Anyone ever do a sweet sixteen at DVC?

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

We gave my dd a choice for celebrating her sweet sixteen next year. A 4 hour party or 4 day stay with 3 of her friends.....you bet she chose WDW LOL! I own at SSR, so I am going to place a ressie at the 11 month window for the 2 bedroom. We first wanted a 2 Bedroom at BLT - location (we are going Sept 28 - October 2, 2011 - there will be a MNSSHP for sure) and the 3rd bathroom. However, we just got back from a 4 day quick mom/daughter trip at the BWV and she LOVED IT! We loved walking to Epcot every night and walking to DHS, loved the action on the BW too. She thinks this would be tons of fun with her friends. The only problem I see is Food and Wine. Isn't that the time they usually have it? I hear units at BWV go quickly at that time of year, and I have to wait till 7 months out for it Do you think my chances are better because we need a 2 bedroom or worse? My other question is, we will pay for airfare, 4 day park passe(don't know if only myw or hoppers - have to see how much airfare will be) and the QSDP(we just did that and loved it - we didn't spend a dime on any food for our trip except for splitting a popcorn bucket and a lunch at San Angel Inn). We will also celebrate her birthday at a restaurant of her choice. The girls will have to bring their own money for souvies and extra snacks if they wish. Do you think this is all a good idea? If we decide to do the MNSSHP would you ask the parents to pay for the tix as their gift to my daughter or should we spring for them as well? Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions are very welcomed! Sorry so long...

 

[momx2]

Great idea! We are letting our DD take a friend as her 13th birthday present this year, in December. We are paying for the meal plan. The girl's parents are paying for her 4 day ticket. We might go to the Christmas party, but still not sure because we will only be there for the last night and I think it will be soooo crowded.

I think if you are paying airfare, tickets and meal plan, I would just skip the party. That is going to run you another $2-300. I probably wouldn't ask the parents because there are 3 sets. Two sets might be fine with it and the last one not, KWIM. I hope she has a blast!!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Are you doing the DDP or QSDP? We will be going for only 4 days and don't want to spend alot of time in restaurants. I told her she can pick one restaurant to celebrate her birthday. She likes coral reef, but they don't do the diver signs anymore I think. One girl does have a peanut allergy, so I'll have to make sure with the chef to accommodate that for us. We were just there last weekend (Thurs-Sun) and were so disappointed there was no party, just the night of joy, so that is why we might do the party, but you are right..it will save tons of money if we skip it.

 

[momx2]

We are doing the regular DDP. They are 13 and I have a 9 year old, so the character meals are a must and they are sooo expensive without the meal plan, imo. We will be there 5 nights, so it will be 5 of us, DD and friend, DD (9), me and DH. We are staying at AKV Kidani in a standard view 1 bedroom. We can make do with the sleeper sofa (DD and friend) and chair (DD 9), but the 2 baths are a must!!!

 

[twinklebug]

My other question is, we will pay for airfare, 4 day park passe(don't know if only myw or hoppers - have to see how much airfare will be) and the QSDP(we just did that and loved it - we didn't spend a dime on any food for our trip except for splitting a popcorn bucket and a lunch at San Angel Inn). We will also celebrate her birthday at a restaurant of her choice. The girls will have to bring their own money for souvies and extra snacks if they wish. Do you think this is all a good idea? If we decide to do the MNSSHP would you ask the parents to pay for the tix as their gift to my daughter or should we spring for them as well? Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions are very welcomed! Sorry so long...

Wow! I wish I could have done that for my DD last year. The thought crossed my mind too, but the deal breaker was the airfare and cost of passes for the friends. ($$$) I think if you can afford all that, asking for the parents to pony up for the MNSSHP seems a little ... not sure how to say it, but.... odd.

Call each parent personally and discuss the trip, first to see how they feel about it, and second to really determine if they'd be able to afford it. You don't want to put any girl in the position of having to decline because of finances, and with all the unemployment going on there's a good chance one of the families might be having troubles they've kept to themselves.

Wonderful idea though! Even if they were to just go and enjoy the pools, DTD and waterparks it'd be an awesome trip.

 

[Sammie]

All I can advise is make sure before you leave, you know these girls well.

Have they traveled with you before, have they spent the night at your house?

Make sure everyone before you leave is on the same page about expectations and rules and settle this with both the girls and the parents.

Sadly this Mom learned this lesson the hard way.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2556390

While it sounds wonderful in theory, reality sometimes can be different. I would hate for it to come between their friendships. Traveling is stressful even on close family members.

 

[DenLo]

cj9200 did a sweet sixteen for his DD in January (I think). His TR is great. I'll see if I can find it. He got some advice before going and used some of the ideas to keep the girls in line.

Here the thread by cj9200: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365333

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

cj9200 did a sweet sixteen for his DD in January (I think). His TR is great. I'll see if I can find it. He got some advice before going and used some of the ideas to keep the girls in line.

I just found the TR!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365333&highlight=16+boardwalk+grand+villa

I loved reading about the leash of shame!!

 

[wildernessDad]

I have never personally done a sweet 16 at WDW, but I hope to do a sour 60 next year.

 

[delauzons]

We're doing my daughter's sweet sixteen next june at BLT. I am bringing them for 4 nights and we are all staying in a 2 BR. My family is 5 people. I wanted BLT because of the 3 bathrooms. I own BW and BLT. I am paying their air, their park passes, and the regular meal plan. She is bringing 3 girls. I feel like it is still cheaper than a party and my family would be vacationing at DW anyway. I do know the kids pretty well and the parents and think it will be a lot of fun. We are all looking forward to it!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I have never personally done a sweet 16 at WDW, but I hope to do a sour 60 next year.

OH NO!!! -- I just realized that I'm closer to 60 than 16!!!


Really though...I had a lot of fun at Disney when I did a fat and forty last year!

 

[nickspace]

I am taking my son to AKL for a father/son 16th Birthday bonding trip in November. Good luck on your trip!

 

[edk35]

All I can advise is make sure before you leave, you know these girls well.

Have they traveled with you before, have they spent the night at your house?

Make sure everyone before you leave is on the same page about expectations and rules and settle this with both the girls and the parents.

Sadly this Mom learned this lesson the hard way.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2556390

While it sounds wonderful in theory, reality sometimes can be different. I would hate for it to come between their friendships. Traveling is stressful even on close family members.

WOW I am in the process of reading that thread.

 

[AnnaS]

I also did this for my daughter two years ago. I invited my sister (hubby stayed home) and three of my daughter's friends. We were six and had a 2 BDR at BCV for 5 nights.

I paid for Amtrak, park tickets, all meals and a snack here and there. I even had to buy ponchos for everyone since they forgot them one day and it poured like crazy. Was not too happy about that.

I had gardengrocer deliver some items to the room (water, fruit, breakfast items). We mostly had quick service for lunch and dinners. She did pick one restaurant and I had a cake delivered to the room and balloons one day.

They were all fine. We did have a moment here and there but overall a good trip.

Good luck and have fun planning.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Thanks for the replies..I am going to go read those threads now. As for the three girls, one has gone away with us twice already, so that's ok. The other two I have known them since kindergarden and am close with their moms too. All girls are from the same "group" and get along well - they practically live at my house. We can afford the trip..to a certain extent..the party would bring us over budget, so if we forego it, so be it. I have some $$ put aside for it, and have almost a year to save..even still it will be cheaper than a party. One thing we will do for the girls is make bags for them to carry in the parks (nylon draw string), and we will have them come over to decorate T-shirts to wear. I know some might think it extravagant, but with alot of budgeting (breakfast in room, using magical express instead of a rental - stuff like that) it is doable.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

All I can advise is make sure before you leave, you know these girls well.

Have they traveled with you before, have they spent the night at your house?

Make sure everyone before you leave is on the same page about expectations and rules and settle this with both the girls and the parents.

Sadly this Mom learned this lesson the hard way.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2556390

While it sounds wonderful in theory, reality sometimes can be different. I would hate for it to come between their friendships. Traveling is stressful even on close family members.

Holy moly!!!

 

[jade1]

Just did one end of May this year. DD turned 16 so we did a long weekend at WDW instead of a party, but no friends. I turned 50 a couple weeks later so we did a B-day pic together.

 

[buzz5985]

We gave my dd a choice for celebrating her sweet sixteen next year. A 4 hour party or 4 day stay with 3 of her friends.....you bet she chose WDW LOL! I own at SSR, so I am going to place a ressie at the 11 month window for the 2 bedroom. We first wanted a 2 Bedroom at BLT - location (we are going Sept 28 - October 2, 2011 - there will be a MNSSHP for sure) and the 3rd bathroom. However, we just got back from a 4 day quick mom/daughter trip at the BWV and she LOVED IT! We loved walking to Epcot every night and walking to DHS, loved the action on the BW too. She thinks this would be tons of fun with her friends. The only problem I see is Food and Wine. Isn't that the time they usually have it? I hear units at BWV go quickly at that time of year, and I have to wait till 7 months out for it Do you think my chances are better because we need a 2 bedroom or worse? My other question is, we will pay for airfare, 4 day park passe(don't know if only myw or hoppers - have to see how much airfare will be) and the QSDP(we just did that and loved it - we didn't spend a dime on any food for our trip except for splitting a popcorn bucket and a lunch at San Angel Inn). We will also celebrate her birthday at a restaurant of her choice. The girls will have to bring their own money for souvies and extra snacks if they wish. Do you think this is all a good idea? If we decide to do the MNSSHP would you ask the parents to pay for the tix as their gift to my daughter or should we spring for them as well? Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions are very welcomed! Sorry so long...

We celebrated my DS 13th birthday - but only with one friend. I paid for the whole trip, tickets, plane, food. The parents gave the friend about $100 for spending money - he had never been to WDW before. We went last November.

One thing we did do - that would be fun for you - we made ADR's for the Crystal Palace for breakfast the day of DS's birthday before the MK was open. I think it was for 8 am, the park opened at 9 am. It was the first time we ever ate there and plan to return, we enjoyed it. We arrived at 7:30 - we walked over from BLT (we stayed there just the one night) we had Main St all to ourselves for pictures etc. It was a very magical experience. The table at the CP was decorated with confetti etc. It was really nice. The 2 boys were good sports posing with Winnie and gang. LOL

 

[AnnaS]

All I can advise is make sure before you leave, you know these girls well.

Have they traveled with you before, have they spent the night at your house?

Make sure everyone before you leave is on the same page about expectations and rules and settle this with both the girls and the parents.

Sadly this Mom learned this lesson the hard way.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2556390

While it sounds wonderful in theory, reality sometimes can be different. I would hate for it to come between their friendships. Traveling is stressful even on close family members.

I only read her first comment - will try to read the rest. I just wanted to comment that 14 days? That's a big NO NO - for me anyway. I would not even want to be with a family member or my best friend for 14 days. I think even a week is pushing it. Going back to the boy in the report, that's crazy.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Just did one end of May this year. DD turned 16 so we did a long weekend at WDW instead of a party, but no friends. I turned 50 a couple weeks later so we did a B-day pic together.

Beautiful Pic!