Special treat for Mom and Daughter trip?

MKCP5

DIS Veteran
Joined
Apr 20, 2005
Messages
2,137
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! :)
 
I just read a post that mentioned cabana rentals at Grand Floridian. Can't remember if they are located near the beach or the pool. Also not sure if this is only available to guests at THAT resort but the price seemed pretty resonable for what's included.
 
That looks great but I just checked and you have to be staying at the hotel. thanks for the thought though!
 
First of all.... you will have a great time! I've taken both of my kids to Disney as a Mother/Child trip.... twice with DD, once with DS. It is SPECIAL just to be there, JUST the two of you! How about a character meal together? It would cost more than a QS meal, but you do have to eat, right? And then, during that meal, be SURE to get lots of fun pictures of the TWO of you with the characters! Or if you don't usually splurge on Photopass (or whatever they are calling it now), how about that? My pictures from my trips are WITHOUT A DOUBT my most treasured souvenirs from those trips! It shows us relaxed and laughing and truly enjoying being together!

The other thing that DD and I do for every trip now is to make a CD of music to listen to (we always rent a car, even when we stay on property.... I'm too impatient to wait for Disney buses) and those songs are just SO SPECIAL now! Our first of the morning "on-the-way-to-the parks" song is "Here comes the sun" by the Beatles (we always arrive for rope drop, so it is usually pretty early when we are driving).... and then we have a few other songs that we listen to as we drive between parks or as we are driving from the airport to the resort.... and now that is literally the SOUNDTRACK of our trips! DD made me a video from our last trip using video clips she had taken during the trip without my knowledge (she is pretty stealthy with her Iphone) and that music.... I cry every time I watch it!!

Have a wonderful trip, no matter what you do!..............P
 

Trips with your older kids are the best. I'm taking my 20 year old son to Disneyland in January. Do something special if you want -- I'm not meaning to be a scrooge or anything, but FYI -- For us the parks themselves are fun and special and I've personally thought most of the other extras that I have tried before were over priced and not worth the money. But maybe that is just my bean counter personality coming through. The wonder and awe we feel as adults comes from just being at the place and going to the parks. // For DS in more recent years extras we did because of his interest were not at Disney, but offsite (and we did these when we weren't doing a park day) -- The Titanic attraction because he is interested in Titanic history -- The Orlando Eye and Madame Tussauds because he loves these kinds of things and had done them in a study abroad program in London and wanted to do a compare and contrast. But actually those really aren't the kind of extras you are talking about I'm guessing. They are just mini offsite attractions that DS really wanted to do.
 
For that age I would pick a spa day at the four Seasons. You get pool access with certain treatments. It would be an amazing day!
 
What about kicking the trip off with tea at the Grand Floridian?
Or dessert and coffee somewhere?
Beaches and Cream for an ice cream meal?
I also like the character meal suggestion above :)

You could give her a fun present too. You could surprise her with matching shirts, lol, or matching tiaras (you can buy them there, or save some money and purchase from Amazon or ebay). Just something silly and fun.
 
My mother and I took a special mother/daughter trip last year for spring break and it was a blast! We both enjoy the World Showcase, so we planned a special night there. We had a dinner at Le Cellier, afterwards walked around the world showcase and had ice cream in France, then scored some pretty good spots for the fireworks. I know this doesn't sound too budget friendly, but this was our big splurge for the 5 days we were staying there.

I would definitely recommend this as a good plan for time with a college age daughter:)
 
I second a late lunch at Beaches and Cream.
An idea: feel free to ignore
Make advanced Dining Reservation.
Go to the dollar store before your trip. Buy two ice-cream scoops.(Bright and colorful ones) tie curling ribbons on them and attach a gift tag or coupon.Set it out the night before on your room night table.

Hugs Mel
example of a coupon
let me know if you want a personalized one

amandaandmom7_zps9zhcsweh.jpg

bandc_zpsi5qky8pa.jpg
 
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First of all.... you will have a great time! I've taken both of my kids to Disney as a Mother/Child trip.... twice with DD, once with DS. It is SPECIAL just to be there, JUST the two of you! How about a character meal together? It would cost more than a QS meal, but you do have to eat, right? And then, during that meal, be SURE to get lots of fun pictures of the TWO of you with the characters! Or if you don't usually splurge on Photopass (or whatever they are calling it now), how about that? My pictures from my trips are WITHOUT A DOUBT my most treasured souvenirs from those trips! It shows us relaxed and laughing and truly enjoying being together!

The other thing that DD and I do for every trip now is to make a CD of music to listen to (we always rent a car, even when we stay on property.... I'm too impatient to wait for Disney buses) and those songs are just SO SPECIAL now! Our first of the morning "on-the-way-to-the parks" song is "Here comes the sun" by the Beatles (we always arrive for rope drop, so it is usually pretty early when we are driving).... and then we have a few other songs that we listen to as we drive between parks or as we are driving from the airport to the resort.... and now that is literally the SOUNDTRACK of our trips! DD made me a video from our last trip using video clips she had taken during the trip without my knowledge (she is pretty stealthy with her Iphone) and that music.... I cry every time I watch it!!

Have a wonderful trip, no matter what you do!..............P

Thank you! I am excited. The mix cd is a great idea we both look forward to music together and introducing each other to new music. I love the photopass idea. That may be what I do. Thanks so much for your suggestions!
 
Thank you all for the suggestions and keep them coming! I like the idea of a dessert/fireworks buffett but they haven't gotten great reviews so I am not sure. Plus my daughter will be just shy of 21 so she will not be able to have champagne, etc and i'm choking a little on $50pp for dessert and to stand up at the table the whole time. I'm not cheap, but that's a little rough.
Pick a pearl and beaches and cream are good ideas! Thank you all for your thoughts. I appreciate it!
 
I second a late lunch at Beaches and Cream.
An idea: feel free to ignore
Make advanced Dining Reservation.
Go to the dollar store before your trip. Buy two ice-cream scoops.(Bright and colorful ones) tie curling ribbons on them and attach a gift tag or coupon.Set it out the night before on your room night table.

Hugs Mel
example of a coupon
let me know if you want a personalized one

amandaandmom7_zps9zhcsweh.jpg

bandc_zpsi5qky8pa.jpg
[/you're so sweet! thank you! if we end up doing this I will be in touch!QUOTE]
 
Thank you all for the suggestions and keep them coming! I like the idea of a dessert/fireworks buffett but they haven't gotten great reviews so I am not sure. Plus my daughter will be just shy of 21 so she will not be able to have champagne, etc and i'm choking a little on $50pp for dessert and to stand up at the table the whole time. I'm not cheap, but that's a little rough.
Pick a pearl and beaches and cream are good ideas! Thank you all for your thoughts. I appreciate it!

No worries about appearing cheap! Everyone is on a different budget. I AM cheap plus I am always on a tight budget.... usually the trip itself (usually no more than 4 days) is the treat! Photopass is my big splurge.... but I am doing a trip in September to DL with DD (it is a side trip combined with a professional conference that we gave her tix to for Christmas) and am trying to contemplate doing something extra special during that trip (I'll say no more as DD is a member of these boards plus it may not happen due to budget constraints).

Love all of the suggestions you are getting!.........P
 
Thank you all for the suggestions and keep them coming! I like the idea of a dessert/fireworks buffett but they haven't gotten great reviews so I am not sure. Plus my daughter will be just shy of 21 so she will not be able to have champagne, etc and i'm choking a little on $50pp for dessert and to stand up at the table the whole time. I'm not cheap, but that's a little rough.
Pick a pearl and beaches and cream are good ideas! Thank you all for your thoughts. I appreciate it!

It's probably changed, but when we went in 2012 for the Wishes dessert buffet, it was really nice. Lots of yummy chocolate covered strawberries
 
It's probably changed, but when we went in 2012 for the Wishes dessert buffet, it was really nice. Lots of yummy chocolate covered strawberries
I'm a little more inclined towards that one, but right now it's fully booked. I'll keep trying though
 












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