How can I celebrate my birthday at Walt Disney World?

Is there any place more magical than Walt Disney World to celebrate a birthday? Special occasions, like birthdays, are one of the main reasons people decide to visit Walt Disney World. Sure, you can have a great time inside the theme parks. But, you may be wondering “how can I celebrate my birthday at Walt Disney World?” We’ve got some tips and tricks on how to make a birthday extra special at the Most Magical Place on Earth.

By Dani Dennison Meyering

How to Celebrate Your Birthday Inside the Theme Parks

The very first thing you should do when heading inside the Disney Parks for your birthday is to stop at Guest Relations to get a birthday button. Each of the four theme parks, and Disney Springs too, has a Guest Relations area. Here you’ll meet some of the most helpful and cheerful cast members who will gladly give you a special birthday button. Disney cast members throughout the parks generally love to look for guests wearing birthday buttons so they can wish them “Happy Birthday.” This button is also available en Español and says “Feliz Cumpleaños.”

Whether you’re visiting the Walt Disney World theme parks as a large group, a couple, or even solo, wear some festive clothing to mark the occasion. Usually if you’re wearing something that indicates you’re celebrating a birthday or other occasion you’ll get a bigger reaction from cast members or other guests. And even if you don’t, that’s okay – you’ll look great in your photos, and you’ll feel festive and fun.

Consider making dining reservations at one of the table service locations inside your chosen theme park. Many of the table service restaurants inside Disney’s theme parks are well themed and immersive, and the cast members at the table services restaurants usually love making birthdays special. Be sure to make note of the occasion when checking in for your reservation.

Before you wrap up your day, stop in one of the many ice cream shops, candy shops, or bakeries for something sweet. There’s at least one bakery in each of the Disney theme parks and there’s always at least one specialty cupcake available, plus loads of other sweets perfect for celebrating a birthday. Disney Springs has multiple sweet shops and bakeries too.

How to Celebrate Your Birthday at the Disney Resort Hotels

If you’re staying at one of the Disney Resort Hotels, or even one of the neighboring hotels, make sure your birthday is noted on the reservation before you arrive. When you’re checking in don’t be afraid to ask “hey we’re celebrating a birthday, is that noted on my reservation?” Not every front desk cast member or associate will be able to do anything special, but it is good to have it noted on the reservation just in case.

Before you arrive you may want to consider Disney Floral & Gifts to order something extra special. Disney Floral has a whole collection of birthday-themed floral arrangements, but there’s so much more. There’s also In-Room Celebrations you can order which include decorations, banners, gifts, and more.

Editor’s Note: Currently, Disney Floral and Gifts has suspended its operations temporarily. Please check their website for updates.

If you’re not staying at a Disney Resort Hotel, lots of Orlando resorts and hotels have local florists they can recommend that will deliver to the hotel or resort. Just call the resort or hotel ahead of your arrival and ask for the concierge or guest services to see if they can help.

Just like the theme parks, Disney Resort Hotels have great table service restaurants that are well themed and immersive. Generally, the restaurants at the resort hotels allow for an even more personal experience than the theme parks. Many of the cast members are used to seeing some of the same families multiple times over the span of the family’s vacation, and many cast members like to build a relationship with their guests. Even if you’re not a guest of the hotel, you can still dine at the hotel.

Did you know you can order a birthday cake to enjoy when dining at certain Disney restaurants? The majority of Disney’s signature table service restaurants participate in Disney’s Cake Delivery. Check out the list of participating restaurants, and if you do not plan on dining at one of them, there’s another way to enjoy a Disney birthday cake…

Other Ways to Celebrate Your Birthday at Walt Disney World

No matter where you choose to stay during your trip to Walt Disney World, or even if you’re a local, you can order a beautiful cake from Amorette’s Patisserie, located at Disney Springs. You’ll need to give Amorette’s a call at (407) 934-3500 or visit ahead of time. Specialty cakes require 48-72 hour notice.

For an outdoorsy way to celebrate a birthday, you can rent a boat at Walt Disney World or book a specialty cruise. There are multiple, beautiful waterways around Disney property, most of which have at least one marina where you can rent a boat. Watercraft options usually include pontoon boats and small SeaRacers that can sit two people. Specialty cruises, with themes and other special touches, are offered at select resorts. If you’re looking for luxury, there’s the Grand I Yacht at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, which can be booked for private excursions on the Seven Seas Lagoon in front of Magic Kingdom.

Editor’s Note: Currently, Disney Boat Rental has suspended its operations temporarily. Please check their website for updates.

If you want to make your birthday celebration the absolute most magical birthday celebration it can be, you can create your own private event. Disney’s Meeting and Events team can create an incredible birthday celebration that could rival a Disney princess’s ball, or they can help you create an intimate birthday party, too. There are venues throughout Walt Disney World property that can host your special birthday event including inside the theme parks, resort hotels, Disney Springs, and more.

A special birthday calls for special photography so you can cherish the memories for years and years. Disney has a fantastic photography team at Disney Fine Art Photography. These photographers are the real professionals and will create gorgeous photos for your family. Sessions can be booked at locations throughout Walt Disney World, including inside the theme parks. You can even have your own private session with Cinderella Castle as the backdrop.

No matter how you choose to celebrate a birthday at Walt Disney World, it will be magical. Whether you keep it small and simple, or go all out, chances are it will feel extra special at Disney. Be sure to do a little planning ahead of time and you’ll be set for a fun birthday celebration.