My family's first (birthday) trip - help with MK plans?

[wintersongbird]

My kids turn 6 and 8 the third week of March, so we are surprising them with a WDW trip from Mon the 21 through Sat the 26. We are following crowd calendars and going on recommended days, but I know it'll still be crazy. We are first timers and I need some advice as to whether or not my plans are realistic, particular MK.

Tue:
Arrive for rope drop
1. Under the Sea
2. Meet Ariel in her Grotto
3. try to fit in some of the following: Mad Tea Party, Winnie the Pooh, Carousel, Dumbo, It's a small world
4. FP for Seven Dwarves Mine Train 10:30
5. try to fit in something we didn't get to from morning list, plus maybe Haunted Mansion
6. FP for Peter Pan's Flight 11:40
7. FP for Splash Mountain 12:40
8. Try to get afternoon FP for something, maybe Haunted Mansion, Buzz Lightyear or Meet Rapunzel/Cinderella?

Thur:
Arrive at rope drop
1. Pirates of the Caribbean
2. Jungle Cruise
3. Magic Carpets of Aladdin
4. FP for Big Thunder Railroad 10:30
5. Try to ride some low-priority stuff till noon
6. Lunch at BOG at 12:15
7. FP for Space Mountain 1:30
8. Parade
9. FP for Anna/Elsa 3:30
10. Try to get afternoon/evening FP for something we didn't get to?

So three questions:

1. Is this doable on a busy day? We have FPs for all our kids' must-dos except for Under the Sea, Ariel's Grotto, Pirates and Jungle Cruise.

2. What are some good things to do after the park gets busy and what are some FPs that we're more likely to get after we use the first three?

3. I've heard my kids can get a pin to wear on their birthdays? What kind of stuff do castmembers/restaurants usually do for birthdays? Anybody have any suggestions for making Disney birthdays more special?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[nilla]

1. That looks very doable. We were able to walk on Under the Sea in June, and met Ariel with a minimal wait. Same goes for Pirates, typically. JC can accumulate a long queue, but we've been able to get it as our 4th FP.

2. After using the last FP, the best FPs you'll probably be able to get are Peter Pan's Flight, JC, Haunted Mansion, and similar attractions. You'd probably be able to get one for Buzz, too, and meeting Cinderella and Rapunzel shouldn't be a problem. FPs for the Mountains are tougher to get the later in the day you go, but not impossible. Your kids might also enjoy the "Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom" game. There's also a Pirates game, I believe. Also, and the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor is hilarious.

3. I can't speak to anything special CMs do beyond saying, "Happy Birthday." Also, I'm in the camp that thinks being in Disney is special enough

 

[JWigs]

You can go into any shop and ask for a first time visit or birthday pin (or whatever you're celebrating).

The CMs are usually trained to say hello or acknowledge the pin when they see you. Also, nice folks will sometimes say hello to you or congrats etc. It is a nice way to get your child the extra "magic"

 

[JWigs]

Oops with DVC at least you can tell them you're celebrating and they'll attach it to your dining and room. The cm via phone told me that meant a dessert at some places and just a special decorated table. So you can ask about that

 

[a742246]

If you are staying onsite I would schedule some pool time at your resort during the middle of the day and relax a little!

My wife and GD love pin trading, we buy pins from ebay and trade them, I don't know if this is of interest to you!

As for theme parks it looks like you know what you are doing, just relax and don't rush and you will have a great time!

 

[wintersongbird]

Thanks for the info and suggestions. I guess what I meant by 'do special for their birthdays' is...I've heard anecdotally that sometimes people get pulled to participate in parades or help with shows, etc...I was wondering if that's the kind of the thing the button helps with, or if that's rare and has to do more with right place/right time and acting super excited, haha.

 

[uccats97]

MK doesn't usually pull anyone from audiences for participation. The could possibly be featured on screen at Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. Audience participation happens at AK in Festival of The Lion King and Flights of Wonder, but not because of birthdays. It usually has to do with where you're seated in the audience. I've visited on my birthday many times and got tons of birthday wishes. Once I was stopped by a CM and given stickers and cookies along with the wishes and on a milestone birthday I was given a card and dessert at dinner.