Making it Special -- Am I Missing Anything?

[CamdenLab]

This is the kids' first (and probably last) Disney vacation. They are DS9, DD11 and DD13. They are my DF's kids and being a single Dad for so long, hasn't been on a vacation since before DD13 was born!

In order to afford going we told the kids they'd have to forego birthday presents. This is becaues my DF can't stand to spend less than $300 on gifts alone. He's a birthday fanatic. However, we've been giving them extra chores to make money to bring along and they are each receiving a $100 Disney gift card to spend how they wish.

I have all the books and read the websites, but there are a few things that are insider information that I want to be sure we are aware of in order to make this trip as special and memorable as possible for the kids.

- Because this is sort-of their birthday presents, we're going to let them get an "It's My Birthday" pin on alternate days.

- On the first day we'll let them get "It's My First Time" pins.

- I know about pin-trading and have the information to share with them, if they are interested (which I hope they are!).

- Disney ears. We know this is a must, but when should they wear them? Are there special days, times, or does everyone just wear them every day?

- Character breakfast. Are they too old?

- Dressing up. Any suggestions for older kids?

- We have the Star Wars t-shirt for DS9 to wear for the Jedi Training show. We'll also have him create a sign. He WILL participate.

What am I missing?

Thanks!

 

[CrazyDuck]

This is the kids' first (and probably last) Disney vacation.

Not Likely!!!

In order to afford going we told the kids they'd have to forego birthday presents. This is becaues my DF can't stand to spend less than $300 on gifts alone. He's a birthday fanatic. However, we've been giving them extra chores to make money to bring along and they are each receiving a $100 Disney gift card to spend how they wish.

I'm confused? Can you afford to go or not? If he can afford to drop $300 in presents on each kid then he should be able to spend $150 on a character meal

- Disney ears. We know this is a must, but when should they wear them? Are there special days, times, or does everyone just wear them every day?

All ears... All the time!!! BTW you can DF have to wear them too! Also get the ones you can customize yourself!

- Character breakfast. Are they too old?

You are never too old. If anything you get decent meal!

- Dressing up. Any suggestions for older kids?

Don't force them to. At 13 they probably are already embaradded to be seen in public with mom and dad. Now how embarassed will they be to be seen in public with mom and dad dressed as Cinderella?

What am I missing?

Don't forget to have fun!

Thanks!

HTH

 

[pixiewings71]

- Because this is sort-of their birthday presents, we're going to let them get an "It's My Birthday" pin on alternate days. GREAT idea, I support this completely!!!

- On the first day we'll let them get "It's My First Time" pins. This will be fun too!

- I know about pin-trading and have the information to share with them, if they are interested (which I hope they are!). Make sure you get traders before you go, we get some from mousepinsonline.com they sell good legit pins that are 100% tradeable. Also check Disneyshopping.com and your local Disney Store, many times there will be pins there at great prices.

- Disney ears. We know this is a must, but when should they wear them? Are there special days, times, or does everyone just wear them every day? Wear them whenever they want to! My girls have pirate ears and they wear them when they want to or they wear baseball caps, whichever they are in the mood for.

- Character breakfast. Are they too old? NO way, I'm 37 and I love character meals!! My favorites are Minnie's breakfast, Lilo & Stitch breakfast and the princess meal. Not necessarily for the food but for the interaction.

- Dressing up. Any suggestions for older kids? Children over 12 are not allowed to dress up. My girls don't wear costumes at all (unless we are doing the Halloween party) but they do wear shirts with characters on them.

- We have the Star Wars t-shirt for DS9 to wear for the Jedi Training show. We'll also have him create a sign. He WILL participate. Good luck!! this is something we never got to do........

Don't forget to see Billy Hill & the Hillbillies.........don't forget to use your fastpasses and don't forget to have fun!!

 

[Queenbillabong]

I know you will have a GREAT time on your DL trip! Getting the pins is a good idea - there are several places to get them from.

As for character breakfasts, they are not too old. My DS is 12 and he had a blast at the one's we went to - and he wants to go again (he had so much fun!). I probably would not dress up though - the most my son will do is a character t-shirt (which is more for me than what he wants - but I'm OK with that ).

There are so many things to do - my son complained about going to Fantasmic and Aladdin (before going) and then LOVED each and wanted to go again! Remember to use your Magic Mornings (if you have them) and to use FastPasses so you don't have to spend too much time in lines.

Have a WONDERFUL time

 

[missxjess]

- Dressing up. Any suggestions for older kids?

As far as dressing up is concerned, are you talking about full fledged character costume?

I don't think they are too old to "play" up the magic of Disney. Maybe they might not want to put a costume on but there are other things that they can wear. I'm not sure where, but I know there is face painting somewhere. A couple of my friends went and they got a cute little sparkly tinkerbell on one cheek. It looked really good! You could also buy them plain tees and let them customize them using a variety of different things. The t-shirts don't HAVE to relate to Disney but they would probably have fun making something and wearing it. Or if they have thier own backpack or anything like that to carry, they could dress that up. Disney stickers and all that fun stuff is easy to find at dollar stores and easy to use to customize. They are not that old so I'm guessing they still have fun doing all kinds of stuff like that.

As for your trip...have a fantastic time!!!!! Seeing a child(or anyone for that matter) walk into the land of Disney for the first time is an amazing experience. Take lots of photos!!!

 

[jasy]

This is the kids' first (and probably last) Disney vacation. They are DS9, DD11 and DD13.

Don't count on it, you may be surprised!!! I've gone more now as an adult than when I was a child.

- Because this is sort-of their birthday presents, we're going to let them get an "It's My Birthday" pin on alternate days.

- On the first day we'll let them get "It's My First Time" pins.

Awesome idea, when DH and I went it was for our honeymoon, we wore the Just Married pins everyday and got lots of congrats from the CM's

- Disney ears. We know this is a must, but when should they wear them? Are there special days, times, or does everyone just wear them every day?

Anyday, Anytime!!! I bought ears on my second last day and wore them everywhere, DH is not so into ears (his first trip) so he didn't next time I go I am going to get a nemo hat

- Character breakfast. Are they too old?

Noooo!!! Not too old, DH and I went and I loved it!!! (I had been before as a kid) I got my picture taken with every character who stopped by, well except for my fav, princess Jasmine (same name as me) as DH was at the buffet when she stopped.

What am I missing?

Not much really, but since like you say this may be their first and "only" trip make sure to bring/buy autograph books, an alternative to this is a disney t-shirt and a jiffy marker you can get the characters to sign, I did this (as a kid) and then framed and put the shirt on my wall

 

[blessedmommyx3]

Be sure to tell them before checking in about the birthdays - when we checked in my daughter was given an autographed picture of Tinkerbell!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

If you want some extra special magic, check out the Creative DISigns section of this board. There are all kinds of ideas from personalized t-shirts to countdown calendars, autograph books, pillow cases for autographs, invitations to character meals, wraps for mints or candy...whatever you can think of.