Disney Special Events & Activities

Walt Disney World has so much more than theme parks for fun-seeking guests. You can go boating, skiing, and even surfing! :>)

Discovering Disney's many fun activity options, and then learning how to fit them into your itinerary is Planning Step 2 of my 'TGMiKE's Seven Planning Steps to a FUN Disney Vacation!'

Your TourGuideMiKE Automated Vacation Planner™ provides:

	Which activities are the MOST fun for children and/or families?
	What are my most recommended activities for couples?
	Which activities are available when to reserve?
	How do you reserve an activity? Who do you call?
	Use Reservation Window Reminders for those hard-to-get activities!
	What is an 'Activity Break Day?' Why is it SO important to your itinerary?

Click the purchase button to access these answers, my most recommended attractions and restaurants, expert step-by-step planning advice, and Sample Park Tours that help you avoid the lines and crowds!

Our Disney vacation was fabulous and I credit you. We followed your advice for the ride times and they were on the money; as was the arrival timing information. Unfortunately we did not have enough time to ‘do it all’ but with your service we picked out what we wanted to do and were successful. Thank you!

Cindy S., Virginia

Special Events

Birthdays & Special Celebrations: [Updtd Jan 14, 10] Is a member of your party celebrating a birthday or special event during your vacation to Walt Disney World? Disney has TONS of ways to celebrate! Some of them are FREE; some require minimum fees, and others are expensive. Let’s learn more!

2011 Walt Disney World Marathon: [January 6 - 9, 11] Updtd June 2, 10. Every year in January Walt Disney World hosts a marathon weekend, and this year it is Jan 6 - 9, 2011. What's this all about you ask? Well ... If running (or walking) through the Magic Kingdom Castle, high-fiving the Country Bears, Mickey, Minnie, and lots of other Disney friends sounds like fun, keep reading ;>)

ESPN The Weekend: [Feb 25– 28, 10] Updtd Dec 29, 09. Come see your favorite ESPN personalities and shows this weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Interactive events, live tapings and celebrity sightings are in store all weekend long!

2010 Princess Half Marathon Weekend: [Feb 25 - 27, 2011 - registration opens on July 6, 2010!] Updtd June 25, 10. This specially themed Half Marathon and 5K through Walt Disney World is available for all of the princesses of the world.

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival: [Mar 3 - May 16, 10] - Updtd Feb 25, 10 - ALL 2010 events have been updated!! Get ready for the Annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival! Cultivate your green thumb, enjoy the sounds of the Flower Power Concert Series, have the kids partake in some good green fun, OR treat your Mom to a special dining opportunity! :>)

Star Wars Weekends: [Weekends May 21 - June 13, 10] Updtd May 20, 2010 with all details. The power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine once again for Star Wars Weekends, scheduled for four consecutive weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) beginning May 21, 10 at the Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Nights of Joy: [Sept 10 & 11, 10] - Updtd May 1, 10. Disney's 'Night of Joy' is an after-hours private party at Magic Kingdom that brings together the biggest musical acts in contemporary Christian music for a spirit-filled celebration. Would you like to go?

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival: Oct 1 - Nov 14, 10 [Updtd Aug 18, 10] Epcot becomes the place to visit for a culinary trip around the world! International “marketplaces” located around the Epcot World Showcase Lagoon serve authentic cuisine from more than 30 nations. In addition, winemakers pour hundreds of domestic and international vintages throughout the celebration -- hence the name of the event! ;>)

Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend: [October 1 - 3, 2010 - registration now open!] Pub Feb 4, 10. This specially themed Half Marathon and 5K through Walt Disney World is available for anyone during Epcot's Food & Wine Festival.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: [Select Nights Sept 14 - Nov 1, 10] Updtd Apr 28, 10.
The Magic Kingdom is host to a special after-hours, family-friendly Halloween Party with Mickey and many other Disney characters! These special nights are from 7 p.m. to Midnight and require a separate ticket (that’s only available in limited quantities). I highly recommend these as a fun vacation itinerary choice no matter your age! :>)

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party: [Select Nights, Nov 8- Dec 19, 10] -- Updtd Apr 28, 10.
Mickey & the Gang hope you'll come celebrate Christmas with them BEFORE the actual holiday's calendar date! It's a private event (i.e. separate tickets) from 7 pm to Midnight, and includes his amazing Christmas Parade, special shows, themed fireworks, popular attractions, and even 'snow' is in the forecast. Yes, really, it is! ;>)

Disney's Pirate and Princess Party: [All dates have been cancelled - no parties scheduled for the near future!] The Magic Kingdom is host to a brand new after-hours Pirate and Princess Party! Designed for the entire family, this special event is from 7pm to Midnight and requires a separate ticket (that’s only available in limited quantities). Let me tell you all about it and then we can dive into your vacation planning!

Children's Activities

My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party: [Updtd June 1, 09] Would your daughter enjoy a private party at a beautiful restaurant, tea for two, brunch, a special meet & greet with Sleeping Beauty, and her very own doll to keep? Would you? :>) (Ages: 3 – 11)

Pirate Adventure Cruises: [Updtd Feb 9, 10] Your junior Pirate sails the seas at various locations on a supervised hunt for a treasure full of trinkets, snacks, and adventure! (Ages: 4 – 12)

Wonderland Tea Party: [Updtd May 14, 09] Decorating a cup cake with your favorite toppings is always fun, but meeting and listening to a story told by Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter make it even ‘funner!’ (Ages: 4 – 10)

Disney's Childcare Clubs: [Updtd June 1, 09] Do you need a really fun place to drop off your children for a few hours while you ‘go out on the town?’ You should -- you deserve it! Let’s at least review the ‘opportunity’ at one of Disney’s Childcare Clubs! (Ages: 4 – 12)

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: [Updated Nov 5, 09] Does your little girl dream of being transformed into Cinderella? There is a new mini salon for those ‘would be’ princesses in your family!

Water & Lagoon Activities

Water Skiing & Ski Lessons: [Updtd Apr 11, 09] The Sammy Duvall Water Sports Centre folks would love to help you improve your water skiing, OR learn how to do it for the first time! Come on, you’re in Florida!

Parasailing: [Updtd Apr 11, 09] Yes, you can soar up to 600 feet in the air over Bay Lake behind Disney’s Contemporary Resort! If you have never done this before, you must try it! WOW!

Resort Marinas & Boating: [Updated Dec 26, 08] Most of Disney’s Moderate and Deluxe-category hotels have Marinas stocked with boats in all sorts of sizes to choose from. They are available to anyone that wants to rent them, and they’re fun!

Fireworks & IllumiNations Cruises: [Updtd June 18, 10 - Breathless II is currently unavailable for maintenance. A return date is unknown at this time. Details are on the Refurbishment page.] You can time a "Specialty Cruise" with the Magic Kingdom Fireworks or Epcot's IllumiNations if you want to experience the ultimate view! They are also available for relaxing or celebratory excursions any time of the day.

Grand 1 Yacht Cruise: [Updtd June 18, 10] Experience the ultimate Specialty Cruise aboard the 52-foot Grand 1 Yacht from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa! It comes equipped with its own Captain and deckhand!

Fishing Excursions: [Updtd Apr 14, 09] How about a fishing excursion for some morning fun? Marlin & Nemo's friends get to go back swimming after you’ve hauled them in (it's catch & release)!

Sporty Activities

Cocoa Beach Surfing School: [Updtd Jan 14, 10] And you never thought you'd have the opportunity to learn how! You were wrong … Your private instructors are waiting for you at Typhoon Lagoon!

Tennis at the World: [Updtd June 16, 10] Are you a tennis fanatic even when you're on vacation? We need to let you know where all the different types of courts are and what kind of lessons you can take? Let's review!

Golf at Walt Disney World: [Updtd June 1, 09] With five championship courses at Walt Disney World to choose from, the golfers in your party may never be seen again once they arrive!

Richard Petty Driving Experience: [Updtd June 20, 09] The Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway is waiting to fulfill your VERY high-speed thrills with authentic race cars and drivers!

Indy Racing Experience: [Pub July 26, 09] The Indy Racing Experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway is your chance to ride and/or drive in your very own IndyCar Series car!

ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex: [Updtd Mar 22, 10] Are you a sports fan? Do you enjoy watching amateur athletes compete for national titles? How about learning what it’s really like to be a quarterback for the NFL?

And Still More Activities ...

DisneyQuest: [Updtd June 1, 09] Feel like cruising down a river surrounded with prehistoric creatures or battling ghost pirates for gold? How about soaring through Agrabah or even playing a game of "dodgeball bumper cars"? DisneyQuest is the perfect place for you!

Horse-Drawn Excursions: [Updtd Jan 18, 10] From rollicking hay rides at Fort Wilderness to a romantic open landau coach at Port Orleans, Disney has a variety of horse-drawn excursions to offer.

Horseback Riding Trails: [Updtd Jan 18, 10] Make a new four-hoofed, gentle friend and explore the authentic Florida wilds at the Ft. Wilderness Resort & Campground.

Disney Guided Tours: [Updtd June 22, 10] Animal Kingdom's Wildlife Discovery Excursions will no longer be available after December 19, 2010! If you’re the type who wants to know about the ‘magic behind the magic,’ I know you can find a guided tour or two that will satisfy your curiosity appetite!

Miniature Golf: [Updtd Jan 18, 10] When’s the last time you played some miniature golf? Do you remember how much fun it was? There’s no need to be serious, and Disney designs everything so well! Come on, let’s explore Disneys' Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland courses!

Spa Facilities: Imagine this … After returning to the hotel for your afternoon break from the parks, you soon depart to be massaged and pampered at a world-class Spa. Mmmm!

Cirque du Soleil - La Nouba: [Updtd Oct 6, 09 - Ticket Price Increase Updtd] How to describe the Cirque?! It's an amazing, astounding, edge-of-your-seat, entertaining, daring mix of music, staging, and unbelievable human acts. Can you tell I strongly recommend this show?

AMC Pleasure Island 24-Screen: [Updtd June 1, 09] The AMC Movie Theater at Downtown Disney provides the latest blockbusters with comfortable lounge chairs, enormous screens, and elevated seating! Does it get any better than this?

Grand Gatherings: [Updtd Feb 17, 09] If you’re a family of eight or more and want to add more magic to your vacation, maybe a Grand Gathering event is for you!

Pirate Adventures for the Family: [Updtd Nov 10, 09] A pirate adventure and a fireworks cruise rolled into one…where can you go wrong? This former Grand Gathering Experience will soon open to everyone!

or