How do I make DS's birthday stand out?

[JSwitzer77]

We are planning a March 2010 trip to the World! DH, DS8 and I have been before, but it will be DS3's first trip. We will be celebrating his 4th birthday on our second day in the parks. I can only imagine how awesome it would be to celebrate at WDW as a child. That being said, I am worrying about making HIS birthday extra special for him. I'm used to the boys' birthdays being all about them. At WDW, the entire family will be having an awesome, extra special time. Also, I want to make sure that day is cooler than the other 6 days in the parks.

Without breaking the bank, what are some special things I can do for DS3 on that day? If it helps, we are planning to be in AK that day and have ADR for Donald's Safari Breakfast which I am sure he will love!

Thanks for any suggestions. And, for the record, I DO know that Disney World is the best possible gift. LOL

 

[moxiecola]

We spent my son's 9th birthday in the park and I purchased his shirt from www.zazzle.com. I had a big Mickey face printed on the front of the shirt with my son's name under it and on the back it said "TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!" in giant red letters. We also picked up his Happy Birthday Button @ Town Hall. The shirt got him (and our family) tons of attention not only from staff members but also from park goers. Everyone was talking to him, calling him by name (since they could read it on the shirt and button) and being the social person he is, HE LOVED IT! The shirt wasn't really expensive and I would absolutely purchase one through them again. If you do purchase one just keep in mind that they run on the small side so buy big. Good luck and I hope your son has a magical day!
Oh and also, if you are staying in the park make sure you let them know when you check in your son will celebrating his birthday and they will have Goofy call your room with a special birthday message. There was also a hand signed birthday card/autographed picture in our room from my son's favorite Disney characters (Chip & Dale).
We did the Fantasmic Dinner Package that night complete with birthday cake (which the restaraunt will arrange getting for you).

 

[shel112676]

I don't know how helpful this is since I've never celebrated a birthday at WDW but I'm sure there are things that you can do to make it super special for your little man...maybe have one of the designers over on the creative disigns board make him a special birthday greeting that you can print out and take with you..being that he's 4, I'm sure you can sneak away for a moment and slip the card to one of the characters to give to him. What kid wouldn't feel special to receive a birthday card from their fave character?
Also, there are packages you can purchase online to have a special treat delivered to your room--they're a bit pricey so if its an issue, you can always pick something up some trinkets, stuffed animals, etc. and put together a "disney birthday package". If you're driving just keep it out of sight and then have it magically appear in your room. If you're flying, ship the pkg ahead of time so its waiting for you at the resort. I'm sure mousekeeping would also be willing to help, too.
And, of course, don't forget to get the birthday button...the CMs and the restaurant you're at will be sure to make a fuss over the birthday boy!

I'm sure that there's so much more that you can do...just a few thoughts off the tope of my head!

Enjoy!

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

The Pirate League at MK has packages from $50. They are running a promo for 1/2 off through January 10 (I think), keep an eye out and see if it gets extended. Or maybe hit the Barber shop and get a birthday hair cut

 

[HerdOHuds]

We just celebrated my 4's birthday in the park and it was magical. We let the kids save their money (I pay them to go to sleep calmly) and spend it in the park that day. It was the highlight of the whole trip, according to them.

We also got the buttons when we checked into the resort. Many people told the kids happy birthday and they kept asking how the people knew their names. We didn't clue them into the idea that their name was written on the button til the end of the day.

And we ate dinner at Crystal Palace and they got a cupcake with a candle and a card with signatures from Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet. My mother bought each child a balloon that day, which is a big deal. I am not a fan of balloons or the fights they initiate.

The whole day was very special and I worried that the kids would be 'let down' after all the fun, but that was a moot point. The kids loved every minute of the whole trip. Your son will be the same way. Enjoy it!

 

[sl_underwood]

We celebrated our ds's 5th bday at WDW. He got a birthday button from our hotel staff (POR) and a gift left in our room on his birthday (balloons and a stuffed Mickey) He wore his button all day on his birthday and got lots of attention. I bet 50 people sang happy birthday to him, not to mention the grandmotherly woman who was in the candy store with us and told him to pick out something, that she wanted to buy him a present. For his birthday, we did three meals he loved, breakfast with Lilo and Stitch, Lunch at the Garden Grill and dinner at the Coral Reef. The Coral Reef made a beautiful cake and they also had divers enter the tank with a sign that said Happy Birthday. I think it was a very special day for him. Of course, when he turned 6, we had a big party at our local science center and I think he was a little dissapointed, pretty hard to outdo disney!

 

[JSwitzer77]

Thanks for the helpful hints everyone! I have been planning on making (or having made) a shirt for his birthday and I did know about the birthday pin. I hadn't read anything about a phone call though...that's awesome! I love the idea about getting a character to hand him a birthday card. He would totally flip over that one! I'm glad to see the CM's and guests make a big deal about birthdays. He's VERY social and will totally eat up the attention.

BTW, I am about the mom who pays her kids to "go to bed calmly" ... that is hysterical and such a great idea. Fortunately for me, my kids are great about this.

I pay my kids for random chores and good behavior. They have the ability to earn $1 each day. It starts when they turn 4 and they have a budget they have to follow:
1. The first dollar earned in a week goes to our local church
2. The second dollar earned in a week must be put into savings -- we match this saved dollar, so they actually deposit $2 each week
3. Any dollar after this may be saved or spent -- if saved, it is also matched.)

DS8 typically earns money every day...basically he has to do any chore that is requested, no backtalking, and help his brother out with things he can do (for example, squeeze toothpaste out CLEANLY, pour a glass of milk, etc.)...he doesn't have any set chores. We started with him close to 4 years ago and he has saved about $980. Money in the bank will be used to buy his first car. We only match "earned" money so any gifts for birthdays/Christmas are not matched if they are saved. Hopefully this is going to create good money habits! DS3 will start earning money after our Disney trip! He's looking forward to it, but has a totally different personality than DS8, so I really don't foresee consistent earnings for him.

Since I'm completely changing subjects from the original topic here, I have another money aspect in the house right now. We announced to the boys that we will be going to Disney a couple weeks ago. We told them Christmas was going to be scaled back to save money for the trip and that we would NOT be buying any souvenirs for them. They were until we unveiled the "Disney Money" plan. Their playroom will make any mom and definitely needed a set-in-stone plan for keeping it clean on a regular basis. Each night an alarm in the playroom goes off 30 minutes prior to bedtime and the boys start the cleaning process. If the playroom is clean at bedtime (without either parent even having to ask), each boy will receive $0.50 in their "Disney Money" jar. So far, we are at 100%. If it continues, they will each have about $60 of their EARNED souvenir money to spend as they choose. And, hopefully, I will have two boys who have learned responsibility in keeping their things put away! One catch, DS8 can lose money by bringing home any grade (even daily grade) below an 85 -- he was getting lazy and not checking his work. And DS3 can lose money by whining and pouting -- he's a little on the dramatic side at times. LOL So far, only DS3 has lost money...and only once. I have been very impressed with the whole process and wonder why it never occurred to me before! Anyone think it will work on DH and his dirty sock pile next to the recliner??