Extras

There are lots of little extras at Disney World. Some come at no additional cost, and some come with a hefty price tag. These are few of the more popular.

PhotoPass is a great way to preserve your memories, and get everyone in the photos. All over Disney property there are PhotoPass photographers who will take your families photos and provide you with a card with the digital information of your photo. Use the same card at other Photopass locations so that your photos are all located in one place. If you forget your card one day, it's okay you can combine multiples into one account later online. After you return home, you have 14 days to review, edit and order prints of your photos. If you purchase the Memory Maker package ahead of time, you will be issued a special card on a lanyard that you will use at PhotoPass locations. Every photo taken of you on your trip will be yours, no need to buy individual prints. After your trip you have 14 days to edit and add Disney borders and magic touches to your photos, then you just request your CD and it will arrive in your mailbox in no time. The best part about Memory Maker, is that any ride photos, or character dining photos can be added to your card at no additional cost to you. They even add a great collection of stock photos to your CD. Ask your photographer about Magic Shots, you will get a kick out of what you see when you review your photos. If neither of those options is in your budget, PhotoPass photographers will gladly take your photo with your camera.

If you are looking to provide your child with very special makeover experience, There are a few options available to you. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique operates in two locations, one in Magic Kingdom and one in Downtown Disney. A Fairy Grandmother-in-training will work her magic on hair and nails and use make-up and accessories to turn your little girl into the princess she dreams of being. The fun isn't just for little girls though, little boys can be transformed into dashing knights. The attached shop sells costumes and accessories to make those dreams complete. You can make reservations by calling (407) WDW-STYLE. If your child leans more toward swashbuckling instead of royalty, they can be made into a pirate or a mermaid at the Pirates League in the Magic Kingdom. Adults can even join in on the fun and unleash their inner buccaneer. After being  issued a pirate name from the captains log, a veteran pirate will provide facial effect make-up, temporary tattoos and accessories to transform your child into a seadog worthy of Captain Jack Sparrow's crew. In the afternoon your child will get to join other new crew members for the Adventureland Pirate Parade. For reservations, call (407) WDW-CREW. If both of those options are too involved or too pricey for your tastes, you can stop by Harmony Barber Shop for a hairstyle with glitter or colored gel. A dazzling glittered ponytail or blue faux-hawk can be fun ways to show your Disney side. Make reservations by calling (407) WDW-PLAY.

Disney's Boardwalk is a unique experience. Reminiscent of a turn of the century seaside boardwalk, this quarter mile stretch of lakefront id home to quaint shops, nostalgic dining and classic entertainment. Walk along and take in the sites and watch performers for free, or join in on some of the recreation opportunities for a small charge. Grab a sweet from the bakery and sit and enjoy the lake view, it's a nice relaxing way to spend an afternoon. If your staying on-site you can reach the Boardwalk by bus. If staying off-site you can park for free for up to 3 hours. 

If your trip involves a celebration, be sure to mention it to every Cast Member you talk to on property. If you are staying on site, make sure to add the celebration to your reservation, and pick up your celebration button when you check into your hotel. If you are staying off-site you can pick up a celebration button at Guest Services. When making ADRs, add the celebration to each ADR, not just for the day of the the celebration. Make the whole trip about the celebration and wear the button every day. There are a number of things you can celebrate. Birthdays, Anniversaries, Graduations, Engagements, Honeymoons, Family Reunions, and even your first visit. There are no guarantees, but sometimes a celebration can earn you a little Pixie Dust. I won't get into specifics, because it's different depending on the Cast Member who provides it. You are guaranteed to get well wishes from Cast Members when you wear a celebration button, and that is pretty magical all by itself. My husband had an interaction with the Beast while wearing his Anniversary celebration button. The Beast tapped the button and held out his hands in a gesture of asking "How long?", and my husband told him 13 years to which the Beast gave him a thumbs up and then shook his hand. The Beast is a fan of love. We had two other instances of Pixie Dust for our Anniversary.


Something you can do to ensure a magical celebration is to call the Disney Bakery at (407) 827-2253 to order a cake and have it delivered to one of your Table Service meals. They have a few sizes and styles of cakes to choose from, but the sky is practically the limit when it comes to decorating the cake. They can do pretty much anything you ask for. Be mindful of the size and try not to have leftovers if you can, unless you are in your resort. Most of the restaurants will not hold leftovers for you so you would have to take it back to your resort. Some resorts can deliver the cake to your room instead of at a restaurant, you can ask when calling if that would be more to your liking. Another popular option is a single serving chocolate Cinderella slipper filled with chocolate mousse and fresh berries, but this isn't available at all locations. Several resorts have their own cake services, you can get more info on cakes on the DIS Boards Cake Chatter thread. You can also have the Disney Florists deliver gift baskets, flowers and balloons to your room or they can completely decorate for a celebration. If you really want to do something special, contact Gifts of a Lifetime and arrange one of their special events. They have several types of events to choose from, including room decorating and scavenger hunts. They will provide events in the parks as well as in the hotels and even at off-site resorts. They can get pretty busy, and require advance notice to plan events so be sure to contact them well in advance.

You can check the Disney website for information on other special events and tours. Some are seasonal, and others are available all year long. Most do require a fee, but a few like The Flower and Garden Festival and the Food and Wine Festival are included in the cost of admission.