For a Disney fan, what could be more magical than celebrating a birthday at Disney World?
Disney makes it very easy to add some birthday magic into a trip, and while some things might cost extra, there are still several things you can do that are free or inexpensive.
Are you thinking you might want to celebrate a birthday on your next Disney World trip? Take a look at the list below for some fun ideas!
It doesn’t have to be your actual birthday to celebrate
Disney doesn’t check your drivers license or birth certificate to confirm it is your birthday.
The reality is that it isn’t always practical to travel to Disney World on your actual birthday. But, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the birthday celebration fun.
There are lots of different ways to celebrate. Here are just a few ideas:
- Pick one person and celebrate their birthday for the entire trip.
- Pick one day of your vacation and make that day the “honorary” birthday and celebrate then.
- Meeting up with friends and family that you don’t often get to celebrate birthdays with? Celebrate a different person’s birthday each day of your trip.
Free ways for celebrating a birthday at Disney World
Get a free button
Disney has free buttons for you to wear. These buttons are cute, and they often will prompt a few “Happy Birthday” greetings from Cast Members (and guests!). They also make for a fun souvenir.
You can pick up the buttons from Guest Services in the theme parks or from your Disney World Resort hotel.
Looking for something extra special? For just a few dollars you can design your own or buy a special button from places like Parkbound Buttons.
Let Disney know you are celebrating a birthday when you dine
Planning some Table Service meals? If you are, make sure you indicate that you are celebrating a birthday on your reservation.
Many restaurants try to do something special if they see that a birthday (or other occasion) is being celebrated. While it isn’t a guarantee, you might get surprised with a special dessert (like a cupcake) or even a card.
Things to wear
Birthday apparel and accessories
In addition to the buttons, you can also find fun birthday shirts, ears, and even MagicBands for purchase at the parks.
If you want to buy things before your trip, check out the ShopDisney website or the ShopDisney Parks app. You’ll find many of the same items from the parks there and lots of things can be personalized, even Mickey ears!
Looking for something more custom?
Etsy is loaded with vendors that do customized shirts and ears.
Make sure if you are ordering from someplace like Etsy that you confirm the shipping time and that you check the reviews. Many places can take up to 2 weeks to ship, so you’ll need to plan ahead if you want to shop there.
Fun ways to celebrate a birthday at your resort
Order something special from Disney Floral and Gifts
Did you know that Disney World has their own florist?
Yep!
Disney Floral and Gifts can create a magical experience with custom floral arrangements and gift packages. They cover just about every type of celebration you can think of, including birthdays.
You can do balloons, flowers, a gift bag full of Disney treats etc. They will work with you to create the perfect gift for your loved one.
Want something even more extreme?
For the ultimate resort birthday experience, consider one of their “In-Room Celebration” packages.
These packages are pricey (they start around $300) but they are ah-ma-azing.
The offerings vary depending on what package you choose, but you’ll likely get balloons, decorations like banners or door signs, treats and sweets, Mickey ears, etc.
Celebrating a birthday at Disney World while dining
In addition to making sure you’ve indicated your reason to celebrate on your reservation, you have some other premium options you can choose to do.
Order a cake
Many of the Table Service restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort allow you to have a custom cake delivered to your seat.
When ordering, you’ll be allowed to choose from a Mickey Mouse Celebration cake (which is the least expensive option), a custom-designed cake, or even allergy-friendly or vegan cakes.
Mickey Mouse Celebration Cake
The Mickey Mouse Celebration Cakes come in the shape of Mickey Mouse and are only available in chocolate or white chocolate. You can choose to have the cake say either “Happy Birthday” or “Congratulations” (or leave it blank), but that is all the customizing you can do with these cakes.
The cost of the Mickey Mouse Celebration Cake is $35, and it can feed 4 to 6 guests.
You can add this cake ahead of time to any reservation by calling (407) WDW-DINE. Or the nice thing about these cakes is that if you forget to order ahead of time, when checking in for your reservation at the podium you can ask to have one brought to your table. Cakes ordered same day are subject to availability, so whenever possible you should plan to order ahead.
Custom cakes and allergy-friendly cakes
If you’re looking for something a little fancier (or if you need something allergy-friendly), consider ordering a customized cake.
If you opt for a customized cake, the prices start at $75, but you’ll have tons of different options for shape, design, and flavor.
There isn’t one spot to see all of the different options out there, but Disney Food Blog has a good FAQ on Disney World cakes post that should help.
Cakes delivered to your resort
If you’d rather dine on your cake in your room, you can do that, too.
Guests wishing to have a cake delivered to their rooms can call (407) 827-2253.
Storybook Moments
Another option from Disney Floral and Gifts, these special Storybook Moment add-ons have everything you’ll need to make you feel like royalty or to help you have that special moment when meeting your favorite character.
If you are planning a special character meal for a birthday, one of these add-ons would be a fun way to make it extra special.
The current options for Storybook Moments include Mickey, Minnie, and Disney Princess-themed gifts.
When ordering, you’ll be able to select a resort, restaurant, or even theme park for delivery.
Plan something extra special
Looking for something more? Some restaurants like Cinderella’s Royal Table are a popular spot for engagements and birthdays. If you’d like to plan something extra special there, you can contact the Disney Dream Makers at (407) WDW-GIFT or email the special events coordinators at [email protected].
Special events to celebrate a birthday at Disney World
Plan something with Gifts of a Lifetime
This is a non-Disney affiliated company but they’ve been making magic happen at Disney World for years. Starting with a questionnaire, the representatives at Gifts of a Lifetime will create a magical surprise for a loved one. Famous for their scavenger hunts through the parks, they have a wide array of special and unique experiences they can offer.
Have a princess or prince makeovers at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Have somebody ages 3-12 that might like to be transformed into their favorite Disney princess or Prince? Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a great option for younger guests that love to play dress-up.
Make the day extra special by pairing a trip to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutque with a special dinner reservation at your favorite Disney Princess character meal.
Join the Pirates League
Like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Pirates League offers guests ages 3-12 the opportunity to dress-up and channel their favorite swashbuckler.
Spend some time at a spa
Did you know that the Walt Disney World Resort also has spas?
If your birthday makes you want to pamper yourself, then you’ll want to check out one of the spas.
Located at Disney’s Grand Floridian and Saratoga Springs, Senses – A Disney Spa offers everything you’d expect from an upscale spa at a resort.
Massages, facials, pedicures, and manicures can all be found here. In addition, you can also find special packages for children ages 4-12 as well as services for teens which makes this a great option for guests that are too old for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique but still would like to be pampered like a prince or princess.
Get a first haircut
Celebrating somebody’s first birthday? If so, Harmony Barber Shop offers a cute My First Haircut package that is perfect, and at $25 is also a Disney bargain!
Included in the My First Haircut (in addition to the haircut itself) are a pair of ears and a certificate. They even collect some of the clippings and put them in a little bag so you can take them home!
Experience some fine dining
If you prefer to celebrate your birthday sipping wine and eating fine foods, you can do that, too.
Disney has lots of Signature Dining Experiences that are perfect for quiet birthday celebrations. The most exclusive of all the experiences, however, is the Chef’s Table at Victoria and Albert’s. A truly amazing encounter with food, an evening here is one of those “once-in-a-lifetime” experiences for both foodies and Disney fans alike.
Looking to pair your meal with some fireworks? While there aren’t many “perfect” spots to do that, there are lots of locations where you are likely to catch some of the nighttime shows while you dine and that can make for a perfect end to a birthday celebration.
Take a fireworks cruise
Another unique (and fun) experience are specialty fireworks cruises.
These cruises are offered most nights and take guests out on the waters to view either Illumniations or Happily Ever After.
The music for the shows is piped in so you can enjoy the story as you watch the fireworks light up the sky.
Personally, we find that the Illuminations cruise is a bit better experience of the two because you get a prime location on the water inside the park for viewing. For Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After show, you view it from outside the park. Since Happily Ever After uses so many projections on the castle, watching it from outside the park means you won’t be able to see those.
The fireworks cruises start at $299 but the price does vary depending on the time of year. You can book a cruise up to 180 days in advance by calling (407) WDW-PLAY.
Go on a specialty tour
Another popular option for people celebrating their birthday’s at Disney World are one of the many specialty tours they offer.
You’ll find tours offered in all 4 parks, tours around special events and holidays, special VIP experiences, and even tours designed for the whole family.
Most tours do have age restrictions, however, so be sure you check on those before you commit to something!
Take in a dessert party
All 4 parks offer dessert parties that are held during the nighttime entertainment. These dessert parties, while expensive, can offer a special and more relaxed way to view one of the popular nighttime shows.
We have reviews and comparisons of the 3 main parties so make sure you check that out if this sounds like something you might want to do.
***********
There you have it – some of our favorite ways for celebrating a birthday at Disney World. Did you miss any of your favorites? Share those in the comments below!
The following products and services give us a commission on sales.
Get our free Quick Start Guide
Have our guide delivered right to your inbox with our 6-step Disney World planning process to make it less overwhelming. Snag our free guide ➡️
Take our course
Check out our course that will help you learn all about Walt Disney World planning with dozens of videos and downloadables for each step along the way. Get access now ➡️
Our recommend travel agency
We partner with Small World Vacations, Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacations Planners in business since 1996. Get a quote now ➡️
Want to stay deluxe on a moderate budget?
It’s 1 of our top fave ways to save! By renting DVC points, you can stay in deluxe accommodations for a fraction of the price. Check availability ➡️
Private car service
Quicksilver Tours will transport you in style. They assist with luggage at the airport, provide car seats, and include a free grocery stop. Book your car ➡️
Need a stroller, wheelchair, or scooter?
Buena Vista Scooters is a company with a great reputation who offers in-person resort drop off and pick up of strollers, scooters, and wheelchairs. Book your rental ➡️
Amazon recommendations
Check out our Amazon shop with trip essentials we love. Start shopping ➡️
WDW Prep merch
Get WDW Prep merch to show off your Disney knowledge (especially fun for spotting others during your trip!). Check out the WDW Prep merch shop ➡️
- 2023 Epcot Holiday Cookie Stroll (Festival of the Holidays) - November 30, 2023
- Epcot updates: what’s still coming (and what isn’t) - November 30, 2023
- 2023 Epcot Festival of the Holidays: Guide to Storytellers & Entertainment (Including Santa) - November 29, 2023
Becky
Friday 28th of February 2020
We celebrated my son’s 10th birthday in WDW last summer. Prior to the trip, I was looking for ways to celebrate his birthday there, and I finally settled on us doing Animal Kingdom After Hours and it was great! It was a huge special treat because there were no lines for anything (and he especially enjoyed riding Flight of Passage and Everest multiple times), he got to stay up late, and he could enjoy the ice cream / popcorn / soda around the park.
Donna Stutzman
Wednesday 15th of May 2019
Are the cruises $299 per person or is that to rent the whole pontoon?
Shannon Albert
Wednesday 15th of May 2019
It's the price for the whole boat, not per person.
Kristi
Sunday 13th of January 2019
We use Gifts of a Lifetime for announcing our Disney Cruise. I can't recommend them enough. It was put together so well and the kids loved it. The parents really enjoyed it as well!
Turtle
Friday 6th of April 2018
Our family is going to WDW for the first time next year (FUTURE PODCAST ALERT SHANNON!) at the same time our daughter turns 5. My issue is while I want to acknowledge her birthday, I want all the kids to have fun and don't want to make them feel left out or jealous. Her sister will be 6, so a day at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutque and a meal with the princesses is something both will enjoy, but I'm not sure how to incorporate my 11 year old son into the festivities. He isn't into the pirate thing. Any ideas on how to please everyone? Do we split up the family during the boutique trip or do we say it's his birthday another day? Thanks
Adrienne C
Friday 13th of April 2018
We're in the same boat (our trip is in three weeks). I booked Bippidi Bobbidi Boutique and Cinderella's castle for dinner on my daughter's actual birthday (she turns 6) and I booked the Star Wars dessert party during the week during which we'll celebrate my son's birthday (he turns 8 two weeks after my daughter). This way he doesn't feel left out. I have my son and husband going to Space Mountain for a fast pass while my daughter is in BBB. Have fun on your first trip - I guarantee it won't be your last one :)