Suggestions for 2 yr olds B-day at WDW

[Sam'sMom0126]

Hi All-

I'm hoping for some suggestions on where we can celebrate my DS's b-day while we are at WDW. He'll be turning 2 while we are there and I want to do something special that he'll really like. I know the birthday is more for me than him but what can you do? Any suggestions are welcome! Thanks in advance.

 

[lighttech]

Can you post back with some of the things he really likes? There's so much to do at WDW, and its all magical for kids... its hard to narrow down w/o some specifics.

But, definitely make sure to get him a "birthday button." You can go to the town hall at MK, and they'll give him a pin that says its his birthday. Its a nice little (free) souvenier, and he'll get extra attention from the cast members. I'm pretty sure if you are staying on site, you can order cakes and balloons from the resort too. (Have them delivered to the room, etc.)

We took my DS last November, and he was 2.5. His favorites were the character meals b/c he got to interact on a one on one basis w/ some of his "friends."

 

[Sam'sMom0126]

He is really into Playhouse Disney so I was thinking of doing play and dine at Hollywood and Vine but other than that we are at a loss. We are staying on property so maybe we'll order balloons for him!

 

[lighttech]

I can't remember the name, but maybe if you ask in another thread... I remember reading about someone who did Disney baskets that could be left in your room. She custom made little gift baskets w/ Disney merchandise/food, etc.

Also, I have heard that Disney is VERY accomodating to guests who are celebrating. If you make a reservation at Hollywood and Vine (or any other restaurant) I would call ahead and tell the management that it is your son's birthday and ask if they do anything special. (Maybe a cake there, or maybe a character would come over specially or something.)

Also, I don't know if you've seen it or not, but Playhouse Disney is doing a music tour. We're actually taking DS to it in August when it comes to our area. A lot of the musical acts from Playhouse Disney are in it, and its an all day event w/ play areas, and an interactive tent w/ musical instruments, etc. I know its not what you were asking, but I'm super excited about taking DS b/c I know he will get such a kick out of it... he's a big Playhouse Disney fan too. If I can find it, I'll come back and post the link.

 

[lighttech]

Just found it... Its actually the Disney Music Block Party... Playhouse Disney Live is something else.

http://www.disneymusicblockpartytour.com/

 

[Sam'sMom0126]

Thank you so much!!! I'm defitnatly going to look into having a basket made and delivered for him. He was only 7 months the last time we took him so this will be a whole new experience!

 

[lighttech]

No problem... He'll have so much fun. DS was 2.5 when he went and everything was "real" to him. He still asks when we can go back. (Of course, Mommy wants to know too! ) BTW - I'm assuming that's him in your avatar, what a cutie.

Good luck, and keep checking in on the threads here, not just Families, but resorts and theme park strategies, etc. as well. I found the DIS boards as I was planning our trip and it was an unbelievable help!

 

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

We'll be celebrating DS's 3rd birthday at WDW in December, so we're looking for tips, also!

So far, we've planned breakfast at Cape May Cafe (he absolutely loved it there last time, when he was 17 months). We're also planning a morning at Animal Kingdom as his favorite destination these days (besides WDW, of course!) is the zoo. He absolutely loves animals. We're also planning on getting the birthday button for him. Maybe ordering a birthday cake? We're still not sure about that one.

Happy early birthday to your DS!

Oh - and, lighttech, THANK YOU SO MUCH for posting the link to the block party tour! I think we're going to take the kids to the one in Toronto. I'd never even heard of it and our kids absolutely LOVE Playhouse Disney so this should be fun!

 

[mommy2lt]

You can make him a special birthday shirt. Just print this off on transfer paper and iron it on. You said that he liked playhouse Disney, so i figured Mickey Mouse, but if you want another character just let me know. I also guessed by your id that his name is Sam ???

 

[Sam'sMom0126]

Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for the shirt design! I am for sure going to make him a shirt. I love it!!

I can't wait to see his reaction to the characters!

I think he'll love AK too as he liked the zoo and loves animals. He is my avatar! Thanks!

We're taking him to see the Wiggles...if that goes well we'll be on the lookout for the other tour.

 

[mommy2lt]

Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for the shirt design! I am for sure going to make him a shirt. I love it!!

I can't wait to see his reaction to the characters!

I think he'll love AK too as he liked the zoo and loves animals. He is my avatar! Thanks!

We're taking him to see the Wiggles...if that goes well we'll be on the lookout for the other tour.

No problem, my DS is really into Cars, so I made him a shirt for his birthday too.

 

[lighttech]

No problem, my DS is really into Cars, so I made him a shirt for his birthday too.

What a great idea w/ the shirts! I'm always looking for a shirt that goes w/ DSs party theme, I can't believe I never thought of just doing a transfer. I love the font that you've used to. (And, of course the model is a cutie. )

 

[labdogs42]

Those shirts are totally adorable! I'm going to do that for sure for DS's next b-day!!

As for celebrating at WDW, call the front desk at your resort (or ask at check-in) and tell them it is your son's b-day. We did this for my DS's third birthday and he got an awesome birthday card autographed by Mickey and three balloons sent to the room! We happened to be there when they delivered it and the CM came on a Segway! I'm not sure if DS was more impressed with the card or the Segway, but either way, it was a great surprise. We also did his birthday dinner at Chef Mickey's. He got a special cupcake and a placemat to keep. It was great!

 

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

Those shirts are totally adorable! I'm going to do that for sure for DS's next b-day!!

As for celebrating at WDW, call the front desk at your resort (or ask at check-in) and tell them it is your son's b-day. We did this for my DS's third birthday and he got an awesome birthday card autographed by Mickey and three balloons sent to the room! We happened to be there when they delivered it and the CM came on a Segway! I'm not sure if DS was more impressed with the card or the Segway, but either way, it was a great surprise. We also did his birthday dinner at Chef Mickey's. He got a special cupcake and a placemat to keep. It was great!

Thanks for the tip! We'll definitely have to remember to do that.

Quick question for you... How did your DS do with the characters? I'm asking because my DS loved the characters on our last trip (17 months) but at our 4th of July parade this year (he's 2 1/2 now), he was petrified of a "Sparky the dog" (a firefighter dog character). Now, I don't know if it was because Sparky is (clearly!) not a Disney character, or if he's beginning to be fearful of the characters. He's very excited to go to "Mickey's house" for his birthday (talks about it all the time) -- I guess I'm just nervous that he's not going to enjoy his character meals we booked specially for his birthday. Don't want to scare the poor kid on his special day!

 

[lighttech]

Thanks for the tip! We'll definitely have to remember to do that.

Quick question for you... How did your DS do with the characters? I'm asking because my DS loved the characters on our last trip (17 months) but at our 4th of July parade this year (he's 2 1/2 now), he was petrified of a "Sparky the dog" (a firefighter dog character). Now, I don't know if it was because Sparky is (clearly!) not a Disney character, or if he's beginning to be fearful of the characters. He's very excited to go to "Mickey's house" for his birthday (talks about it all the time) -- I guess I'm just nervous that he's not going to enjoy his character meals we booked specially for his birthday. Don't want to scare the poor kid on his special day!

DS was about 2.5 when we went in November. He loved all the characters, and ran right to them... unless they were "bad guys." He wouldn't go near Captn Hook or Smee. But, we had a "Sparky the Dog" at our local firehouse, and he liked him too, so I'm not sure.

I do think that Disney is a whole different environment... somehow everything seems a little friendlier there, so you might be o.k. I would try to test it out before going to the meals. Also, I'm sure fear of characters is something Disney is well equipped to deal with! Lots of kids go thru that phase. If DS seems to be skittish, I'd just mention it to your server ahead of time (even at buffets you should have someone serving your drinks and such.) I'm sure they could pass on the word for the characters to take it a little slow w/ your DS. My guess is that even if he's a little fearful, w/ Mom and Dad by his side and in the middle of a Disney vacation, very little would "spoil" his day. At most it would be a minute set back. Relax and enjoy!

 

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

DS was about 2.5 when we went in November. He loved all the characters, and ran right to them... unless they were "bad guys." He wouldn't go near Captn Hook or Smee. But, we had a "Sparky the Dog" at our local firehouse, and he liked him too, so I'm not sure.

I do think that Disney is a whole different environment... somehow everything seems a little friendlier there, so you might be o.k. I would try to test it out before going to the meals. Also, I'm sure fear of characters is something Disney is well equipped to deal with! Lots of kids go thru that phase. If DS seems to be skittish, I'd just mention it to your server ahead of time (even at buffets you should have someone serving your drinks and such.) I'm sure they could pass on the word for the characters to take it a little slow w/ your DS. My guess is that even if he's a little fearful, w/ Mom and Dad by his side and in the middle of a Disney vacation, very little would "spoil" his day. At most it would be a minute set back. Relax and enjoy!

Thanks for the advice. We'll just play it by ear and see what happens.

DS is at such a funny stage right now. For example - he'll be scared of something (like "Sparky the Dog") but AS SOON as ANYONE ELSE goes near Sparky, he starts shouting "NO SHARE!!! NO SHARE!!!" Gotta love the "terrible twos" sometimes!

 

[labdogs42]

Thanks for the tip! We'll definitely have to remember to do that.

Quick question for you... How did your DS do with the characters?

He LOVES them. He was a little timid with them on his first trip when he was 15 months old, but we let him go at his own pace, holding him and interacting with the characters with him until by the middle of the week, he was walking up and hugging Mickey all by himself! He has been back to WDW four times since then and he just adores the characters. I think if you show DS some pictures of Mickey and friends before your trip, maybe have "Mickey" (anyone from the DIS) send him a postcard before your trip, watch some of those Disney Sing Along Songs videos, etc, before your trip, he'll be fine.

We have a Sparky the dog around here, too, and he is kind of creepy! (our Sparky is a robotic dog in a firetruck, kind of like PUSH the trash can at Disney, but not nearly as cool!)