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Celebrating a Birthday at Disney World
Everyone deserves at least one spectacular Disney birthday celebration in their lifetime. Planning to spend your special day at one of Disney’s parks or resorts will allow you that once-in-a-lifetime blowout bash.
While there is no specific birthday package, Disney offers so many choices to please anyone in the family. Pre-made packages can be combined with other offers to create an itinerary that you and your travel mates will die of anticipation to experience.
However you plan your trip, you should make sure you get the most out of your birthday celebration, whether for yourself, your child. Take full advantage of everything that Disney offers to those celebrating their birthday in any of the parks.
Follow along as I take you through the must-have birthday offerings from Disney. I will walk you through the free, the not so free and everything else Disney has to offer you on your special day.
Free Stuff at Disney World for your Birthday
Visiting Disney is fun on any day, but passing through those magical gates on your birthday is splendiferous! Your adrenaline will already be sky-high at the thought of celebrating your name day with a bang. Now let’s make sure you get all that free stuff Disney offers that goes miles to make your birthday an extra special experience.
Free stuff at Disney? Yes! Believe it or not, Disney enjoys it when we celebrate special occasions in their parks. There are many options for you to enjoy.
The first thing you need to do is make sure to stop at the front desk, if you are staying at one of the many Disney resorts, or stop by a Guest Relations counter at any park and pick up your free “Happy Birthday” button.
There is no better accessory to add to your Disney birthday wardrobe. This bad boy will open up free, sweet options all around the park. Pin it in an obvious place and enjoy the perks!
Character Dining
If you booked a character meet and greet dining experience to celebrate your special day, make sure to inform your server why you are visiting. Each character restaurant has free birthday cards to help you remember your celebration. Some are pre-signed, but some are blank and just awaiting a magical signature. What could be more fun than having your favorite Disney characters, like Cinderella and Belle, write personal wishes to you as they visit your table?
Staying at a Disney resort? Great! Make sure you note on your reservation that you are there to celebrate a birthday. Disney employees will give you a special surprise. When you check-in, there will be a birthday voicemail message on your room phone from none other than Mickey himself singing Happy Birthday especially for you! Yay! It’s the little things in life that make you smile.
Make sure you tell everyone, no matter what shop, restaurant, or cart you visit that it is your birthday. Wear your button! Wave that birthday flag high and Disney birthday treats will appear to you. Wherever you visit, Mickey has left snacks and refreshments for those celebrating their special day in his parks. Just ask and you shall be delighted and refreshed.
Special Treatment
One last note in this free section. If you visit the Crystal Palace on Main Street for a bite to eat, get ready for a lively bit of flair. Inform the host/hostess at the time of reservation about the big celebration and they will decorate your table with colorful Mickey confetti and fun streamers. You will more than likely get a free dessert and a birthday card from the whole cast for free!
Don’t miss out on any of these special treats. They will help you make your Disney birthday experience fun and very tasty! 😉
Magic Kingdom Birthday at Disney World
Each Disney park boasts its own special options for celebrating your birthday. I am not talking about all the free goodies you can find throughout the parks. I am talking about true Disney birthday experiences.
One of the most magical birthday experiences anyone can have is by booking a Fireworks Cruise at the Magic Kingdom.
If you planned on seeing the Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After fireworks show, kick that experience up a few notches and watch the show from the privacy of your own, privately captained boat on the water.
There are several options to choose from. Want to feel like a king and glide along the water on a 45-foot yacht with your own private captain and deckhand at your beck and call? Then head over to the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and book the VIP Cruise onboard the Grand Yacht One.
Not looking for a yacht? Looking for something a bit more reserved? Make a reservation for the Basic or Premium Fireworks cruise. You and eight guests can board a comfy pontoon boat and watch the fireworks while treating yourself to snacks and refreshments. I am not sure why audio for the show is only available with the premium package, but it is definitely worth the upgrade to get the full experience.
Everyone is always hungry after a long day of adventures in any Disney park. If you want some extra special end of evening treats, book the Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise. Yes, you will still watch the Happily Ever After fireworks show, but you will get a special treat from Disney’s amazing chefs.
The ferryboat cruise sets sail about an hour before the fireworks begin, so you will have plenty of sweet-tasting time before the show.
This last Magic Kingdom birthday celebration option gives you the best of both ends of night park shows with an added bit of flair. The Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage brings you into the world of Peter Pan and his Neverland pals. Fill up on the fun, tasty snacks and refreshing beverages as you set sail with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee to the perfect anchoring spot to view both Happily Ever After and the Electrical Water Pageant. It’s the best of both worlds! Which show will you watch?
Animal Kingdom Birthday at Disney World
If you want a real treat for supper on your special day, visit Jiko. You won’t get a free meal here, but you will have a memorable one!
Jiko can be found at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Relax around the wood fires that burn throughout the restaurant as you watch world-class chefs cook your meal in their open kitchens. Watching those chefs at work is a treat in and of itself! It is like dinner and a show.
Dine on spectacular creations deeply based on African, Indian, and Mediterranean traditions. Pair these delectable creations with a glass of South African wine that is expertly matched with your dish and create a bucket list dining experience for your birthday celebration.
If you treat yourself to dinner at Jiko, let me know what you think. I love to know about your experiences at Disney.
Hollywood Studios Birthday at Disney World
If you are a Star Wars fan and are looking to spend your birthday at Disney, you need to go to Hollywood Studios.
The park hosts a special Star Wars-themed dessert party. Guests that purchase the package are allowed all-access to the Launch Bay and the Galactic Spectacular.
While the whole attraction is still open to all visitors, party members can cross between rooms, into corded-off areas, and have access to all meet and greet and Star Wars exhibits. You also get a commemorative lanyard and a really cool Star Wars souvenir.
Prefer to catch dinner and a show at Hollywood Studios instead? Book the Fantasmic! Dinner Package. Make your dining choice from one of three top-of-the-line restaurants to recharge your batteries. Afterward, enjoy Mickey’s Fantasmic! Show and Fireworks for an end of the night spectacular and a very memorable Disney birthday celebration.
Epcot Birthday at Disney World
Show your friends you visited the world for your birthday. It is not hard to do if you visit Epcot for an extra special birthday celebration.
But a Passport Kit when you enter the park and begin your travels. While it is not free, the benefits are worth the cost. All 11 countries represented at Epcot have a Kidcot. They are not hard to find and are normally located at the park entrance. Present your passport here and receive a special birthday greeting in the language of the country you are visiting! How cool is that?
You also want to check the calendar of events for your trip. Epcot is host to quite a few special festivals throughout the year. Of special note are the International Food and Wine Festival, Flower and Gardening Show, and the Festival of the Arts. Don’t miss a chance to check one out when you are there.
Let me know if you are interested in any of these events and I can help you plan your day. As a Disney Travel Agent, I can find you all the best deals.
Do You Get Into Disney World Free on Your Birthday?
At one time, you could get a free pass into Disney on your birthday. What a way to celebrate, right? Unfortunately, Disney ended this program in 2009.
I am sorry to say, if you are going to Disney on your birthday, you will have to pay for your park admission. Don’t forget to take advantage of all the special freebies you can get inside! It will make the admission price a little easier to swallow.
Disney Birthday Celebration Tips & Tricks
Here are a few tricks to make your special day at Disney pass smoother. I talk about most of them over and over, but they are definitely worth repeating.
First, always make sure you have a plan set in place. This makes life so much easier in a venue where distractions are at their most. Make a plan. That way if something happens, you have a reference to catch back up to and get you back on track. You don’t want any mishaps to ruin your special day.
Second, always make reservations. I cannot stress this point enough. If you want to assure entrance to your most favorite attractions or restaurants, make advanced reservations. Don’t forget to make it to your reservation on time. You don’t want to miss your time slot because of other exciting distractions. I know it is hard, but make it to your reserved spot on time!
Third, always tell cast members that it is your birthday, or that it’s someone in your party’s special day. They will help make it an extra magical time. Whether it be with a song, card, special treat, or commemorative souvenir, all cast members are ready to help make birthdays memorable.
Want to surprise a loved one? Book an in-room birthday celebration. Packages are available that include a magical birthday gift waiting in the room upon check-in. Disney has a fun variety of gift baskets and dining packages (room service!) available at different price ranges. All you have to do is order it in advance and it will be awaiting you upon arrival. How easy is that?
Fine Dining at Walt Disney World for Your Birthday
I already mentioned Jiko as a special spot for birthday dining excellence. I should add Victoria and Albert’s (winner of the AAA Five Diamond Award, Five-Star Forbes Travel Guide, and Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence). Both of these Signature Restaurants provide the atmosphere and culinary treats you expect from any fine dining establishment.
There are also a host of other excellent dining choices depending on what your palette craves. Check out my full list below.
However, if you want to elevate your experience to cosmic proportions, you need to book a reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table for an unforgettable dinner with the Big C herself!! Dine with Royalty and experience all the pomp and circumstances it entails while marveling at the unique craftsmanship that comprises Cinderella’s Castle!
Make it a Signature Package and not only will you dine with Cinderella and cast, but you will also have special access to the West Plaza Garden. Here you can watch the Happily Ever After Fireworks show away from the massive crowds. Only Signature Package guests are allowed into this viewing area. Then head to the Tomorrowland Terrace for After Fireworks Desserts. Now that is a bucket list experience!
Here is a full list of Signature restaurants at Disney parks and resorts.
| Venue | Restaurant |
| Magic Kingdom | Cinderella’s Royal Table |
| Epcot | Le CellierMonsieur PaulTakumi-Tei |
| Hollywood Studios | Hollywood Brown Derby |
| Animal Kingdom | Tiffins |
| Contemporary Resort | California Grill |
| Riviera Resort | Topolino’s Terrace |
| Grand Floridian | Victoria & Albert’sCitrico’sNarcoosee’s |
| Boardwalk | Flying Fish |
| Swan | II Mulino |
| Dolphin | Shula’s Steak HouseTodd English’s Bluezoo |
| Animal Kingdom Lodge | Jikpo |
| Yacht Club Resort | Yachtsman Steakhouse |
| Disney Springs | The BoathouseJaleoPaddlefishSTK OrlandoMorimoto AsiaWolfgang Puck |
Other Disney Birthday Ideas
There are a few other Disney birthday ideas I can tell you about. I already mentioned the Star Wars Galactic Dessert Party at Hollywood Studios and the after fireworks dessert party on Tomorrowland Terrace at the Magic Kingdom.
In fact, all four parks offer dessert parties. Since I touched on two of the parks, here are the other two. Epcot’s Frozen Ever After Dessert Party and the Animal Kingdom Dessert Party are both worth checking out if you can. No matter which you visit, you are in for a tasty end-of-night delight.
Does your little birthday baby need their first haircut? Get it at Disney!
What? A haircut at Disney? Yes!
Visit the Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street and purchase their My First Haircut package. Not only do they get those shaggy locks cleaned up, but your little birthday baby also gets a special certificate and a pair of Mickey’s ears. Your barber will also give you a special baggie with some of the clippings for you to cherish forever.
Is the Disney birthday celebration for someone between the ages of 3-12? If so, visit the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and treat them to a Disney makeover. While not free, this makeover is worth every penny once you see your child Disney glammed.
Young lads transform into princes and knights. Young ladies become the princess of their dreams. This is a full makeover with styling and full costumes. Fun for them to play dress up and fun for you to watch the transformation.
Create Your Own Disney World Birthday Event
Ready to plan out your perfect Disney birthday celebration? Perfect. You can create your own event from the different ideas we provided, or get a little help from the fine folks at Disney Meetings & Events.
If you dream it, they can make it come true, for the right price, of course. Have a rip roarin’ party at many of your most favorite spots within Disney’s realm, choose to party at one of their themed resorts, or mix it up for the best of both worlds. It may not be cheap, but it will definitely be memorable!
Disney World Birthday Ideas for Adults
Along with the family-oriented birthday celebration ideas, Disney has a lot to offer adult-only parties. Might be time for a getaway with your BFF.
Where would you be able to sample drinks from around the world in one location? Well, at Disney’s Epcot, of course. Drinking Around the World offers you the opportunity to visit all 11 of Epcot’s represented countries and sample a marvelous alcoholic creation specific to that region.
Make it a spa day instead. Who doesn’t want a day of pampering splendor? Get a massage, clean up with a mani-pedi and facial, or just relax in a steaming hot sauna.
A few Disney spas of note are La Vida Health Club at Coronado Springs, Mandara Spa at the Dolphin Hotel, Senses at the Grand Floridian Resort, and Zahanati Massage at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Disney Springs
Browse over 100 shops on your birthday shopping trip to Disney Springs. Enjoy special live music events, excellent culinary treats, snacks, and beverages throughout the day. Have some fun and take a guided tour in Disney’s tiny amphicar and explore Lake Buena Vista or take an eight-minute long tethered balloon ride.
Take an evening stroll along the Disney Boardwalk and experience some good old-fashioned fun. Shop at unique vendors, eat fine foods and snacks and play the midway style games located throughout the Boardwalk’s quarter-mile length.
If you wonder which is the best Disney park for adults, I have to say Epcot. They host the most adult-themed festivals, which we touched on earlier in this article. Their rides are more intensive, therefore more suited to the adult crowd. Plus, they have the most choices for alcoholic beverages within their World Showcase. 😉
How much is a birthday party at Disney World?
If the Disney experience alone is not enough for your little one’s birthday celebrations, throw them a party. Goofy’s Party Central at Downtown Disney Marketplace offers an hour and a half long parties for children ages 3-12. You can have up to 12 guests and parents attend for free.
The staff is dressed in character and handles the whole party so all you have to do is relax and have a good time. No after-party clean-up for you!
This package will run you around $400. Not bad for the birthday event of your child’s life and the hassle-free time for you.
Can you get a birthday cake at Disney World?
I cannot leave out the most important item for your birthday celebration, the cake! You can order a Disney birthday cake. You can choose big or small with any decoration you desire. If you have reservations for table service dining, Disney will deliver the cake to you while you eat. If you prefer a more private celebration, get it delivered to your room at any Disney resort.
There are so many ways you can make your birthday into an extraordinarily magical event. If you need help with some ideas, drop me a line and we can work out an itinerary to suit you and your traveling party.
Happy traveling!
