Extra special things to plan for Disneyland Birthdays

[luvmysoxfan]

Can you share your ideas with me please?

we will be there for my daughter's 4th birthday, spending 2 days @ the park.

so far, i have:
*breakfast w/minnie (one of her favs)
*2pm seating "My Disneyland Birthday" @ Plaza Inn

....i was considering the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique, but i don't want to have a bunch of 'gotta be there @ 'x' time' stuff.

....anyone used the Dream Maker Service? i thought perhaps have them decorate our hotel room before we arrive for her?

any thoughts, ideas or experiences are welcome!

 

[PinkBudgie]

Make sure you get her bday pin and pick up a birthday fun card from guest services on her birthday. Be sure to bring a copy of her birth certificate.

I saw lots of girls with the BBB hair do. It mostly seemed to be hair pulled back and sprayed with glitter. You could always buy her a special little crown if you didn't want to spend the time.

You can bring glow necklaces from home (cheaper) and pull them out for her in the evening.

I haven't used any service before so can't answer to that.

 

[disneylovingfamily:4]

We are going for dd's 6th birthday. I am looking for more ideas, but so far I have planned.. BBB, Ariels Grotto with a cake from the Disney planning.

 

[bumbershoot]

I honestly would do BBB and dump the birthday party thing. The girls at BBB seemed to be having a VERY good time, and what she gets there lasts all day, unlike just decorating a little cake then eating it.


The glowstick idea is such a good one! If Michaels still has them, we got a pack of 15 sticks for 99 cents on the 4th. They also sell packs of 5 for a dollar at the dollar store (obviously Michaels was a better deal). Buy a ton, b/c kids around you will look longingly while you crack 'em open, and it's nice to be able to spread the glowy wealth.

 

[teacherlisa1978]

What about the birthday bucket you can purchase if you're having a meal at a sit down place. Has anyone ever done that?

 

[rowan1813]

I have made ressies at BBB for my Dsis and I for her bday. We will also be having an early dinner at Ariel's Grotto and then making sure we will be in a good viewing area for Fantasmic.

 

[bumbershoot]

What about the birthday bucket you can purchase if you're having a meal at a sit down place. Has anyone ever done that?

Well, they seem to only have the one proper bucket anymore, it's mentioned on their website and I asked the Disney Dining person about it and she said it exists, but I haven't seen it.

I have seen the pirate/princess treasure chests, and you can get those at bakeries, too, not just at restaurants. I'll tell you, they are tiny. tiny tiny.

And I couldn't get a list of ingredients for them when I asked, and that's important for us. The most info I could get was "they don't have corn syrup or HFCS" and also "they are sugar-free". Um, yeah, I'm not giving my son artificial sweeteners, so that's a no go. AND I don't believe it! I do NOT believe that disney would make a sugar-free cake that is intended for children. But since no one wants to give up the ingredient list, I can't figure it out.

But it's so small. The chest is small and the cake is miniscule.

The cake from the bucket, when hubby got me one, was really BAD. Not worth it.

Guess I"M saying the buckets/chests don't appear to be worth it to me.


DS's birthday dessert on our trip in May was a cup of ice cream from Haagen Dasz in DTD, and he adored it.

 

[Eeee-va]

If she likes to dress up, I would definitely consider a princess dress for her! You can buy it before the trip to save money.

Unless you are arriving on her birthday, I would skip the pricey decorating service and decorate the room yourself while she is sleeping. It can be more personalized that way, I think she will like it just as well, and it can be as inexpensive as you like. You could even leave pixie dust from Tinkerbell if you'd like, with little fairy footprints made by doll shoes. (Idea stolen shamelessly from the WDW side of the DIS. )

I'm sure the BBB would probably be fabulous (if she doesn't like getting doted on by strangers, maybe not). But, if she likes when YOU do her hair all pretty (and if you have the desire and aptitude) you could always do it for her that morning instead--that would be a special memory for her too.

I'd probably try to get her a piece of cake somewhere for her birthday. I've heard there's a really big/good one at the Stage Door Cafe? I had my birthday at DL and while it was fun, it just seemed a bit off without cake. If she doesn't like cake, then another dessert will suffice. Or maybe she's young enough not to be set in her ways.

If you are there for her birthday day, then I would get the gift card if possible, and let her spend it as she likes. That in and of itself would be tons of fun for her!

I agree with the light stick idea--though I got some bracelets and necklaces from Dollar Tree and some of them DID leak. I wasn't bothered, but I might have been if they were going to a child (I do believe that they are non-toxic and I KNOW they claim to be...and I don't think the broken glass that would be inside would get out ). But yeah, if you're protective that might be an issue. I think they're more likely to leak if they are constantly fussed with, though. Like I did.

Have a great trip!

 

[pinkblush]

I haven't done this yet, but I think I read that you can get a birthday call in City Hall. My ds who is turning 6 while we are at DLR, does NOT like talking on the phone or even holding the phone for that matter so I'll see how the birthday call goes over with him!

 

[TheAmazingSpidey]

Any birthday stuff for people who aren't kids?

We're going to have a birthday in our group and we'd like to do something special.

 

[ballarinamom]

You could buy a character call for just before you leave. It's about $3-4 and is a prerecorded thing. But we've done it for DD the night before one of our trips and she LOVED it. Also, we've purchased a princess nightgown and had guest services leave it on the bed for when we got back. They included balloons and an autographed picture of the princesses. (of course theis was at a Disney property). When we stayed at Dessert Inn, I had DH distract her with the luggage while I ran in and layed it on the bed.
We did BBB at WDW as it was not open at DL last November. The 'do actually held up for several days. It was much better than what we got at Club Libby Lu when it was open.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

Fun! There's so much you can do! Like pp's mentioned, decorate your hotel room -- it's easy to find Disney or Princess themed decorations at party stores. We're always in a hotel room for DD and DS's birthdays, so our tradition is that I sneak into the bathroom after the kids sack out or early in the morning and blow up a couple dozen balloons--I put them into the bathtub. Then as the birthday boy or girl is starting to wake up, DH and I start lobbing the balloons onto their bed--by the time they're fully awake they're surrounded by birthday balloons--definitely a happy birthday beginning Cost: <$2.
Yes, a Princess dress or tutu is a must--where but Disneyland can you get away with that even at 4 yrs old ?!! Cost: $65 at DL; way less prepurchased from Disney store/ebay/etsy.
I take candles and a lighter on our birthday trips -- bought the birthday bucket once for DS but was very disappointed with the cake quality and the accessories were not exceptional for the price paid ($25 2 yrs ago). At every meal on the birthday we purchase a dessert, light a candle on it, and sing Happy Birthday! Lots of folks always join in and it's a lot of fun--even the 3rd time that day to a little one! Cost: Price of dessert.
The call from Goofy in City Hall is very special -- they do it instantly for you when you're getting your birthday button. DD2 wouldn't do it but DS loved it at age 3 & 4. Cost: FREE!
4 yrs old may be a little young for DD to fully appreciate the Boutique hairdo -- you could do it at the hotel yourself -- just a cute topknot with some tiny braids, glitter hair spray, flower pins, and/or a crown would do it! Saves time that could be spent on rides too Cost: < $5.
Disneyland birthdays are magical! Have fun!

 

[AlabamaPrincesses]

Any birthday stuff for people who aren't kids?

We're going to have a birthday in our group and we'd like to do something special.

Pick up your birthday button at City Hall first thing. All day cast members and other vacationers will wish you a happy birthday all day long. It is fun! Since we had park passes from our vacation package I chose the Birthday Fun Card. It was a $69 gift card that I used to buy myself a birthday gift! I got a new Tinkerbell Charm for my charm bracelet.

You might want to go to the hat shop on Main Street to purchase matching hats for your group. They have some birthday themed hats too. Anything to make the day more fun!

At sit down restaurants, let the hostess know it's your birthday and the waiter will bring you a special birthday dessert.

 

[JoRo]

Hi I like these post.

For my dads 80th we just had him wear the city hall pin and got a free call from goofy- he loved it and loved all the attention from the pin saying happy 80- he also went on all the rides but SM.

So for our daughters 3rd bday in Oct - we are going to goofys kitchen on her bday, the city hall pin and then the free call. Sounds like it might be a good idea to skip the cake/bucket thing. she is to young anyway to miss it. I really like the idea of the balloons so we might do that too - just depends on how much energy we have after doing the halloween party the night before.

Didnt know disney guest services would help put a dress and balloons in there room if we wanted it! Very fun!

We are staying at the DVC VGC - first time!

 

[disneymomtofour]

We will be in DCA on my daughter's 16th birthday. Do we need to visit City Hall in DLP before to pick up her button? Or, is there a place in DCA to pick one up?

I love all the ideas, although I don't think she will go for a princess dress or tu-tu at her age. I miss those days! I bet she would, at least, wear a button and a crown!

I will remember to pack candles and a lighter, so we can celebrate at every meal! We are having dinner at Napa Rose, so that should be really special!

 

[luvmysoxfan]

oh my goodness!
thank you sooo much for all of these super ideas!!
disney people are the BEST!

i'm thinking:
*surprise her with a tinkerbell costume (her fav character)
*steal the balloon, glitter & self decorating room & hair ideas
*city hall stop for the phone call
*do the fun card & let her choose something fun
*have her 'lead' the day (this is hard for mommy to do, i always have my pig-in-the poke itinerary at the ready)


we just went in march for my cousin's birthday. the button itself was great! everyone, guests, cm's broke out into happy birthday everywhere we went. she felt like a princess! even at 42!

 

[Eeee-va]

luvmysoxfan, I luv your plan! Your daughter will LOVE leading the day! Though at that age, especially when/if she's at a loss for what to do, you might be better off giving her choices instead of free rein. For example, "Do you want to do Mr. Toad, or Alice in Wonderland?" versus "What do you want to do now?" which could result in a lot of her trying to figure out what to do, or maybe worse, a ton of walking.

Any birthday stuff for people who aren't kids?

We're going to have a birthday in our group and we'd like to do something special.

The button is fun, and getting them a little gift, maybe? As far as special events, buying them a birthday meal is always traditional, and I would try to make sure the person gets cake, unless they don't like cake. It's tradition and I felt odd not having any on my birthday.

If you are able to decorate that person's hotel room, that might be a fun surprise too, even if that person is an adult.

Just letting the person lead the day/do what they want on their birthday might be nice. I still feel kind of sad after getting unexpectedly ditched after fireworks on my birthday--I was rather disproportionately upset at the time. So if you do have different ideas than the birthday person has, please communicate with them in advance.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Any birthday stuff for people who aren't kids?

We're going to have a birthday in our group and we'd like to do something special.

Get the birthday button and the birthday fun card or fastpass if the birthday person isn't using the free admission deal. There's always the birthday phone call from Goofy that a CM will be happy to help you with.

Many restaurants will have a small birthday dessert (both Blue Bayou and Cafe Orleans do), and some will have CMs come over and sing like you see in many restaurants. If the birthday person has a favorite character, see them with the birthday button. It's fun when your favorite character(s) wish you a happy birthday. Wearing the button means that many guests will also wish you a happy birthday and on one occasion, a CM even sang a Spanish birthday song to me. I think she was from Mexico, and it was a thoughtful gesture on her part.

I will also note that the free birthday perks (button, phone call) are not dependent on it being the actual birthday.

 

[AlabamaPrincesses]

Here is a picture of my birthday dessert from Goofy's Kitchen.

 

[thmar]

Are you staying at one of the Disney Resort Hotels? Let the front desk know it's her birthday usually they will give her an autographed picture of her favorite character and possibly a balloon.