Disney party at Disney...calling all creative souls...(kinda long, sorry) About This Page:

[disneydani]

Hi Guys...not sure where to post this but figured this was the best forum choice...(moderators: please feel free to move if you think it belongs somewhere else!)

As a few of you know, we are in the midst of planning for DS's Bar Mitzvah in March. To make a long, drawn out story short...instead of having the usual shin-dig here with lots of guests...we have opted to host a smaller, weekend gathering at WDW for 30 or so of our closest family and friends.

In any case, so not to bore you with all the details, I am starting to flip out a bit. I have all the major stuff accounted for, however, it is the smaller but very important details that I am struggling with.

So, I have a desperate plea for anyone who is creative and who loves Disney....maybe you could help me with some planning ideas and resources?

Currently, I am looking for ideas for invitations, place cards, favors, welcome baskets, etc. It is tough because in most of research, I keep coming up with wedding paraphenalia or very feminine/princess-y. I am looking more in the lines of classic disney characters with a bit of a masculine tilt.

Any takers....please???

A hundred thanks!

danielle

[Lemap760]

Do you have the time or financial means to make your own place cards, welcome baskets, etc.? That way you might be able to find individual decorative items and piece them together so they don't look like a princess is getting married.
Wish I could help more.

[marianne e cornett]

I do a lot of this for different reasons and friends and family. I thought of a quick easy favor (and funny too). Will you be there ahead of time? If so, bring an extra suitcase filled with cheap Mr. Potato Head bodies (you can find them on sale from time to time for 2.99 or so especially after the holidays). They won't weigh much and you will have room to bring gifts and souvenirs back home. Then go to DTD and buy the box that you can stuff with Mr. Potato head parts. I'm sorry but it will depend on how well you stuff as to how many boxes you will need to buy. Then put the parts in a little bag of some sort and tie it to the mr. Potato Head (perhaps his legs). Make everyone's different so that they have to put him together to see what they got! I could think out the details given a little more time. Also you could go to the paint store ( I know home depot has them) and pick up the Mickey head paint sample cards. They come in all different colors obviously so you could match a color scheme or use a wide variety. Cut them out around the shape and write people's names on them for place cards. (Be sure and use a slick writer so it won't smudge.) Instead of standing them up, buy some large disney themed dinner napkins and fold them into a pocket, lay them on the plate and tuck the mickey heads with names in the pocket just so the names show. If you want more ideas let me know. These were just off the top of my head. Bigred (If you need folding instructions let me know that too.)

[Sue M.]

What a great idea, holding your event at WDW!! Maybe you have some character photos from past trips on your computer that you could use to print out your own invitations & place cards? You can get special cards for the computer print-outs from Staples or a similar type store. I think giving them a weekend at WDW is enough of a gift that you needen't worry about gift baskets!!
Congradulations to you & your family!
Sue

[Sue M.]

I just thought of something else! lol!! What about making up a basket with a small scrap book & supplies and a disposable camera, so they can make their own memories of the weekend? And you can make up special tee shirts either using a Disney MIckey Mouse shirt, I'm sure you can order on line & have what ever else you want printed on it, the event & date or whatever.
Sue

[Caldercup]

Danielle, you know I'd be more than happy to help!

PM me!
Eileen

[disneydani]

Thanks guys, for input and offers to help...you know I will probably take ya up on that offer, Eileen!

I like the idea of the Mickey paint chips and definitely think I can find a way to incorporate them!

Since we are hosting three seperate events, I need alot of ideas...

danielle

[Anna M]

Originally Posted by disneydani

Thanks guys, for input and offers to help...you know I will probably take ya up on that offer, Eileen!

I like the idea of the Mickey paint chips and definitely think I can find a way to incorporate them!

Since we are hosting three separate events, I need alot of ideas...

danielle

I would suggest coming up with a theme for each of the separate events. Some ideas might be a Pirate theme, a Mickey and the Gang theme, a "Parks" theme, Pooh, Dreams, Pixie Dust, etc. That way, you'd have a starting point for each one.

I don't mean to be crass, but can you give us a bit of a budget to work with? When working with gift bags, you can get into all price ranges, so we might be able to help better with more info.

Are you going down early and are going to be able to do some of this stuff yourself or are you hiring someone to do it? Do you need to have everything assembled before you leave?

[disneydani]

Originally Posted by Anna M

I would suggest coming up with a theme for each of the separate events. Some ideas might be a Pirate theme, a Mickey and the Gang theme, a "Parks" theme, Pooh, Dreams, Pixie Dust, etc. That way, you'd have a starting point for each one.

I don't mean to be crass, but can you give us a bit of a budget to work with? When working with gift bags, you can get into all price ranges, so we might be able to help better with more info.

Are you going down early and are going to be able to do some of this stuff yourself or are you hiring someone to do it? Do you need to have everything assembled before you leave?

Actually, that is a neat idea to come up with seperate themes, thanks.

I haven't seta bidget per se, just an overall budget for the whole weekend, The current plan looks something like this...

Friday evening: Ceremony Sonoma Room, Reception Napa Room (these are the rooms next to the Cali Grill)

Saturday evening: Dinner at Citricos, Dessert Party at the UK upper terrace for Illuminations.

Sunday Morning: Farewell Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare.

So far, I bought Mickey ear-shaped bubbles and glow necklaces/bracelets for Saturday night, I would like to do a welcome gift, for sure. I still need to think about a program for the ceremony, too. I would like to have some sort of favor for the Friday dinner as well as place cards for at least the recption dinner. I also would like sometype of mat or board that everyone can sign in which could be later framed for the long-term.

Thanks,

danielle

[amandal]

Whew, that's alot of stuff. But let me see if I can offer you any advice or suggestions . . .
Invitations: They always have Disney paper at the craft store that you can stick in your home printer. Also, you could find a fairygodmailer to send you postcards and print the invitations on those.
Favors / Welcome Baskets: The options are really endless as far as these are concerned. The old standard for Welcome Baskets are basically park maps, time sheets, disposable cameras, and maybe a hand made itinerary type sheet.
Place Cards: You can buy very plain "do-it-yourself" placecards at the craft store and jazz them up. They also sell very nice Disney scrapbooking stuff (not just plain old flat stickers) that you could put off to the side of the card and then make a line for the name and put it through the computer using the Disney Fonts (I'm sure Eileen could help you with that)
For the Mat/Board: They also sell these at the craft store and I know they have ones you can put your own picture in. Maybe blow up a picture of DS and a character and use that for people to sign.

Hope this is helpful. Please keep us updated on what ideas you've decided to use. I know I'll be very curious. . . . .

[Caldercup]

I did a quick Google on +"Bar Mitzvah" +Disney and found some fun stuff

Zach Wingate Bar Mitzvah


Also a neat theme that seems to tie together the celebration and Disney...

Party favors, invitations, crafts for the bar mitzvah/bat mitzvah and more


Eileen

[kmurburg]

Danielle, This sounds so very exciting! I wish I had some fresh ideas for you but it seems like everyone else has it covered! Good luck - I'm sure this will be such a fantstic weekend for your family! I'll be anxiously waiting for a report with lots of pictures!

[Caldercup]

Saw these favors!

Charm Cord Dream-Achieve-Believe

You could modify that and do it as a star...

Inspirational Sayings Bracelets

Thinking in terms of that theme, you could craft your own "Dream Team" and grant fun events.

This is intriguing!
Eileen

[genhand]

I don'T know if it's of any help...
When I want to do b-day aprties for my kids I go on that web page and they have tons of ideas and some party favor you can order...
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Birthday Party - Mickey's Clubhouse Party
They have the club house with Mickey's on the plate, glass etc...
Hope It help a bit

[disneydani]

Originally Posted by Caldercup

Saw these favors!

Charm Cord Dream-Achieve-Believe

You could modify that and do it as a star...

Inspirational Sayings Bracelets

Thinking in terms of that theme, you could craft your own "Dream Team" and grant fun events.

This is intriguing!
Eileen

I love the charm cord...hoping there will be a 2008 version...thinking it could maybe be used to secure the ceremony program?

danielle