Ideas for birthday - day before cruise...

[cutigress]

We just booked our 2nd cruise - going out on Dream on July 4, 2018 for four nights (two Castaway Cay stops). DD turns 11 on July 3rd, the day before we head out. She is beyond giddy to be going back on a Disney cruise (we've been back from our last one since NYE last year - and honestly 2 days haven't gone by where she doesn't mention something about that trip. Honestly, DH and I feel the same way. That was the best trip we've ever had.) She's super excited to check out the Edge since she'll just be old enough too.

We live in SC and will be driving down - super easy. But don't want to be stuck in the car on her actual birthday and are trying to come up with some fun ideas. Part of me wants to go to WDW for two days - it's been a while since we've visited. But I'm terrified of the crowd + heat combo at that timeframe and would rather hit maybe Blizzard Beach and hang out at the room/pool otherwise. DH mentioned maybe taking her to Kennedy Space Center. She loves science, though not a huge interest in space. Her hobbies are horseback riding and archery. It'll just be the 3 of us. Any other fun ideas in the FL area - within a couple of hours?

We normally keep her birthday celebrations small - so figure we might make this a pretty big deal

 

[PurplePencil]

We just booked our 2nd cruise - going out on Dream on July 4, 2018 for four nights (two Castaway Cay stops). DD turns 11 on July 3rd, the day before we head out. She is beyond giddy to be going back on a Disney cruise (we've been back from our last one since NYE last year - and honestly 2 days haven't gone by where she doesn't mention something about that trip. Honestly, DH and I feel the same way. That was the best trip we've ever had.) She's super excited to check out the Edge since she'll just be old enough too.

We live in SC and will be driving down - super easy. But don't want to be stuck in the car on her actual birthday and are trying to come up with some fun ideas. Part of me wants to go to WDW for two days - it's been a while since we've visited. But I'm terrified of the crowd + heat combo at that timeframe and would rather hit maybe Blizzard Beach and hang out at the room/pool otherwise. DH mentioned maybe taking her to Kennedy Space Center. She loves science, though not a huge interest in space. Her hobbies are horseback riding and archery. It'll just be the 3 of us. Any other fun ideas in the FL area - within a couple of hours?

We normally keep her birthday celebrations small - so figure we might make this a pretty big deal

Fort Wilderness has horse back riding in addition to some other stuff, so you could spend a night there or even just visit.
Even though her Birthday is before the cruise, make sure she gets a birthday pin (and if you end up going to WDW definitely because you never know what magic she will get). If you want to do anything special on the ship there are tons of options: BBB, Specialty Ice Cream from Vanollepes, Smoothie from Frozone. Another thing to keep in mind is that she is allowed in both Edge and the Club/Lab. I know that Edge is a big deal for her, but there is less theming and Edge and more in the Club/Lab.

 

[jrabbit]

how about a ride on one of those "air swamp boat thingies"

Near Orlando

Near Cocoa Beach (Port Canaveral)

 

[cutigress]

Fort Wilderness has horse back riding in addition to some other stuff, so you could spend a night there or even just visit.
Even though her Birthday is before the cruise, make sure she gets a birthday pin (and if you end up going to WDW definitely because you never know what magic she will get). If you want to do anything special on the ship there are tons of options: BBB, Specialty Ice Cream from Vanollepes, Smoothie from Frozone. Another thing to keep in mind is that she is allowed in both Edge and the Club/Lab. I know that Edge is a big deal for her, but there is less theming and Edge and more in the Club/Lab.

Oooh, I didn't realize there was horseback riding at Ft Wilderness. That's excellent! We will DEFINITELY live up the birthday pin And thanks for the ideas on the ship.

 

[cutigress]

how about a ride on one of those "air swamp boat thingies"

Near Orlando

Near Cocoa Beach (Port Canaveral)

That sounds fun!!! Thank you!!!

 

[Weedy]

On International Dr near Disney and the airport.

The Orlando Eye a giant ferries wheel also a wax museum.Also a small aquarium. We went to the wax museum in NY it was so much fun.
https://www.officialorlandoeye.com/tickets-prices/combination-tickets/

 

[Jennifer Norrid]

There is a really cool miniature golf course in the area as well. Pirates Cove Adventure Golf. We go every time we are in the area. One of the last few remaining fun miniature courses!! We are booked on the July 14,2018 cruise on the Fantasy. My daughter will also be celebrating her birthday ... 15th on board!! Have an awesome time and Happy Birthday to her!!!

 

[DisneyPups]

Could you do a night at a Disney resort that has view of the fireworks show, and treat her to a nice dinner, or some time at Disney Springs? Yes, it will be hot, but if you avoid the Parks themselves, it can still be enjoyable. Especially lounging by the pool. Then wake up on the 4th and drive the 90 min to port. After a nice breakfast. If you're near MK, they do the July 4th fireworks on the 3rd too. If you choose a resort by Epcot, you can see the fireworks portion of Illuminations. We are really started to LOVE our resort days where we barely even go to the Parks. Either way... definitely get her the Bday buttons (and maybe even the birthday ears! ha) Happy Birthday to your DD!

 

[cutigress]

Could you do a night at a Disney resort that has view of the fireworks show, and treat her to a nice dinner, or some time at Disney Springs? Yes, it will be hot, but if you avoid the Parks themselves, it can still be enjoyable. Especially lounging by the pool. Then wake up on the 4th and drive the 90 min to port. After a nice breakfast. If you're near MK, they do the July 4th fireworks on the 3rd too. If you choose a resort by Epcot, you can see the fireworks portion of Illuminations. We are really started to LOVE our resort days where we barely even go to the Parks. Either way... definitely get her the Bday buttons (and maybe even the birthday ears! ha) Happy Birthday to your DD!

You are the winner. This is the best idea ever - DH and I love this. We haven't been to the Disney Springs area, and to see the fireworks on the evening of the 3rd would be pretty amazing for her birthday. She has lots of favorite Disney restaurants, we can let her pick. Thank you!!!

 

[DisneyPups]

Woohoo, I never win anything! Just make sure you put the 180 day mark on your calendar. I imagine ADRs book up quickly for that week!
Glad you like the idea though. It was a take on our own experience. We're having Disney withdrawal, but my DD starts Kinder in the fall and I work for the school systems anyway, but her birthday falls during Spring Break this year. I always said I will NEVER go to Disney for spring break but it's really our only option in 2018. So we're going to go to a nice resort ADR, she LOVES the pool, and we may go to MK for one day to get our fix. It's nice to just be in the Disney area and get the magic without having to brave the crowds. You'll have a great lead-in to your cruise.

 

[Dug720]

Woohoo, I never win anything! Just make sure you put the 180 day mark on your calendar. I imagine ADRs book up quickly for that week!
Glad you like the idea though. It was a take on our own experience. We're having Disney withdrawal, but my DD starts Kinder in the fall and I work for the school systems anyway, but her birthday falls during Spring Break this year. I always said I will NEVER go to Disney for spring break but it's really our only option in 2018. So we're going to go to a nice resort ADR, she LOVES the pool, and we may go to MK for one day to get our fix. It's nice to just be in the Disney area and get the magic without having to brave the crowds. You'll have a great lead-in to your cruise.

And TBH while I almost never advocate this, if the daughter's favorite places are known to fill up quickly, I would give serious consideration to making the reservation for extra days on the front end to take advantage of the extra days' notice to book ADRs.

Then again, for a holiday time that may backfire as either you may not be allowed to shorten the stay OR there may be a length-of- stay requirement. But it's a thought.

 

[cutigress]

And TBH while I almost never advocate this, if the daughter's favorite places are known to fill up quickly, I would give serious consideration to making the reservation for extra days on the front end to take advantage of the extra days' notice to book ADRs.

Then again, for a holiday time that may backfire as either you may not be allowed to shorten the stay OR there may be a length-of- stay requirement. But it's a thought.

Call me slow - I don't quite follow. what do you mean for making the reservation for extra days on the front end?

 

[Dug720]

Call me slow - I don't quite follow. what do you mean for making the reservation for extra days on the front end?

Anyone can make an ADR 180 days out. Guests staying at a Disney resort can make them beginning 189 days from the first day of their stay for the length of their stay up to an additional 10 days. So someone staying July 3 could make them for the 3-12 if staying that long at 180 days from July 3. But guests beginning on June 24 will have been able to make ADRs for the 3rd if their stay goes that far. So a guest just staying July 3 will be dealing with guests from as early as June 24h who are staying through July 3 potentially making ADRs for July 3.

 

[cutigress]

GOT it. Thanks!