Celebrating Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Holidays at Walt Disney World
There’s nothing quite like celebrating a special occasion at Walt Disney World. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or a holiday, Disney just has that extra touch of magic that can make any celebration unforgettable. Over the years, I've found some amazing ways to elevate those special moments and make our Disney trips even more magical. Let me share a few of my favorites, and yes, feel free to steal these ideas for your next Disney adventure!
Magical Florist and Gifts – My Go-To for Special Surprises
I first discovered Magical Florist and Gifts (formerly Disney Floral & Gifts) back in 2018 when we took our kids to Walt Disney World. I wanted to surprise them with something special waiting in the room. So, I ordered two separate treat bags that we could snack on throughout the entire vacation. It was such a hit that I vowed to do something similar for every big trip!
Fast forward a few years, and I've been using Magical Florist and Gifts for everything from Easter baskets to special mother-daughter surprises. They even deliver to hotels outside of Disney resorts! On one memorable trip, we were staying at the Signia by Hilton, and I had them set up a beautiful princess-themed gift in our room. When my daughter and I walked in, she was so surprised, and it instantly made our trip even more special. Honestly, after six years of using them, they are my go-to for adding a little extra pixie dust to any celebration.
One Easter, I had them deliver a beautiful basket from our friend Mr. Bunny to our Disneyland Resort hotel. And yes, they deliver to non-Disney properties too! I’m telling you, whether you're staying at a Disney hotel or elsewhere in the Lake Buena Vista area, Magical Florist and Gifts has got you covered.
Let me tell you about the time my own kids gifted me a “you tried” prize for my first RunDisney 5K. That’s right—my first ever 5K, and my family apparently had so much confidence in me that they gifted me a medal before the race, just in case I didn’t finish. Can you believe it? They even threw in a sweet little note that said, "#1 to us, way to go Mommy!" Gee, thanks, guys! Well, joke’s on them because I absolutely crushed that race. I finished with energy to spare, proving that Mom's still got it. But hey, the gift was thoughtful, and I did have a good laugh—and yes, I proudly wore that “pity medal” across the finish line.
Ohana Concierge – For When You Want to Go All Out
(They are currently closed but I will keep an eye out for them!)
Now, if you’re looking for something even more over the top, let me introduce you to Ohana Concierge. This company truly brings the magic, and I’ve worked with them on a few very special celebrations.
For my 40th birthday (yes, it was a big one!), we had Ohana Concierge deck out not one, but two rooms for the occasion. It was truly amazing. Every little detail was perfect, from the decorations to the personalized touches. Sure, this option can be a bit pricey, but if you want to go all out for a special occasion, they are worth every penny.
One of my favorite setups they did was for a couple celebrating their anniversary. They went with an "Up" theme (yes, complete with balloons!) and it was hands-down one of the most heartwarming and beautifully executed surprises I've ever seen. I'll be sure to link that reel below so you can see how magical their services really are.
Adding Extra Pixie Dust to Your Disney Celebrations
Now, let's talk about some other ways to make your celebration extra special at Walt Disney World. Whether you're marking a birthday, anniversary, or just want to surprise a loved one, here are a few fun ideas to consider:
Order a Celebration Cake: Did you know you can add a cake to your dining reservation? Disney offers adorable mini cakes that can be customized, and they’ll bring it right to your table! It’s a fun, delicious way to make any meal extra festive.
Specialty Dining Experiences: Want to take your celebration to the next level? Book a dinner at one of Disney’s signature dining locations like California Grill or Narcoossee’s. You can even time your reservation to catch the fireworks from the restaurant!
Character Meet-and-Greets: For younger Disney fans (or, let’s be honest, any Disney fan), consider booking a character meal to celebrate. There’s nothing quite like Mickey and Minnie joining your table to wish you a happy birthday.
Capture the Magic: Disney’s Memory Maker or a private photo session with Disney PhotoPass can help you document your special celebration. Whether it's a birthday, anniversary, or family reunion, having professional photos is the perfect way to remember your magical day.
Fireworks Dessert Parties: End your celebration day with a bang by attending a fireworks dessert party. These events offer prime viewing areas for nighttime spectaculars, along with a selection of delicious treats to enjoy before the show.
Fireworks Cruises: If you want to celebrate in a more private and memorable way, consider booking a fireworks cruise. You’ll set sail on Seven Seas Lagoon or Crescent Lake and enjoy a stunning view of the fireworks with snacks, soft drinks, and a peaceful vibe far from the crowds.
Matching Shirts: Is it even a Disney celebration without matching shirts? Coordinating outfits make for adorable photos and let the world know you're celebrating. Bonus points if you go all-in with ears, buttons, and themes!
Don’t Forget Your Birthday Button: Stop by Guest Services or the front desk at your Disney Resort and ask for a celebration button. If you're feeling extra, you can get it customized at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom. (Pro tip: the bigger and bolder your button, the more likely Cast Members are to spot it.)
Add the Celebration to Your Reservation: Be sure to note your birthday, anniversary, or special event on your resort and dining reservations. Cast Members often sprinkle in a little extra pixie dust when they see you're celebrating!
Let People Know You're Celebrating: Don’t be shy—when you tell Cast Members it’s your birthday or you’re wearing that celebration button loud and proud, you may just get a shoutout on a ride, a little freebie, or extra love during character interactions. No guarantees, but those surprise moments are some of the most magical!
Birthday Celebration Trip
No matter what the occasion, Walt Disney World has endless ways to make your celebration unforgettable. From personalized gifts delivered to your room to fireworks that light up the night sky, the magic is truly in the details. So next time you’re celebrating at Disney, go ahead and add a little extra pixie dust to make your special moment even more magical!
And don’t forget—whether you choose Magical Florist and Gifts or Ohana Concierge, you’re sure to be treated like Disney royalty!
Celebrating Big Birthdays at Disney: From Kids’ Parties to the Ultimate Girls' Getaway
Planning a birthday celebration at Walt Disney World is no small feat—especially when you're bringing friends, family, or, in my case, a group of 14 fabulous women. But whether it’s your kid’s big day or your own milestone birthday, with a little planning and a sprinkle of pixie dust, you can pull off a magical celebration that no one will forget. Let’s start with my son’s birthday—because when you're the mom of a Disney kid, the birthday party bar is high.
My Son’s Disney Birthday Bash (a.k.a. Traveling With Other People’s Kids)
If you're planning to take your child to Disney for their birthday and want to include their friends, there are a few important things to keep in mind—especially when it comes to logistics.
For my son’s birthday, we invited a few of his closest Disney-loving buddies. Luckily, it worked out perfectly: one friend’s family had grandparents in Florida, so the whole crew tagged along and made it a family vacation. Another friend was already in town for Marathon Weekend (shoutout to those newly minted DVC members!), so that just left us in charge of bringing one extra child.
Now here’s a travel tip from someone who’s learned the hard way: if you're flying with someone else’s child, make sure they are booked under your reservation. Even if the other family is paying for the ticket, it’s crucial to book it yourself. Why? Because unaccompanied minor flights are ridiculously expensive, and more importantly, if they're not on your reservation, they won’t be assigned a seat with you. Cue the unnecessary stress. Booking together solves everything and avoids the airline hoops you don't want to jump through.
Birthday Dinners for a Crowd (Hint: Go Where the Crowd Isn’t)
When planning a group dinner at Disney, it’s tempting to shoot for one of those high-demand restaurants—Cinderella’s Royal Table, I’m looking at you. But let’s be real: when you're coordinating for 15+ people (as we were for both my birthday and my son’s), flexibility is your friend.
For my son’s birthday, we celebrated with a dinner at Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The food is fantastic, and it was relatively easy to cobble together a few reservations around the same time. We just showed up 20 minutes early, let the host know we were one big group, and magically, we were seated together!
For my birthday celebration, we booked at Via Napoli in EPCOT. Again, we snagged several small reservations within 30-minute windows, showed up early, and they were able to seat us as one large party. Hot tip: If your group is bigger than six, it’s almost impossible to find a single table, so use multiple accounts and staggered times to increase your odds.
The Sweetest Finishing Touch: Cake (Or Just the Cupcake)
Disney offers adorable celebration cupcakes and even full cakes at many dining locations. We considered ordering the Mickey Hat Celebration Cake (about $39), but truthfully, by the end of dinner, everyone was so full we went with cupcakes instead. If you do want to order a cake, be sure to let your server know at the beginning of the meal—they’re stored frozen and need time to thaw. You don’t want your magical dessert moment to turn into a “wait, it’s still frozen?” moment.
Birthday Accommodations: A Room, A Bungalow, and a Riviera Finale
For my son’s birthday, we stayed at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, booking two connecting rooms so the boys could have a little independence (but not too much). Since there were only two adults on the reservation, Disney guaranteed the connecting rooms because—obviously—the kids couldn’t stay alone.
But here’s where the real magic came in: we surprised my son with a night at one of the Polynesian bungalows—his dream! Now, would I pay cash for that? Absolutely not. But thanks to our DVC points, we made it happen for one amazing night. We finished the trip with a two-bedroom villa at Disney’s Riviera Resort, which was the perfect luxurious end to a very magical birthday week.
My 40th Birthday at Disney: The Girls Trip of My Dreams
When it came time to celebrate my own milestone birthday, I went all out—because let’s be honest, turning 40 deserves a little extra pixie dust. I invited 14 of my closest girlfriends for an unforgettable Disney girls' getaway.
To help keep things organized (and a little bit fabulous), I created a “Birthday Bash Itinerary” for each of them, complete with matching gear, themed days, and a loosely planned schedule that left room for spontaneous fun.
And let me just say, coordinating a group of 14 women is not for the faint of heart—but it was worth it. We laughed, we ate, we cried during Happily Ever After, and we made memories I’ll never forget. Want to know all the details? I’ve got an entire blog postabout how to plan the ultimate Disney girls trip—so check it out if you want very specific details!
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? You're in the right place! At Well Hello Magic, we have tons of helpful resources to make your Disney vacation as magical and stress-free as possible. Whether you're looking for advice on the best time to visit Disney, tips on finding the perfect character meal, or learning how to skip the lines with Lightning Lane, we've got you covered.
As a therapist by trade and a mom of four, I use my expertise in understanding personalities to help you discover your "Disney Enneagram"—a fun way to tailor your Disney vacation planning to suit your family's needs or large group dynamics, ensuring everyone enjoys the magic in their own unique way. With my firsthand experience navigating Disney with babies and toddlers, I'll share all my best tips to make your trip smooth and fun for everyone. Plus, check out some of our family's favorite rides at Magic Kingdom—there's something for everyone to enjoy!
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