the fireworks after enjoying our desserts. This is an all you can eat and drink party so be sure to fill up on the yummies if you go. Unfortunately, because of the rain we ended up sitting on the ground to view the fireworks which was ok but not the best after walking all day at the park. After the fireworks we rode the ride and it is awesome. My little Frozen fan was thrilled and exhausted.
(6/10) Recommendation: Eat dessert at a restaurant and Fast Pass the ride. I'd recommend Character dinning for a better value.
Star Wars Guided Tour
Price: $92.95
Ages: Anyone
Time: 8:00am
Summary:
I booked this for Jacob, who is a huge Star Wars fan. Sydnee has seen the most recent movie and my mom has only seen the original three. I'm somewhere in the middle. All that being said, everyone loved this tour. My mom rode most of the day, the tour starts at 8am an hour before the park opens. Everyone gets a listening device so you can hear the tour guides. Our three guides were great. They knew tons of Disney secrets and Star Wars trivia.  |
| Photos: All by Me |
The tour includes riding Star Tours before it opens and behind the scene views, character meet and greets, marching with the Storm Troopers, three shows, two movies and the kids get into Jedi Training. Lunch is included and during the lunch break you get awesome mugs (to take home), a personalized souvenir and a nice break. There is a lot of walking and some time outside so it's nice to be in the A/C. The tour runs until 2pm and then you are on your own until the fireworks. You can use your tour lanyard to get into the reserved seating for the fireworks. Again you are sitting on the ground for the fireworks.
We had around 30 people on our tour and everyone had a blast. There were lots of kids but the adults were having just as much fun. A couple kids were too little for Star Tours so they hung out for the 5 minutes we were on the ride but participated in everything else. Jedi Training also has an age limit of 4-12 but it's the last thing before the tour ends so if your kids are too little or you are kid free you can depart to do your own thing at 1:15.
(10/10) Recommendation: If you like Star Wars, do it!
Disney Family Magic Tour
Price: $39.00
Ages: Anyone best 4-10
Time: 10:00am - noon
 |
| Photos: Me |
Summary:
This was Sydnee's second favorite tour. She loved solving the clues and meeting the special guest. The kids liked this one more than the adults but I thought it was fun. Our tour guide was fun, there was lots of walking so you should take your stroller, water and sun screen. This tour is different every time so I won't tell you too many details but I know kids would love it. Plus there is a special guest at the end that it worth the tour (not pictured).
(9/10) Recommendation: If your kid is 4-10 this is great.
Ultimate Night of Adventure VIP Tour
Price: $249.00
Ages: 44" or taller
Time: 5:00pm to fireworks
Summary:
As you can see this tour is significantly more expensive than all the others. It includes FPs to
- Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (44” height requirement)
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Avatar Flight of Passage (44” height requirement)
- Na’vi River Journey
- Dinosaur (40” height requirement)
- The nighttime spectacular Rivers of Light
and a dessert/snacks spread. There is a souvenir lanyard which is cool. Unfortunately, that's it. There is no Disney trivia, not that we could hear. You speed walk from one ride to the next and are mixed in the FP lines with people who aren't from the tour. My mom rode in her wheelchair and the guides were somewhat annoyed by this because it was slowing us down; even though the tour site says it is wheelchair and ECV accessible.
I loved the rides but it wasn't worth $249 per person to get on them. Sydnee did say Flight of Passage was her favorite ride in Disney (she also likes Splash Mountain and Frozen)
Just as a note it was storming when our tour started and we were told it would run anyway although at the start of our tour Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris had suspended operations they were on before we got to that part of the tour, if they aren't you don't get a refund. Also, River of Light was disappointing but that may have been rain related, I just found it slow and boring.
(3/10) Recommendation: Use your Fast Passes and save your money
Please let me know if you have questions about these tours or anything Disney. We travel there a lot and I am happy to give advice. I have two teenage kids who didn't make this trip but have been many times so I've been to the parks with all ages of kids, on adult only vacation (my honeymoon for one), with parties as big as 14 and as small as 2. :)
Comments
Post a Comment