Special mommy-daughter thing?

[sukhakuli]

We're taking the kids in September. My second daughter will be 7, and I'd like to do a girly mommy daughter thing together. She's going to outgrow that stuff really soon, so time is running out for me to do this stuff with my youngest daughter.

She likes dress up and girly things, but she's not really into the characters. We go to Disneyland a lot, so maybe that's why. We have fun at character meals, but it's not like meeting them is amazing for her or anything. She knows they are nice people dressed up like Disney characters, but not actually Cinderella.

I was thinking about doing the Perfectly Princess Tea thing at the Grand Floridian. She would enjoy the tea and all the junk they will give her. But she's not Aurora crazy, and chatting with her isn't going to be a big deal to her. I think she would prefer the Wonderland Tea Party because of the cupcake decorating and crafts, but it's just for kids and not for mommy's and daughters. I know she's not interested in the Bippity Boppity Boutique because she has seen other little girls dressed up and we asked her if she wanted to do it and she looked at me like I was crazy, lol. But she loves face painting, so go figure.

Is there anything else that we could do? We haven't been to WDW since 2011 and things change.

 

[wishing4PA]

We're taking the kids in September. My second daughter will be 7, and I'd like to do a girly mommy daughter thing together. She's going to outgrow that stuff really soon, so time is running out for me to do this stuff with my youngest daughter.

She likes dress up and girly things, but she's not really into the characters. We go to Disneyland a lot, so maybe that's why. We have fun at character meals, but it's not like meeting them is amazing for her or anything. She knows they are nice people dressed up like Disney characters, but not actually Cinderella.

I was thinking about doing the Perfectly Princess Tea thing at the Grand Floridian. She would enjoy the tea and all the junk they will give her. But she's not Aurora crazy, and chatting with her isn't going to be a big deal to her. I think she would prefer the Wonderland Tea Party because of the cupcake decorating and crafts, but it's just for kids and not for mommy's and daughters. I know she's not interested in the Bippity Boppity Boutique because she has seen other little girls dressed up and we asked her if she wanted to do it and she looked at me like I was crazy, lol. But she loves face painting, so go figure.

Is there anything else that we could do? We haven't been to WDW since 2011 and things change.

Why not just have afternoon tea at the tea room? DD and I first did that when she was 4, and she was a little squirmy for the somewhat grown up setting, but managed to behave pretty well otherwise, and it was a highlight of the trip for her. We pretty much skipped lunch and dinner that day and snacked when we were hungry but otherwise the tea sandwiches served as our lunch/dinner meal. Oh, and since we weren't staying at the GF, we took the boat over, which was kind of special too.

We went back later when she was a little older, and she still enjoyed it, without any squirminess.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Maybe consider Pirate's League? It's very similar to the BBB except you can dress up as a pirate, and face paint is involved. Also consider the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party. It's not very girly or princess-y but I think it would be really special with just the two of you!

 

[Jrits]

Maybe pick a pearl at Japan in epcot

 

[pampam]

I second the afternoon tea at GF as well. DD and I did that 2 years ago and it was lovely. We dressed up, me in a dress and DD in a Cinderella ball gown. Other ladies there were wearing hats, but dressing up really is optional. The tea and sandwiches were nice, but the dessert trays were worth taking a picture of. It was not rushed, we just enjoyed the quiet time together. It sounds like something your young lady might enjoy.

 

[leebee]

I second the afternoon tea at GF as well. DD and I did that 2 years ago and it was lovely. We dressed up, me in a dress and DD in a Cinderella ball gown. Other ladies there were wearing hats, but dressing up really is optional. The tea and sandwiches were nice, but the dessert trays were worth taking a picture of. It was not rushed, we just enjoyed the quiet time together. It sounds like something your young lady might enjoy.

This is my recommendation as well. DD and I have done it several times over the years, and it's so much fun! It's a little pricey (what isn't in Disney? ) but SO worth it! We have never dressed up to attend, but some people do- but mostly it seems to be folks taking a quiet, elegant break from the madness of the parks. If you are driving to WDW or have the luggage space, I think it'd be fun to make tea party hats before your trip, then wear them to the GF for tea. The Grand Floridian is elegant and the tea room is beautiful. There's no character hype or activity at all. It's just a lovely, peaceful, grown-up thing for a mommy and daughter to do.

 

[mom2rtk]

Pirate's League and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique are really things that SHE does that you WATCH.

If you want to do something together, I second (or third?) the GF Tea. Or maybe eating at CRT? I know you said she's not that excited about characters, but it is pretty cool eating in the castle, especially if you are used to DL where the castle is so small.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I second the afternoon tea at GF as well. DD and I did that 2 years ago and it was lovely. We dressed up, me in a dress and DD in a Cinderella ball gown. Other ladies there were wearing hats, but dressing up really is optional. The tea and sandwiches were nice, but the dessert trays were worth taking a picture of. It was not rushed, we just enjoyed the quiet time together. It sounds like something your young lady might enjoy.

A good review here from Kenny......

http://www.kennythepirate.com/2014/09/21/my-disney-girls-perfectly-princess-tea-party/

 

[JZCubed]

Time together is what the OP seemingly wants.

I never knew about Tea at Grand Floridian, I thought that was a Character thing. My wife & daughter would love that.

There is always shopping at newly redesigned Trendy in Downtown Disney. A section with clothes, a section with handbags, a section with make-up. There is a great outlet, outside of, yet nearby to Disney too.

There are plenty of spas throughout Disney. My wife & daughter already do this - no massage or treatments for a 5 y.o. - just their paws and claws. We trade for this one - I get a beer and nachos for one game at ESPN.

There are always walking on to the 'guy side' like renting a motor boat at Deluxe Resort. Or maybe Mom is or wants to be a great driver and y'all can do Rick Mears Driving School (think of it as Test Track+ or even Double+).

I liked the idea of the Dessert Party as being non-sexist. But I also like the idea of decorating a cupcake, even without Parents being able to join. We use these junk food moments as teaching moments for finding balance with whole foods. For the record, I did the decorate cookie thing with my child's kindergarten class.

You can order a chocolate slipper for a meal at Cinderella's Castle. Maybe other Disser's know about other add-on desserts.

You can have a basket in your room when you arrive at your room or any other of these types of special arrangements throughout your stay. Gift baskets include anything from food, to towels, to balloons, to keepsakes.

You can teach your child the finer points of swirling the olives ever so gently in your second Martini and that these taste best from a lounge chair near the pool bar (I would venture a guess this is a reason kids love the hotel swimming pool - because Parents are happiest here too). For the record, I prefer a little umbrella or a salty rim to olives in my cocktail.

I would love to tell you anything that would make a moment with your child more magical, but simply being with your child and trying to think about how to capture a special moment leads me to believe that the magic is already there.

 

[ruthies12]

I am planning a trip for my dd's 7th bday which is also my bday and we are going to wear matching tiaras. But my dd really gets into that sort of thing.

We've done the dessert party and it is awesome.

I haven't done pirates league but my understanding is that adults can do it also so that would be something you could do together. And they have a mermaid option if you think your daughter would like that over a pirate look.

We've done the pick a pearl in japan and it was really neat. We ended up with different colored pearls that we had put in the same settings so we now have matching pearl necklaces but with different colored pearls.

 

[bookgirl]

We're taking the kids in September. My second daughter will be 7, and I'd like to do a girly mommy daughter thing together. She's going to outgrow that stuff really soon, so time is running out for me to do this stuff with my youngest daughter.

She likes dress up and girly things, but she's not really into the characters. We go to Disneyland a lot, so maybe that's why. We have fun at character meals, but it's not like meeting them is amazing for her or anything. She knows they are nice people dressed up like Disney characters, but not actually Cinderella.

I was thinking about doing the Perfectly Princess Tea thing at the Grand Floridian. She would enjoy the tea and all the junk they will give her. But she's not Aurora crazy, and chatting with her isn't going to be a big deal to her. I think she would prefer the Wonderland Tea Party because of the cupcake decorating and crafts, but it's just for kids and not for mommy's and daughters. I know she's not interested in the Bippity Boppity Boutique because she has seen other little girls dressed up and we asked her if she wanted to do it and she looked at me like I was crazy, lol. But she loves face painting, so go figure.

Is there anything else that we could do? We haven't been to WDW since 2011 and things change.

The Pirate experience at MK has an option for girls and adults can do it as well. They paint your face like a pirate (pink and glitter for the girls) then you get a bandana and a sword and you get a pirate name.

 

[J and R's mom]

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[sukhakuli]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I'm not sure I just want to eat out, I guess I was hoping there is some sort of event thing we could do together, that is unique to Disney World. I was reading about the Perfectly Princess Tea thing, that Aurora spends a lot of time with each girl, so I wonder if I could bring a little craft for them to do together, which would be a nice keepsake for her, and she loves making stuff.

I wish you could do the Wonderland Tea Party with your kids because I think that is more up her alley.

What about the dolphin experiences? What are the ages for that? Although we could do it at Sea World San Diego any time we want...

Do they still have that Magic Kingdom scavenger hunt tour? It's not girly, but it could be something special we do together.

Maybe pick a pearl at Japan in epcot

I'm doing this with the 3 older kids at Japan. It is a fun experience! From my perspective, it's really cheesey and kind of a waste of time and money, and kind of yucky, but the kids get so excited that I get excited. So, I'm looking forward to it!

 

[wishing4PA]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I'm not sure I just want to eat out, I guess I was hoping there is some sort of event thing we could do together, that is unique to Disney World. I was reading about the Perfectly Princess Tea thing, that Aurora spends a lot of time with each girl, so I wonder if I could bring a little craft for them to do together, which would be a nice keepsake for her, and she loves making stuff.

I wish you could do the Wonderland Tea Party with your kids because I think that is more up her alley.

What about the dolphin experiences? What are the ages for that? Although we could do it at Sea World San Diego any time we want...

Do they still have that Magic Kingdom scavenger hunt tour? It's not girly, but it could be something special we do together.

I don't know about the dolphins or scavenger hunt, but did you consider the carriage rides at POR or FW? Obviously that isn't unique to Disney, but if she hasn't done anything like that it could be fun.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/trailride.htm

 

[1971DBday]

What about the dolphin experiences? What are the ages for that?

The age is 13 or 14 ( I believe 14). Even though my daughter loved it there is a lot of dolphin sex talk since they are very sexual creatures. I wish I had known this before sending her with her Dad - uncomfortable.

 

[mouselike-harrier]

What about the 2 of you going shopping together at DD? Even though my daughter is now 14, she still loves shopping with me at Trend D and now the marketplace shops. We also get silly together while we shop and she always remembers that!

 

[laughinplace199]

Have you looked into the Family Magic Tour? We did it years ago with a 6 & 4 year old and it was great - a lot of fun for the under 10 crowd! We're thinking of doing it again this summer since DS8 didn't even exist when the older two did it.

The parents participate too, so you have to be ok with acting a little silly. My kids loved seeing their dad being silly (I guess I'm always a bit goofy so they weren't as impressed with me).

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

M daughter and I did tea at the GF one afternoon. We'd had lunch in the park so we didnt treat this as a full meal,,,,We ordered a la cart and it was about $25-30. It was great! We walked around the GF and listened to the piano and had tea.

We also have done the carriage ride at Port Orleans. It was $40. It was also great and would make a great Mother / Daughter experience. It lasts about 25 mins

Also consider the "Fireworks Desert Party" on the Tomorrow land Terrace at MK. It is about $25 for adults and $14 for kids. We have never done this and I hear its hard to get reservations, but its worth a try.

Have fun!!!

 

[sukhakuli]

Those carriage rides are an excellent idea. Maybe we'll get dressed up, have a snack or lunch together and do a carriage ride. I think she'd really enjoy that.

I'm still piecing our trip together, obviously, but I was planning on the pirates and pals fireworks cruise for all of us, the pirate adventure cruise for the middle 2, and pick a pearl for the older 3 kids and I. I was also thinking about doing the behind the seeds with my oldest daughter and I. We'll do a thrill ride morning with my oldest son and dad, and probably a run to T-rex at some point for the family. We're trying to do a mix of special experiences with each of the kids, and special experiences for the whole family. We're planning on 10-12 days, so we have plenty of time.

 

[RustManFan]

You could take a carriage ride at POR or that kind of thing. Or a behind the scenes tour