With the 50th Anniversary Celebration in full swing, we’ve talked a lot about some new and exciting offerings at Walt Disney World. We’ve also seen the return of old favorites like Fireworks Dessert Parties and VIP tours. Finally, we can experience some familiar favorites with these Enchanting Extras returning to Walt Disney World.
What’s an Enchanting Extra? Basically, the Enchanting Extras collection consists of a handful of special tours and experiences you can can add on to you WDW vacation to make them even more Magical. Read on for the latest additions, but first the….
MousekeCocktail
Since Enchanting Extras are extra, how about a cocktail that goes beyond extra?
At the top of the Contemporary at California Grill on the 50th Anniversary Celebration Menu, is the creatively named:
California Grill Signature Cocktail – priced at $137!
This Ultra-premium cocktail pairing partners a traditional Champagne cocktail (champagne, bitters, sugar, brandy) with Remy Martin Louis XII, which takes four generations of cellar masters to create.
Worth the price? We will never know, as we MousekeMoms prefer to spend our Disney dollars on a real Enchanting Extras.
So…here are the most recent Enchanting Extras to return to Walt Disney World…for every budget.
Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom
The only Enchanting Extra that exclusively covers Magic Kingdom, Key’s to the Kingdom caters to all of us who want behind the scenes access to the Most Magical Place on Earth. Guests will unlock the history and enchantment of the Magic Kingdom, learning the secrets of classic attractions and having access to legendary hidden areas of the park. Learn all about the Man Behind the Mouse and his thought process as he designed the park.
This 5 hour tour can be booked for guests 16 years old and older and costs $114 per person, including lunch.
Caring for Giants
If you have an elephant-lover in your family, consider upgrading your Animal Kingdom experience with Caring for Giants. Guests will learn about the care of Animal Kingdom’s African elephant herd from a knowledgeable guide and observe the elephants from only 80 feet away!
Guests must be 4 years old to participate. Tour is 60 minutes and costs $35 per person, making it a much more reasonable add-on to a park day when compared with some of the other Enchanting Extras returning to Walt Disney World.
Up Close with Rhinos
Or you may opt to get up close and personal with the second largest land mammal, the white rhinoceros. On the Up Close with Rhino’s tour, spend 60 minutes with the Rhino’s keepers and meet these massive creatures up-close.
At $45 per person (must be at least 4 years old) this Enchanting extra is also a perfect add-on to an Animal Kingdom day.
We love Animal Kingdom, but with no new attractions or experiences being offered there lately, we’re excited about these relatively reasonable add-ons to a day there.
Wild Africa Trek
If in Animal Kingdom you chose to splurge a little more on the Wild Africa Trek, we definitely understand. As out very own Jennifer puts it, this tour is like actually being on Safari, without having to travel all the way to Africa. Guests get to experince Animal Kingdom’s Savanah like never before, observing hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, and rhinos, to name a few, while riding in a rugged safari vehicle and crossing a rope bridge on foot!
Guests must be at least 8 years old for this 3 hour tour. Cost is a bit higher at $199 per person, but includes African-inspired snacks and all your animal encounter photos.
Savor the Savannah
Of all these Enchanting Extras Returning to Walt Disney World, we MousekeMoms agree to check out this one next because….FOOD. This Enchanting Extra sounds like a cocktail party on the Savannah. Yes, please!
Guests will meet in Africa and head to a secluded spot on the Harambe Wildlife reserve. A knowledgable guide will share stories about the animals while you enjoy African-Inspired cuisine paired with regional beer and wine. What a perfect way to end a day at Animal Kingdom. We suggest sending the kids back to the resort hotel with Grandma and Grandpa and enjoying this one with your special someone. Could be romantic, right?
Minimum age of 8. Price $174 per person.
50th Anniversary Tour - LIMITED TIME ONLY
Even though this tour has been offered since the 50th Anniversary Celebration and is not a returning Enchanting Extra, we mention it here because it’s only offered for a limited time and it’s AMAZING.
If you’re familiar with Disney’s VIP tours, imagine that but with a 50th anniversary upgrade.
Your private group of no more than 6 people will indulge in a day of magical experiences with your very own VIP guide. You’ll get to combine your favorite attractions, behind the scenes secrets, and exciting new experiences that showcase the 50th Anniversary, including a tour of the Cinderella Castle Suite!
Transportation to all tour stops is via private car and boat, or the Disney monorail. Lunch at Be Our Guest is included AND a treat at the new Space 220!
At $6500, this one is definitely a splurge for most of us. And Park Hopper tickets are required. But if you can swing it, the access to the Cinderella Suite alone might be worth it, not to mention guaranteed access to Space 220.
Tour is 8 hours and guests must be at least 12 year old. Click for more details on the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Tour.
MousekeTip
Remember that valid park admission and a park pass reservation are required (and not included) for the day of your tour.
Enchanting Extras come in a variety of shapes and sizes for all types of Disney Vacations. We think they can be totally worth the splurge, but how can you work it into your budget.
Consider staying at a value resort to offset the cost. If that’s out of the question, forgo the park hopper tickets for some savings We can always find ways to finagle a budget and work in some extra magic where it really counts.