Adult Disneyland Birthday Surprise - Would love input - Post trip update

[Disney Dreams]

I am a long-time Disney fanatic / collector / lover. My mom has never understood my fascination with "that kid stuff."

When we went to WDW for our 10 year anniversary, she couldn't believe that's where we would CHOOSE to go ("especially with no kids" ). She told many of her friends about our trip and is slowly learning that many of her friends love Disney ("just like my daughter") and some are even AP holders. She was in shock at that last discovery.

So... for Mom's 65th birthday, I have planned a surprise day for her. Just like she used to take me to D-land as a kid, I am taking her at 3 of her friends to D-land for her birthday! (Two of them have APs, so the cost isn't as bad as it sounds!)

I know that she will LOVE the parades, fireworks, and Fantasmic! She will enjoy the Mark Twain because she LOVES the water . She will enjoy a horse-drawn ride up Main Street because she loves horses. I know when we were kids she loved The Tiki Room and IASW. Everything else will be a giant gamble! Her friends (all of whom know where we are going) are REALLY excited about spending a day being kids at the Happiest Place on Earth and think she will love it.

I want to put together a little surprise box of goodies that she will open in the car on the way. I was hoping for some creative suggestions for an adult surprise box. Things I already have:
- birthday button
- photopass card
- certificate for ears of her choice
- little electronic pocket fan
- a bottled of water

I am missing the cute / fun factor. Any ideas??? Thanks!

- Dreams

 

[pixiewings71]

What about a trading pin or lanyard? I have the CUTEST Happy Birthday Hidden Mickey pin that I got from eBay. And there are the Pin of the Month birthday pins too. You could find her one from her birth month and stick that in there. What about "certificates" for junky foods? Churros, popcorn, ice cream.....what about matching shirts for you all to wear? That could be fun, there are loads of creative Disers on the creative board, I know that you would probably find so many people who would LOVE to help you with a shirt design, then just do them as iron ons and walla!!! Custom shirts! How many days and when? That will help too.

 

[XTinabell]

You could get some disney dollars. They are so cute and useful. I got some on my latest trip to DL and I fell in love with them. How many you give her is up to you

 

[Disney Dreams]

Thanks for the ideas!

I got her:

- a certificate for personalized ears of her choice
- a photopass card (which will come with an explanation of what that is and 2 5x7 memory photos of her choice)
- a happy birthday button (got it on my impromptu visit last night from a CM so she can have it from the car ride)
- a bottle of water for her and 1 for each of her friends
- a park map (to study in the car since it's been FOREVER since she's been to DL)
- a disposable camera (I'm taking my camera for "nice" pix)
- a lanyard (although I don't see her getting into pin trading How is she my mom? hehe)
- Disney Dollars

Still open to any last minute items I can include. Thanks!

And best news of all... they didn't mention a thing about rain for tomorrow on the news this morning!

- Dreams

 

[wendypooh22]

Oh how exciting... We did this for my mom last year and she had a GREAT time!!!

I too like the idea for snacks (churro, popcorn etc)

Have a magical day

 

[Disney Dreams]

I just wanted to let everyone know Mom and her friends had a great time.

At her house she opened a "surprise reveal" bag of goodies.

First thing out: 4 large bottles of water (one for her and each friend)
2nd: a photopass card (which she had no clue what it was and COMPLETELY missed the word "Disneyland" on it)
3rd: Little certificate that I made for a photo purchase of 1 photopass pic of her choice
4th: A birthday button to wear for the day
4th: A postcard of It's a Small World (her favorite ride) with "Happy Birthday! You're going to Disneyland!" on the back

I could go on with a TR, but the very short version 2 weeks ago Mom commented to me that she "just doesn't understand adults (like me and some of her AP friends) who enjoy Disneyland. It's a kids' place." At the end of the night she said, "This was a lot of fun. I can see why you really enjoy coming here." (And I caught her asking one of her friends how much she pays for her So. Cal AP. )

Thanks to those of you who offered ideas and to Hydroguy for FP discussion we had. Mom had a great birthday. (I, on the other hand, am not sure I can handle hosting mom and her friends at Disneyland again for a while - and I know for sure now that if we ever do have children, 4 is too many!!! And yes, I'm kidding.... sort of )

- Dreams

 

[pixiewings71]

I'm glad you all had fun!!!!