What $99 gets you at Disney World
OrlandoSentinel.com/TPR
TheDailyDisney.com.
I’m not going to tell you how to spend your money, whether it’s at Disney World or at your neighborhood dollar store. That’s your business, based on personal priorities and, I assume, your bank account balance.
But I confess I had some sticker shock when the price was announced for the Villains’ Sinister Soiree, a Magic Kingdom dessert party inside Cinderella Castle during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Disney’s price tag on that? $99.
That’s on top of the admission to NotSo-Scary, which is about $62, depending on the date.
Special events with special fees should make folks feel special. The Sinister Soiree is an hourlong event with live entertainment and songs from hostess Lady Tremain (a.k.a. the evil stepmother from “Cinderella”), personal interaction with several Disney villains, a cheese tray, a souvenir dragon/candy dispenser, a themed, nonalcoholic “potion” and four desserts inside the castle’s Cinderella Royal Table restaurant, which overlooks Fantasyland. Soireegoers also received reserved spots for the special Halloween parade and fireworks.
Some people balked at paying nearly $100 for a 60-minute event. But Disney certainly had enough takers: Some nights were sold out.
And so, we’re back to priorities. Would the event bring you $99 of joy, however one measures joy?
Debating this, I made a list of other Disney World items that can be purchased for about $99. For that amount you could go to the Sinister Soiree, or you could buy:
A single-day ticket to the Magic Kingdom for $99.
24 Mickey Mouse ice-cream bars. They are $4 apiece.
4 sets of Mickey Mitts (those big hand/ glove things). They are $22.95 per pair.
A self-style “Frozen” Fun Pack: Elsa gown ($69.95), Olaf plush doll ($19.95), Elsa-Anna sugar cookie ($4.95)
7 Toy Story Vinylmation figures, including Buzz, Woody and Mr. Potato Head ($12.95 apiece).
Cinderella Castle Play Set (with 10 poseable figures: Cinderella, Prince Charming, Aurora, Prince Phillip, Jasmine, Aladdin, Belle, Beast, Snow White and her Prince). It sells for $89.95.
Duffy the Disney Bear plush ($30) plus costumes that will dress him up as Mickey Mouse ($32) and Donald Duck (another $32).
A day at a Disney World water park for one adult ($53) and one child, age 3-9 ($45).
Replica of Haunted Mansion sign. It sells at the new Memento Mori shop for $95.
Keys to the Kingdom tour (Five-hour walking tour with backstage access to Magic Kingdom for $79).
So, pick your pixie dust. I have to admit, I’m pretty tempted by the Mickey bars. That should hold me for a couple of weeks.