The Ultimate Guide to Birthday Celebrations at Disney World

Is today your UNBIRTHDAY? Funny, it’s mine, too! While it’s always a joyous occasion to celebrate “A Very Merry Unbirthday,” today we’re talking about some super fun ways to celebrate your one Big Day a year — your BIRTHDAY — in Walt Disney World!

From special splurges to simpler pleasures, let’s daydream about ways to have the BEST! (BIRTH)DAY! EVER! in The Most Magical Place on Earth!

Upgrade Your Resort

Stay on Property

Perhaps you or a loved one is marking a milestone birthday (just like The Walt Disney Company is doing this year!).

What could be better than spending the entire day — or your entire birthday trip — staying at a Disney World Resort hotel? In addition to the guest perks (like free transportation, access to Early Theme Park Entry, and your own in-room Virtual Assistant), it would certainly be memorable to wake up and fall asleep immersed in Disney magic!

You could do exactly that at any of the Resort Hotels on Disney property, including the whimsical and fun-filled Value Resorts which include Disney’s Pop Century, Disney’s Art of Animation, and Disney’s All-Star Resorts. But we also have another idea…

Learn more about the NEWEST Disney World Resort hotel perk: “Hey, Disney!”

Stay at a Deluxe Resort for MORE HOURS in the Parks

Okay, we mentioned Early Theme Park Entry, which is a perk that ALL guests staying at a Disney World Resort hotel receive, allowing them to enter ANY park ANY day of the week 30 minutes before the park officially opens to all guests!

But guests at select participating Resorts can also enjoy MORE time in the parks (two whole hours!) AT NIGHT. Extended Evening Hours are available to guests staying at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Walt Disney World Resort hotel for the length of their stay (you can see the full list of eligible Resort hotels here.) 

Unlike Early Theme Park Hours, the Extended Evening Hours are offered only at one park per specific date, and tend to only be offered twice a week — once at Magic Kingdom and once at EPCOT, generally speaking (except for unusually busy seasons). So you’ll have to plan accordingly, as it’s quite possible your actual birthday won’t line up with the dates that Extended Evening Hours are offered. But if that doesn’t bother you, this could be a great additional perk to up your Birthday game!

Stay at the Star Wars: Galactic StarCruiser

Ok, get ready for the splurgiest of all the splurges. Are you ready to spend your birthday in a galaxy far, far away?

Then step aboard the HALCYON — the grand spaceship that’s otherwise known as the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser! Yes, we’re chatting about hotels in this section, but when it comes to the Starcruiser, “hotel” is something of a misnomer.

The Galactic Staruiser is a two-night, all-inclusive entirely immersive experience unlike any other, where you — a passenger aboard the Halcyon — participate and even affect the course of an epic Star Wars story. It’s an experience that Disney has shared is not storytelling, but “storyliving!”

Eat, drink, and LIVE Star Wars for your birthday! Hey, we can all dream, can’t we? And if you’re gonna dream, you might as well DREAM BIG… like, HALCYON BIG.

Click here for the best eats at the Star Wars Hotel!

After all, Han Solo and Princess Leia spent their honeymoon on the Halcyon, so it’ll likely do just fine for a birthday celebration, too. 😉

Build Your Own LightSaber

Okay, so maaaaaaybe a voyage on the Starcruiser is just a tad outside the ol’ budget. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a Force-filled birthday all the same.

The Gatherers at Savi’s Workshop in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios can assist you with exactly that. These are the citizens of Batuu who lead the guests at Savi’s in building their very own customized Lightsabers!

The ceremony? It’s exclusive.

 

Only those who have pre-paid for the experience to build a Lightsaber can enter the Workshop with one chosen guest to join them. And you walk out with one heck of a birthday candle!

The Lightsabers are stunning, and making your own is an experience to remember. You can find our Complete Guide to Savi’s Workshop HERE.

Extra-Ticket Events

After Hours Events

Remember those Extended Evening Hours we talked about earlier — the ones for guests staying at select Deluxe Resorts? Well, there are other ways to enjoy the parks with WAY less crowds that anyone can enjoy with the purchase of an extra ticket: Disney After Hours events are offered, at press time, at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

After Hours guests have easy access to select park attractions (including headliner attractions such as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios). And guess what? Ice cream novelties, popcorn, and select drinks are included!

Mickey’s Holiday Parties

Does your birthday fall between mid-August and October 31st? Then a ticket to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party might be the best present you can give yourself!

November and December babies have the option of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

Though they are two separate events, they share several aspects in common: Party-exclusive parades and fireworks, Disney characters in festive costumes, complimentary treats, access to the park’s attractions with low wait times and MUCH MORE!

Fireworks Dessert Party or Fireworks Cruise

Celebrate with a BANG… let’s talk about FIREWORKS! Did you know that you can zhuzh up your fireworks viewing with something EXTRA?

A Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party may be just the thing. While the evening sky lights up with bursting fireworks, you can enjoy an entire Buffet of endless desserts and drinks along with a reserved viewing area for the show!

There are three versions of the Dessert Party from which to choose: the Fireworks Pre-Party, the Fireworks Treats & Seats Party, and the Fireworks After-Party. 

Click HERE to see our full guide to the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties!

Or how about a private fireworks party with a Fireworks CRUISE?? Fireworks cruises are available for EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, and each cruise presents guests with a 25-foot pontoon that can comfortably accommodate up to 10 people.

 

The cruise also includes a Captain and assorted snacks and beverages. And since you’re celebrating a birthday, banners and balloons may be requested upon booking the cruise, and are included in the cost (which starts at $399).

Celebrate with CAKE!

What’s the best thing about a birthday? Why, it’s CAKE! And there’s no need to forego this tasty tradition even if you aren’t at home.

There are several ways to add a cake to your day. Custom cakes and creations are available for pickup from Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs, and interested guests may call the dedicated cake line at 407-934-3500 OR stop by Amorette’s Patisserie AT LEAST 48 hours in advance. Choose from five different Disney Character-inspired Dome Cakes (typically $59.00) and the Signature Amorette’s Cake (typically $75.00).

Hey, you might even want to decorate your very own cake at Amorette’s — find out how HERE!

Let’s say you have already special meal at a Disney World Table Service restaurant booked for your loved one’s birthday. You can surprise them with a Celebration Cake!

To order a Mickey Celebration Cake for a Table Service restaurant at which you have an existing Advance Dining Reservation, start by calling the Cake-Ordering Hotline at 407-827-2253. Simply follow the voice prompt to add a Mickey Celebration Cake to your reservation. 

Additionally, Mickey Celebration Cakes are available for same-day order and can be picked up at several Resort hotel restaurants through Mobile Order on the My Disney Experience app.

Don’t forget: Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC at Disney Springs provides gluten-free and vegan cakes at Walt Disney World!

Enjoy a Fancy Dinner

Get all dressed up and ready to enjoy a wonderful meal at a Signature restaurant in Disney World. There are several from which to choose, but a few of our favorites include Jiko — The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge,  California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort.

The ULTIMATE in fine dining in Disney World is a meal at Victoria & Albert’s in Disney’s Grand Floridian. Takumi-Tei offers fine dining in EPCOT’s Japan pavilion, and Monsieur Paul Restaurant serves fine French cuisine in EPCOT’s France pavilion.

Or forget fancy. What about just plain FUN? I haven’t done this for my birthday yet, but one of these days it’s on my list to celebrate at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue!

Yep, we went from Victoria & Albert’s to Hoop-Dee-Doo. This is why you gotta love Disney World. Anyway, that’s just a few ideas for you.

A Disney World Tour

The Birthday Kid is a VERY IMPORTANT PERSON. So how about a Disney World Private VIP Tour? Private VIP Tours offer guests the opportunity to hop on most of the available park attractions at the front of the line. A personal Guest Services Cast Member will take your group — up to a party of 10 — on a customizable trip around the parks, while also giving you plenty of fun facts and insider knowledge!

Private VIP Tours are booked at a 7-hour minimum, with prices ranging from $425 to $850 per hour, depending on the date. (Prices do not include the required valid theme park admission.)

That, of course, is among most expensive offerings of the Disney World Tours. Perhaps you have a passion or interest you can explore at a lesser cost. For instance, did you know you can have a dolphin encounter in The Seas pavilion in EPCOT? EPCOT Seas Adventure — Dolphins in Depth allows YOU to interact with these beautiful ocean creatures!

I have wonderful memories of Up Close with Rhinos, which — for $45 (and discounts offered for Disney World Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members) brings you backstage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for a petting experience with one of the park’s rhinos.

You might be surprised by the variety of experiences offered all around the Resort!

Spa Day or Golf Day

RELAX on your birthday… in STYLE! Why not indulge in a Disney World SPA DAY?

For instance, at Disney’s Grand Floridian Spa, services include Massages for Two, Warm Stone Massages, botanical body treatments, facials, as well as mani-pedis. There’s also a full salon and a relaxation room (as seen above) along with a steam room and spa pool.

Appointments are available online through Disney World’s website.

Check out the Grand Floridian Spa HERE!

P.S. The younger birthday boys and girls might enjoy their own version of a “Spa Day” with a Knight or Princess Makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique!

Got a golfer in your life? They might totally dig a Golf Lesson. YES! Disney World offers 45 minutes of private instruction in a lesson taught by a PGA professional.

Want to learn more? Call (407) WDW-GOLF or (407) 939-4653 or visit www.golfwdw.com!

Buy a Special Souvenir

If your mind has jumped to presents at this point, we don’t blame you! Whether you are treating yourself or looking for something special for the one you are celebrating, you’re sure to find a gift that fits the birthday bill. You might even find something that lets everyone in on the fact that IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY like, for instance, these subtle Mickey Ears!

EARS to you on your BIRTHDAY!

Maybe splurge on a bag from the latest Dooney & Bourke collection.

Love a Loungefly? You’ll find plenty!

Or maybe something to remember the year you celebrated BIG at Disney World!

We have a feeling you’ll probably be able to come up with something. 😉

Free Stuff!

Celebration Button

Let the whole World (Disney World, that is) celebrate with you!

Pick up a FREE “I’m Celebrating” Button at Guest Services in any of the theme parks or at your Resort’s front desk, and let the well wishes roll in from cast members and guests alike!

P.S. See how you can have your button PERSONALIZED here!

Enjoy Fireworks and a Parade

Sure, we talked about splurging on a Fireworks Cruise or Fireworks Dessert Party a bit earlier, but Disney fireworks are pretty darn spectacular no matter where or how you view them, and a great way to wrap up your birthday.

And let’s not forget Parades! Festival of Fantasy can be seen from several vantage points around Magic Kingdom, and it’s typically seen at 3PM and a 12PM parade often winds its way around the park, too!

Get a Hug from Mickey

It’s been a hoot thinking through a TON of ways to celebrate a birthday in Disney World. I hope you’ve had fun, too! While we’ve explored several ways to enhance your birthday with extras and goodies and special experiences, at the end of the day…

…what can beat a hug from MICKEY MOUSE for your Birthday?

NOTHING, that’s what. Find all out the places where you can meet him in the parks HERE!

(Oh, and don’t forget that Mickey’s Birthday is November 18th, in case you want to wish HIM a Happy Birthday, too!)

Until your big day…we’re wishing a “VERY MERRY UNBIRTHDAY TO YOOOUUU!!!!”

How would YOU celebrate your birthday in Disney World? Let us know with a comment!

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