Help me surprise my 2.5 year old!!!

[Goldilocks07]

I want to surprise my 2.5 year old DD with a Cinderella dress, but I am having a hard time figuring out the best way.
We plan on going to MK that day for rope drop (if I actually make it- we are going to MNSSHP the night before so everyone may be too pooped out to get up in the morning) and then staying at the park all day, ending with (drum roll please....) dinner at the castle with Cinderella.
My DD is SOOOOO excited about it. I have already told her how Cinderella has invited her to dinner, etc. She also realized she doesn't have the Cinderella dress to wear. She seems a bit distraught over this- Of course, I've already bought one for her for that night.

The thought, was to have the dress laid out that morning for her, with a card from Cinderella (obviously she can't read, but I thought to put a big picture of Cinderella on the front, she'd get the idea), inviting her to dinner- then maybe putting ribbon curls and confetti all around it to make it look 'magical'.
But this will be at 7:30 in the morning.
So she would wear the dress all day I guess?? I would hate for her to get it messed up. Or be uncomfortable. Dinner isn't until 7pm.

What has everyone else done? Any suggestions? Ideas?

Thank you so much!

 

[wishesuponastar]

What I would do is go back to your room before dinner and surprise her with the dress then. Have a magical time at the castle!

 

[Goldilocks07]

I wish there was a way to have a private moment with Cinderella and have her give my DD the dress. Now THAT would be awesome. But pretty difficult to pull off.

 

[luvmy3]

I want to surprise my 2.5 year old DD with a Cinderella dress, but I am having a hard time figuring out the best way.
We plan on going to MK that day for rope drop (if I actually make it- we are going to MNSSHP the night before so everyone may be too pooped out to get up in the morning) and then staying at the park all day, ending with (drum roll please....) dinner at the castle with Cinderella.
My DD is SOOOOO excited about it. I have already told her how Cinderella has invited her to dinner, etc. She also realized she doesn't have the Cinderella dress to wear. She seems a bit distraught over this- Of course, I've already bought one for her for that night.

The thought, was to have the dress laid out that morning for her, with a card from Cinderella (obviously she can't read, but I thought to put a big picture of Cinderella on the front, she'd get the idea), inviting her to dinner- then maybe putting ribbon curls and confetti all around it to make it look 'magical'.
But this will be at 7:30 in the morning.
So she would wear the dress all day I guess?? I would hate for her to get it messed up. Or be uncomfortable. Dinner isn't until 7pm.

What has everyone else done? Any suggestions? Ideas?

Thank you so much!

I like your idea for the morning but that is a long time to be in that dress. Of course she's 2 1/2 and would probably love wearing it all day.
Are you going back to your room at all before dinner, you could give it to her then.
If not, will your dd end up falling asleep while in the park? You could bring the dress with you and when she wakes up you can tell her that Cinderella had it sent to her for dinner that night and give it to her (all wrapped up and looking magical of course).

 

[letsgoreds]

Sounds like a blast for your little princess!

I would let her wear it all day. I like leaving surprises out at night, for my boys to find the next morning. If you are serious about wanting to do the party, then rope drop the next day...I would try to book breakfast or lunch at CRT.

I know she is excited now...but it is going to be challenging for her (and you) to be in the best of moods for dinner after being up late for the party the night before, up early for rope drop, and on go-go-go for the parks that day. I have seen too many pictures of princesses asleep at dinner ; ) If she (and you) are more of night owls, then don't try to do rope drop AND a big, magical, and $$$ dinner the same night...unless you can all take a big nap inbetween.

Have a great time!

 

[MSSANDRA]

I agree with PP, a late night with rope drop the next morning might be way too much.Also, depending on the material, a whole day in the dress might not be too fun. The night parties were way to late for my boys when they were little, but some kids do fine. A 7pm dinner was pushing it a bit too. We also are huge rope drop people so late night were not too big for us when ours were pretty little. Long, late afternoon naps might make it work. I would head back to the room by 2ish on the day of your CRT meal, take a good long nap and have the dress out when she gets up. Maybe even take time to do her hair and make-up. Sounds like a magical evening as long as she is not too tired to enjoy it.

 

[Goldilocks07]

Thank you all for your VERY valid points.

I think rope drop may be a bit high of an expectation for her, and myself. I will play it by ear that morning. If she wakes up in time, we'll go. If not, I won't push her to get up early. Sleep if more important for energy at Disney!

My DD does very well at night, this kid can really go. We put her to sleep now around 8, but if it were up to her she'd probably stay up until 9, which is when I figured she'd pass out in the park after the parade.

So that leaves the full MK day. She will nap at the park, she sleeps well in her stroller. And one time she took two naps. LOL

So, I will either leave her the dress for the morning, OR, as the PP said, make it 'appear' after her nap. That is a great idea actually.
Her hair will already be done, the night before is the MNNSHP and it will be glittered and frozen from her Aurora costume.

Somehow I'll try and find an appropriate place for the dress to 'appear', and go get it after her nap.