We have been fortuate enough to be able to celebrate either our own or someone special’s birthday in Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, or Disnelyland Resort. We have complied here a list of special ways you can celebarte your special day!
For an adult celebrating a birthday at Walt Disney World, these would be our recommendations…
· Sanaa Dine with Animal Specialists (lunch only). For more information, go to: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/dine-with-an-animal-specialist/
· Dine at Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
· If you are scuba divers, book the Epcot Dive Quest tour which allows you to scuba dive in the Living Seas.
· The Keys to the Kingdom Tour at the Magic Kingdom is our favorite tour. Guests must be at least 16 years of age and older to participate. If we were to choose one tour, this would be the one we would take. You can book this at 407-939-8687 or ask your travel agent . Admission to the Magic Kingdom is not included in this tour. The cost of the tour is $74 per person.
· We would recommend taking in a performance of Cirque du Soleil, located at Downtown Disney WestSide (this can be booked 180 days in advance; can can be added to your reservation). Remember each Cirque du Soleil show around the country is different and Disney has their own show, called “La Nouba.” We have seen it and should not be missed!
•Carriage Rides are available at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground or Disney’s Port Orleans Resort. To book, call 407-939-7529 or call your travel agent.
We took one during the holidays…
•We recommend spa treatments at either Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa or Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.
•Wild Africa Trek – Tour last 3 hours and it is a once in a lifetime experience. Cost is $189 per person and is subject to change; to book, call (407) WDW-TOUR or ask your travel agent.
•Book a Cabana Rental.
•The VIP Tours are fantastic and you would have their own private guide for whatever park they are interested in. Disney’s VIP Tours provide you with VIP Seating for many of the live stage shows, parades and nighttime spectaculars at the Walt Disney World Resort. Disney’s VIP Tour Guides will maximize your time and customize your day as you discover the many wonders of the Walt Disney World Resort. VIP Tours can be booked in advance by calling 407-560-4033 or your travel agent . All VIP Tours have a minimum charge of six (6) continuous hours. The cost of Disney’s VIP Tour Service ranges from $275 to $315 per hour.
•Purchase special hats or Mouse Ears.
•Shopping at Downtown Disney, especially the World of Disney.
•You could participate in Parasailing and water-skiing at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. To book call: 407-WDW-PLAY or call your travel agent.
•You could book a private fireworks cruise or you could rent the 45-foot Sea Ray yacht, the Grand I, departing from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. To book the fireworks cruise, call 407-WDW-PLAY. To book the private yacht, call 407-824-2439 or your travel agent. The Grand One fireworks cruise is an amazing experience, that we also highly recommend!
During our Grand One cruise, we were able to watch Wishes and the Electrical Water Pageant! What a dream come true for our family!
•If you are NASCAR fans, we highly recommend the Richard Petty Driving Experience. You can choose the Ride Along Experience (where they are with a driver) or an experience where they drive their own racecar.
•If you love golf, there are several championship golf courses on property. To reserve a tee-time, call (407)-WDW-Golf. You can also play miniature golf. Our favorite is Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course, next to Blizzard Beach.
Below are some suggestions for children who are celebrating a birthday at Walt Disney World….
Birthday Buttons Be sure to have the parents obtain for their children, ‘Today’s My Birthday’ button, which they can acquire from the Guest Services Desk at their Resort or at any of the four main theme parks. They are free. They’ll be sure to get some extra smiles from cast members and other guests during their magical stay when they are wearing their birthday buttons.
Birthday Phone Call At their Disney Resort Hotel, the child’s parents can go to the Guest Services Desk and request Goofy’s Birthday message for the children. Then bring the children over to the Guest Services Desk and the Cast Member will inform the birthday guests that there is a phone call for them. The Cast Member will dial the Goofy’s Birthday Message number and hand the phone to the children. Goofy will respond with a special Happy Birthday greeting!
Obtain an Epcot Passport Purchase a passport in EPCOT to have stamped in each country around the ‘World Showcase’ and make sure the Cast Member who signs it knows that it is the children’s birthdays. They will receive Birthday greetings in many different languages.
Customize Your Own T-Shirt Set the celebratory spirit of their special vacation by personalizing matching T-shirts for their entire family at the Disney Design-A-Tee shop at Downtown Disney Marketplace area. Their commemorative shirt will be a treasured souvenir that will conjure fond memories long after the celebration is over. T-Shirts are available for purchase.
The Disney Florist If you would like to send a gift directly to your room or have the room decorated for the birthday celebration, which would be at an additional cost, you can order these gift items from the Disney Florist. Their web site is www.disneyflorist.com and their phone number is: 1-(407)-827-3505 .
Order a Birthday Cake A custom cake can be the icing on their celebration. You can choose from a variety of cakes and shapes, personalized for their special occasion. A 48-hour advance notice is required, so that they can make your customized creation. Cakes are available at most table-service restaurants. To order any custom bakery cake, for an additional cost, call the Walt Disney World Resort at (407) 827-2253 .
We ordered one for our daughter’s birthday- who is a HUGE animal lover, and on her 7th birthday trip, we stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. So we ordered a cake to fit our theme:
We have also ordered the chocolate glass slipper at Cinderella’s Royal Table as well- which isn’t just available for birthdays- as you can see…
It comes in white chocolate too!
Birthday Department There is actually an entire department at Walt Disney World devoted to helping guests create birthday parties. You can contact them at 1-(407)-939-BDAY. They will be sure to have some great ideas about planning the children’s special day. Costs apply.
Goofy’s Candy Co. Birthday Parties Host a birthday party in the heart of Downtown Disney Marketplace area, in a private room perfect for play. Pick a theme, create your own tasty treat, invite friends to participate in fun games, and plan a party that’s as sweet as can be! No refund within 10 days of party date. This is at an additional cost. I read that the parties start at $367.38 for up to 12 guests. To book, call 1-(407)-WDW-BDAY.
Neverland Club Birthday Party at Disney’s Polynesian Resort This two hour birthday celebration at the Peter Pan themed Never Land Club includes choice of pizza OR chicken tenders with French fries OR chicken tenders with macaroni and cheese, juice boxes/sodas, a birthday cake, a craft/activity, choice of Disney video, and free play video games. You can book this package up to 90 days in advance by calling 1-(407)-WDW-BDAY. Certain restrictions/minimums and costs apply.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a beauty salon where little girls are magically transformed into little princesses at 2 locations: World of Disney Store in Downtown Disney Area and Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom theme park. I recommend the one at Cinderella’s Castle. It’s hard not to feel as happy as a princess in this charming little boutique, owned by Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother and operated by Fairy Godmothers-in-training. The boutique offers multiple hair styles, nail color, make-up and a total package including Disney Princess costume and photographs.
Girls 3 years old and above can choose from 3 hair styles — Fairytale Princess, Disney Diva and Pop Princess — in 3 available packages:
· Coach Package includes hairstyling and shimmering makeup — starting at $49.95 per person plus tax.
· Crown Package includes hairstyling, shimmering makeup and nails — starting at $54.95 per person plus tax.
· Castle Package includes the Crown Package plus the Imaging Package (one 6″ x 8″ and four 4″ x 6″ photos in a princess-themed photo holder) and complete costume of your choice with accessories — starting at $189.95 per person plus tax.
This can be booked up to 180 days in advance of arrival date. To book, call 1-(407)-WDW-STYLE or 1-(407) 939-7895 or ask your travel agent.
There are 2 locations… one in Cinderella Castle:
And one in Downtown Disney:
Most restaurants will also help you celebrate with a cupcake and possibly a signed character card (at character dining locations) if you let them know in advance that you are celebrating. It doesn’t matter if you are a child or an adult:
· Make sure your child has an ‘Autograph Book’ when they wear the birthday button. They will receive special Birthday greetings from the Characters too!
On Disney Cruise Line, you can arrange to have your stateroom decorated, for a fee, in advance of your stay as well:
For no additional charge, they will deliver a cake for dessert on your birthday as well, and even sing!
This was my husband’s cake in 2006:
And my mother’s birthday celebration (on Pirate Night)this past summer with our wait staff joining in singing as well. The cake has been upgraded to a multi-layer cake with whip cream frosting too! If you pre-purchase the room decorations, the 2006 birthday cake is also included in that package as well. You will also recieve a special birthday button as well.
What about DIsneyland Resort? They do offer the birthday buttons (like Walt Disney World and Disney Cruse Line). If you are not staying at one of the hotels of the Disneyland Resort, the buttons can be obtained at City Hall on Main Street at the Disneyland Park, or at Guest Services at Disney California Adventure Park. Make sure your child has an ‘Autograph Book’ when they wear the button. They will receive special Birthday greetings from the Characters!
As far as birthday celebration ideas for guests visiting the Disneyland Resort, below are our suggestions…
· If dining at a sit-down restaurant (table service restaurant), you can order a birthday cake for an additional charge. You would order through dining reservations at (714) 781-DINE (3463) or ask your travel agent
· If you are dining at a character dining restaurant, a full-service restaurant, or wants to order this from room service at one of the hotels of the Disneyland Resort, you could order a birthday treasure chest or a jewelry box (they are $15) and come in two different themes: Disney Pirate Treasure Chest and Disney Princes Jewelry Box. Both come with an individual cake and a special surprise and you would order it through dining reservations.
· You could do the “Walk in Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps Guided Tour.” This is fantastic!
Discover how Walt Disney wove his personal history into Disneyland Park – his first theme park. Learn how this world-famous vacation destination was created and get an exclusive look into Walt’s original apartment in Town Square.
Tour Length: Tours are approximately 3 hours
Price Info: $109 USD each
Additional Information
Valid Disneyland Park admission is required.
This tour is not recommended for small children.
For information on this and other tour experiences at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California, please contact Disneyland Resort Guest Information at (714) 781-4400 or ask your travel agent
Foreign language tours are available with at least a two-week notice.
This tour may be booked up to 30 days in advance.
· For a little girl, we would recommend a visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, which is located behind the castle in Fantasyland at Disneyland Park and very similar to the experience we spoke about in Walt Disney World.
Feel like royalty as you step into this magical salon located in Sleeping Beauty Castle, where every girl’s dream of becoming a Disney princess will come true. With the help of your Fairy Godmother and Fairy Godmothers-in-training, you will be magically transformed from head to toe, from hair and make-up to princess gowns and accessories. Make the royal treatment complete with professional photographs of your enchanting Disney princess experience.
· You could do a VIP Tour.
Experience the magic with your Personal Guide in this ideal trip at either one of the Disneyland Resort Theme Parks.
Host or Hostess will lead the way.
At least 6 hours of amazing Disney trivia and astounding historical facts.
Tour Length: Tours are at least 6 hours.
Price Info: $315-$355 USD per hour
Valid Disneyland Park admission is required.
For information on this and other tour experiences at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California, please contact the Disney Special Activities Office at (714) 300-7710 or ask your travel agent.
· Purchase special birthday hats or Mouse Ears. These are available from many of the merchandise shops in the parks.
· The guests could do a spa treatment at the Mandara Spa, located at Disney’s Grand California Resort & Spa.
A touch of Bali comes to the Disneyland Resort as the Mandara Spa at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. With its rustic stonework and finely crafted wood accents, the spa’s natural look and feel beautifully complement the hotel’s classic Arts & Crafts theme. The two venues also share a dedication to superior guest service. From the moment you arrive at Mandara Spa, you are given personalized attention by the friendly, attentive concierge staff. In the Reception Pavilion you can choose from the spa’s impressive menu of services. Select one of the specialty massages and, after a restful stop in the Tea Pavilion, you’ll be led to one of the private treatment rooms for a Swedish, Sports or Deep Tissue massage. The spa can even accommodate couples wishing to enjoy a massage together. Other offerings include a variety of facial and full-body treatments, as well as manicures and pedicures.
Reservations: 714-300-7350
Guests must be 14 yrs.+ for spa treatments and 5 yrs.+ for nail treatments
Annual Passholders receive 20% discount Monday – Thursday
10% Group discounts for 6+ guests
· If you want to have a birthday party, they could celebrate at the Disneyland Hotel at Goofy’s Kitchen.
Rub elbows with Chef Goofy and his pals at this whimsical all-you-care-to-eat buffet with inventive culinary surprises. Goofy’s Kitchen is a great place to celebrate birthday parties too — so if you are celebrating a big day, be sure and come party Disney style!
Meals Served: Breakfast, Dinner
Cuisine Type: American
Service Type: Character Dining
Price Range: More Than $36 Per Person
Price reflects estimated individual check average, except Character Dining and buffet locations where pricing is based on individual adult pricing. Excludes alcohol, tax and gratuity.
Reservations Accepted: (714) 781-DINE (3463)
· Let the band at New Orleans Square know about the birthday for a special birthday serenade.
World of Color is a great place to spend a birthday and there are a number of ways to enhance this spectaular show! You will watch in awe as water, light and fire immerse you in a stunning extravaganza of fantasy and imagination! As unforgettable Disney music surrounds you, enormous walls of water come alive with scenes from your favorite Disney stories. Be among the first to experience this spectacular new show at Disney California Adventure Park.
Guests can now be a part of the show at “World of Color” with the new “Glow with the Show” Ear Hats. Using the latest interactive technology, our newest ear hats will quite literally let Guests “Glow with the Show.” The iridescent ears change to complement and harmonize with what’s happening around Guests, allowing them to become a part of the magic of our nighttime spectaculars, such as “World of Color” and Mad T Party.
Guests can grab their own “Glow With the Show” Ears on their next visit to Disney California Adventure Park – they are available for $25 (tax included) at locations throughout the Park, including Los Feliz Five & Dime, Off the Page, Seaside Souvenirs and many merchandise carts.
There are four ways to secure a spot for the show in advance (explained in-depth below this bulleted listed):
· Disney’s FASTPASS Tickets for World of Color
· World of Color Picnic Meals – Available Online or by Walk-up Purchase
· Carthay Circle Restaurant World of Color Dining Package
· Wine Country Trattoria World of Color Dining
Disney’s FASTPASS Tickets for World of Color
Disney’s FASTPASS tickets for World of Color will be available each morning at the Grizzly River Run FASTPASS terminals, providing Guests with a specific show time. As with other FASTPASS attractions, a limited number of passes will be available each day for World of Color, and when all of the day’s passes have been distributed, the terminals will revert to distributing Disney’s FASTPASS tickets for Grizzly River Run.
World of Color Picnic Meals – Available Online or by Walk-up Purchase
Guests can go on the Web to place an order for a special boxed picnic meal that includes World of Color reserved viewing. Picnic meals may be ordered on disneyland.com or by walk-up purchase, subject to availability, at the Sonoma Terrace of the Golden Vine Winery in Disney California Adventure Park. The picnic meals are not available for order by phone.
Online orders may be placed up to 30 days in advance, and meals may be picked up at the Sonoma Terrace between 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. As a special bonus for pre-purchasing a meal, the entire party’s online order will be packaged in a souvenir World of Color reusable tote. Guests who order picnic meals online will be assigned to the evening’s first show, and, space permitting, Guests who make a walk-up purchase will be assigned to that evening’s second show.
Picnic meal options include four selections for adults: the All-American (cold honey-stung fried chicken), the Taste of Asia (chilled miso-glazed salmon), the European Antipasto (cured meats, regional cheeses, artichoke heart, sun-dried tomato) and the Mediterranean Vegetarian (marinated grilled vegetables in a whole wheat wrap with roasted garlic hummus). Options for children ages 3-9 include the Junior All-American (chicken), the Lunchbox Classic (peanut butter and jelly) and the Little Squirt’s Box (apple wedges, string cheese).
All picnic meals with World of Color Reserved Viewing must be redeemed for the designated, reserved show date and time. There are no refunds, exchanges or other discounts. Price: $15.99 (including tax)
Carthay Circle Restaurant World of Color Dining Package
Each Guest who dines at Carthay Circle Restaurant between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and who purchases an appetizer and entrée OR an entrée and dessert will receive a ticket to center stage viewing area for FIRST show. Each Guest who dines at Carthay Circle Restaurant between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., and who purchases an appetizer and entrée OR an entrée and dessert will receive a ticket to center stage viewing area for SECOND show.
Price Range: More Than $36 Per Person
Reservations are recommended: (714) 781-DINE (3463)*
Wine Country Trattoria World of Color Dining
Experience the bounty of California wine country with a delicious 3-course dinner than includes choice of starter, entrée and dessert. Lunch includes a selection of favorites from the Italian-themed menu. Complement your meal from the wide selection of wine, at an additional cost.
Lunch
First and second show lunch packages (on applicable days):
· 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., first show
· 2:40 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., second show
Includes Reserved Viewing ticket.
Prices: $29.99 adults, $18.99 children ages 3 to 9
Dinner
First and second show dinner packages (on applicable nights):
· 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., first show
· 7:05 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., second show
Includes Preferred Viewing ticket.
Prices: $39.99 adults, $20.99 children ages 3 to 9
Reservations are recommended: (714) 781-DINE (3463)*
*Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call. On a limited basis, reservations may be made in person at these locations. Meals are at specified times and space is limited. No early or late admissions. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No refunds, exchanges or other discounts. Separate theme park admission is required.
Entertainment subject to change without notice.
Prices reflect estimated individual check average. Excludes alcohol, tax and gratuity unless otherwise noted.
All information is subject to change without notice.
Valid theme park admission required with dinner packages and picnic meals.
No matter how or which Disney destination you choose to celebrate- take it from us- it will certainly be your birthday dream come true!
