• On Feb 3, 2020
    Andrea from NY Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    less than a month to plan our first visit, my dad has a lifelong friend who is a CM helping out with so much, I want to do something special to thank everyone for this surprise, staying at GF but don't have any confirmation#

    Hi Andrea!

    Superhero friend to reward? We got that covered. I can imagine the excitement in your household as you plan a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort!

    What a lovely friend your dad has! Although I am sure your dad's friend is not expecting anything, I am thrilled to help you think of a few special surprises. In my family, we love experiences, so we always pick at least one special experience through the Enchanting Extras Collection for each of our visits. We love that these experiences typically happen in small groups and allow us to learn more about the amazing behind-the-scenes work at the theme parks and resorts. One of our favorite experiences has been Dine with an Animal Specialist. We loved the meal at Sanaa and the conversation with the animal specialist about how they care for the animals at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Or, make an advanced dining reservation and invite your dad's friend to a special meal.

    A second option might be to order a surprise through Disney Floral & Gifts. Consider the custom gift builder to personalize your gift further. We had balloons delivered to our girls during lunch on one trip and dinner on another. They were quite surprised and were thrilled to bask in the attention for a few minutes. If you need ideas for a gift, feel free to Contact A Dream Maker to discuss possibilities.

    If your dad's friend loves edible treats, try ordering from Cakes at Walt Disney World Resort. Check the list of participating restaurants and have the cake delivered during a dining experience. The Mickey Mouse Celebration Cakes are super cute and just the right size for a small group. One of our favorite dining experiences is California Grill during the Happily Ever After Fireworks and, currently, California Grill is listed as a participating restaurant for cake delivery. Since I always adore our PhotoPass photos from each visit, it might be lovely to gift a special photo session with Disney Fine Art Photography. Or, if you have Memory Maker, have your dad and his friend take pictures at a PhotoPass Studio. Finally, perhaps give your dad's friend a Disney Gift Card. Our girls love these as gifts because they get to make their own gift selections.

    Andrea, one of the simplest ways my friends make me happy when they visit is to send me pictures when they have done an experience I recommended. Witnessing their happiness always makes me smile. I have to also admit that the teacher in me is very pleased when they have followed instructions! Added bonus - sharing pictures is free!

    Magic and memories,
    Donyell

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Meet the Panelist: Donyell, North Carolina

Hello from North Carolina! I am a mom of twin girls, wife, and university professor who has been inspired by the creativity of Disney for a lifetime. Since my first Disney visit when I was 12-years-old, I have been drawn to the adventures crafted by Disney Imagineers. Planning Disney vacations helps connect me to families who will find in Disney the kind of joy my family has experienced over the years. Allow me to help you map your own Disney journey so that you, too can create the memories of a lifetime! Learn More About Donyell

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