Celebrating A Birthday At Walt Disney World

There’s something truly magical about celebrating a birthday at Walt Disney World—whether you’re turning one, twenty-two, or anywhere in between. Disney makes it wonderfully simple to sprinkle in those extra-special touches that turn an ordinary trip into a core-memory celebration.

On our last visit, we actually celebrated two birthdays: Annabelle’s first and my brother’s 22nd. We went a week early to dodge the holiday crowds, but we chose one day for each of them to be the “official” birthday—and Disney absolutely delivered on the magic.

Here are my favorite tips for making a Disney birthday unforgettable, along with a peek into what made our own celebrations so special.

Get a Free Birthday Button

You can pick up a FREE birthday button from Guest Services in the theme parks or from your Disney World Resort hotel to let cast members know that you’re celebrating. Usually, the cast members will wish you a happy birthday, but sometimes, they’ll go above and beyond to add a little pixie dust to your day!

Plus, they make for a fun souvenir of your special Walt Disney World Birthday trip!

Note On Your Reservation

Another easy way to sprinkle a little extra magic on your trip is to add a celebration note to your reservation. It’s such a simple step, but it often follows you throughout your stay—popping up on dining reservations and giving Cast Members a chance to surprise you with a special treat, song, or to just go the extra mile to make your day at Disney as special as possible.

When we added a note to our Chef Mickey’s reservation for Annabelle’s birthday, they didn’t just bring out a cupcake—they also surprised her with a birthday card signed by Mickey and all his friends!

Order A Cake

What’s a birthday without a little something sweet? Disney makes it wonderfully easy to celebrate—there’s a cake for every personality, from over-the-top creations to simple, classic treats. The easiest (and honestly one of the cutest) is the Mickey Celebration Cake. It’s a $35 dome cake topped with those iconic chocolate ears, and you can even add a personalized message right on them. It comes in chocolate or white chocolate and is the perfect size for 4–6 people.

I always recommend ordering ahead by calling (407) WDW-DINE so you’re guaranteed to get one. Some restaurants can accommodate same-day requests at the podium, but quantities are limited, so advance planning is your best bet.

For a full list of participating restaurants and more details, you can visit Disney’s website—but don’t worry, I’ll help you figure out the best option for your celebration.

If you want to take things a step further—and truly wow your birthday kid (or grown-up!)—Disney also offers custom cakes that can be delivered right to your resort room or to the restaurant where you’re celebrating. Each location has slightly different options, but most offer an 8-inch vanilla, chocolate, or marble cake with your choice of buttercream or whipped cream, plus fillings like chocolate mousse, fruit mousse, custard, or strawberry. Those start around $50, with 10-inch cakes at about $70. Some resorts even offer mini cakes, 6-inch cakes, or elaborate fondant designs for an additional fee.

We ordered a custom cake for my brother Andrew’s birthday, and Disney did not disappoint! I called the custom cake line at (407) 827-2253, followed the prompts to Tiffins (where we were celebrating), and requested something simple: “Happy Birthday Andrew” with an Animal Kingdom theme.

Plan A Special Event

A Disney trip is already a magical birthday on its own, but if you’re a frequent visitor or want to make this celebration stand out, it might be the perfect time to add an “Enchanting Extra.” Think dessert parties, behind-the-scenes tours, spa time, golf, or even a tea party at the Grand Floridian.

This is where it gets highly personal. What would the birthday celebrator enjoy the most? A tea party at the Grand Floridian? Tee time at the golf course? A princess makeover followed by a royal meal?

For my brother Andrew, that meant something tied to his favorites—eating around EPCOT and the Kilimanjaro Safari. I knew he’d love Savor the Savannah, but they couldn’t fit our big group of 14, so we booked the Wild Africa Trek instead, which he LOVED!

I’ve helped so many families plan these little touches, from princess makeovers to elegant tea parties. One of my favorites was an 80th birthday tea and spa day at the Grand Floridian—simple, sweet, and perfectly personalized.

No matter your budget or interests, there’s an idea that will make a Disney birthday feel extra special. If you’d love help finding the perfect fit, schedule a call and we’ll design a day your family won’t forget.

Birthday Package From Disney Floral & Gifts

Another way to make a Disney birthday feel extra special is with an in-room celebration. You can have treats, balloons, and little gifts delivered right to your resort room—either by calling a Dream Maker at 407-939-4438 to customize something or by ordering one of Disney’s standard celebration packages online. You can keep it simple with half a dozen cupcakes or go all out and have your entire room transformed!

For Annabelle’s birthday, we chose balloons and Mickey-shaped Rice Krispie treats. Nothing extravagant—but she played with those balloons for hours!

Helping families plan magical trips is truly my passion, but moments like these—planning surprises, hearing the reactions, creating memories that become part of your family story—those are my favorite parts of what I do. Whether it’s a birthday cake, a dessert party, or even a quiet morning fishing on the lake, I’d be honored to help you create a celebration your family will never forget.

Who is Christina?

Meet Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists.  After all, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation, too!

She specializes in Disney, the Caribbean, and Europe, and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her four-year-old daughter, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.