5th Birthday ideas?

[travelgirl06]

DD is turning 5 and wants to celebrate her birthday at DL. We're moving to the area a few months before her birthday so this is feasible . The challenge is, she has almost-5-YO dreams on what she would like to happen ("I can eat cake with Mickey and all the characters will sing to me" type dreams). Obviously we're trying to manage expectations, but any tips or ideas of things that might make a birthday visit special are welcome.

I'll get her a birthday pin for sure, and I'm also thinking about a character meal - which ones are good? Or is there anywhere you would recommend for a birthday treat (giant sundaes maybe?)? We were at WDW last year, but haven't been to DL since DD was a baby, so I feel a bit out of the loop

 

[crystal1313]

I took my DS8 for his 7th bday last year. We did not do a character meal, and typically don't while at the parks. I went over with him before our trip what he REALLY wanted to do while we were there. We did everything on that list. I also decided I would say "yes" to all he requested during the day. He did not know I was planning on doing that. He typically doesn't ask for out of reason things, and this trip was no different. So when he asked for a smoothie, I got him one. When he wanted to play in the snow and see Olaf and hang in that area for hours (much longer than I thought we would be there), we stayed until he was ready to go. When he asked for the special cup and light up Buzz Lightyear at Storytellers, I said sure. When he was tired, but wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to his favorite place in the world, we slowly walked down Main Street. Stopping where ever he wanted, listening to the music, watching the people, and saying goodbye and see you soon Disneyland! It was the BEST trip. He was SO happy and I loved being able to spoil him, something that we usually never do. He still talks lovingly about the trip. =)

I would maybe tell your daughter that many children are at the parks wanting to see Mickey and that he is a busy mouse! You can say that she will probably get to see Mickey, but that he might not have time to eat some cake with her? Maybe help with her expectations a bit. Hopefully others can chime in on character meals. Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If seeing Mickey at a character breakfast is a must, then Surf's Up is the only choice. That is also a good choice, in our opinion, because the room is smaller and the characters usually come around more than once. Minnie & Friends has more characters, but Mickey won't be there. You should note on your reservation that this will be a celebration for a 5 yo's birthday. Make sure your DD is wearing her button at the meal so the characters know she's the birthday girl. You can order a birthday cake to be delivered to a sit down meal, so either the character breakfast or another meal. The CMs usually sing when the cake is delivered. Some CS places, like the Plaza Inn, have treasure chest cakes (pink or blue) at the dessert counter. Would DD like something like Medieval Times? We took our youngest there for his 7th birthday. When they read his name aloud from the PA, he just about fainted from joy!

 

[travelgirl06]

Thanks for these tips! We've been managing expectations with "well, we can probably see everyone, but they are busy" and reminding her of our last trip to WDW and how you get a visit, but not an extended time with each character. We did do 1900 Park Fare at WDW and she remembers that fondly so I'll look into Surf's Up.

I love the idea of a "yes" day. We just did a family vacation and one night DD asked for ice cream at 10PM, it was so nice to be able to just say yes to a treat out of the ordinary. "regular" life can get so busy, and between that and having to provide structure/discipline I find myself saying "no" more than I'd like, a "yes" day would be a great treat for both of us

 

[Gisele]

I took my DS8 for his 7th bday last year. We did not do a character meal, and typically don't while at the parks. I went over with him before our trip what he REALLY wanted to do while we were there. We did everything on that list. I also decided I would say "yes" to all he requested during the day. He did not know I was planning on doing that. He typically doesn't ask for out of reason things, and this trip was no different. So when he asked for a smoothie, I got him one. When he wanted to play in the snow and see Olaf and hang in that area for hours (much longer than I thought we would be there), we stayed until he was ready to go. When he asked for the special cup and light up Buzz Lightyear at Storytellers, I said sure. When he was tired, but wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to his favorite place in the world, we slowly walked down Main Street. Stopping where ever he wanted, listening to the music, watching the people, and saying goodbye and see you soon Disneyland! It was the BEST trip. He was SO happy and I loved being able to spoil him, something that we usually never do. He still talks lovingly about the trip. =)

I would maybe tell your daughter that many children are at the parks wanting to see Mickey and that he is a busy mouse! You can say that she will probably get to see Mickey, but that he might not have time to eat some cake with her? Maybe help with her expectations a bit. Hopefully others can chime in on character meals. Have a wonderful trip!!

If you might be interested in adopting a nor cal kid that's way over 6, my birthday is April 03.

 

[Xenorye]

DD is turning 5 and wants to celebrate her birthday at DL. We're moving to the area a few months before her birthday so this is feasible . The challenge is, she has almost-5-YO dreams on what she would like to happen ("I can eat cake with Mickey and all the characters will sing to me" type dreams). Obviously we're trying to manage expectations, but any tips or ideas of things that might make a birthday visit special are welcome.

I'll get her a birthday pin for sure, and I'm also thinking about a character meal - which ones are good? Or is there anywhere you would recommend for a birthday treat (giant sundaes maybe?)? We were at WDW last year, but haven't been to DL since DD was a baby, so I feel a bit out of the loop

We did Ariel's Grotto for my daughter's 6th last year. If your daughter is in to princesses, it can't be beat.

 

[agamble]

Bring a birthday card instead of an autograph book. Have the characters sign the birthday card. We did this for my daughter a couple of times.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

[QUOTE="I'll get her a birthday pin for sure, and I'm also thinking about a character meal - which ones are good? Or is there anywhere you would recommend for a birthday treat (giant sundaes maybe?)? We were at WDW last year, but haven't been to DL since DD was a baby, so I feel a bit out of the loop [/QUOTE]

Clarabelles Ice Cream has s cute Mickey sink sundae, I think there are 3 scoops of ice cream in it (pretty good size if you ask me!) Oh and Ghirardelli's has the Earthquake Sundae, this one has 8 scoops of ice cream! Definitely something to share!

Here is a link to a post that has a lot of birthday ideas!

http://www.disboards.com/threads/birthdays-at-disneyland.3499118/


Have fun!
Kriss