Birthday attention

[disneygal6568]

Am taking my daughter and her friend to DLR for the first time in 2014 to celebrate my daughter's birthday. My daughter will be 13 and her friend will be 15. I am afraid that the focus on the trip will be on my daughter, and I don't want her friend to feel left out or not as special. Is there something that I can do to surprise her friend? Maybe even an activity that doesn't focus on DD? I just don't want her friend coming home, complaining about the trip.

Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

Other than getting her a free birthday button and having CM's say "Happy Birthday" when they see said button, you hardly have to worry. I would assume if I went somewhere with someone on their birthday that there might be cake, singing, and a few gifts. They will not be bowing down at the knees of your kiddo, don't worry about making her friend uncomfortable

They also have "First Visit" buttons that you can get for the friend when you pick up the birthday button.

 

[figment_jii]

As the PP said, not a lot will really happen unless you choose to order/do something. You can get your daughter a birthday button and some of the CMs will wish her a happy birthday, but that's about it. I wouldn't worry to much about the focus being entirely on your daughter and her friend feeling ignored.

 

[disneygal6568]

Thank you! I am not as worried anymore. But we were planning on ordering a birthday cake or a basket in the room. Should we still do it or will that push the limit for the friend???

 

[ducky_love]

This last trip my DH had a bday button an they gave me one that said "I'm celebrating" which was totally true! That would be a good way to include her friend.

 

[sechelt]

Thank you! I am not as worried anymore. But we were planning on ordering a birthday cake or a basket in the room. Should we still do it or will that push the limit for the friend???

Wow! You are very considerate. At that age neither my daughter nor her friend would expect to get extra attention if they were at someone else's birthday celebration. Younger kids might not understand but teens do. The fact that you've brought the friend along is a pretty big deal already.

Have you thought about including the friend in the planning of the cake, and party, etc. so she's involved in the surprise? And maybe a small thank you/goody bag gift at the end? That might make her feel special. And I like PP's idea of an 'I'm celebrating' button.

 

[StyledSugar]

I think the fact that you are taking the friend with you is in itself a pretty big deal. A 15 year old knows how to cope when it's another friends birthday so I don't think you need to do anymore than you already are. I'm sure she'll live without the attention being focused on her 24/7, afterall, it is her friends/your daughters birthday and she gets to share the special event. IMO, that's more than enough.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

You'll be at Disneyland. Everyone feels special there! Seriously, I don't think the friend will mind that you're celebrating DD's bday. She will want to celebrate with her friend, too. I would just make sure the friend is included in other aspects of the trip. Be sure to ask her what/where she would like to eat, which rides are most important to her, what she wants to do next. Be sure she has a vote instead of just going along with what your DD wants to do. If the friend really loved a ride, ask her if she wants to do it again and then make sure it happens (by getting a Fastpass or getting right back in line). Also, I would shower DD with her bday gifts at home rather than buying her a bunch of stuff at the parks. Maybe tell each girl that she can pick out one or two souveniers. Spend time looking through the gift shops until each one settles on exactly what she wants.

I think you're going to have a great trip!

 

[Malcon10t]

When my oldest daughter was turning 16, we celebrated at Disneyland. I allowed her to bring a friend (her 2 brothers and her sister were also along.) Her friend never felt left out and always states it was her best trip ever. A 15yo should be able to understand a birthday trip.

 

[disneygal6568]

Thank you SO much for the kind words and advice! I will get "I'm Celebrating" buttons for the rest of the family and include her in planning the cake and other things.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Thank you! I am not as worried anymore. But we were planning on ordering a birthday cake or a basket in the room. Should we still do it or will that push the limit for the friend???

You have invited a 15 year old on a trip to Disneyland. She knows it is her friend's birthday. She is getting to come along to the Happiest Place on Earth and share in the celebration. Why would a cake or basket "push the limit" for anyone? I just don't understand. If you were to have a birthday dinner for your daughter and served a cake, would you be concerned about her friend being excluded? The friend is being included in the celebration, getting a free trip to Disneyland, and (I would imagine) will have a piece of cake. I can see absolutely NOTHING that she could feel pushed to the limit over.

I think it's very nice of you to take the friend along.

I hope everyone has a great time,
Dreams

 

[disneygal6568]

Thanks everyone! I know know that I was overthinking everything. I apologize fir the inconvenience.