Make this extra magical for mom..?

[kellyepp1]

I'm going to WDW this May with my family (all adults). We're just referring to it as a family vacation, but last year my mom wanted to celebrate her retirement at WDW, and we're all finally able to go. I want to add some secret special touches to the trip to give her the celebration that she wanted last summer.

Any suggestions?

We're stay at POR 5/7-5/12, have 4-day park-hopper tickets, and already have dinner reservations for each night (2 of her restaurants of choice). The last time she was at WDW was 2009.

 

[Paigevon]

What kind of things is she interested in, and how much do you want to spend? Since you're going in two months, some things may be hard to get (Dining reservations) but you may have some luck with off-times!

There are in-room celebrations, you could order a cake, fireworks cruises.

Does she like any particular characters?

 

[kellyepp1]

What kind of things is she interested in, and how much do you want to spend? Since you're going in two months, some things may be hard to get (Dining reservations) but you may have some luck with off-times!

There are in-room celebrations, you could order a cake, fireworks cruises.

Does she like any particular characters?

She loves Tink (as do I ).
I would love to have surprises for her in her room, but I can't justify those Disney Florist prices to myself. Have you ever done a firework cruise? I bet those are pricey as well, but maybe that'd be a nice gift for her and my dad to share.

 

[Paigevon]

She loves Tink (as do I ).
I would love to have surprises for her in her room, but I can't justify those Disney Florist prices to myself. Have you ever done a firework cruise? I bet those are pricey as well, but maybe that'd be a nice gift for her and my dad to share.

I've only been to MK once, over ten years ago, but I've done a ton of research the past couple of months!

I agree about the Disney Florist prices, however they do custom orders too, and I've heard they have things not listed on the site. If you call the number and tell them you're interested in knowing what Tinkerbell items they have and you're budgetting for (approximate amount, maybe $40?) They may be able to just a balloon, trinket, flower or something, maybe for even less?

Fireworks cruises are pretty expensive. I can't get the link to post for some reason, sorry! You can google or call though!

She may enjoy the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Cruise! You get to meet Captain Hook, Schmee, and Peter Pan! Kinda fits a Tinkerbell theme! It's $70 per adult.

 

[Paigevon]

Do keep in mind, you don't have to do anything extra or spend more money to make it magical and special ♡ Take your time to appreciate the wonderand beauty, catch your favorite rides, meet Tink and any other characters you like, and it will be wonderful ♡

 

[kellyepp1]

Do keep in mind, you don't have to do anything extra or spend more money to make it magical and special ♡ Take your time to appreciate the wonderand beauty, catch your favorite rides, meet Tink and any other characters you like, and it will be wonderful ♡

Very true! A Disney vacation is always wonderful as is, so I don't think anybody will leave disappointed.
I did some research and found a cruise-sharing thread on here, so I think I'll keep looking into that to make an IllumiNations cruise more affordable. Thank you for that cruise idea! I wasn't even aware that those were done in Epcot, which happens to be her favorite park.

 

[plutoloversmom]

Ring something special in your suitcase. Slip it out one day on your way out of the room. When you get back she will have a special surprize waiting for her.

I did this one time for my kids with tiaras and wands. But you can always pick up tinker bell earnings or a necklace. They have beautiful ones just at kmart and they are often discounted. My mother loves Tink too, I bought her a golden Tinkerbell necklace for christmas. She loved it.

 

[kellyepp1]

Ring something special in your suitcase. Slip it out one day on your way out of the room. When you get back she will have a special surprize waiting for her.

I did this one time for my kids with tiaras and wands. But you can always pick up tinker bell earnings or a necklace. They have beautiful ones just at kmart and they are often discounted. My mother loves Tink too, I bought her a golden Tinkerbell necklace for christmas. She loved it.

I love that idea, thank you! I was actually trying to think of ways to convince her out of the room without being suspicious, but that seems much easier. And she always loves a new necklace

 

[LovesTimone]

Congrats to her on retirement.

You could order a special cake

Carriage ride over at POR

Dessert party at MK

Spa - massage or maybe just a mani or pedi

 

[alliecat523]

We did a Mickey cake at our CRT dinner for my mom once. It was awesome! I've also done the in room celebration where I built my own basket with things. Will still not cheap, but definitely cheaper than going all out. I also agree that you can pack stuff in your bag and then one day need a rest for a bad headache or something. Then go back and decorate. OR, I imagine you can go to the concierge and give them your items and they will set it up for you (for a tip).

 

[kellyepp1]

Congrats to her on retirement.

You could order a special cake

Carriage ride over at POR

Dessert party at MK

Spa - massage or maybe just a mani or pedi

Thank you, on her behalf
I'm going to look into the carriage rides since we'll already be at POR. Any experience with those? Sounds like a nice, relaxing evening activity.

 

[kellyepp1]

We did a Mickey cake at our CRT dinner for my mom once. It was awesome! I've also done the in room celebration where I built my own basket with things. Will still not cheap, but definitely cheaper than going all out. I also agree that you can pack stuff in your bag and then one day need a rest for a bad headache or something. Then go back and decorate. OR, I imagine you can go to the concierge and give them your items and they will set it up for you (for a tip).

Those Mickey cakes are so cute and very tempting!

 

[LovesTimone]

Thank you, on her behalf
I'm going to look into the carriage rides since we'll already be at POR. Any experience with those? Sounds like a nice, relaxing evening activity.

Oh that would work out perfect, You start out near the boat dock and it takes you through the resort and along the river, I can't remember if it includes POFQ for some reason I think we went that far, around 30 minutes. We went around dusk it was really enjoyable and not as hot as all get out and you could still see everything. I think the ride was around 50 bucks give or take, plus tip, so not bad for a little something extra.
As another suggestion, after the ride you could get on the boat and headed for Disney Springs, and end the evening with ice cream from Ghirardelli. Or if earlier maybe dinner at somewhere fun T-Rex, RainForest, Raglan Road.

 

[keepswimming76]

Okay, this is a bit cheesy but maybe make some sort of group shirt honoring her retirement. You could wear them the same day at the park.

My family had a beach vacation that coincided with my mother's retirement and my had matching beach towels made for everyone. It was something like "Celebrating Mom's Retirement. Let the good times roll."

My other thought is to see if you could find someone to make custom Mickey ears with a retirement theme. Etsy? Maybe her name and the year of her retirement?

 

[kellyepp1]

Okay, this is a bit cheesy but maybe make some sort of group shirt honoring her retirement. You could wear them the same day at the park.

My family had a beach vacation that coincided with my mother's retirement and my had matching beach towels made for everyone. It was something like "Celebrating Mom's Retirement. Let the good times roll."

My other thought is to see if you could find someone to make custom Mickey ears with a retirement theme. Etsy? Maybe her name and the year of her retirement?

Nothing could ever be too cheesy in this family . I think that's cute. The ears, too! I love looking at all of the customized ears on etsy. I might just have to place an order for myself, too...

 

[noahdove]

Garden Tea at the Grand Floridian is beautiful... I have done it 3 times
and it's so very special...Not pricey..

 

[dbogen]

We went last year to celebrate our 25th anniversary. I ordered Magic band skins that said happy anniversary. We were surprised at how many cast members mentioned liking them. You could get one mentioning her retirement. Out stickers stayed on all week even in the hot tub.

 

[Duckiedee]

I'd say try the tea, or Cali Grill or maybe one of the Tours on how they make the magic happen? I love the cake idea as well.

If you google Pixie Dust Services - there is someone who will shop for you before you arrive and leave those items at the front desk... then all you have to do it slip them out secretly at some moment in the room... maybe special ears?