OMG - Ruined birthday! I need advice!

[ldietiker]

Help!

Today is my son's 8th birthday and tomorrow we go to DL for our first DVC trip ever. We awoke this morning to a series of phone calls in which 80% of his friends could not attend his birthday party due to a stomach flu that hit his school. (And we only invited 10 kids!) So, he had a party with just 2 of his friends and his 5-year old brother. My son maintained really good spirits, though, in spite of this. I was very proud.

To remedy this, I called upon many of our family friends with kids to meet us tonight at my son's favorite restaurant for an impromptu party. And then, 2 hours before the dinner, his brother started vomiting. (Of course!) Apparently, we're all marked!

So - the tough upper lip is now gone, and my son has repeatedly dissolved into tears. I know these things happen, and I've assured him that we'll just have a different birthday celebration at DL - and of course, that would be a lot more fun and exciting!! He's a bit apprehensive of getting his hopes up, and how can I blame him?

So - what I need is some advice about what we could do at some point of our trip to make his "new birthday" extra special (we'll be staying at VGC from 12/19 - 12/24). I'm looking for ideas that would probably attract an 8 year old. I haven't been to DL in many years (and this was pre-children, which changes everything) and while I remember the rides, I don't remember anything particular about restaurants or special events that help to celebrate a birthday.

I'll be able to check the internet when we arrive in the hotel tomorrow night, so I'm really hoping I could get a lot of ideas in the next 24 hours!

Thank you so much!!! And wish us luck! (My current hope is that all of us get it tonight, because it appears to pass quickly and then we'll be able to rest and sleep on the plane without occasion!)

 

[JH87]

Definitely get him a Birthday pin. EVERYONE, and I mean everyone, will wish him a happy bday when they see it. All the CMs are great about recognizing the pins. He will get tons of extra attention for sure. I have also heard that many restaurants will give you a free dessert when you have the pin and you let them know it's your bday.
The pins are at City Hall and I think many gift shops have them as well.

Good luck and I hope everything turns out great for your family!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Ugh, stomach flu! Maybe you will luck out though and the rest of you won't get it at all. That's the way it went for us the last time my youngest got it.

Special stuff for a birthday at Disneyland...make sure your son get's a birthday button (and that both your kids get first time buttons). They have these free for the asking at tons of places including City Hall, Guest Relations, restaurants, stores, probably the hotel/DVC check-in even.

If your son wears the birthday button, he will get happy birthday wishes from many cast members. He can also get some free tortillas if he wears the button while visiting the tortilla factory in DCA. Also, he can wear the birthday button any/all days that you are there; it doesn't just have to be his real birthday.

My kids really enjoy character meals. Just remember, they're not about the food, but about the "experience". DH and I still wonder every time why we just spent that much money, but the boys usually have a blast, and that's what it's about really. We don't do it very often, but a special occasion is definitely a good reason. My boys love Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. It has been temporarily relocated to the ballroom there, so I don't know what the experience is like right now. My brother took his daughter to Minnie's breakfast at Plaza Inn in Disneyland park a few months ago, and they loved that for the sheer number of characters and the quality of the interactions.

Many restaurants are willing to bring out a free small treat and sing a birthday song if you mention that you're celebrating, so if your son likes that kind of attention that's an option.

My older son collects Mickey ears. He has one pair that is specially decorated for a birthday. There are other kinds of birthday souvenirs available in the stores as well if Mickey ears aren't your boy's thing.

Really, all this stuff is just icing on the cake as far as my kids are concerned. Being at Disneyland is enough. I hope your son has a great time when he gets there. Wishing you good health.

 

[nana50]

Were you planning on having the party with all his friends at Disneyland? If so they ought to be better before the 24th. If not, wait until you return and do it then. So sorry. It is hard for a grown-up to handle that much disappointment, but for a kid.

 

[ACDSNY]

If he has some b-day money to spend the Ridemakerz store is really cool for boys. They build their own car.

 

[Susie63]

My dd's 8th bday two years ago ended up with the same problem...except no one came. She was stoic but I was heartbroken for her.We ended up going on a shopping spree instead. This year we offered her a bday party or a shopping spree at at Toys r us instead. She chose the shopping spree. It cost way less than a party even though she spent $150. It might not be the solution for you but she spent almost two hours choosing her gifts and she was thrilled. Ridemakerz or the Lego store would be a great idea if you have the cash.

 

[taaren]

Probably not the same bug given the distance, but my DS4 had a 24 hour type stomach flu a few days ago. There's been a lot of them flying around lately, so with any luck your younger son will only be sick for a few hours. I'd recommend a character meal/interaction just make sure the staff knows its his bday so mickey or whoever can make a fuss over him, kids love that. And it might not be too late to order a cake ...
(Agree w above suggestions of lego store, just didn't want to be redundant.)

 

[katesorad]

Call the resort and arrange to have a special gift basket put in the room for him upon your arrival! Have them include balloons, hot chocolate with marshmallows, a special birthday cupcake just for him, and of course some toys! He will adore this. Also, make sure to get him a birthday pin! Everyone will wish him a happy birthday.. and if you go to DCA and tour the tortilla factory and the bread factory, he'll get a free Mickey shaped bread and some free tortillas with his pin on!

If $ allows it, give him a few dollars to take to whatever store of his choice at the resort! And surprise him with a few little things throughout the trip! There are a lot of smaller items under $10 in all of the stores throughout the parks. Just excuse yourself to the bathroom, and come back with a small toy for him.. he will adore it!

Also, take advantage of character meals! I always loved doing character breakfasts as a kid.. and I still do as an adult!

But overall.. remember.. he's going to DISNEYLAND! He is going to be one happy camper no matter what happens

 

[Cagirl767]

There's the birthday party at the Plaza Inn, I don't know if 8 would be too old, maybe someone here could chime in? And do they still have the birthday buckets around?

Maybe you could run into a nearby grocery store before check-in and get a birthday cake and balloons, streamers, and decorate your hotel room ahead of your family walking into the room. Put a special gift on DS' pillow. The grocery stores in the area that will have cakes: Ralph's, Vons, Albertsons.

As katesorad mentioned, I think she's referring to the Disney Dream Makers, and I believe they requrie a 72 hour notice. But it's worth a try. They can do cakes, baskets, etc. to your Disney property hotel or good neighbor hotel

Or get him a Disney gift card or Disney Dollars (available at City Hall) that he can spend in the park on whatever he wants.

Ask to ride at the front of the Monorail with the driver. Ask at the Main Street train station to ride the tender on the Lilly Belle. Ask on the Mark Twain ship if DS can ride in the wheelhouse with the captain. These are common requests that are typically honored, but depending on crowd levels.

They also sell these huge birthday hats in the park that have birthday candles on top (around $25), everyone would be sure to notice him in that! There's also very cool face painting.

Good luck! We're just about in your same boat, I can comiserate!

 

[shamrockshake]

Sorry about your son. Agree with previous posts. Ds just made his own remote control car. It is like build a bear for boys. Located in downtown disney. A fairly recent item, that my 5 and 8 year love, is the bubble gun. Ten bucks, including bubbles. Bubble refills are one dollar. Very cool item.


Have a wonderful trip!

 

[ldietiker]

What do you know? Our plane has wireless!

I really appreciate all the advice. I never knew about the pins and that will definitely be my plan! He'll love DL anyway (despite the rain - at least it's not sleet!), but I wanted a chance to make one day his special day. A day that says that he is the star. Yesterday definitely was not it!

I'm going to also look into Goof's Kitchen. I had never heard of it. And he will love the car making!

We've been to WDW several times in the last 3 years, so many of the things that makes DL different will be fun and interesting.

Keep the ideas coming -- they have been very helpful. I was wondering if DL has the jedi training in the rain? He might enjoy that... he's seen it before in Orlando and hasn't had the courage to go up on stage. However, this trip might be different, especially with his special birthday pin.

Thanks again!

 

[smile4stamps]

What do you know? Our plane has wireless!

I really appreciate all the advice. I never knew about the pins and that will definitely be my plan! He'll love DL anyway (despite the rain - at least it's not sleet!), but I wanted a chance to make one day his special day. A day that says that he is the star. Yesterday definitely was not it!

I'm going to also look into Goof's Kitchen. I had never heard of it. And he will love the car making!

We've been to WDW several times in the last 3 years, so many of the things that makes DL different will be fun and interesting.

Keep the ideas coming -- they have been very helpful. I was wondering if DL has the jedi training in the rain? He might enjoy that... he's seen it before in Orlando and hasn't had the courage to go up on stage. However, this trip might be different, especially with his special birthday pin.

Thanks again!

They DO NOT do the Jedi Training Acedamy in the rain. The stage is too slippery. Instead they do meet & greets with a few of the Star Wars Characters.

 

[dclfun]

I don't have any suggestions as I've only been to DL four times and not since 2005. I just wanted to say that I hope he has a wonderful trip. He's so brave being only 8 years old and having so many disappointments on his birthday. I hate that darned stomach flu. It's so contagious and my four kids always ALL got it one after the other about 3 days apart. At least it's over quickly but what a miserable time. I'm praying that the rest of your family stays healthy and that your little guy has a really magical trip!---Kathy

 

[starry_solo]

I hope your son's birthday went well. The weather (rain) is supposed to let up on Thursday (finally) but there are lots of things to do at DLR in the rain - especially because us So.Cal. people don't like it so much we get out of it.

You should find that the crowds are minimal. Some rides aren't open, but the ones that are open are fun.

You should still be able to do some character meet & greets (the lines won't be as long) too!

Enjoy!

 

[ldietiker]

Thanks again for all the advice. This board is so great! My son got his button as soon as we entered VGC and you were right -- so many different cast members went out of their way to make his day special.

The rain turned out to be fortunate - we walked onto almost every ride! This allowed him to test lots of new rides he has never seen before (we typically head to WDW).

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Thanks again for all the advice. This board is so great! My son got his button as soon as we entered VGC and you were right -- so many different cast members went out of their way to make his day special.

The rain turned out to be fortunate - we walked onto almost every ride! This allowed him to test lots of new rides he has never seen before (we typically head to WDW).

Glad you had a good time.