Need ideas for DD...Daddy in Iraq

[remyandhollandsmommy]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has any ideas to make our WDW trip extra special for my DD(5). We had planned on going to WDW as a family, but just found out this month that DH will be heading back to Iraq in late June.
My DD will be turning 6 on 7/4 and we have ressies at FW cabins 7/5 to 7/8. She is really upset since her daddy just got back in late November for the birth of our DD(6mos), and will miss our trip. We are going home to FL (we grew up there and all our family is there) from Ft. Drum for the months of July and August and I am getting APs for us. I am making a birthday basket with things like a autograph book, light sticks, and new Ariel bathing suit w/ matching coverup. What else should I put in it?
Also any suggestions on making birthday at WDW special? Thanks!

 

[kilee]

There was another thread just this morning regarding the same thing. Some ideas were to have dad write a card ahead of time to give the child on the trip. Also have DD take pictures and make a scrap book to give to dad.

I hope you have the most magical trip. Also thank you to your husband and your family for your sacrifice and I hope he returns very soon!!!

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

I read the other thread, but I still need ideas to make her birthday special. Since her birthday is on the 4th of July we make a big fuss. This will be the first trip to WDW that we will be staying on site and I thought about having the cabin decorated for her. Any ideas on how to do this?? DH and I are using the camcorder to make a video for her to open on her birthday but I don't want her to dwell on the fact that he is gone. I had thought to go before he leaves but DH can't get any leave before he leaves since he is "on call" to Iraq and we have to stay within a 300 mile radius of the base (NY is a pretty good ways from FL). She is still upset that he missed her first day of kindergarten last deployment.
I also thought that the idea of making a "Disney" gift basket filled with stuff for her to use at WDW would be nice. I want to fill it up but can't think of things to put in it. So far I have glow sticks, Ariel bathing suit w/ matching coverup and hat, sunglasses w/ Ariel on them, a fanny pack, autograph book, and a camera for her to take pictures with (she wants to get doubles of prints to send to DH). The things I have in it don't fill up alot of room and like most little girls DD will notice. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[kylara]

If you are trying to fill the basket, maybe you could add some sandals to go with the bathing suit. Also some of the funky colored sun screens (I know my nieces love them). If you could sneak away when you got there, try for one of the Epcot Passports, the kids love getting the CMs from the different countries to sign and stamp them. I would also suggest a couple of the big thick pens with Disney characters on them for the autograph book. Other things you might think of are disney barrets or ponytail holders if her hair is longer or some of the Disney jewelery (my nieces love the ones with their names on it). Maybe a stuffed animal of her favorite disney character.

Just another thought, for her birthday. Does your daughter like one specific princess (I am thinking Ariel since you said the bathing suit is). Could you get her one of the princess outfits to wear on that day. Again, I just know this is something my nieces always wanted. And you see lots of kids in the parks with them now.

Another things is maybe you could write Disney and see if arrangements could be made for Mickey to send a signed card to the room on her birthday.

I hope some of these suggestions help. Good luck. I hope you are able to make her birthday special.

 

[lck33]

First and foremost, GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, our prayers and support are with you.

As far as other items that you may want to put in her birthday basket, here are a copule of ideas: How about a birthday girl pin so that the CM's will know you are celebrating her birthday, how about one of those light up spin toys, I know they sell them at the disney stores or one of those light up fans with ariel on it. I saw them at the disney store also for $5.00 each, a small photo album to put the pictures in, a beach towel, some disney dollars, a light up princess wand, or tiara for the birthday girl.. Hope these suggestions help....Have a great time....!

 

[Duckfan]

some of the mickey candies, those little Disney washclothes that pop up


be sure to do a mickey wakeup call if available (I think there might even be a birthday one, you could check)

 

[ziggystardust]

I definatly agree with the Birthday button. When you have that on in Disney you get very special treatment from all the castmembers.
You might want to include a few disney dollars ( I know they don't take up much space but they are great) We just gave some to a niece celebrating her communion (followed with a week in Disney- lucky her!!!) and she loved it. She was able to buy her own souvenirs and anything else her little heart desired.
Good Luck and Enjoy your Trip!!!

 

[ziggystardust]

Just found this link on mousesavers.com
http://www.zazzle.com/collections/disneyinkshop/
make your own character shirts - This might be a good idea - i'm not sure how expensive they are but I think mousesavers might have had a discount.

 

[MPLsDad]

Your DD could get a birthday pin upon entering all of the parks except MGM. You could make up a letter telling her to stop by and pick hers up and put that in the basket, olld up and tied with fancy ribbons - then there's something in the basket - and something to do while she's at each park. I think they will also let her call Goofy for a special birthday message at Guest Relations so you may want to sign the letter from Goofy. Also, you can make a coupon book for things she could get or do in Disney, like if you book a CRT or the Ice Cream Social, make a cooupon and include it in the basket. Good luck to you and your family!!!

 

[Miniefan]

My kids really enjoyed the trading pins... every time they saw a CM they made them show their pins. They sell disney pin starter sets at all kinds of stands in the parks but I have also seen them on ebay. Maybe you could get her a starter set and a lanyard and she could do some pin trading. Also, buy an album for her to put the photos for dad in, or possibly buy a scrapbook for her to start. HTH
God bless you and your family. Have a wonderful trip and a safe return for your husband.

 

[Jaci]

God bless you and your family. May he keep your husband's deployment safe and short.
As for the additions to the gift basket, my daughter is the same age as your's, she love chap sticks, nail polish, body glitter lotion, the small travel games.... Polly Pockets are small and could fit in. Does she have a gameboy? My dd loves her Lion King 1 1/2 game (and so does her daddy ~ mommy never gets a turn ) and there are other Disney games.
Maybe try to share a fireworks cruise.
Contacting Ft. Wilderness directly and speaking with a CM there, might get some awesome results.

Good luck and God bless

 

[webmomom]

Another thought. Have you tried contacting Gifts of a Lifetime. They do such special things for people, I am sure they could do something great for your daughter. The service is not free, but it takes the tension off of your to think of something. They can do a lot more than you could since they have the connections.

www.giftsofalifetime.com