Affordable ideas to celebrate 2 yr old bday at DL

[kyra's mommy]

Hi All,

Well my NYE baby is getting the shaft. My family is busy every weekend of January and last year they couldn't be available on New Year's day. So, it's like everyone told me it would be before I had him... my poor boy. Therefore, we're looking into taking him to DL to celebrate. However, after checking into a character breakfast I don't think we want to spend $120 just to eat breakfast, we are going to be spending enough already to start up our AP's again, hotel, car, etc. So does anyone have any other ideas to make it special, make it obviously a little celebration, but not go broke in the process?

Thanks!!!!!!!!

 

[Monkey Monkey]

I think being at DL is a great 2nd birthday present in itself!

I took DS for his 3rd birthday, and even though we had been about a dozen times already that year, it was still very special. We got him the birthday button at City Hall, so CMs and guests said happy birthday to him all day. We didn't do a character meal, or even have a cake, but he got dessert with his meals, and just enjoyed being at DLR with Mommy and Daddy.

We are planning to take DD for her 1st birthday in the spring, and because she's a girl, I'm already thinking about what princess-y things we can do with her, LOL. It's kind of ridiculous, I know. But even if we don't do anything but be at DLR as a family, that will be special and memorable!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Hi All,

Well my NYE baby is getting the shaft. My family is busy every weekend of January and last year they couldn't be available on New Year's day. So, it's like everyone told me it would be before I had him... my poor boy.

My b-day is also NYE....at least there is a party every year!

You could take him to the Pat E. Cake birthday celebration at Plaza Inn. I believe it's about $15-$16 dollars per person and everyone gets a little cake to decorate. Mickey and Minnie make an appearance as well.

 

[kyra's mommy]

Great idea! I forgot about the Pat E. Cake!

 

[bumbershoot]

We are planning to take DD for her 1st birthday in the spring...

Aw you had another baby! Congrats! I don't remember knowing that.




OP, DS's b'day is near Memorial Day weekend, and after a couple very poorly attended parties, we gave up. Everyone is already camping etc that weekend, so poop on them. We did DLR the last two years. Not sure what we'll do this year as DLR is out (saving for WDW in a year), but it won't involve trying to have a party!

But we grew up with a family whose son had a 12/15 b'day, and they quickly changed his celebration to a half-b'day over the summer. You might consider that, or do as you're doing and have fun at Disney. (of course I can't imagine disney that week, but many many (many many (many)) others can, LOL)


Honestly at 2...just having fun with parents is fun! DS's 2nd was memorable for DS b/c he got to play on a playground structure with dad's works friends who were younger and untiring and played for HOURS with him. He doesn't remember the decorations or even the cupcake (first cupcake)...and thankfully he doesn't remember the absolute fit MIL threw (it was shockingly cold that May day and we were by the water and she left after 45 minutes with the weather being blamed on ME). He remembered, while he remembered the party, the playground.

So, as strange as it sounds, just being there will be happy enough at 2. (and from DS's experience...at 4 and 5 as well)

 

[kyra's mommy]

But we grew up with a family whose son had a 12/15 b'day, and they quickly changed his celebration to a half-b'day over the summer. You might consider that, or do as you're doing and have fun at Disney. (of course I can't imagine disney that week, but many many (many many (many)) others can, LOL)


Honestly at 2...just having fun with parents is fun! DS's 2nd was memorable for DS b/c he got to play on a playground structure with dad's works friends who were younger and untiring and played for HOURS with him. He doesn't remember the decorations or even the cupcake (first cupcake)...and thankfully he doesn't remember the absolute fit MIL threw (it was shockingly cold that May day and we were by the water and she left after 45 minutes with the weather being blamed on ME). He remembered, while he remembered the party, the playground.

So, as strange as it sounds, just being there will be happy enough at 2. (and from DS's experience...at 4 and 5 as well)

I had thought about doing a 1/2 birthday- how does it work? How do you word the invitations? Is it just as much of a celebration? I'm so curious about that option. Once he's about 4 or 5 and he actually notices that it's his birthday. I know this year is not a problem in terms of him knowing what to expect.

I think we'll go the second week of January as I've decied I don't want to deal with those kind of crowds either.

MIL's. I've got a fun one too. LOL. I'm very jealous of people who have amazing MIL's. Who knew you were the master of all weather?

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

I have a kiddo born on the Fourth of July and after several very under attended birthday parties, we have decided that on the 4th we have family time and then we celebrate his Birthday in the Fall a few weeks after school has started.

Everyone is in town and the weather is usually better in September/October than July anyway.

As for how we do it, we just send out invitations and have the party. No one needs a long explanation about when and how we celebrate a birthday. Our close friends and family understand and quite frankly appreciate the fact that we have the party in a more convenient time.

As for buddies his age, they have never seemed to care either.

Bumbershoot, my MIL is also a pill who seems to think I can control weather, traffic, and her son. Ha ha ha

 

[Monkey Monkey]

Aw you had another baby! Congrats! I don't remember knowing that.

Thank you! That's why I had to stop going to DLR - morning sickness! Evelyn was born 6 weeks early on April 30th, 2 weeks more gestated than her brother and almost a pound bigger!