Going after T-Giving for 2 year old b-day

[GadgetRick]

My wife and I are HUGE Disney fans. We're DVC members (OKW) and, typically, go 2-3 times a year. This year (and last unforuntately) we've only been able to work out 1 time a year.

Anyway, we're scheduled to be down (staying in Saratoga Springs) the week after Thanksgiving. My son's 2nd b-day is on December 3rd and we're going to be there with him. I'm looking for good ideas of things we can do for him for his first Disney trip and his first REAL b-day party.

I'm planning on getting him into Chef Mickey's for a character breakie. I figure he'll enjoy that to start his day. I'm just wondering if there are other special things Disney might be able to do for him. I know I can ask them to do stuff and they'll do it (within reason) but just wondering if anyone has good ideas.

I'm also wondering if I might be able to pull some strings and have him be the special dude for the parade at MK. I hear you've sort of got to be picked but I'm wondering if we might be able to HAVE him picked if you know what I mean.

We're also taking him to one of the Christmas Party nights. My wife and I did MNSSHP last year and loved it. I figure this should be just as much fun.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

The Rickster

 

[GadgetRick]

:::tapping glass on monitor:::

Is this thing on???

I'm surprised nobody has any comments suggestions...

 

[kilee]

I would just look for things you know your son will enjoy. Chef Mickey's will be good as long as he's not afraid of the characters. Many toddlers are. As for the parade, there is no way to arrange it ahead of time. It's pure luck. Think of how many people are celebrating their b-days at Disney each day. Anyhow, I would pick activites he'd love. The sad part is I know my 23 month old neice's fav. things would be the pool and playground.

 

[GadgetRick]

This is basically what I'm planning. I don't think he'll be afraid of the characters (he loves Pooh and Mickey) but he's also not see, "life-sized," characters yet. He may be a bit intimidated but I think he'll warm up to them.

I'm also thinking he'll enjoy the parades. This is good for him but not for me as I'm not a big parade fan (of any kind). I like parade time because the lines on the attractions tend to be a bit shorter...

I figure he'll enjoy the rides in toontown and the other smaller rides. He seems to enjoy ride-like stuff. I'm sure we'll find lots he'll enjoy.

The good thing is we'll have family there so he can go back to the room to go to sleep. He's ready for bed at 8:00 so I don't know if I can get him to see the fireworks or Fantasmic. We'll see how he's doing. Sometimes he'll stay up later. I'm hoping he will for (at least) the first few nights until he's so beat he can't stand it.

I also know he'll LOVE AK as we take him to the Bronx Zoo and he loves the animals.

Either way, I can't wait to get him there. My wife's grandmother lives in FL and she's taken him down twice (I went skiing) and she keeps threatening to take him to DW without me. I've insisted she wait until I'm there as I want to be a part of his first DW experience. It will rank right up there with when I proposed to my wife there as my most magical experience.

 

[thekimber]

Hey Rickster, we will be there Nov. 30 - December 3 to celebrate a belated birthday for my then-25 month old son. Sorry I don't have any great ideas for you. We do have a dinner at HDDR scheduled, because DS loves loud music and lots of people. And we are doing CP because DS loves Pooh more than Mickey.

We have tickets to MVMCP on Tuesday 11/30. My DS also goes to bed at toddler-time (8:30-9:00). Are you guys planning on seeing the early, albeit more crowded, parade?

Kim

 

[ArielsMommy]

I'm sure your DS will have lots of fun. We took our DD for her 2nd b-day in Dec and she had a blast! She loved the characters and all of the infant appropriate rides. She loved Chef Mickey's when we took her for her 1st b-day (we didn't go last year). She hated the fireworks at MVMCP, though. Her favorite thing was the Playhouse Disney LIVE show at MGM. She did not like the Winnie the Pooh ride because it was dark. She didn't like any of the rides that were dark. HTH ArielsMommy

 

[GadgetRick]

We're also planning on hitting the Christmas party. I've got to figure out which night so I can order the tix.

My son also has moved more towards Pooh in the last couple of months. He used to love both but preferred Mickey--probably due to the talking Mickey lamp I have beside my bed. He also has a talking Pooh lamp in his room. The Mickey lamp was supposed to be his. I bought it before he was born but I sort of took it for myself...

Anyway, I figure he'll enjoy the breakie as long as he's not afraid of the larger than life characters.

One thing I've always thought was funny is when I tell people I'm taking him for his 2nd b-day (planned it for his 1st but I was laid off at that time so we couldn't go) many people say, "He's too young. He won't remember it." This strikes me as strange since he won't remember most of the things we do for him right now. He won't remember I let him ride me like a pony. He won't remember me teaching how to shake hands like a big boy. He won't remembe a lot yet I'll still do it. Same thing with other parents. They still do things for their kids yet the kids won't remember much of it.

The bottom line, I believe, is many parents (unfortunately) are relatively lazy. They know it's going to be a hassle with a young child in a place like DW and they don't want to be bothered. Believe me, I KNOW it's going to be different than any trip I've ever taken there but I really don't care. Just seeing him happy is all worth it for me. I know he'll enjoy many (not all) aspects of DW. When he's older and we look at the pics, our website and the video I know he'll feel good about his parents since we just want him to be happy.

Ok, I'll stop with the sentimental stuff. Sorry...

 

[ArielsMommy]

I too think some parents are lazy. The hardest part of the trip with our 2 y/o was that she was going through a phase and refused to sit in a stroller. We had to hold her hand while she walked or carry her when she was tired. It wasn't hard at all. As for her not remembering it, she does. It was 7 months ago and she still remembers sitting on Stich's lap and holding Lilo's hand. This trip was her 6th trip to WDW. Thank goodness for FL res passes. ArielsMommy