Help me plan my 50th at WDW next January!!

[Boardwalk III]

Hi all,

I'm a 10-year DVC member and recently decided that I would rather be at WDW for my 50th birthday than anywhere else, so gave my husband and 2 college age sons the "required attendance" notification! I never ask them for anything and decided it's my turn for a change

Unfortunately I am a January birthday so will have to deal with getting out of Boston in potentially bad weather (we have never been to WDW in Jan but I know it can be quite cold). Our closest family friends (another couple) are joining us, and it will be a quick trip (Wed-Sun) due to college schedules, but I was able to get a Grand Villa at the Boardwalk so I am really excited!

So, would love to get ideas for a couple of special events that we haven't tried before. No little ones on this trip so we are very flexible! For example, do they still have that lunch with a Disney cast member at HS? Heard about it but never did it. Would love more info on that.

We have done the fireworks cruises a few times and I don't really think I want to do that in Januray weather. Also, I was thinking of maybe having my birthday dinner right at the Grand Villa - is this something that could be catered? Or perhaps Victoria & Alberts as I have never been (but I think cost might be a bit excessive for 6 people, and I'd rather put that $$ towards something else?).

I did have one crazy idea of splitting up in groups and doing some sort of WDW scavenger hunt, but I would want to participate so would have no one to plan it. Is there a some group at WDW that would do something like this for a fee? (I know I sound like some sort of Disney lunatic right about now, but I am actually quite calm and understated in my real life, and if I can't ask here on the Boards, I can't ask anywhere

Anything else come to mind? Would love any and all ideas!

It is also MLK weekend (we leave Sunday)..I think that may be the marathon weekend - anything to avoid because of that?

Finally - any new fun ideas for my two sons? They are 19 and 21 and haven't been in a few years, one is of drinking age, one not . Anything exciting happening over at the newly branded ESPN sports complex for example?

I know I threw out a lot of questions but I truly appreciate all thoughts and suggestions - thanks!

 

[kiddisney]

hi - i just celebrated my 50th in december - my recommendation - get the hb button and make your travel party serve you - or at least do everything you want - it's the only tiime that you'll get to do it - and they will enjoy it (i wanted to go for the candlelight processional and the osborne lights - my sister didn't think she wanted to see these two events but i guilted her into 'it's my birthday' and she actually enjoyed both and later told my daughter that it was worth staying at the parks') - also chose a dinner that's your favorite - i chose dinner at canada - trying something new may be good for the trip - but i found that knowing what you've already enjoyed will make the dinner a success - and you can try something new on another night - also i had a wine & cheese & fruit & dessert platter delivered to the room - in december the parks close a little earlier and we were able to relax and hang out on the early night - but my most important recommendation is to find what you really enjoy at this time of year and make it a part of the trip - crowds will be small so you can spoil yourself with a lot of memories

 

[Inkmahm]

I also spent my 50th birthday at WDW (and 21st, 26th, 40th, 47th, etc. etc.) I'll be there next week for my 52nd! WDW is a great place to celebrate your birthday so you have an excellent idea!

I like breakfast with Cinderella in her castle to start my birthday although we don't do that every year. We did it for my 40th and my 50th though.

I had special tshirts printed to celebrate the "family vacation to WDW to celebrate Karen's 50th Birthday". Everyone in the family had to wear them with me.

Have you done a Segway tour before? The one at Epcot is great if you are a beginner. If you've been on a Segway before, I'd suggest this one:
http://www.zetours.com/

I also enjoy Fantasmic on my birthday.

Have fun!

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

I was going to suggest the Segway tour too, it's a blast!!

 

[helloconnie]

How fun! I have a couple of ideas for you...

Dinner: If you don't want to go all out and do V7A, try Citrico's or California Grill. Both are excellent and you won't be disappointed. California Grill has a spectacular view of t he MK fireworks.

Birthday Cake: Take a look at this thread. Make sure you click on the Cake Gallery link for the pictures. You can get awesome birthday cakes at just about any restaurant or even delivered to your room. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2413710&highlight=cake+gallery

Scanvenger Hunt: There is a tour at teh MK called "Disney's Family Magic Tour" that is a scavenger hunt. It is based for the younger auidence but I bet you could call and see if you could arrange a private, more challenging option. It involves Caption Hook's missing hook and there is a character interaction at the end. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/disneys-family-magic/

Activities fo rthe Boys: Since they are both driving age, you may want to consider the Richard Petty Driving Experience. There are different packages to choose from. They basically get a lesson in driving in a NASCAR car and on the Disneyworld Speedway.

Definitely get the Birthday Button and wear it proudly! Especially when you dine!

You are going to have so much fun!

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

We are in the same boat. I am planning my 50th at the world next February. My 11 month window is the 19th, I still am not sure what we are doing. I also could use planning advice. I did the MK KTTK tour last month. It was amazing (although it was definitely a magic killer), I would recommend you try it.

 

[dmoore22]

I celebrated my 50th , . . . . , and this past summer my 60th. I wish I could remember what we did. All I remember is we started at the Rose and Crown at Epcot with the "Pub Sampler." The goal was to make our way, counterclockwise, to the Tequila Bar at Cantina de San Angel. I think we made it. Wait a minute! I do remember! After drinking our way around the world we immediately rode Mission Space, the more intense experience. I highly recommend it!!

 

[Boardwalk III]

Thank you all so much - lots of great ideas. I do like California Grill and haven't been the past few times so that's definitely a possibility. I had forgotten about the Ricahrd Petty experience - will also look into that for the boys!

And I think the Segway tour is a must - always wanted to try it!

Keep the great ideas coming - I really appreciate it, and hopefully others who are planning the same thing will get good ideas also!

 

[bjakmom]

Oh I did my 50th at BWV, too - such sweet memories - a little different for me as my whole gang covered all ages and DGrD was only 5 mos old. FL friends and family also came in. We did the segway tour for DSs 16th b'day and it was awesome- for an all adult trip that would be so much fun. I highly recommend the early Epcot tour (if they still do that one) it was awesome to be zipping through WS before it opened
My b'day is the 16th so we were also there (6 yrs ago) for marathon weekend. I forget which day it was (sat or sun?) but the day of the race really did affect getting around at BWV in the morning. It was so much fun though to cheer on the runners from the balcony. We had DHS planned for that day (the direction the runners are also headed) so it was a challenge just to cross the race to get to the boat - was fun though to cheer on the runners as we passed them on the boat - at DHS it was also difficult to get through into the park as the hoards of runners were pouring in. I think I would have chosen to have b'fast that morning at the resort (or over at Y&BC would work), then walk over to Epcot a little later in the morning once the runners have come through. I don't know how the races affected bus traffic to MK or AK, but I think they also re-route the buses and closed off some roads that morning. Maybe that would be a great morning for you to spend some time over at Mandara Spa in the Dolphin
Enjoy! and have a wonderful celebration! PS: I definitely second wearing the B'day button - lots of fun on your 50th to have all the handsome CMs calling out "Happy Birthday Princess!!" (I know they pay them to say it, but it was fun to pretend!)

 

[zorro77]

We have celebrated many birthdays at WDW but the best was our 35th wedding Anniversay. Been a DVC member since 93 and come 2x a year. What we did for our day was of the 18 people that came from 4 states was start out at Epcot. Ladys and young ones went their way the guys other way we all did our thing till our lunch at 2 pm in Germany. The guys did shots in Mexico, beers around the country's, snack in Japan. We had our lunch and then did a few shows and rides. The deals was we all were to meet a Sosa's cigar bar at 7pm where we had cigars,drinks and celebrated with Champagne. We finished about 1pm. Went back to resort and had a few more to end the day. Sorry it did not put in a nice order but much you can do that can fit everyone's needs. This week my daughter and son in law taken me out for lunch and then to cigar lounges in St. Paul.