Special treat for Mom and Daughter trip?

[aprilgail]

take a day and go to Discovery Cove- get a cabana and its the perfect day!

 

[MKCP5]

Well I haven't figured it all out yet but I have ordered a few things to make a little gift bag for the two of us, including matching sparkly minnie mouse T's on clearance at the the disney store, and beautiful castle mugs for our morning tea, also on clearance at the disney store, and brightly colored water bottles with our names on them in Disney typeset and her favorite character and mine on the back of them from Etsy. I'll supplement with a few sweet treats, some protein bars for the park, a mix cd (thatnks for the idea!!!) and some other inexpensive disney items from the dollar store. Even if I don't figure out a surprise for at the parks, it will be a fabulous trip and I am so blessed to be able to do this with my girl

 

[leebee]

I took my DD to WDW when she was college-aged a couple of times. We loved Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian. It's expensive, but really is enough to consider as an early supper... followed up by a late evening treat at a theme park (think sweet pretzels from Norway, or Mickey bars or something). Hmmm... I just checked the menu and it's changed a lot since we were last there, but I'd order the Bedfordshire Tea. Actually, the Afternoon Tea at the Beach Club looks like a lot of fun, too; in fact, I like the food offerings better at the Beach Club!

Behind the Seeds Tour? I always want to do Keys to the Kingdom, but I hate spending for the tour and a park ticket and missing out on those hours in the park. However, Behind the Seeds is affordable and doesn't take hours and hours. I have friends who took it and they said it was terrific!

One of my favorite experiences from DD's 21st birthday trip was just sitting out on the Boardwalk after Illuminations. We sat outside on the Boardwalk at these high tables w/chairs, drinking frozen drinks, relaxing, and watching all the night-time lights in the area, the Friendships cruising around, etc. It was so peaceful and relaxing. I know your DD can't yet enjoy adult beverages, but I think they served non-alcoholic frozen drinks, too. If you were to time this right, you might even be able to order a specialty cake from the Boardwalk Bakery to enjoy! The make a mini cake that is just the right size for two to share... see the Cake Chatter thread on the Restaurants board for info and ideas. OR go to Beaches and Cream after Illuminations and get sundaes to go; sit outside, relax, watch the Boardwalk area wind down... just so relaxing and peaceful!

I'm not sure what "breaking the bank" entails for you guys, but could you consider a dinner splurge at California Grill? (you have to eat supper anyhow) Try to get a later ADR so you can watch Wishes from the deck outside the restaurant. It's an amazing experience to watch those spectacular fireworks from the top of the Contemporary, and the food is pretty amazing, too!

 

[mommycrawford]

My first thought was afternoon tea, as suggested above. My second thought was booking dinner or Sunday brunch at Raglan Road (order as little or as much as you like...and there is festive entertainment & drinks.) Third thiought is Gospel brunch at the House of Blues (set price.) Last thought is buffet breakfast at AKL Boma, then go see the animals on the different savannahs.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I am taking a wonderful Mom and daughter trip with my college age daughter in May. It came together at the last minute and we are not normally people who are able to do something so special. I would like to surprise her with one special event while we are there, hopefully without completely breaking the bank. I have checked the dessert night at Tomorrowland for the fireworks--all booked, as well as the fireworks dessert cruise. We are staying off property and have a car if that helps. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

How about Cirque Du Soleil or Blue Man Group tickets?

 

[bryana]

My mom and I (I'm 26) did our first mom/daughter trip in 2013 and are doing it again this year. (We also did a girls trip with my aunt and cousins the following year.) We really enjoyes the Tea at Grand Floridaan. We also did the backstage tour of Animal Kingdom once and had a good time. I think that's the one that's called Backstage Tails or something now.

I'm trying to figure out something special for our trip this year as it will be for her birthday. Have a lot of ideas but haven't found that one thing that I've fallen in love with yet, so this thread is helpful for me as well!

 

[ryansstitch]

I am taking a wonderful Mom and daughter trip with my college age daughter in May. It came together at the last minute and we are not normally people who are able to do something so special. I would like to surprise her with one special event while we are there, hopefully without completely breaking the bank. I have checked the dessert night at Tomorrowland for the fireworks--all booked, as well as the fireworks dessert cruise. We are staying off property and have a car if that helps. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

How sweet! That's going to be fun no matter what you do. Have you all been to the Disney resorts much? My family really enjoys spending an evening at the Polynesian DH, DD, and I get a bunch of different appetizers at Kona, get an after dinner latte and just hang out on their beach, soaking up the atmosphere! We try to catch fireworks and the water parade. It's really a great time! And it just costs us the food. We have done the same at wilderness lodge. We love it, even when staying on site!

 

[MKCP5]

I took my DD to WDW when she was college-aged a couple of times. We loved Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian. It's expensive, but really is enough to consider as an early supper... followed up by a late evening treat at a theme park (think sweet pretzels from Norway, or Mickey bars or something). Hmmm... I just checked the menu and it's changed a lot since we were last there, but I'd order the Bedfordshire Tea. Actually, the Afternoon Tea at the Beach Club looks like a lot of fun, too; in fact, I like the food offerings better at the Beach Club!

Behind the Seeds Tour? I always want to do Keys to the Kingdom, but I hate spending for the tour and a park ticket and missing out on those hours in the park. However, Behind the Seeds is affordable and doesn't take hours and hours. I have friends who took it and they said it was terrific!

One of my favorite experiences from DD's 21st birthday trip was just sitting out on the Boardwalk after Illuminations. We sat outside on the Boardwalk at these high tables w/chairs, drinking frozen drinks, relaxing, and watching all the night-time lights in the area, the Friendships cruising around, etc. It was so peaceful and relaxing. I know your DD can't yet enjoy adult beverages, but I think they served non-alcoholic frozen drinks, too. If you were to time this right, you might even be able to order a specialty cake from the Boardwalk Bakery to enjoy! The make a mini cake that is just the right size for two to share... see the Cake Chatter thread on the Restaurants board for info and ideas. OR go to Beaches and Cream after Illuminations and get sundaes to go; sit outside, relax, watch the Boardwalk area wind down... just so relaxing and peaceful!

I'm not sure what "breaking the bank" entails for you guys, but could you consider a dinner splurge at California Grill? (you have to eat supper anyhow) Try to get a later ADR so you can watch Wishes from the deck outside the restaurant. It's an amazing experience to watch those spectacular fireworks from the top of the Contemporary, and the food is pretty amazing, too!

All great suggestions. I'm not sure what breaking the bank is either lol. If I find something I'm in love with I will definitely spring for it. We can't get in to Cali grill. I love that idea. Love the thought of a special cake and relaxing after illuminations. Will Check those out. Thank you!

 

[MKCP5]

How about Cirque Du Soleil or Blue Man Group tickets?

Cirque is closed while we are there. Blue man might be fun though! Will look into that Thanks!

 

[MKCP5]

How sweet! That's going to be fun no matter what you do. Have you all been to the Disney resorts much? My family really enjoys spending an evening at the Polynesian DH, DD, and I get a bunch of different appetizers at Kona, get an after dinner latte and just hang out on their beach, soaking up the atmosphere! We try to catch fireworks and the water parade. It's really a great time! And it just costs us the food. We have done the same at wilderness lodge. We love it, even when staying on site!

That's a good idea! We are staying offsite in timeshare. We have stayed onsite in earlier years. Haven't even been to Disney in quite a while. Can you see the fireworks well from the beach? What time would you recommend going over? Eat inside then come out?

 

[WiscMomof2]

These are some great ideas and I'm sure you'll have a blast whatever you decide! I leave tomorrow with my youngest to celebrate her 18th birthday and am just giddy with excitement. I did the same trip with my eldest a few years ago and we had such a great time. Have fun!

 

[Vernie822]

If you happen to go during food and wine, they have lots of budget-friendly special events such as the food and beverage demos. We did a wine demo (you can always do a food one if she is underage) for about $15/person!

Other suggestions..
Afternoon tea at Grand Floridian
Check out AKL, see some animals and do the 4 PM free culinary tour, finish the night with dinner at Sanaa, Boma or Jiko.
Dessert party
Kitchen Sink or sundaes at Beaches and Cream, spend some time at the boardwalk
Hoop de Doo (I always thought this sounded so much fun!)

 

[danygirl]

Did a trip with one of my college aged DD last year. We went to.Wild Florida and took an acrobat ride

 

[ryansstitch]

That's a good idea! We are staying offsite in timeshare. We have stayed onsite in earlier years. Haven't even been to Disney in quite a while. Can you see the fireworks well from the beach? What time would you recommend going over? Eat inside then come out?

We try to set the Kona adr for about 5:30. I think the timing for the water pageant and fireworks vary by season, but if you can get into dinner by 6:30, I think you'll have plenty of time. You can see the fireworks ok but we missed them our last poly visit, so not sure if the new bungalows impede on the view or not. If I recall, wilderness lodge may have been better. We could totally see from grand Floridian, but honestly, I think Kona is more fun than the grand Floridian cafe if you're into sampling appetizers. Whatever you do, enjoy! That's so exciting for you guys

 

[MKCP5]

Well I think I found my special surprise. It's not on property, but since we have a car we can go anywhere! We're going to Crystal Springs and swimming with the manatees!! My daughter loves them and will be thrilled! The price is very reasonable and we can go spend the day at the beach on the west coast afterwards.

I also made an ADR at be our guest for the day we are at the magic kingdom! We haven't been there so I am excited!

We get into Orlando quite early our first day so to get us in the mood for everything I think we will go to Disney springs for lunch or akl for lunch and to see if we can see some of the animals, maybe take the 4pm culinary tour which I would love to do as I am a personal chef and caterer. I am working on an adr our first day in Orlando for Kona so we can sit in the beach and watch the fireworks or if I can get one at Cali grill we will go there to watch them.

We haven't decided which other park we are going to for our second day but I will work on an adr for that as well when we decide.

I'm about halfway done with a surprise bag to give her when we get there that has a Disney water bottle, matching Minnie shirts, matching mugs for our morning tea, Disney beach towels and washcloths and other things we will need like sunscreen etc.
Clearly I am going overboard but I kinda don't care lol. Thank you all so much for your ideas! I am beyond thrilled to share this vacation with my daughter and am counting down the 16 days until we leave!!!

 

[McKelly]

How about a carriage ride through Port Orleans at night? Then take the boat to Disney Springs and dinnner at one of the multitude of dining options down there? And maybe a little shopping? You could a gift card to the gift bag.

 

[Drusilla]

What about Pick a Pearl in Epcot & have earring made?

During our last trip August 2015, Pick a Pearl said they didn't make earrings anymore. My dd and I are going in June 2016. Does anyone know if they started making earrings from the pearls again?

 

[Hikergirl]

I'm a little more inclined towards that one, but right now it's fully booked. I'll keep trying though

They have same day reservations now so you can book it the day you are there.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

This is at Universal's City Walk, but Rising Star Karaoke is 18+ on Sunday nights-Thursday nights. They have backup singers and drums and stuff. It's nice b/c I got to do karaoke and I think they actually turned off my mic. That would be so fun.

Pat O Brien's is also not 21+ until after 9pm. So you guys could go to Pat O Brien's dueling pianos and then hop to Rising Star and watch karaoke.

That sounds like great fun to me, but I'm not sure your personality types.

Watching fireworks from the Poly beach is nice too.

 

[babynme8]

Tea at GF is on my bucket list. We loved doing pick a pearl at Epcot and now it's my daughters "thing" we always try to find a place like this on vacation. We got a beautiful purple pearl in St.Augustine last March.

PS I repurchased a Cinderella Carriage pearl cage before our trip to save a few $$