what to get the little one?

[la79al]

Heres the thing. We are leaving in 19 days. DS8 and DD4 have no idea. I have been giving them clues everyday but not the kind of clues that they can really use to figure out where we are going. On the way to the airport I want to give them one final clue that will let them both figure out where we are going. For DS I was thinking about the Birnbaums guide for kids by kids (any opinions?) but I am not sure what to get DD. I sort of want her to be able to figure it out first because I think she is going to be more excited but I can't think of anything that would be as obvious as the guide. She is 100% into the whole castle and princess thing but I'm not figuring out how to put the two together.

 

[meandtheguys2]

We love Birnbaums Guide for kids. DS11 and DS8 have read it cover to cover each year. Even DS5 enjoys it! No girls...no help there!

 

[Merriwind]

You could just put a photo of Cinderella's Castle in a decorated manilla envelope and tell her, "here's where we're going..." There are sites with photos from WDW that you could download and print. If you want to play around with photo editing software, you could download a photo of the castle and "add" a picture of your family.

My DD7 and her 11yo cousin LOVED WDW for kids by kids. They spent hours on the phone discussing plans as they studied their books!

Whatever you decide to do as far as clues, I'm sure you will all have a fantastic time. Surprises are such fun--and so is WDW! Enjoy!

 

[pooksma]

What about taking the picture and making into a puzzle she could put together? (if she likes puzzles of course)

 

[shakespeare]

How fun! The day before you leave have the kids look for clues. Each clue leading to the next until they reach the last clue which will show where they are going. I did this for my son's birthday a couple of years ago. For example: "you use me to wash away the dirt" ( the kids then go to the bathtub for the next clue ) The clue in bathtub could read; "Brrrrr.... it's cold in here" and the kids go to the freezer for the next clue and so on...
I even had a room filled with balloons on the floor and he had to pop them until he found the balloon that had the next clue in it. My son is really into James Bond so I had a 007 theme throughout.
He loved it and wanted to keep doing it even after he solved all the clues!!!
Hope this helps.

 

[gigi1313]

how 'bout an invitation or proclamation from the princesses for her majesty (your dd) to join them? you could print it w/a fancy font, on parchment type paper, roll it up like a scroll and tie it with a ribbon...

 

[soccermom5]

have you gotten a fairy godmailer? if not you still have time and just take the postcard and put it in the mailbox the day before you go. and then your dd will have her very own invite from the princesses

 

[disneymac]

The Birnbaum's for Kids is a great idea for both kids - my DS7 and DD4 both love it!! The first day we had it DD spent the whole day looking at the pictures and telling us what rides she wanted to go on - it was priceless. And DS took it to bed with him....

Have fun!!

 

[emh1129]

there are some great ideas here!
What is the fairy godmailer? I haven't heard of that before..
thanks!

 

[Tammi67]

I bought my DS5 an Incredibles action figure and DD2.5 a snow white doll and gave them to them when the plane took off. They already knew we were going to wdw but it was something to get them into the 'spirit' and it kept them occuppied while flying.

 

[slk537]

Anything with the castle...a postcard, book, anything. Or maybe a sketch of the state of Florida with the castle right smack in the middle? And then they can share the book on the way?

Do you have a Disney store near you? If so, I would recommend one of the personal fans that they have - they are the small handheld fans that the child can wear around their neck (the one DS has breaks apart if it gets caught for no choking hazard) and the blades are that soft foamy material so they can't hurt themselves. DS loves his - he has his own way to stay cool, and when the blades circle, lights flash in the center. If you get Mickey and Minnie ones they would be more of an indication of WDW ( I know all the characters are there, but somehow M and M just represent WDW to most people)

I believe a Fairy Godmailer is when someone goes to WDW before you do and offers to send your child a postcard from one of the characters...we have done this for friends' kids before but I believe you can find people on the boards who are willing to do this. I certainly am if anyone wants one while we're on our Thanksgiving trip.

 

[java]

I could kick myself for not buying this yesterday at the book store for just what you are describing. I saw picture search books- that have rollers on the sides- you roll the book and then see what you need to find. You try to remember as many as you can on your own..then try to find the others. They had a princess book- you went to Cinderella's castle, sleeping beauty's castle, snow white's forest ect ect.... so cute..I am going on Amazon to see if I can find exactly what it is called. then I will edit if I find it.
Here it is
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...=sr_1_18/102-3165834-8264108?v=glance&s=books
They also had tons of sticker princess books- I've even seen those at Target

 

[xmansmom]

There is a thread under Disney for families that is just for finding and being Fairy godmailers. It's at the top and says "MAY/JUNE--I am collecting names for pay it forward". I'm new here so I don't really know if there is a better way to direct you there. HTH. It's a great idea and the people on these boards are wonderful to do this for each other!!