HELP! Our twin's Pirate Birthday Party has SUNK!

[Mexikolla]

We had the BEST party planned. We were going to have a big Pirate Party (in costume of course) for our boy/girl twins' 7th birthday. Their favorite ride at DLR is POTC.

Last night we were hit will a cannon ball. DH (is in the Navy), was told he has to leave for three weeks. He just got back from an 8 month deployment and he was deployed their birthday last year too

My DD said she doesn't care what the calendar says, she will NOT turn 7 until her daddy is home... it just broke my heart. DS doesn't know yet. He WILL be crushed.

In my heart, I think it is best to call the guests, (just family & close friends) and cancel all together. If my DD doesn't want to celebrate without her daddy, I think (at 7 years old) she knows what she wants.

DH will be home four days before Thanksgiving, and then it's off for our annual five day trip to DLR the week after Thanksgiving. Then he is home for ONE MONTH before he leaves us again for one year.

So here is my question.... we go to DLR every year, but this time I was thinking it would be fantastic to REALLY celebrate, not only their birthday, but also to celebrate us as a family, together. This past year was tough on them, and next year will be too. I want to do something that will take the burden of being military kids away for just a few days, before we check back into reality and their dad leaves us for another long stretch. My children are AMAZING and they really deserve to have something special.

Send any and all your ideas, my way!

-Steph

 

[wdwmickey]

First of all a big thank you to your husband and your family My DH used to be in the Navy too, so I understand the sacrifice & worry!

I don't really have much advice--make sure to get birthday buttons for the kiddos and have them celebrate their birthday every day of your trip!

 

[Mexikolla]

Birthday Buttons - Check!

Also just spent the past 40 minutes on the phone with reservations to find a package at one of the park hotels.... we usually take our camper up, but to make it special I know DH would LOVE to stay in the GCH. My wallet is thinking a little more DLH

 

[sonnyjane]

Boo. I've been with my husband, who is in the Navy also, for almost 6 years, so I know all about your disappointment. The Navy seldom provides GOOD surprises! When were you planning to go for the birthday party? If it makes you feel better, POTC is closed for refurb until November 23rd so you would have missed it anyway if you went before then.

Hugs

 

[Mexikolla]

Yeah, the navy is pretty awesome that way. DH has been in 20 years and will retire next Nov. The party was planned for at home. I didn't even think POTC would be closed! I am so happy it will back open in time for our trip!

 

[californiamomof4grls]

I went for my 30th B-day it was my first trip ever. We also went for my Dh the following year and I am concidering a one day trip for Dd's 11th B-day this year. So, I have done a little research and have a few ideas. Here is here is what I came up with:
*There are restaurants in the park that do birthday cakes. I have even seen pics on these boards of them. I'm not sure exactly which ones but I'm sure if search Birthday cake it would come up!
* Reservations for dessert at the Blue Bayou and go early to ask if we can sit by the water.
* Birthday button from City Hall
* Make birthday shirts for kids using graphic designs and iron ons from the http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=105 (be careful it's very addictive!)
* Make some sort of Disney goodie bag that they can get the morning of their "birthday" You can fill it with all kinds of Disney stuff from the dollar store and the Disney store! (I do this for the first day in the park!) Sunglasses, fruit snacks, crocs, ect. Basically anything Disney that I save from the time I book until the day of the trip!
* let the kids plan that special day. I got to stay in Fantasyland pretty much all day for my birthday except for when I wanted to ride PoTC and HM!
*Special treats
*Goffy's Kitchen
Anyhow just a few ideas hope it gets the wheels spinning! Can't wait to hear what you do for them!

 

[Mexikolla]

Fantastic! I knew this board would help figure this out. We've been a bunch of times, but other than the birthday button at city hall, I didn't have much of an idea on how to start planning.

We've never stayed on site and I am wondering if (for those of you that have), does it make the experience all that more special? I mean of course, if we stay at the GCH it will ($$), but what about the other two?


Also what are your thoughts on the magic mornings and toon town? If we book with disney we get an early entry day and/or toon town morning (plus a lanyard and luggage tag. Are these things really that cool?

And finally, I was going to purchase the two day meal plans. It comes with two character meals, two $15/$10 meal vouchers, and two snack vouchers. For $104/$62 (adult/child) it looks cheaper to NOT get it. I wonder what the benefit of the meal plan is?

 

[skiingfast]

For birthdays see this link. It discusses the cakes which you can get at any table service location in the parks and hotels by ordering ahead of time.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-occasions/birthdays/

For talk and pictures about cakes, there is a whole thread with them that pops up every now and then.


I think the perks of staying onsite are not worth the price difference you pay to stay onsite. MM is great when you have limited time in the parks. But staying on site can add a special feel.

 

[californiamomof4grls]

For birthdays see this link. It discusses the cakes which you can get at any table service location in the parks and hotels by ordering ahead of time.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-occasions/birthdays/

For talk and pictures about cakes, there is a whole thread with them that pops up every now and then.


I think the perks of staying onsite are not worth the price difference you pay to stay onsite. MM is great when you have limited time in the parks. But staying on site can add a special feel.

Thanks!

 

[Mexikolla]

SO so so so thank full for all the help and everyone on the board! It really helped get me out of the funk

 

[GenGen22]

I know this isn't Disney but since you said you were planning a pirate party have you thought about going to the Pirates Dinner Adventure? My step son loves Pirates so we took him last summer and it was awesome! Our whole family loved it. They even asked my DH and DS's to be in the show. & the whole family took a picture with pirate hats on for $25. We have 3 kids ages at the time were 9, 11 & 14. I think this would more than make up for missing the pirate party as they will see a live pirate show.

Pirates is in Buena Park which you probably know from being from San Diego is 1-2 exits away from DL. Here is the website: http://www.piratesdinneradventureca.com/ You can get discounts for buy one get one free for this show at: http://anaheimoc.org/coupons

 

[Mexikolla]

Ooooh That might be cool! Thank you for such a fantastic idea!