Suprise 13th Birthday trip (also our first time!) :)

[RaeNae]

I need some advice on a huge birthday suprise for my SD.
Here is the long story but I will make it a short one. Her mom had promised her a trip to WDW trip by the time she turned 13. Unfortunately her mom died 4 yrs ago. When we met 3 yrs ago as our bond grew she opened up to me about it. Then showed me the last birthday card her parents gave her with a promise note about going to disney for her 13th birthday at Christmas. At her last birthday party I heard her tell friends that she wished she could still have the promise from her mom. I talked to the hubs and he agreed we should do this in memory of her mom. Our trip is going to happen the last week of Nov into first weekend of Dec in 2016 (Her 13th birthday will be on Thanksgiving in 2016). We want to give her a birthday party as 13 is a huge deal! I just need some ideas on the suprise of a lifetime!

 

[holden]

What a wonderful idea and a great way to honor her mom!

I'd suggest you book a Wishes cruise. It's a magical way to see the fireworks and will surely create a memory she will never forget!

The Pick a Pearl in Japan is also a fun way to bring home a beautiful souvenir. Other special ideas: princess breakfast in Cinderella's Castle (you're never too old for princesses!), tea at GF, and birthday decorations in the room. Also, don't forget to mention your celebration when you book. She will receive a birthday pin to wear and happy birthday wishes from cast members wherever she goes!

 

[RaeNae]

Thank you so much! Those do sound like memories I would love to share with her! I didn't know the resorts would decorate the room! I was wondering how we would decorate the room with her in it!
This board has been so much help. I come on here at least every other day looking for tips and suggestions (I even take notes!) as I want her to have a special trip in honor of her and her mom!

 

[DisneyCAL]

You're gonna make me cry....I agree with RaeNae's ideas. You could add a spa treatment like manicure or pedicure at the GF Senses Spa before or after tea time. If you do DDP and use 2 credits, you could do a special birthday dinner at Narcoosie's and watch Wishes from there or 1 credit and do dinner at California Grill for the Wishes view. I think everything at WDW is special, not something you can do at home. Hope you have a fabulous trip.

 

[I M Fearless]

Love this thread and definitely think it will be a highlight of this child's life. Hope you do whatever you can to make it special.

Just a heads up but there is a Fairy God Mailer thread which you can write into to get another DIS Board member to mail a postcard to your child. May be a nice way of breaking the news to her if you could find someone willing to send her a card from whichever character.

 

[4fordisneyworld]

We have used Gifts of a Lifetime and Jane is amazing! I have used her twice now since my husband passed away, planning special celebrations for my two girls in memory of their daddy. We are celebrating my oldest's 13th birthday this year in Disney as well! She wanted to be home with her friends for this very special birthday, but told me in a very delicate way that she knew her heart would much rather celebrate in Disney with her daddy's memories surrounding her since he cannot physically be here for her. I think is is so awesome you are reaching out to your stepdaughter and planning this for her. What a great thing for her at this special time in her life. If you want any more specifics on Gifts for a Lifetime, feel free to ask me and I can share a little more about what we had done for us.

 

[RaeNae]

We have used Gifts of a Lifetime and Jane is amazing! I have used her twice now since my husband passed away, planning special celebrations for my two girls in memory of their daddy. We are celebrating my oldest's 13th birthday this year in Disney as well! She wanted to be home with her friends for this very special birthday, but told me in a very delicate way that she knew her heart would much rather celebrate in Disney with her daddy's memories surrounding her since he cannot physically be here for her. I think is is so awesome you are reaching out to your stepdaughter and planning this for her. What a great thing for her at this special time in her life. If you want any more specifics on Gifts for a Lifetime, feel free to ask me and I can share a little more about what we had done for us.

I'm very sorry for your loss. I would love to know more about the Gifts of a Lifetime! Seems like WDW has everything to make a special day or vacation even more memorable!
My SD has no idea we are going for her birthday! We will be giving her a party the weekend before we leave! That is when we are giving her the Magic Band, the map of all the parks, and all the other goodies you need to have when traveling 1350 miles by car! I may almost be more excited than she will be, but i doubt it!