Have you celebrated a 1st birthday at DLR?

[Monkey Monkey]

We are planning a family mini-vacation at the 'Land for 3 days after my DD's first birthday in the spring.

I'm already thinking that the princess lunch or dinner will be a must, and the Minnie Mouse breakfast (I've been to both, so know what to expect).

I'm totally obsessing about what she's going to wear. It's 4 months away. But I don't know if she'll be walking yet, so a tutu may not be the best thing for her to wear!

So if you've had a baby birthday at the DLR, what special things did you do? And what did the little one wear?

 

[Mugglemama]

we've celebrated two of our kids' 1st b-days at disneyland, but we lived nearby, so we didn't do cake or anything while there. we just went and had fun, and that *was* the celebration, lol.

for my dd8, her favorite thing at DLR at the time of her 1st b-day was the carousel at CA. we only lived half an hour away, so we spent the day at DLR (we had AP's) and we let her ride that carousel over and over and over (and over). she loved it...i can still see her face and hear her giggle in my mind! good stuff!

i just dressed my babies in super, super comfy clothes. at that age, my daughter only wanted to eat tomatoes and peaches (weird, i know. i was sure she would never grow on all that rabbit food, lol! thankfully, she DID grow, and even now at 8.5yo, she still prefers a salad to chicken nuggets or pizza or any other typical kid-loved food.), so i don't think we did a special meal at DLR or anything. we had her cake and presents party at home so she just had her favorites (tomatoes and peaches) at home.

we've spent LOTS of birthdays at DLR (we have 4 kids), but we never do anything over the top. the kids get to eat whatever they want most, they get to pick out some things to buy....but always, ALWAYS, the *real* treat is getting to spend their day in the parks. honestly, they couldn't care less about the rest!!

hope you have a great time!!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We just celebrated DS's 1st bday on Dec. 18. We had dinner at GK (wanted brunch but that is a different story....). He didn't wear anything special....but that's how I am with bdays.

 

[tiffntwins]

My twins celebrated their first birthday at the park. We did a cake decorating party at the Plaza Inn -- can't remeber what exactly it was called. They brought out a plate with a cake and frosting and spinkles and everyone decorated their own. Mickey and Minnie were there and we also got to take pictures with them. I know that there was more going on than what I remember, but alas, I was still so sleep deprived that my memory from that whole period of time is pretty fuzzy. Maybe some one can give some more information, or even if they still do this at the Plaza Inn.

 

[goldies 5]

We have celebrated many 1st birthdays at disneyland. We have done various things depending on funds. Birthday buckets, cake from the resort with Mickey Mouse in chocolate on top, just a cupcake, etc. Don't forget the birthday button. We have always let our boys dress up in their costumes that were from Halloween that were Disney. But boy costumes are definetely more comfortable than the girl costumes. I will tell you after going 14 years without a Princess, we had our newest princess in a tutu in December. I thought it was great. Husband not so much as everytime you put her in a carrier it gets a little overwhelming. That being said, I am boy clothed out so she will definetely be wearing many a tutu at Disneyland.

 

[WendyKnowlton]

I took my son for his second birthday- omg - what a nightmare. He didn't understand he had to wait in line so he screamed the whole time. I was completely blindsided by his reaction!!
looking back I was the one who wanted the birthday there!! At least he really enjoyed the parade.

 

[got2travel]

I always say that I too ME for my son's 1st birthday. Really, they won't remember it and they don't really care whether or not they got a special meal or a birthday cake or anything like that.

Just plan what you and the rest of the family would enjoy and what you can handle with a young child.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

I always say that I too ME for my son's 1st birthday. Really, they won't remember it and they don't really care whether or not they got a special meal or a birthday cake or anything like that.

Just plan what you and the rest of the family would enjoy and what you can handle with a young child.

Well of course! But that doesn't mean she's going to get the shaft because she's not going to remember it. I did a lot of fun things with my son when he was a baby even though he doesn't remember it...that doesn't make them any less special.

We'll have pictures and my son will remember his sister's birthday. And the fact that it's important to me and not her doesn't make it any less important overall. It's not just a birthday to me - it's the anniversary of our family becoming complete. It's the anniversary of the biggest relief in my life, after having been in the hospital for 5 weeks and her being born 6 weeks early, but strong and breathing on her own. It's a big deal to my family.

 

[goldies 5]

MonkeyMonkey, I had my little Princess 6 weeks early and she and I were in the hospital for 2 weeks each. I know exactly how important this will be for you. 5 weeks wow! And I thought my stay was long and enduring! You should do exactly what you want. Most people on this board dream about how their experience will be at DL whether they have children or not. I think some mothers and fathers can feel overwhelmed at DL or anywhere really. My SIL has a hard time with hers but we never have had issues like some parents there. Ours have always been good experiences. Sounds like yours have to. It is all in how you cope you know? you should definetely dream about that very important day. If your baby had the same difficulties mine did, you know just how important that milestone will be. I say pictures, tutus, whatever will make your experience great for you and your family.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

MonkeyMonkey, I had my little Princess 6 weeks early and she and I were in the hospital for 2 weeks each. I know exactly how important this will be for you. 5 weeks wow! And I thought my stay was long and enduring! You should do exactly what you want. Most people on this board dream about how their experience will be at DL whether they have children or not. I think some mothers and fathers can feel overwhelmed at DL or anywhere really. My SIL has a hard time with hers but we never have had issues like some parents there. Ours have always been good experiences. Sounds like yours have to. It is all in how you cope you know? you should definetely dream about that very important day. If your baby had the same difficulties mine did, you know just how important that milestone will be. I say pictures, tutus, whatever will make your experience great for you and your family.

Thank you Goldies!

I have had an AP in the past, and will be renewing it within the next couple of weeks, and plan to go many times this year. So just going is special, but not special enough.

I had severe preeclampsia with both my kids. DS was born at 32 weeks and spent 6 weeks in the NICU. He had to be resuscitated at birth. Then I developed preeclampsia at 28 weeks with DD, and because of my history, had to spend a lot of time in the hospital! It was a very scary time. We were elated when my OB finally decided it was time to deliver (I had had stroke-level blood pressure for weeks, even on blood pressure medication, while my non-pregnancy normal is 100/60) and then Evelyn was born very healthy except for magnesium sulfate toxicity from my treatment. She only had to spend 10 days in the NICU!

Her lowest weight was 3 pounds, 11 ounces, and at 8 months she's over 20 pounds, all on mama's milk.

These preemies are nervewracking but pretty amazing, huh?

 

[goldies 5]

Oh my gosh! I had a feeling it was preeclampsia from your post. We are sisters of the same disease. They were very afraid of me stroking out. It was scary and you just want to be with your baby so bad but you can't and they can't. i was on medication until last month. Never dreamed this could last soooo long. Thank god for the wonderful baby nurses ha? And all that pumping in a hospital room not so good for bonding right? You get a whole new appreciation for life after an experience like that. You feel just lucky to have your baby at all after they have been sick too. You know what is right for you and your family, and you are obviously one of those can handle it type of Mama's. Believe me I cherished every moment of our trip in December. It was the best time I have ever had with all of my kids. Mainly because the feeling of a new lease on life. You probably already know that feeling too. So I will just saykeep on ENJOYING your very precious cargo and your other precious little one too!

 

[Petraman]

We did not celebrate our youngest DD's birthday in the park, she was only 3 months old when we experienced the single most memorable event for her even to this day. We dressed her in a cute (& comfy) Minnie Mouse outfit, then we took her to Minnie's house to meet her. We got pictures and video... Minnie took special time to hold her and cuddle her (even acted like she didn't want to give her back), it was adorable. To this day after multiple DL, WDW and DCL trips, that is the video she wants to go back and see the most.

Just a thought...

Cherish these moments, they go by WAY too fast. This year we will be at WDW on her 11th birthday!

 

[got2travel]

Well of course! But that doesn't mean she's going to get the shaft because she's not going to remember it. I did a lot of fun things with my son when he was a baby even though he doesn't remember it...that doesn't make them any less special.

We'll have pictures and my son will remember his sister's birthday. And the fact that it's important to me and not her doesn't make it any less important overall. It's not just a birthday to me - it's the anniversary of our family becoming complete. It's the anniversary of the biggest relief in my life, after having been in the hospital for 5 weeks and her being born 6 weeks early, but strong and breathing on her own. It's a big deal to my family.

Sorry, didn't mean to offend. It's all a matter of opinion. For us, just being the parks is special (even though we visit 5-6 times a year). Everyone celebrates in their own way. And if you choose to go all out, then by all means, go for it.

Congratulations on being blessed with 2 precious children.