Birthday suggestions for arrival day

[barb45]

Hi - I posted this on one of the other boards but didn't get much response. We are arriving at VWL on my daughters 22nd birthday. We are travelling with my husband, my son (16), my son-in-law and my granddaughter (18mos). It is also their first trip to WDW. I would like to do something special since it is her birthday but I don't know how tired they are going to be from travelling. When my husband, son and I go we usually relax around the resort the first day and go to the theme parks early the next day. I also am not sure how the baby will be BUT I do want to do something for Sarah's birthday. Does anyone have any suggestions (I put that it was her birthday on the reservation) of something we can do? Should we attempt an evening in a theme park (it will be a Saturday)? I just want her to feel the "magic" when some CM makes a fuss about her birthday. I thought that a "wishes cruise" would be a good idea but from last year's schedule for December, I see that it would be about 10:00 at night (too late I'm sure for all of us). Please help - I'm stressing about this!

 

[jennz]

Maybe Chef Mickey's for dinner? Then go out on the 4th floor and watch Wishes, or go to the rest. on the top floor and eat during Wishes. And make sure you get her an "it's my birthday" pin, either Disney or non-Disney. There is also some planning company that can deliver somethings to your room, but that's not quite what you mean is it? I'd tell the CM every where you go that it's her bd - something like "Can you believe my baby is 22 today?" If you tell them at check in at VWL they might be able to get the Goofy birthday call while you're there...you could even call them and ask about it and any suggestions on what to do.

We went to Chef Mickey's and Rose and Crown for DH's 40th bd and everyone was great. I also had DD (age 5 at the time) telling everyone she could find it was her daddy's birthday. He got a few calls from Goofy and some extra attention at Chef Mickey's.

I'll let you know if I think of anything else!

And calm down, don't stress - it'll be great!!

 

[barb45]

Thanks Jennz - those are great suggestions. I didn't realize about the Goofy phone call thing - that's the kind of stuff I'm looking for. Can you imagine your first day ever at WDW and it's your birthday AND someone spreads a little pixie dust! I want her to become a huge Disney fan like all of us here on the disboards.

 

[jennz]

You can celebrate her birthday during your whole trip, it doesn't just have to be on the actual day. When you go into the parks go to Guest Services and tell them it's her birthday and they'll give her a birthday pin to wear. DD got one at Epcot and MK. They'll have Goofy call then. They also had him call at Rose & Crown for DH's birthday. At Breakfastasaurus DD got a birthday card from Mickey and the gang. Oh - and Chef Mickey's they bring out a cupcake for the birthday person and it has Mickey icon sprinkles on it and a candle, and you get a happy birthday place mat that you get to take home with you...

 

[InstImpres]

Why not try 1900 Park Fare (with Cindi) for dinner and head out to the dock for EWP after.

 

[spiceycat]

WL and VWL has that chef to do special cakes - I would order one so it would be in the room for her.

i will try and find the number.

 

[barb45]

spiceycat - if we were to have dinner there would they bring the cake to the table? I also like the idea of the character dinner at the Grand Floridian and I think my granddaughter would like the princesses. I'm going to look into that one too.

 

[spiceycat]

that is even easier - just call the dinning number and tell them you want a birthday cake when you eat at the restuarant - I think both Artist point and whispering canyon (oh I hope she can be embassed) will do this for you. I think the restuarant will also bring some other stuff - sometimes ballon - sometimes other food(?) - just depends.

but most of the time if you tell the restuarant when you check in that you are celebrating a birthday - they will bring a small cake to the birthday person.

we did this for my niece - have the breakfast at OKW - (when it still have characters) - Eigor (sp - the donkey) brought her the cake - and that night we did Chef Mickey's at the Cont - and Micky brought her the cake....

even with desert that child ate every bite of the cakes and won't share with her brother at all....

 

[Lesley]

You could also go all out and go somewhere like the California Grill...the view from there is definitely something special. I would not hesitate to take an 18mo there with a group of adults. The restaurant is noisy because of the openness of it, and she's not likely to bother anyone with plenty of hands on deck to keep her occupied. Unless she's a child who isn't at all tolerant of restaurants...then I guess I'd stick with a character meal or order room service.

Granted I wouldn't take my children to the California Grill because there are 3 of them and I'd be too distracted by them to enjoy my meal and the view....but just one of them would work out okay.

We went to the Liberty Tree Tavern for my dh's birthday once....they didn't know in advance but pulled off a decorated table and a cake (I think it was $10 or something) with only a couple minutes warning. We hadn't requested anything but someone overheard us and pulled me aside to see if I'd like to surprise my dh...so we sort of planned it on the spot. The cake was tasty!

 

[kathleena]

How about just going to Whipering Canyon Cafe in the lodge? I'm sure they love birthdays!

And if you can call the BoardWalk Bakery in advance (I think 24 hrs) you could go there and pick up a b'day cake!

 

[wintergreen]

For a real splurge, you might want to try the early show of the Hoop de Doo Revue over at the Fort Wilderness Campground, since you will be staying at the VWL. I've never done this, myself, but would like to try next time we stay at VWL. I would think that the cast members in the show might do something fun if you had a birthday (others who have been can chime in, here), and I would also think that the early show would work fine for your granddaughter.

 

[colleen costello]

There are also special cruises you can charter, right at the Lodge. I was reading about this recently on AllEars.net and was surprised how affordable it was. I guess I was imagining it was zillions of dollars, and it was actually just under $200 if I recall correctly. The boat takes you out on the lake to watch Wishes. I think that would be really special!

Three years ago we went to WDW with my parents when my little son turned 4. We hadn't visited in 8 years -- an unbelieveable long time for us Mickey fans -- because I didn't want to go until everyone was done with naps and could use the potty. We stayed at a Ft. Wilderness Cabin and my parents got there before us. Mom had decorated the cabin with birthday stuff because Ian's actual birthday was that check-in day. It was really special, coming home to WDW... a milestone for me, who had been somewhat housebound with little ones for a long time! It was also on that trip we bought DVC -- and now we go twice a year at least, to make up for lost time!

 

[barb45]

Yeah - I really liked that specialty cruise idea until I realized it was a Saturday and the Wishes fireworks wouldn't be until 10:00pm. I think this would be too late for the baby (and probably some adults) and then expect to get up early the next morning for a day at the parks. I wish her birthday was on a weekday when Wishes is much earlier - it would have been perfect! I was getting so excited about that idea because it is so simple to walk down to the dock and jump on the boat (not much energy to expend) watch the fireworks and be in bed at a reasonable time. Oh well - back to the drawing board.