Recommendations appreciated - son turning 8 while at WDW

[MrsMinease]

I know there are a million options for special events at WDW, but given it's been 2 years since our last trip I wanted to reach out for recommendations...

DS is turning 8 during our upcoming trip. We'll be staying onsite and have park hoppers so we're up for just about anything. What kinds of extra events would you consider to celebrate a birthday in style at the parks? We're ok with the ones that are an extra cost as well... I just want to make his day as magical as possible!

 

[roseaster]

We were there for my son's 7th birthday. We aren't super fancy, but he did Pirate's League (he was really into pirates then) and let him pick where he wanted to have dinner (Ohana) and we ordered a special cake decorated with Buzz Lightyear (his favorite character) to be delivered to the restaurant.

 

[TeamH5]

When we did my sons bday (5) we did it all. lol we did Pirates league(which he ended up not being into), we did a Pirates N Pal cruise and he got to be Peter Pan's special helper. We did numerous character meals.. Everywhere we went and ate we made sure to tell them it was his Birthday, all the Characters gave more attention, he got a huge bday card at CP signed by all the Characters, and another in our room at AoA.
The trip was specifically for HIS Birthday though so we made a big fuss over it.

 

[jacknsally19]

I really like both the Pirates n Pal cruise & Pirates League. Both are a lot of fun and I think worth the cost.

 

[msmama]

Star Wars dessert party!!

Also ask him what he wants. My son chose to celebrate his 5th birthday with dinner at earl of sandwich and a cake in the room (I arranged to get it from the food court at POFQ). Way more low key then I would've guessed.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would ask your DS what he is most interested in. Does he like pirates? You could do Pirate's League, the pirate adventure in MK and a Pirates and Pals cruise. There are also kid-only pirate excursions from several resorts (YC, GF, etc.)

Does he like Star Wars? He could do Jedi Training and the Star Wars dessert party in DHS.

Dinosaurs? Visit AK followed by dinner at TRex at DS.

If you give us some examples of things he's most interested in, we could probably give you some more specific ideas.

 

[MrsMinease]

DS is really an easy going guy... he likes pirates and Star Wars, but is really the kind of kid who's up for any kind of fun. He's done Jedi Training, but would probably enjoy any of those types of activities.

 

[Julylady]

Decorate your hotel room up big! Take A trip to Party City and/or Dollar Store before you leave. We bought two large birthday gift bags that I cut up to make flat posters. I also bought a bunch of streamers that we hung from the ceiling, a centerpiece for the dresser. I opened everything at home and discarded the packaging. I packed blue painters tape to hang everything and a small scissors. We decorated the room after the birthday girl went to sleep.

 

[squirrel]

I would do a special dinner like a character meal or HDDR. You could always skip lunch and order the kitchen sink (I'm sure that would be fun to see his face).

 

[Bluegrrl]

He is a "man" too, why not a trip to harmony barber shop? If you can't get a reservation, they also take walk-ins. Just get there ASAP.

I second, third and forth Hoop de do. They make a big deal with birthdays, with a bit of a song and dance segment for birthdays and anniversaries.

 

[1tiredmema]

Bring decorations and decorate the room while he sleeps! You can also bring gifts from home that can be laid out on his bed before he wakes from his favorite character. We did this in 2009 for our then 5yo DD with a card and dress from Princess Tiana. DD no longer believes in the tooth fairy or Santa but she believes that the dress and card were from and delivered by Princess Tiana. She says because Disney is the most magical place! ANYTHING can happen!!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Our oldest DD has had 4 birthdays at Disney (just because it's our preferred time to travel). She's pretty low maintenance though and we just let her choose our TS dinner that day.

 

[kayak32]

Make sure the CM that checks you in gives him a birthday pin. Many caste members will say happy birthday as he goes through ride lines, we were given an abudance of mickey straws and desserts as well.