Need DL ideas for 5 year old birthday :)

[squee]

Hi there everyone! We will be going to DL in a few weeks for my son's 5 year birthday (wife, 3 boys 7 and under, & me). I was wondering if you have seen, been a part of, or know what can make his day extra special. We were thinking about doing Goofy's Kitchen or the BBQ Roundup for his birthday dinner. Hoping they have something birthday-ish for him if we tell them in advance why we are there (and of course pay a little extra). I really do not know a lot about the BBQ but it seems like a lot of fun. I know DL has a phone number to arrange stuff like this but I don't have unlimited funds and I'd rather have actual reviews instead of someone trying to sell me something. Thank you in advance!!!

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

Your better off doing a character meal then the bbq for the b day.

We like minnie and friends because its in the park and there are a lot of characters.

The bbq food is good but really for kids there just isnt much going on.

We have also done the pat e cake thing but its 15 bucks a person and really isnt worth it.

My 5 yr old daughter loves eating at the blue buyou and waiving to the boats that go by.

 

[drgsjh]

They actually have a birthday celebration event at the Plaza Inn in the afternoon. We did it on my DD's 6th bday. Everyone gets a cake to decorate, there are some songs and you get the chance to do pics with Mickey and Minnie together (no autographs, tho). It was fun and she felt like she had a party. My only complaint is I felt like we were rushed a bit but it was fun.

 

[LavenderPeach]

Don't forget to get him a free birthday button!

 

[skiingfast]

Get her a birthday pin/button in the morning and she will be wished happy birthday 20-50 times. If you go to a TS after she may very well get a special desert.

 

[Cagirl767]

Ask to sit up front at the tender on the train. I think you have to inquire at the Main Street station though.

Ask about sitting up front on the Monorail.

Ask to ride in the wheelhouse on the Mark Twain.

Get him one of those really cool face paintings in DTD. And a huge cool floppy birthday cake hat.

Be sure to get a birthday button at City Hall!

 

[squee]

Thank you for all of the great ideas. I will definitely get him the birthday button as soon as we get in. I'd feel strange asking to sit at the front of the monorail or train, is there a line for that?
My four year old is pretty funny. We've been trying to countdown to his birthday but he doesn't care. He wants to countdown to Disneyland! 16 days to go! Please continue submitting ideas and/or reviews. I would like to make his whole day extra special!

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

Ask about sitting up front on the Monorail.

Ask to ride in the wheelhouse on the Mark Twain.

Be sure to get a birthday button at City Hall!

When you go to get on the monorail ask the cast member there that you would like to ride in front. Sometimes there is a small line you might have to wait for another train but its so worth it. They will let you ride upfront round trip if you get on the monorail in disneyland.

We have also done the mark twain boat that goes around the rivers of america sitting with the captain.

Again ask the cast memeber and they will direct you to talk to the captain, the captain decides to let you be with him/her.
We got to drive the boat blow the whistle and ring the bell we loved it.

 

[drgsjh]

We also did Goofy's Kitchen on my DD's bday trip. It was fun, too. When they brought out the cupcake for her, The Mad Hatter and Goofy were there to sing Happy Birthday to her. I know Ariel's Grotto had a special birthday cake you could order then - I assume the other meals do too. It is an extra expense. The cupcake came b/c we said it was her bday trip at no extra expense.

We also hit upon the right cast member checking us out at one of the stores that night. She dialed up somewhere and gave the phone to DD, who had Goofy wish her a Happy Birthday on the phone. The pin is a must.

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

Get her a birthday pin/button in the morning and she will be wished happy birthday 20-50 times.

20 - 50?!?!?! When my daughter wore her Happy Birthday button for her 6th birthday in September and I can count how many times she was wished a happy birthday on one hand!

 

[LavenderPeach]

20 - 50?!?!?! When my daughter wore her Happy Birthday button for her 6th birthday in September and I can count how many times she was wished a happy birthday on one hand!

Really? That's too bad because our experience has been much higher (i guess probably in the 20-50 range). Sorry your DD didn't have a similar experience.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I agree with a character meal over the BBQ. I got DS a birthday card and had all the characters we saw on his birthday trip sign it instead of an autograph book. We also did order a small cake for Goofy's Kitchen but it was way too much with just the 6 of us (plus we were stuffed). I think they'll bring out a cupcake if you let them know it's his birthday.

 

[squee]

This is all really great info. Thank you very much for your responses so far! We are staying at the Grand Californian for 3 nights. You have convinced me to go with a Goofy's Kitchen birthday dinner. I also have an older and younger son so I know they will love it too. Please continue giving advice if you have any to share. Thanks!

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

This is all really great info. Thank you very much for your responses so far! We are staying at the Grand Californian for 3 nights. You have convinced me to go with a Goofy's Kitchen birthday dinner. I also have an older and younger son so I know they will love it too. Please continue giving advice if you have any to share. Thanks!

Sitting up front with the monorail pilot is a real treat!.....and your kids will love it! I surprised my DS with this when we took the monorail from the park on the way to Goofy's kitchen for DS's birthday celebration. It's totally okay to ask to do this and it would be a fun thing to arrive that way for your son's birthday dinner. When we arrived at Goofy's, they had balloons tied to my DS's chair and then they brought out a cupcake (with a candle in it) for him. They usually have a character accompany the CM's who bring it out, and they all sing Happy Birthday to the birthday person (as another poster mentioned above.) My DS was so excited to have the Mad Hatter sing Happy Birthday to him and it was a really fun way to celebrate his birthday.

 

[squee]

I've been reading other posts that say goofys kitchen is not very good for dinner and the characters don't really approach your table. Hmm might be having second thoughts now. Have you had this experience? Have you had a better character dinner elsewhere?

 

[goldies 5]

We had Peter Pan sit at our table.