Sweet 16

[Hsminnie]

We gave my daughter several options for her 16th birthday and she chose to bring 2 friends to WDW. I have the following planned:

1. Breakfast at Crystal Palace (WDW family tradition)
2. Princess Breakfast at Akershus (Ariel )
3. Tea at the Grand Floridian (her request)
4. Tiara to wear instead of ears
5. Getting the birthday button
6. Telling everyone everywhere its' her birthday celebration

I also have a lady (cannot remember the name of her company) researching the idea of a big 'to do' in the parks while we are there.

I realize some of this stuff makes her sound like a total nerd but she and her friends are just 'fun loving' and will soak up every bit of 'Magic'. Additionally, her friends have never been to WDW before!

What I need from you are opinions and suggestions. Megan is a bubbly outgoing type so pretty much anything goes. If you think something sucks tell me. Just tell me why. Forget cost if it's out of the norm. I do have some discretionary butdget.

Reading your posts there is a varied pool of personalities here and I would greatly appreciate your help!!!

Thanks guys,

Christy Bennington

 

[Ampris]

Haha, you chose the wrong place to say those things are 'nerdy'-- nearly all of us here would love to do any of those things, forget about all of them.

Your daughter is very lucky, that birthday celebration sounds like a heck of a lot of fun (and not a bit sucky )

 

[imabrat]

Personally,I would skip the Princess Breakfast.
But then again,I'm just not into the whole Disney Princess thing.
If your daughter is,then it's okay.

Either way your daughter is very lucky and I know I would enjoy most of those things.


Also,have you thought about doing an Illuminations cruise? You rent a boat for a certain amount of time and it goes out on the edges of World Showcase lagoon so you can watch the fireworks.
It sounds pretty cool,though I've never done it.
I think it might be a bit pricey,though I'm not sure on that. You'll have to research it.

 

[Hsminnie]

I did look into the Illuminations cruise but a couple people said the smoke was so bad it was pointless. I realize the wind will affect this but if it's always the case why bother? Anyone know anything?

Christy

 

[BabyPiglet]

What about a Wishes cruise? I hear those are fantastic.

I'd love to do all of those things, they sound like lots of fun.

Don't forget to get her a birthday button. And just let her take the lead that day, wherever she wants to go, go there. If she wants to ride Splash Mountain 15 times, ride Splash 15 times.

 

[CandyHead]

LOL I'm going for my 15/16 birthday.

My brithday is in may but were going in oct/nov. and luckily my parents told me I could bring my best friend =D I hear that when you get the birthday button you get all kinds of special treatment and I think you can wear it more than once, I'm pretty sure you get one for every park you go to.

 

[BabyPiglet]

LOL I'm going for my 15/16 birthday.

My brithday is in may but were going in oct/nov. and luckily my parents told me I could bring my best friend =D I hear that when you get the birthday button you get all kinds of special treatment and I think you can wear it more than once, I'm pretty sure you get one for every park you go to.

No, just one for all parks but you can wear them your whole stay.

 

[Lizbon]

LOL I'm going for my 15/16 birthday.

My brithday is in may but were going in oct/nov. and luckily my parents told me I could bring my best friend =D I hear that when you get the birthday button you get all kinds of special treatment and I think you can wear it more than once, I'm pretty sure you get one for every park you go to.

You don't really get special treatment... the Cast members just say Happy Birthday to you when they see the button...

I think what you have planned is good. I've gone for my birthday and we've never really done anything different then the other days there. I just get to pick where we eat, and I'm fine with that.

 

[Babyjustrun]

Illuminations Cruise would probably be neat.
Or the Segway tour...

 

[BabyPiglet]

You don't really get special treatment... the Cast members just say Happy Birthday to you when they see the button...

I think what you have planned is good. I've gone for my birthday and we've never really done anything different then the other days there. I just get to pick where we eat, and I'm fine with that.

Yeah, at dinners and stuff they sometimes bring out cupcakes or extra desserts and decorate the table with pixie dust and streamers.

 

[NJ2Boardwalk]

I know this may be a bit young for your daughter but what about Bippity Boppidi Boutique. If you are going to the princess breakfast, why not find the entire kid in her and let her get dressed up and the special treatment. My daughter spent her birthday in DW a few years ago. She was greated with happy birthdays and even got a placemat that was signed by all of the characters at 1900 Park Fare. Also, call your resort and they will give you a number to get a personalized birthday card and balloons and such sent to your room. Hope That Helps!!

 

[STOPxmickeytime]

I'm going with my cousin and two of her friends for her sweet 16 :]

Basically just let them decide what to do on their own, and give them the freedom to go places on their own, and they'll have an awesome time.

 

[Axel]

I'll warn you right now, that as you seem so intent on catching Ariel (or, from your post it seems like she's the reason you're booking Akershus), don't get your hopes too high.

She's not always there. It's just luck depending on which princess you get greeting you.

I was there a month ago and I was soo hoping to get Ariel, but it was Belle instead.

Otherwise, I'll say this: the Segway Tour?! Is sooo much fun. But you all have to be over 16, so if your daughter and her friend (or even just one of the two) is under 16, cross it out. Keys to the Kingdom has always sounded like a fun thing to do (behind the scenes at the MK). I don't know if there's an age restriction on that, though.

Other than that, HAVE FUN! And I am incredibly jelous that you're doing tea at the GF!

 

[xCourxCorex]

This sounds totally geeky but it's an idea.. the day you go to MK, try to wake up Tinkerbell! You get a certificate and everything

When we went 3 years ago my sisters and mother and I literally jogged up through the castle to wake her up it was so fun! Get there like 30 minutes early at least, and get right up front near the gate..

Or maybe I'm the only teen that thinks that's fun....

 

[Vannah]

I don't really have much to offer.
Just wanted to pop in and say that Ariel might not be at the princess breakfast. We went in November and we were all hoping for her but we got Belle instead.
Just a heads up.

 

[Lizbon]

Yeah, at dinners and stuff they sometimes bring out cupcakes or extra desserts and decorate the table with pixie dust and streamers.

When I went for my birthday I got a cupcake at dinner but no streamers or anything. I guess it all depends where you go.

 

[NJ2Boardwalk]

Just another tip....if you are really interested in seeing Ariel, try Ariel's Grotto over in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingom. She is always there. I am not sure if there are times on her appearances though.
HTH!!

 

[BabyPiglet]

When I went for my birthday I got a cupcake at dinner but no streamers or anything. I guess it all depends where you go.

It probably depends on the mood of the wait staff when you go. I've seen huge, extravagant things, and I've also seen birthday people get completely ignored.