Help w/DD 2nd Birthday @ WDW ANOTHER QUESTION ADDED!

[Tom and Jen]

Hello All,

We are heading down for our daughters 2nd birthday in September. I was wondering if I could get some input and suggestions on anything special to do or arrange to have done for her.

I have heard that CM at certain places may go out of their way to do something special, but what places do that?

Any recommendations on what you have done and how you liked or didn't like it?

She is turning two, and gets really excited over Mickey and all the gang, as I am sure any 2yr old would.

Also, any recommendations on Pools on site we could hop to that are great for that age?

Thanks for your input,
T.

 

[llp479]

I would suggest Chef Mickey's for her b-day dinner. They have a special placemat, the birthday pin, and bring a cupcake during the "napkin dance." Minnie brought them to our girls. We went last year for our 3 dd's birthdays, and will be going next March 27 when our twins turn (gasp) 10!

I personally like the pool at BWV. Dumbo and Mrs. Jumbo spraying water was my youngest favorite. The kiddie pool at OKW was nice as well. Can't remember if there are swings, etc. near the main pool, but I know there is a play area with sand next to the pool at Turtle Pond at OKW. I've also hear great things about the pool at the Swan, but I've never seen it.

I can check out the main pool at OKW when I'm there in a couple of weeks, if you'ld like.

 

[Figment&Piglet]

I'm sure you'll get lots of terrific ideas, as lots of folks have spent their kids' B-Days at WDW (lucky kids! ), but maybe I can help get the ball rolling.

We brought our DD in May for her 1st B-Day, and are already planning B-Day #2. Here's what we did (some of this you may already know, but just in case...):

Get a birthday button. I know you can get them at City Hall at MK, and I'm sure at the other parks (though I don't know exactly where). At a minimum, she'll get lots of "Happy Birthdays" from CMs and other guests. I've read posts, though, where some lucky souls got to the front of lines or other special treatment. Even without anything extra-special, the way kids love buttons, it'll be a hit. (One nice CM in one of the shops offered to call Goofy, who offers a B-Day wish by phone, but DD was too young to appreciate that [though I did! LOL].)

Tell the CM when you check in. I told the CM at Check-in at BCV that our daughter's B-day was such-and-such a day. She asked her age and her favorite character (it was Minnie). On her birthday, we received a knock at the door, and a CM had a bunch of balloons, an adorable Minnie plush doll dressed in a pink ballerina outfit, and a "personalized" card signed by all the characters. What a neat thing! I also hear you can order cakes delivered, etc.

Make PS at a character meal, and let the Dining CM know it's for her B-Day. We did dinner at the Crystal palace at MK, and they had confetti/streamers etc. on the table when we sat down, and when they had a birthday parade, they brought over a cupcake with a candle in it and she could participate in the parade. (It was done en masse so everyone celebrating a birthday in the restaurant at that time celebrated at once. On a related note, at breakfast that morning my DH happened to mention that it was DD's B-Day [not to "get" anything, the CM had asked how old she was, and DH said "1 year today!"). He brought a muffin with a candle in it and actually made a big deal. The whole restaurant sang and, yup, being the sentimental sap I am, I cried in front of the whole place! ) I also hear you can order cakes, etc., at a lot of these restaurants, too.

Hope this gets some ideas flowing.

Oh, almost forgot, you asked about pools to hop to. I'm assuming you're DVC members, since you mentioned pool-hopping (and I think only DVC members can pool-hop, is that right?) You didn't mention where you'll be staying, but SAB at the BCV is by far the best pool, but you can't swim there unless you stay there (which, if you're DVC members, you probably already knew). Besides that, I hear BWV (clown slide), and the new Poly and GF pools are popular. Even hear that CSR is really nice for kids, too. I'm sure others will have good recommendations, too.

Hope I've helped. Have tons of fun!

 

[Tom and Jen]

thanks for your input,

We are DVC members at BWV, we are looking forward to doing some pool hopping and find some pools that are great for her age.

We also wondered about having pictures taken, like a portrait, for her 2yr. I guess something like they do at Sears or JC Penny.
Is anyone aware of that type of thing?

Any input you may have would be great, I look forward to more input if it's out there.

Thanks again,
T.

 

[llp479]

Check out the member offers on the DVC site. I know there is some kind of portrait company that will take pictures in various locations of your choosing. We get some kind of discount. I'm sure it will be much more than going to JCP or Sears. You could always go to the Judges Tent at MK and get her picture taken with Mickey, or any of the other parks where they take the photos.

 

[VanessaH]

We celebrated my daughter's 2nd bday in Sept. 2001. We began by having breakfast with the characters at the Polynesian. She was presented with a certificate to commemorate the special occasion, which we had the characters sign instead of the autograph book. Once at MK we got the birthday button. This is a must, as she got lots of special attention all day. She got to dance with the chimney sweeps/Mary Poppins in the parade at 3 which she loved. We had dinner at Chef Mickey's. I ordered a cake in advance because we had all the grandparents there.
I agree that the BWV pool is great. We also pool hopped to the Polynesian pool and that is nice because there is a ramp like entrance into the water which is easy for young kids.
Also, there is sand nearby so they can dig and play.