u/thotyouwasatoad

We're pretty experienced with Disney and Universal rides, so we know what works for each family member and what doesn't. Can you guys give equivalent comparisons of Dolly rides vs Orlando rides? For instance: Blazing Fury= Big Thunder Mountain or Lightning Rod= Hulk? This would help me immensely to understand who can ride what!

We just had two parties with two vastly different experiences and now I'm very curious why. It's not a greed thing- I'm just interested in social differences!

My daughter was turning 14, and she did not receive any money or purchased gifts at all. (There were two handmade things like a small impersonal painting on cardboard, which was nice but odd) There were 6 girls around her age, and some of them are part of wealthy families. We've also been to their birthdays before and brought gifts. While this party was at our house, they ate, painted pots, planted succulents, did a little spa day, and had goodie bags.

My son was turning 11, and he received money with gifts from all of his 6 guests, who were also very enthusiastic "open mine next!". These friends are all low middle income, and we hadn't been to their parties before. This party was at a bowling alley/ lazer tag, but ultimately cost me less than daughter's party.

I am SO happy for my kids that their guests showed up, they had fun, and they didn't focus on gifts. They're happy, I'm happy. I am not holding any malice for the giftless kids or parents. I am just.... confused.

It was just such a stark difference almost like I missed some unwritten rule. Is there an age cutoff for gifting friends? Is it because one party was held at home? Is it a girl/boy thing? A lower middle income vs upper middle income thing? Or is this just a strange coincidence that 6 families had different etiquette than the other 6? Engage in my curiosity!!