Budget birthday in the parks question

[hipchickie]

Not sure where else to post this - so since it is a budget thing....

We are going to be in WDW for my sons bday, I want to do a few little surprises for him on it. The last time we were there on his birthday, I had done somethings special - we have had the coral reef diver come over with a birthday message, an illuminations cruise, breakfast at the castle, etc. as well as all the usual stuff - a birthday t-shirt I will make, a button, etc.
Budget is tighter this trip though, so I need some ideas for free or cheaper things to surprise him with.

He wants to have dinner at the coral reef, but I heard they do not do the divers anymore. This trip is not dining plan, so we will not be doing table service breakfast or lunch - so any special meals besides dinner is out.

I would join a wishes cruise, but I haven't found one with open seating, and this trip I can not afford to book it and pay for all of it in case we do not find someone to share.

His grandmother wants to get him a birthday cake to get delivered to the table at dinner, so we do have that option already. I am planning on getting a green grocer (I think that is the name of the company?) delivery, so if anyone has some special treat ideas from there that may be an option. No sugary stuff though - the cake is a special treat, but he has high blood sugar, so no bag of candy or the like.

I looked into the prices for balloons delivered to the room, but I am not really keen on $40 - $50 for 5 or so balloons IYKWIM. Has anyone used a florist shop in the area to get balloons through instead?

I may do mini golf, which I am sure he would love, but again, I am not keen to put out another $50 when we already have park tickets, I would rather find some free/ cheap surprises that are in the parks.

If you made it this far, thanks
Any ideas appreciated greatly!!!!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You might look into the "Pirates and Pals" cruise. This starts with a desert buffet at the Contemporary with Capt Hook and Mr Smee. You board a boat (seats about 60 people) hosted by a pirate who leads in some songs and also conducts games with prizes. See the Electric Water Pageant up close near Wilderness Lodge and then go into Seven Seas Lagoon where the boat anchors on the extended line of Main Street with the audio piped in. After Wishes ends the boat goes back to the Contemporary where it is met at the dock by Peter Pan.

 

[dreamer423]

Happy Birthday. How old is your DS?

We just now got back from DS' 8th bday-Sat. in the parks. This was the most budget trip we ever took. I didn't get cake, balloons, baskets, we stayed @ ASSPORts and we/HE had a great time!

I gave him $10 for the arcade card and he loved it.

Of course-he knew he was getting the bday gift card and so he kept an eye out for what he wanted. I've never given him spending $, just let him pick out.

If your DS is of an age where he's learning about $, I highly suggest the gift card route. He didn't even spend it all, just what he wanted.


i got him one of those pirate treasure box cakes and he never even touched it-so glad I didn't spring for cake!

We did do mini golf the last day and he loved it! We couldn't go again but they were offering 1/2 off the next visit.

I think the biggest thing was-we really slowed down-did Kimpossible missions, and hung out and did what he wanted. Not like we don't always.

Oh and we've done the fireworks cruise and the pirate cruise-for us/him=they were just ok.

The daytime pirate cruise he might like or the pirate experience...
have fun

 

[hipchickie]

Oh, I didn't think put put that in! He is going to be turning 9.

He and his brother asked for disney GC for xmas, so I already know they will be getting a few of those to bring.

We did the P&P party last time which was a blast- so I am going to look into the pirate and pals cruise, that sounds like it may just fit the bill perfectly! Thanks for the tip

 

[hipchickie]

I called and unfortunately the pirate cruise is over $160 for the 4 of us, so that is out.

 

[dreamer423]

there's an am cruise for kids only leaves from GF or POR or CB. you could send both boys. It's a little pirate treasure hunt. Each one is a different name. The GF is albatross. something like $25/kid. includes lunch.