Need your creativity...40th birthday for wife and heading to the world with no kids!

[DougandBeth]

Hi everyone,

Thanks in advance for your responses! So here is the story....

My wife is turning 40 next March and we are heading to Disney with 4 other couples just to do Epcot drinks around the world to celebrate the big birthday! She does know about it already so there is no surprise. The other couples are all paying for their flights, food, drinks, etc. but we did book 5 studios at OKW through our DVC membership, 140 points to be exact for only two nights. We could have done Beach Club (quick walk to Epcot) but it was 180 points, do you think it's worth the extra points?

Now here is the questions...I know it's generous that we are giving them rooms but it's still going to cost them a pretty penny. So I may pick up the bar tab in Epcot which I am anticipating 9 people (1 non drinker) to be around $1,000 is that correct?

My other questions are what else can we do? I want to make it special for her and throw in a few surprises. Spa treatments? Pricey for the 5 ladies I think.

Anyone do drinks around the world (believe me we like to drink but we are also not 21 )? How was it? Did you do anything creative to enhance the experience?

Lastly, are there any special deals on Epcot entrance for a group of 8 people? We have annual passes but the other 8 do not or do we get any discounts as DVC members?

Any all all ideas are welcomed and I appreciate a ton of responses. The more the better. Thanks!

 

[old lady]

Drinks sound great at EPCOT, but a dinner probably would be good,too. There are many restaurants at the park and many have romantic settings. You can look them up on Disney websites to make reservations, menus and see prices, etc. I would recommend a place that your wife's favorite food. If she likes seafood, go to Coral reef or if she like Japanese, go to the Japan in Epcot.

 

[meggiebeth]

A spa treatment would be a great surprise. The two spas onsite at GF and SSR have both been refurbished and would be a great idea! When you book a treatment I believe you can relax in the spa for as long as you like before or after your treatment.

There's Pick a Pearl in Japan at Epcot- you can have your pearl set into a necklace or piece of jewellery- a great memento.

Disney Florists deliver all sorts of surprises to your room, and can decorate it. It is a little expensive but worth a look for sure!

How about water tubing? Tubing accommodating up to five is $85 plus tax at the CR which is great fun and pretty good value IMO!

A tour might also be a great idea. The Keys to the Kingdom tour gets you backstage and even allows you to visit the Utilidors!

If you want to unveil some surprises during the trip, I believe you can get guest services to deliver things to your room. For example you could get a card or poster delivered whilst you're at the parks announcing something like 'Surprise! Tomorrow enjoy a relaxing spa day at the Senses Spa- Saratoga Springs!' I think something like that would be great.

Meg~ Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Maleficent53]

A few years ago we joined up with friends for a surprise birthday celebration at WDW. Her husband arranged everything, and she did not know all of us would be there, too. It was so much fun!

One of the things he arranged was a fireworks cruise at Epcot. We boarded at Y&B dock, sailed to the Epcot bridge and had a great view of the show from the water.

 

[kato0627]

I think what you are doing to celebrate your wife is a great thing!!! I am sure she is very excited. I would have loved that when I turned 40!!! We just did the fireworks cruise this summer and that would be a fun thing to do for your wife and guest!! I love the drinks in Epcot idea. You could probably arrange for a special breakfast too! that would be a good way to start a day off and not too $$ to pick up the tab. Have fun.

 

[WonderinAland]

I think staying at an Epcot resort would be worth the extra points. You'd be stumbling distance back to your rooms, rather than have to wait on a bus. That's why we're staying at BWV for Food & Wine! And the walk is kind of romantic.

 

[missycj96]

Agree bcv is worth the 40 points but depends on how many you have. You could even buy the one time use points if it is tight. If you do stay in the Epcot area the character breakfast at bcv would be fun and you could get great photos. If you will be at mk, how about the dessert party? Also we were at BLT top of the world for fireworks. Go a little early. We ordered the chocolate cake for 2. It is huge and unbelievable - seven layers and almost like a tiramisu. That would be nice for the group and not that much money. Also with a group of 9 tables in wonderland is your friend

 

[DonnaL]

I agree with missycj96 about Tables in Wonderland.....don't know what the current price is for DVC members since we haven't purchased for several years (we haven't had a large enough group or enough yearly trips lately to make it worth it for us) but, with 9 people it definitely will be worth it...especially if you decide to pick up tab for one meal plus all those drinks. I do like the idea of breakfast or the dessert party also....have not done a fireworks cruise, but, I would guess that would also be fun. I also agree with the poster who says the 40 extra points for an Epcot resort (either BCV or BWV) is worth it. When we plan a specific type of trip...for instance...mostly Food and Wine Festival activites....we will always stay at an Epcot area resort. Otherwise, sometimes it's long wait for a bus at the end of a long day..........

 

[Deb & Bill]

flower and garden festival starts in march. You might want to check that out. You'll have Flower Power concerts most nights (or at least on the weekends) at Epcot.

 

[sskem96]

I think what you decide to do depends entirely on her tastes. My favorite nighttime show is Wishes, so I would want either a Wishes fireworks cruise, dessert party, or to watch from TOTWL. I would also prefer DH to trat me to a mani pedi at home before the trip so the guy i like to do my nails could do it rather than have a spa treatment done by a stranger, but again that's all personal preference. DH's favorite park is AK, so he would want to take his friends there for the day, and then maybe have drinks poolside or at DTD.

Maybe since 1 in the group isn't a drinker, you could treat the group to something other than drinks in Epcot so 1 person isn't excluded. Everyone could pay for their own drinks that night, but you could treat them to breakfast at Boma or something like that. We went there for our 15th anniversary breakfast. It was quiet in the restaurant and you can watch the animals while you eat. Or you could pay for the dessert party or fireworks cruise if you decide to do something like that.

 

[momof2disprincesses]

What a wonderful husband you are!

I would enlist the help of the others coming along. You are covering their hotel room, maybe you could come up with an idea like this: suggest each couple plans one surprise for your wife. You could offer them some of the suggestions here and then they can decide if they want to do something expensive, cheap or even free!

A few years ago for my daughter's 12th birthday, we went to WDW with another family. I had planned surprised for her every hour on the hour of her actual birthday. Some were expensive (breakfast at the castle, horesback riding at Ft. Wilderness, dinner at Coral Reef, etc.) and some were cheap - ice cream, a picture frame gift, etc. Several things were totally free! I had made a video from her friends back home all wishing her a happy birthday and showed her that one hour. I had brought a big birthday card to church and had everyone sign it. I wrote her a sweet, heartfelt letter.

I also let her big sister (age 16 at the time) and the other couple each take 1 hour to plan. Her sister got her a gift and nice card. The other couple gave her a bunch of Disney trinkets (pins, small gifts, etc.).

We went from like 7am-midnight and she still talks about that birthday! It was such a fun and magical day!

I will also add that I spent my 40th alone with hubby at WDW and one of the things I remember most was breakfast at 1900 Park Fare and the Mad Hatter yelling out that I was "40!" He kept yelling it wherever he was in the restaurant. It was embarrassing but hilarious and a fun memory! We also did a couples massage at the Grand FL that day and dinner at California Grill. It was pretty much a perfect day!

 

[dallastxcpa]

How about a private viewing area of Illuminations in Epcot. You can have a custom menu of food, drinks, desserts, whatever you like. I wish I could tell you how to book but it has been 10 years since DH and I were married at WDW.

You really feel like a VIP when you walk into your roped off viewing area; past all the masses of people.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Does your wife enjoy animals? As in giraffe, elephants, lions, etc....

One of the greatest things we have done at WDW is a Savannah Excursion at the AK.

Their latest version is a trek and tour called Wild Africa Trek.

You go over a suspended, wooden bridge, you wear a harness and hang over the crocodiles and hippos, and then you board a safari truck and get an incredible tour through the savannas that is MUCH better than the "general" savanna tour. They pull off the trail, let you watch, give information about the animals, etc.... Then you get to enjoy an African snack in a gazebo in the middle of the savanna! That was amazing!

The entire time you have two guides with you: one who is narrating and answering questions, the other is taking photographs of the animals and of the people in your group with the animals in the background.

After your tour, about two weeks, you will receive in the mail a CD with about 100 photos from your safari (including some with you in them) and a set of the guides top animal photo pictures from past safaris.

DH and I did this for our 14th wedding anniversary and loved it! It's NOT cheap, but it is worth every single penny. I'm not sure when you're going, but they have a $50 off offer through 10/26/2013 according to their web site.

Whether you do it just the two of you or take the entire group... if your wife enjoys animals, I HIGHLY recommend this. Best thing we have done at WDW in four trips.

- Dreams

 

[DougandBeth]

Thank you all for such great recommendations! I am going to think about these and try to figure out what to do. Since we have been to Disney 14 times in 11 years we are going to try and do less "Disney" or character type things.

 

[butsy113]

If you are mainly doing EP I would definitely stay at BCV or better yet BWV, or stay at OKW and spend time at DTD. You could get tickets to La Nouba. Go to dinner before hand at DTD and then after the show the Westside is open late. Then an easy boat ride to OKW.

 

[old lady]

If your wife is child in heart like me, anyplace would do especially if it at Disney.

 

[wiigirl]

I think staying at an Epcot resort would be worth the extra points. You'd be stumbling distance back to your rooms, rather than have to wait on a bus. That's why we're staying at BWV for Food & Wine! And the walk is kind of romantic.

x2

 

[DougandBeth]

Yes indeed we are going to be staying at Boardwalk. I switched the reservations yesterday.

Thanks!

 

[the who #3]

i would treat everyone to the "wild animal trek" that starts at ak. we have done all the safaris and enjoyed that one the most. it is very special altho a bit pricey. well worth the money.

if you want a birthday cake, pat anderson at the grand floridian makes the most marvelous designs for special occasions. they deliver to the restaurants at the gf. have dinner at narcoossee's and have the cake delivered there. cost anywhere from 50 to 130. but very good and will last in the frig for a while.

dine in canada at the steak house. that is wonderful.
also, the california grill at the contemporary is fantastic, brian designs the cakes at the contemporary and is also great.

have fun!

 

[thepops]

Since you mentioned that "you're not 21" anymore, thought I'd give you a thought about drinking around the world. Pick 2 or 3 drinks (since you have a big group) at each country and have everyone sample them. That might keep you on your feet a little longer (and your wallet a little fatter for other fun things). You also might want to try Teppan Edo for dinner with that large a crowd. You should have a whole room to yourselves ( 2 grills and chefs). Maybe they will "duel" to see who can be a better chef!