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LiesaAnna
 United Kingdom
11611 Posts
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Status: offline |  Posted - 15 May 2008 : 13:23:42  
| we go to florida on the 25th august, Lauren will be 13 shes growing so fast she will 13 on the 2nd of september....we want to do something special that she will remember all her life....that wont break the bank!
any ideas please?
we will be taking her best pal with us so it will be good she has her to share with , trouble is Lauren was always the eldest in her class at primary school and Jade her bessie has always been the youngest in the class.....we need something Lauren would be able to share with Jade.......
so exciting!!! she was asking for a liom ride here....bit boring here tho as its the "in" thing....she wanted a party....phew thank goodness we're away.....so want something nice whilst away...... |
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blott
 United Kingdom
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Joined: 22 Feb 2002
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LiesaAnna
United Kingdom
11611 Posts
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 15 May 2008 : 14:31:19
| | thanks Blot, balloon ride out of the question shes like me, can manage the plane just but as for balloon ride no no...will have a good look around for the cakes....always liked the look of the ones in walmart and wishing we could just pretend there was a birthday as they looked so nice....will have a few days there before getting one so can look around...will also leave the girls at home with Russ whilst we go birthday banner/balloon shopping!! just need a something special treat... |
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blott
United Kingdom
21265 Posts
Joined: 22 Feb 2002
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steph_goodrum
 United Kingdom
6659 Posts
Joined: 12 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 15 May 2008 : 14:51:44
| Is she a girly girl Liesa or a tomboy?
Have you done Discovery Cove yet, most teenage girls I know seme to be enamoured of dolphins.
When my daughter turned 13, as her birthday is in August and were going to Florida (this was the year we started looking for our house), she was a huge fan of Friends and most US rom/com films so my husband suggested we flew via New York. We didn't let her see any of the paperwork and managed to get the check in clerk to say nothing about where we were headed so the first she realised was when we were going to board and we headed for the gate for the New York flight instead of the Orlando one. On her birthday a couple of days later we went up the Twin Towers amongst other places (this was in '99).
I know lots of people suggest things like spa treats etc but I tend to be one of those who would rather leave the "grown up stuff" till a bit later, there's always plenty of years left for that.
If you give us an idea of what sort of things she likes it's sometimes easier than picking things at random. |
Babblin Boo
http://www.orlandovillas.com/villas/92.aspx
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christhear
 United Kingdom
1330 Posts
Joined: 15 Aug 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 15 May 2008 : 15:21:15
| How about skydiving in the wind tunnel. They would not be high up in the air, just a couple of feet above the net. You can get a video along with picture CD so they would have good memories of it.
Also took my son Parascending last year, but I supose that is out of the question.
Sea world do a lot of special activities, normally justan hour or so out of your day and not too pricey - could be worth looking at these. |
Christine
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LiesaAnna
United Kingdom
11611 Posts
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 15 May 2008 : 15:22:22
| ummmmmmmm, she is girly and she is the youngest of our 6 children and shes not a young 12 for now......very mature for her age....not sure about discovery cove but will look it up..thanks 
cant think of what she likes, shes into everything..... |
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LiesaAnna
United Kingdom
11611 Posts
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 15 May 2008 : 15:24:24
| quote:
Originally posted by christhear
How about skydiving in the wind tunnel. They would not be high up in the air, just a couple of feet above the net. You can get a video along with picture CD so they would have good memories of it.
Also took my son Parascending last year, but I supose that is out of the question.
Sea world do a lot of special activities, normally justan hour or so out of your day and not too pricey - could be worth looking at these.
must admit she did say seaworld was her favourite park.....i wonder about a swim with dolphins??????????????????????
like the wind tunnel...she may do to...i want to try and be sneaky about this so see what she likes without her knowing so i can book things in advance.....
will go browse seaworld
thanks all so far keep em coming please |
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steph_goodrum
United Kingdom
6659 Posts
Joined: 12 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 15 May 2008 : 15:26:46
| How about the Wishes firework cruise, have you done that yet, maybe make up a picnic hamper for the family?
A Wishes Fireworks Cruise is as easy to arrange as any other recreation Advance Reservation. Call 407-WDW-PLAY (407-939-7529) as far out as 90 days in advance to book your own cruise. The current 2007 costs of a basic Wishes cruise is $225.00, and this includes up to 8 people as well as a driver, water, soda, and bagged snacks. A premium Wishes cruise is currently $275.00 and holds up to 10 guests plus a driver, water, soda, bagged snacks, and an audio feed of the soundtrack. But it doesn't stop here. For an additional cost ($250-300), you can book a birthday cruise, which includes balloons and a birthday cake. You can also add anything from a simple collection of beverages to chocolate covered strawberries all the way up to a full meal. Check with 407-WDW-PLAY for options, they're happy to help you!
Instead of a limo ride you could opt for a strech hummer to take her somewhere special for a meal, bit more Ammerican and maybe not seen as many of those as limos.
How about doing the Twilight Discovery cove experience? I havent been then but would imagine there would be less younger children around than during the daytime and you might get a nice sunset to add to the magic. This can all be prepared in advance without her knowing and you get the benefit of having a pass to either/and Seaworld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica to spread the pleasure over more than one day. |
Babblin Boo
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Edited by - steph_goodrum on 15 May 2008 15:30:56 | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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LiesaAnna
United Kingdom
11611 Posts
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 15 May 2008 : 15:35:32
| | now we're talking.....that sounds great Steph......have also looked at the discovery cove birthday package, that looks nice to... will mull over a few ideas with hubby Steve and see what we come up with... |
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steph_goodrum
United Kingdom
6659 Posts
Joined: 12 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 15 May 2008 : 18:40:58
| Unfortunately Liesa although it sounds wonderful (especially the chocolate fountain) it looks like Twilight Discovery is out as I've checked the website and the dates year are from June 3rd - Aug 22nd so will be finished before you get there. Just to whet your appetite for another trip maybe though.
"
2008 Twilight Discovery Summer Package
During the warm Orlando summer nights, visitors can enjoy Twilight Discovery, an all-inclusive evening package that brings the intimacy of Discovery Cove to an extraordinary level for 150 people a night. From 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Twilight Discovery immerses guests in a tropical paradise, wrapping them in twilight encounters with dolphins and enchanted evening swims through colorful coral reefs featuring thousands of tropical fish and rays.
As night falls, the journey moves to Laguna Grill for dining and dancing. Guests will navigate their way through gourmet items such as blackened sea scallops and flame-grilled sirloin steak. The decadence continues with fountains of chocolate fondue, flaming bananas Foster and a variety of cakes and petit fours -- for a sweet ending to a perfect evening in paradise.
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Babblin Boo
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LiesaAnna
United Kingdom
11611 Posts
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
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jillizzy
United Kingdom
294 Posts
Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 15 May 2008 : 18:56:23
| If swimming with the Dolphins at Discovery Cove works out too expensive for you all to be together you could always do one of the tours at Seaworld along with a meal.
The Dolphin nursey tour is only around $20pp and you could tag on a backstage meal for the afternoon with that. There's also a Penguin and a Shark tour too, but I prefer the Dolphin one myself.
My son's are older but, even so, they still appreciate a Disney breakfast maybe followed by an airboat ride, some retail therapy and finish with a BBQ and cake by the pool. I know that's fairly simple but it does then last all day.
Whatever, you decide to do I hope she has a great day.
Jill
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LiesaAnna
United Kingdom
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Nikki D
 United Kingdom
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LiesaAnna
United Kingdom
11611 Posts
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 15 May 2008 : 22:11:45
| | i know Nikki, shes our baby and has been so good with all the little nephews and neices coming along over the years its been hard for her being knocked off top spot...but shes handled it well... thinking about discovery cove right now and looking into a dolphin swim...she wanted to take her friend Jade whose coming with us to seaworld as its the best she said and Jade would love the dolphins as she does!!! bonus!! |
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Nikki D
United Kingdom
753 Posts
Joined: 22 Apr 2007
Status: offline | Posted - 15 May 2008 : 22:19:05
| It's good she is taking her friend with her. Think that helps a lot as they get older. Discovery cove would be fab for her. Truely a birthday she would not forget Liesa.  |
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LiesaAnna
United Kingdom
11611 Posts
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 15 May 2008 : 23:18:07
| i agree Nikki and this is what we have decided....i think..... will phone them tomorrow afternoon.....can anyone help dont want to appear thick.....right entrance fee is $289, but we want to buy the birthday package which is $174.95, im assuming this extra price is for the birthday girl (in this case?) not each person on top of the $289 already paid? want to book this asap as they have her birthday date available for us to go!!!! only one thought, Steve (hubby) and son Russ cant swim.....am sure they will have a great time but will they get bored?
thanks everyone....not done this before so am a likkle excited!!! but this is a secret!! she doesnt come here anymore so should be ok |
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steph_goodrum
United Kingdom
6659 Posts
Joined: 12 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 16 May 2008 : 08:20:20
| Liesa
Even if they can't swim, I'm sure they will enjoy it, everbody has to wear a flotation vest which are like wetsuit material and there is also the option of a full life vest (hard body) so they can still snorkel etc without fear of drowning and can still walk around the park and aviary etc. Even if you can't swim you can do the dolpihin swim if you choose the flotation vest is that good) Who knows they might even be swimming by the end of the day:).
Even without the birthday package, I'm sure your daughter would still have a fabulous day and one that will stay with her for a lifetime.
One thing I would suggest, I dont know how many of you were looking at doing the dolphin interaction but it's a good idea to separate the times, so if 6 of you were doing it for example, book the times as 2x3 or 3x2 so that the others can take more pictures of you as well as the photos cost quite a lot of money otherwise.
If you don't want to tell Lauren till closer to your visit, you can give her presents that will give her clues but not necessarily give it away, things like a waterproof disposable camera (they're great so you dont have to worry about losing or damaging an expensive camera and you can get the pics put on disc, or some water shoes. |
Babblin Boo
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Nina A
 United Kingdom
1177 Posts
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LiesaAnna
United Kingdom
11611 Posts
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 16 May 2008 : 09:42:56
| | oh good point Steph.....didnt think about swim shoes....never thought about them before...would you recommend them? i also thought they gave us waterproof cameras? |
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13th birthday in florida, what to do??
