Bring birthday gifts on vacation for child?

[monica9]

It’s going to be my daughters 5th birthday in the middle of our trip. For those that have been in this situation, I’m wondering if anyone brings a couple presents to open? She won’t care and it’s really not a big deal. She will be pampered I’m sure that day but it’s always nice to open a present even something small. What do people do? I always wondered what people do on Christmas Day too

 

[Schneewittchen37]

During Christmas a few years ago, I had two massive gifts bags for the kids stuffed in black trash bags and shoved in the far back corner under the pickup truck's tonneau cover (we drove down). The kids never saw it.

We usually fly down for the birthday trips (a few days before the actual birthday) and do those presents at home with a cake, etc.

I could see bringing an empty gift bag in the luggage when flying down, buying something while down there and doing the gift that way. Cross your fingers and hope it will fit in the luggage for the way home....

 

[Merlin's Magic]

We did a 10th birthday there, but we only brought 1-2 gifts, both things he could use on vacation and on the way home.

 

[kanerf]

I you are flying, do not wrap them and put them in your luggage, they will probably get opened. Take some wrapping paper and tape and wrap them when you get there.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

On their "Mickey birthday," they only get 1 gift from us. For my son, he got it when we got home. With my daughter, we are bringing it with us, but we are taking the RV to Fort Wilderness instead of staying in a hotel. We tend to make a big deal about it being their "Mickey birthday" (birthday meal, button, choosing rides that day), so the trip is part of their present.

 

[BaymaxForever]

I bring a gift for my son, our trip this week marks his 3rd birthday spent at WDW. Spoiled child, his birthday happens to land during our schools fall break! Because the trip is NOT for his birthday (I emphasize this with him!) we bring a gift and buy a small cake there to celebrate.

 

[loves to dive]

I'm the odd parent out here. If we went within a week of my son's birthday or Christmas, the trip was his gift and he was good with that. I was a single mom so being able to afford the trip meant a lot saving. I might buy him a small gift while there if we were there on the actual day.

 

[sponica]

I'm the odd parent out here. If we went within a week of my son's birthday or Christmas, the trip was his gift and he was good with that. I was a single mom so being able to afford the trip meant a lot saving. I might buy him a small gift while there if we were there on the actual day.

I feel like that would be my take....

 

[Anna131517]

She won’t care as much about a present at Disney World as she will when she gets home so I would get her something she can use at DW (Princess dress), let her pick out a small present at DW, or wait till you get home to give her the gift.

 

[westie55]

Speaking from experience, your 5 year old will see TONS of stuff she wants to buy in Disney. Instead of bringing a gift, let her pick out something while you're there!

 

[JediBonas]

We've gone for our twins' bday several times, we never bring any presents with us.

 

[Rory607]

I would probably bring something small for her to open, then lest her pick out something, or a few small somethings, that day. Definitely get her a birthday button that she can wear. Everyone will wish her happy birthday and make her feel special!

 

[PHXscuba]

My son's birthday almost always falls over our spring break, so we haven't been in our home state about half of his birthdays! He understands why we travel during this time (and that it's not for his birthday) and enjoys being somewhere cool on that official day. In fact one year we had two possible travel times -- one that he would be home and one traveling on his birthday -- and he put his vote in for the birthday travel.

We usually do the presents mostly beforehand and there's often a video game or movie he can use while in transit. We usually try to bring one smaller gift and do a cake, special activity, or special meal that day.

He's been to California multiple times, Hawaii, and Florida, and in California Adventure and Universal Florida on his actual birthday.

PHXscuba

 

[MomOfDisneyPrincess]

I went when DD was 7 and we scheduled horseback riding as her "gift". She loved it, but for some reason she didn't equate that with a proper present. That's when she got to get a very large Stitch plush and she was thrilled. It didn't make that much difference in my overall budget and she could look back at that plush as her birthday gift, even though the whole trip was kind of her gift. BTW - she's 15 and still loves that Stitch plush and sleeps with it every night.

So, I would also vote for just letting her pick out her birthday present from somewhere during the trip. I'm sure she'll find something she loves and will cherish it over the years as something very special.

 

[monica9]

I feel like that would be my take....

I totally get that but we always take one big trip a year and this one happen to be on her birthday so I’d hate for my other daughter to think her sister got a huge vacation for her birthday and she just got some clothes and lotions haha. So I try to do like another poster said and explain that this is not a birthday celebration but that it happened to be on her birthday. If BBB is open she will get that and go to Cinderella’s table for lunch. My husbands birthday happens to be the following day so we will make sure he gets to go on rise of resistance and ohana for dinner. No presents for him though.

 

[sponica]

I totally get that but we always take one big trip a year and this one happen to be on her birthday so I’d hate for my other daughter to think her sister got a huge vacation for her birthday and she just got some clothes and lotions haha. So I try to do like another poster said and explain that this is not a birthday celebration but that it happened to be on her birthday. If BBB is open she will get that and go to Cinderella’s table for lunch. My husbands birthday happens to be the following day so we will make sure he gets to go on rise of resistance and ohana for dinner. No presents for him though.

Given that scenario, I would celebrate the birthday at home before or after the trip and then on the day of do something special? All of the birthdays (except mine) occur in a 9 day span in August, after doing 3 separate cakes and 3 separate days of presents, I'm inclined to go on vacation next year .

 

[unrequited23]

We were at Disney for my oldest's 7th birthday. While he was asleep we decorated our window at POFQ--happy birthday banner and balloon garland held up with suction cups then let him have a cupcake all to himself with lunch.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Can a birthday cake be ordered at the theme park restaurants?
Im trying to think about Hollywood Studios to be specific.

 

[PepperjackDragon]

I'm the odd parent out here. If we went within a week of my son's birthday or Christmas, the trip was his gift and he was good with that. I was a single mom so being able to afford the trip meant a lot saving. I might buy him a small gift while there if we were there on the actual day.

I told my daughter when we get back her grandparents and uncle will have a present when we get together.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I love to try to do an experience for a gift, like Pick a Pearl in EPCOT's Japan. The gift could be a pearl cage necklace you order in advance, with a "certificate" you make for the experience. My kids always love this experience and it never gets old.