What did you do that you thought was a waste of money?

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

Was not a fan of the fantasmic dining package. First off the special VIP area was the last two sections in the corner. I didn't expect the very middle but also didn't expect the end. Then about 10 minutes before the show they start filling in all the available space in the VIP section. So those people were way smarter than me only arriving 10 minutes early. Plus I'm not a big fan of any of the restaurants at HS. So to be forced to get a meal there and Have a crappy seat was a complete waste of money.

 

[CAS239]

During my June trip, the biggest and only waste of money was the lunch at Crystal Palace. $85 for 2 people....crazy!

That would have to be including tip..unless you meant dinner?

Lunch is $31 a person and dinner is $44

I enjoy the CP at $31 a person, but not $44 lol

 

[BrittyRo]

FYI, if you do forego BBB, know that you can go to the Castle Couture store behind the castle any time they're open and they'll "pixie dust" you for free. Just ask any CM and they'll happily do it. Also, Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street will do a confetti-type pixie dust -- with big, colorful bits of confetti and Mickey heads -- along with a ponytail for $7. It's very fun and eye-catching, and they don't pull the hair the way they tend to do at BBB. Make a reservation, though, if you decide to do it, because they get crowded.

Can adults get pixie dusted too at both?

What I thought was a waste of money: Chef Mickey and Ohana breakfast. The character interactions feel rushed and very unmagical (YMMV if you have children? It was just two adults for me).

 

[powellrj]

For your first trip, I wouldn't do any of the extra things. You will be so busy with just the normal park things that if you do the extra things, you will be sorry about all of the park things you are missing. I would pick one or two character meals and then just do the parks.

 

[soniam]

Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party, and that was at the old price. However, the Illuminations Dessert Party was worth it for us. We have never done the dining plan. However, I figured it out one year, and we would have saved maybe $20. Plus, it's way more food than we can eat. Club Level would be a waste for us, since we like to eat something quick in the room and leave early for rope drop. The club room doesn't open early enough for us usually.

 

[Jfsag123]

Was not a fan of the fantasmic dining package. First off the special VIP area was the last two sections in the corner. I didn't expect the very middle but also didn't expect the end. Then about 10 minutes before the show they start filling in all the available space in the VIP section. So those people were way smarter than me only arriving 10 minutes early. Plus I'm not a big fan of any of the restaurants at HS. So to be forced to get a meal there and Have a crappy seat was a complete waste of money.

Just FYI, the dinner package seating is now in the center. It still may feel like a waste to some, as FP+ is usually readily available, but the view for the show is wonderful.

 

[Paigesmom2013]

I think it depends on what's right for your family. Last trip, we did Cinderella's Royal Table and it was really neat. But I would never pay that much for lunch in the "real" world. This trip is Akershus and Chef Mickey's again, so only two character meals for the week. As for BBB, my girls hate to have their hair combed or put up in buns, so that's out. Plus, I don't want to burn park time for that.
Maybe you can go over the options and let each family member vote on one or two extras?

 

[crostorfer]

The Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party.

Dinner at Chef Mickey's

Dinner at Rose and Crown

Face painting. UGH! That was the worst idea ever, but my daughter begged and pleaded to have her face painted into a beautiful blue butterfly at one of those stands in DHS. $20 or so later, she looked lovely....for all of 5 minutes. Then, it began to itch and melt off of her face. In 15 minutes that paint was everywhere but her face, she looked so awful I found and bathroom and we scrubbed the remnants off. Facepaint in 90plus degree heat with high humidity is a terrible idea. I can make $20 last longer in a casino than that face paint lasted.

 

[karensi]

If you are looking for a budget extra, try the family magic tour (best for kids ages 5-8ish.) It's less than 30 per person, and it was a short tour that the kids will love. If you are weighing the BBB, do the pirate league instead. It has girl options, too, and is much cheaper. I would never in my life pay for the dessert party, as you can buy an assortment of snacks for a fraction of the price of admission, and you still have to fight for a spot to view the fireworks. Instead, perhaps use your fastpass to get fireworks viewing, if that is important to you. The only exception to that is the pirate and pals cruise. It includes two character meet n greets, and you get entertained through the cruise, plus snacks.



If this were my trip, I would pick tusker house, and akershus, get memory maker, and do the family magic tour (or pirate's league,) but we don't know much about you and your family, and what would suit you best.

eyehartdisney, could you please tell me a little more about the family magic tour?
Thanks,

Karen

 

[aretha30]

We just did the new and improved Wished Fireworks Dessert Party when we were there in August and that was a total waste of money! We had done it before the price increase and enjoyed not having to fight the crowds and the desserts were decent. This year though it felt like there were more people crammed in the area; my chair kept hitting the chair of the person behind me. For the money we paid we felt like there should have been more room to walk around and a better dessert selection. Next year we will be using a FP+ for the fireworks and if we decide to try something we will book Pirates and Pals.

 

[pmaurer74]

Fireworks dessert party. Did it twice. Not a good experience and wasted money on dd who slept both times. The Feel the Force Premium Package. For other people I can see a huge benefit but not for our family Especially since my DH was sick all day. The Star Wars SciFi breakfast was fun and a one and done for us due to price. Same for the Jedi Mickey at H&V. Club level at BC. Loved it at WL and AK but not BC.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

Wishes dessert party. We did this several years ago and just weren't all that impressed with the desserts. The view was nice and it was great that we didn't feel crammed together, but it wasn't worth the expense to us. And that was before they raised the price.

 

[alliecat523]

BBB
Dessert Party
Too many character meals in one trip

Definitely scale it back so you can enjoy yourself. You need something to some back to later!

 

[Lisaloo]

For your first trip, I wouldn't do any of the extra things. You will be so busy with just the normal park things that if you do the extra things, you will be sorry about all of the park things you are missing. I would pick one or two character meals and then just do the parks.

I agree with this so much! We took a trip in July that was filled with extras but it was also our 15th trip. I can't imagine doing anything extra on the first trip, so many things to see and enjoy.

To answer the OPs question:
Illuminations dessert party, surfing lessons at typhoon lagoon and the in room celebration were duds for our family.

 

[wdw4rfam]

MVMCP for 5 of us a few years ago cost $350. So not worth it, especially since we were in the park the Saturday before Christmas anyways and saw the same parade. Park hoppers for us were a total waste of money, we used it one time the entire trip. And the waterpark and more cost us $250 and we got there once too.

 

[Jennasis]

MVMCP
Ohana

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Most people will disagree with me but my biggest waste of money was Park Hoppers! Got them our first year because I kept reading you absolutely had to have them in order to get anything done. So I bought them. NEVER used them!! Wasted $250!!! Have not bought them since and have never missed them! Especially on a first trip where you have so much to do in each park, they're really not necessary. And if you have little ones, it can be more hassle than it's worth trekking from park to park.

The other one that doesn't count was the Villains party last year. $60-something per person and totally a mess! But Disney realized how bad it was and refunded a lot of tickets! So I guess that wasn't really wasted money--but lots of wasted time!

 

[nooneshome]

Eating more than one character meal per trip = waste of money
Dining plans = waste of money
Disney Quest = waste of money

 

[tsme]

Our biggest so not worth it was the Villain's Soiree (I think that's the name of it) last year. It's a sit down snack/dessert type thing inside the castle with the villains during MNSSHP. It was a total waste of time & money, IMO.

 

[mjkacmom]

Photo pass.