Starting to plan for February... anyone with boys, how did you make their trip special?

Mrsdisneyb2b

Planning to go, before the little ones grow!

Joined

Feb 12, 2008

• Jul 29, 2016

• #1

Hi!
So, we haven't been to Disney in 4 years. My oldest who is now 6 has been battling severe health issues and was finally diagnosed this past month with a severe auto inflammatory issue that causes him to be allergic... to the cold-sudden temperature changes

With that being said, I am planning to make a trip in February. The doctors suggested that month because the temperatures won't be as drastic for his body (ie-100 degrees outside dropping to ac inside).

I want to make this the best time he's ever had. He's been through SOO much and I feel like he's losing so much of his innocence from all this.
I know the girls have all these great options, costumes etc. I'm not sure if I'm just exhausted mentally from everything, but I can't figure out what to do to make him feel special!

This will be huge for him. A break from poking and prodding, and testing and xrays. So I want to come up with something awesome.

I was thinking a different character theme every day for him and his brother? I can't come up with anything else lol.

Thanks for responding, and reading my rant!! Looking forward to your awesome ideas!

 

E

ELSA711

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 11, 2015

• Jul 29, 2016

• #2

Pirates and Pals Cruise
Maybe dress up in Pirates League
Definitely a Mickey meal

 

E

ELSA711

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 11, 2015

• Jul 29, 2016

• #3

Good luck and my prayers are with your little boy for the best trip ever!!

 

hicksnichols

Mouseketeer

Joined

May 21, 2014

• Jul 30, 2016

• #4

When I want to make a trip special for a specific kid, I let him plan. He chooses where we stay (within budget) and where to eat, what to fast pass, etc. Sometimes I split it between my kids and let them all choose one place to eat. With your son being the oldest and only 6 years, you may let him make most of the plans. I show my kids the free planning DVD Disney sends and we look up videos on YouTube and read reviews. If there is room in he budget for something extra like the Pirates and Pal cruise, maybe he could choose from those too. Sometimes letting a kid make choices and it being "His day" is all the magic he needs.

 

AshleeH

DIS Veteran

Joined

Sep 10, 2011

• Jul 30, 2016

• #5

Our first trip, my boys were 7 and 4. We did Chef Mickey's and it was such a hit that it is now the number one thing they still ask to do on each subsequent vacation. We also did CRT. Now, this is typically not a stop for boy moms, but I never got to eat there as a child and I wanted the experience for myself and I thought, if nothing else, they would enjoy eating in the castle. It ended up being our best character meal of that trip! They got swords, which they loved, and the princesses absolutely doted on them. Ariel kept returning to the table to check on her "little princes" and they were positively covered in glitter and lipstick by the time we left after all the princesses had loved on them. It was adorable!

 

D

DisneyWishes14

DIS Veteran

Joined

Nov 21, 2011

• Jul 30, 2016

• #6

My DS8 has been to WDW multiple times and these are the things he has enjoyed most:

Anything pirate themed! Pirate's League in MK plus the Pirate Adventure. The Pirates and Pals fireworks cruise. You could make this into a whole pirate day!

There are also kid-only pirate cruises at some of the resorts - YC, GF and CBR.

T-Rex at Disney Springs, followed by shopping at the Lego store and the other Disney and toy stores at DS.

The Wilderness Explorers adventure in AK, plus a meal at Tusker House.

Face painting in any of the parks.

An in-room celebration booked through Disney Florist.

All of the character meals and character meet and greets.

 

Pesky

"Who's the monkey?!"

Joined

Apr 9, 2012

• Jul 30, 2016

• #7

Poor guy! What a burden at such a young age!
* Pirates League makeover
* Pirates & Pals cruise or Pirate Adventure cruise
* Get him "dusted" at the barber shop with glitter and confetti
* Character meal with his favs
* SoTK game -- be sure to pick one up as they make a lovely souvenir
* Club Villain if that is something that might interest him -- they are hilarious
* check to see if there is something special when you go
* Family tour or Behind the Seeds tour
* A pre-trip surprise gift bag with some goodies in it like clothes, hat, plush, autograph stuff, maybe a special coupon book. You can go with the Creative DISigns board to do your own autograph or coupon book. The one I have for the kids is pretty spread between free or relatively cheap things like "pick the next ride", "Kilimanjaro Safari", coin for the wishing well, and "take a break" and stuff that costs like "pick a treat", pick a pearl, star wars special souvenir, cake pop, etc.. Have fun!

 

T

Thing 1

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 4, 2015

• Jul 31, 2016

• #8

I agree that letting him plan is going to be a huge special thing. At his age, we let DS choose the first ride every day. It might have meant doing a ride that was not a top crowd headliner first but it was worth it. He also had a morning of choosing everything we did and in what order. We let him ride Buzz as many times as we could one day!! Beyond that, he loved building a light saber and everything else Star Wars, he loved the Lego Store, he loved Rain Forest and T-Rex Cafe. He liked Character meals but not as much as other places and one every day would have been too much. The Garden Grill was his favorite CM. We also did lots of little things like Disney themed PJS and snacks and toys for the room. He loved Fantasmic and the parades that year.
Remember that February temps can be all over the place. We have seen very warn and the last week if January we have seen very cold so at least have that in the back of your mind. I would bring layers and maybe a hoodie to put on before going into any air conditioned place. Hugs and prayers for a great great trip!

 

Marissa227

Mouseketeer

Joined

Aug 2, 2016

• Aug 2, 2016

• #9

Prayers for your little boy!!

We are traveling with my two sons (ages 2 and 4) my future stepson (age 15)... we're actually getting married during our trip... and my fiancé's niece (age 13). We're doing Pirates & Pals Cruise our first night, T-REX lunch, dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table (even though this is princess themed, my 4 year old is sooo excited about being INSIDE the castle!!), O'hana breakfast on our Animal Kingdom day (I wasn't sure if the African food would go over well with our picky eaters), and Cape May Breakfast our check-out day. I'm unsure of what we will do in Hollywood Studios. I have 50s Prime Time booked but might not keep it. The boys are interested in Star Wars but a little too scared to do the Jedi Training. I'm hoping they will continue the Galactic Spectacular but schedule is not yet posted. My 4 year old also really wanted to eat at the Coral Reef but once again, not sure about the picky eaters in our group, so we're going to go for a late reservation on the night of Epcot's extra magic hours and try apps and desserts, just so he gets to see it!

Also, I ordered embroidered pillowcases on Etsy with some of their favorite characters on them. We'll be using them for autographs instead of an autograph book.

 

Mrsdisneyb2b

Planning to go, before the little ones grow!

Joined

Feb 12, 2008

• Aug 24, 2016

• #10

Thank you guys soooo much!
Been having a rough few weeks and this perked me up big time!

I am loving all the ideas. We are now on a very strict budget, but I decided to stay at a value with him after finding out the hotel had a special service to clean the rooms for those with auto immune disorders!

I am thinking the pillow case idea is beyond awesome and that is definitely something I am going to do for them!

I think a pirate day is the best idea too. I'll have "Mickey" leave them a pirate costume and swords for when they wake up!

Thank you all!

 

got15

DIS Veteran

Joined

Apr 11, 2014

• Aug 24, 2016

• #11

Hey!!

That is so exciting and I totally get it! I am so sorry that you both have to go through all of that. For my 6 year old we have stayed with Pirates and Star Wars (although he has never seen it- it seems to be all the rage with his mates).

We have done the Pirates & Pals cruise- and that is great as a family. For just him- I would reccomend (highly) the Pirate Adventure Cruise out of the Grand Floridian. My son LOVED it!!! They with their mighty krew, went and stormed the different hotels around the seven seas lagoon- saw some hidden islands, and hunted for a secret treasure. He talked about it the whole trip- and still does. It was very reasonably priced and it was something private and special just for him (no adults allowed).

Aside from character meals, my son loves the parties (at night in Futureworld they have the Incredibles dance party) and he also likes the dance parties at AK. He loved Jedi Training at HS and watching the parades.

Enjoy!!!

 

Canooknic

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 20, 2012

• Aug 24, 2016

• #12

A pirate day sounds great!!
We don't spend crazy amounts when we go, but I do try and have theme t-shirts for my boys for most days. I buy shirts on sale in Michaels and then make them myself with iron-on transfers.
At the moment I'm working on Simpsons ones for our Universal days during our trip next February - they've worked out at about $4 each