There is no mystery that I love Disney and that I love my birthday. When you put them together, it just makes sense! Celebrating a birthday at Disney has become a tradition of mine since 2009, whether it is my own birthday being commemorated at Disney or my boys.
Celebrating a birthday at Disney, in my mind, provides a guaranteed yearly trip that I look forward to. You can’t avoid your birthday, so you might as well mark the occasion by doing something you love. I choose to memorialize my birthday at Disney and I never regret it.
The Birthday Vow
In 2008 I made a birthday vow. Up until that point it had been my parents responsibility to make plans for my birthday. They did a phenomenal job celebrating it and provided parties for milestone birthdays. Having a birthday in November and in New York makes it hard to plan anything because of weather and school.
There comes a point where you have to start to plan for your own birthday, because if you don’t then you won’t be doing anything. When I felt I became an adult being in my career, making my own money and paying my own bills was when I started to realized this. It was no one else’s responsibility but my own to come up with things to do.
What made this clear was when I was asked to be in a wedding on my birthday! In that moment I said to myself “This is what happens when you don’t make plans for your birthday!” I agreed to be a bridesmaid in the wedding. As the couple knew it was my birthday they thanked me for my sacrifice and said they could get me a cake. I selflessly told them that this way their day and they do not need to make any reference to my birthday.
When the wedding day/my birthday arrived and I stood up at the alter in my bridesmaid dress, not engaged, in a sense single (as my husband who was my boyfriend at the time was in the military and could not make it to the wedding) with no plans for my birthday, feeling ridiculous, watching this couple take their vows I decided to take my own vow.
In that moment I vowed that I would never put myself in this situation again and would always make plans for my birthday! Ten years later I have kept that vow to myself and it was the best thing I did!
Have you ever been in a wedding on your birthday?
Will you take the Birthday Vow Challenge?
Birthday at Disney
I often feel like Disney can read my mind and knows my needs. In January 2009, which was two months after my birthday vow, Disney announced the “What Will You Celebrate?” Promotion which offered guests free admission on their birthday. As soon as it was announced I signed up! I now had a plan for my birthday that was 10 months away!
That trip to Walt Disney World for my birthday remains one of my favorite Disney trips. It was during that trip my husband, who was my boyfriend at the time, told me that he wanted to be with me forever and would be leaving the military to do so. It was the first time I went away without my family and the first time seeing Walt Disney World during the Christmas Season.
And although the girlfriends I had who went on this birthday at Disney trip with me and I no longer speak, I think back on that trip and remember an incredible time. It was so much fun that it sparked a tradition that has yet to die, as for the last ten years I have spent my birthday or my boys’ birthday at Disney!
Perfecting the Birthday at Disney
Now that you know why I chose to celebrate my birthday at Disney, I will share with you what I learned in the last ten years to make your day special! These tips can be applied to a birthday at Disney for yourself, a child, a family member or a friend.
Things to do Before your Birthday at Disney Trip
1. Plan to Stay on Walt Disney World Property
You want to stay in a Walt Disney World Resort hotel because you want to be in that Disney bubble, surrounded by the magic. There are multiple benefits you can expect to enjoying while staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, including getting a MagicBand, use of Disney transportation and use of the fabulous amenities. When making your Walt Disney World Resort hotel reservation let them know you are celebrating your birthday at Disney.
For more information on MagicBands read MagicBands: What You Should Know.
There are one of three ways you can pick which Walt Disney World Resort hotel you want to stay at:
- Stay at your favorite resort
- Stay at your “Bucket List” resort
- Stay at the cheapest resort
I have done all three ways and it really depends on the budget and what will make your birthday at Disney special and memorable to you! If I am staying a week at Walt Disney World then I would plan to stay at the cheapest, but if I am staying for the weekend then I would stay at a “Bucket List” or favorite Walt Disney World Resort hotel.
ProTip: Once you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel you will periodically get a promo code either via email or mail for a discount on your next stay. With this promo code you could stay in a Deluxe Resort for Moderate Resort prices or stay at a Moderate Resort for Value Resort prices. So, even if you book a cheap resort you could potentially have a better room the following year to celebrate your birthday at Disney!
Walt Disney World Annual Passholder Pro Tip: As an Annual Passholder you get a discount on Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Some of these are seasonal and would require last minute planning. Always check the Annual Passholder WEBSITE for the most up to date Walt Disney World Resort hotel offerings.
Not a Walt Disney World Annual Passholder? Let me share with you 8 Reasons to Love Being a Walt Disney World Annual Passholder.
Disney Vacation Club Pro Tip: Depending on how you want to use your points throughout the year you can plan to book your Home Resort for your birthday at Disney 11 months in advance. If you don’t want to stay at your Home Resort you can book all other Disney Vacation Club Resorts 7 months in advance. If there is no availability then you could be put on a waitlist. I have had multiple waitlisted resorts come through!
Find out how we became Disney Vacation Club Members in Welcome Home on Mother’s Day.
2. Plan to be in Your Favorite Walt Disney World Location
Which Disney Park do you have to be in on your birthday? Do you even want to be in a Disney Park on your birthday? Knowing where you want to be on your birthday at Disney will help to plan for the rest of your trip.
For me it is Magic Kingdom Park. To me, I need to be in Magic Kingdom Park in the morning. Seeing Cinderella Castle early in the morning truly is magical.
A lot of people will read this and ask if you see Cinderella Castle all the time what makes it so special on your birthday? My response is: It is different early in the morning. I only get to go to the parks in the evening into the night, which is still beautiful. But, nothing beats seeing Cinderella Castle in broad daylight with a blue sky backdrop. It’s like walking into your very own storybook.
3. Check the Walt Disney World Events Calendar
It is no mystery to you when your birthday is. Well in advance Disney does provide a general idea of what will be going on and around the day of your birthday at Disney. Checking the Walt Disney World events calendar can help you plan to add and/or avoid things that are happening around the Walt Disney World Resort.
Around my birthday at Disney it is the start of the Christmas season. Checking the Walt Disney World Events calendar helps me to know when Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will start. This way if one of these events are on the day of my birthday I can plan to add to my list of must dos or plan to be in Magic Kingdom Park for part of the day and somewhere else for dinner.
Each season brings something unique to the Walt Disney World Resort. What are some of the things happening during your birthday at Disney?
4. Make Dining Reservations
After knowing which Walt Disney World Resort hotel you will be staying in and which Disney Park is your must do for your birthday, you can then decide where on property you want to eat. It is important that you start looking into this at least a week before you have to start making reservations.
You can start to make your birthday at Disney dining reservations 180 days prior to your arrival at the Walt Disney World Resort. Reservations for popular restaurants do get taken fairly quickly. With that being said you will need to come up with alternative dining reservations just in case your first choice is not an option.
I will say this, if your first option is not available book your second choice. You can keep looking for your first choice and make changes at anytime. You have until 24 hours of your dining reservation to make changes.
After that you will need to either call Disney dining or speak directly with concierge. The two main reasons for this is you will not be able to cancel your Disney dining reservation on your own from the website or the My Disney Experience App when your reservation is less than 24 hours away. The second reason is to have the cancellation fee waived.
My favorite reservations for my birthday at Disney celebration are Cinderella’s Royal Table for breakfast and a bucket list restaurant for dinner.
Pro Tip: Eat at Table Service meals as you will receive a birthday cupcake. Often you will also get a birthday card and be sung “Happy Birthday.” As a FYI you will not be sung “Happy Birthday” at a meal that has character dining, but you could get a birthday card signed by all the characters!
What reservations are you making or would like to make for your birthday at Disney?
5. Make FastPass+ Selections
Next in your planning time line are making FastPass+ selections. When staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel you make FastPass+ selections 60 days in advance. Otherwise you can make your selections 30 days in advance.
As this is all about your birthday at Disney these FastPass+ selections will be very specific to what you want to do and there is no wrong answer! If you want to do meet and greets only or just attractions or a combination of these go for it.
Pro Tip: Remember, if you are not able to select those hard to get FastPass+ selections there’s always Rope Drop! This will require you to be at the Walt Disney World Theme Park prior to opening. Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel helps with this as you can easily take advantage of Extra Magic Hours, where on selected days a Walt Disney World Theme Park will be open one hour earlier or later.
6. Special Add-on Experiences
Depending on how much time you are spending at the Walt Disney World Resort and how you planned your day to celebrate your birthday you can add on a variety of special experiences.
There are too many special things to list that could be added on to your birthday at Disney celebration that will make it a unique experience. I will give a short list of suggestions:
- Do a tour
- Do a dessert party
- Get a massage
- In room celebrations
- Order a cake
- Couture makeover
Pro Tip: I do not recommend adding on more than 2 special experiences. You do not want to be overwhelmed with all that you have to do. Leaving time to have experiences in the moment is good. Disney is also expensive and can be exhausting, so pace yourself!
7. Special Clothes & Headwear
A trip to Walt Disney World is not complete unless everyone is wearing matching t-shirts! Therefore, your birthday at Disney should have a fun shirt or ensemble. If you are crafty then you could make one for yourself and everyone else in your party. If you are not, there is always Etsy!
Tell me all about your birthday at Disney shirts and where you got them!
Every birthday should also come with new clothes! And a birthday at Disney is no exception. If you have dinner plans at any of the Walt Disney World Resorts or Disney Springs then I recommend at least one fancy outfit, even if no one else dresses up! Wear the nice dress or suit, wear the fancy shoes and wear the jewelry!
Now that we have the outfit covered, let’s talk about the headwear! Minnie Ears are always the go to and can be wore for any occasion. But this is your birthday at Disney! I recommend getting a tiara! Walt Disney World has two Arribas Brothers that I recommend you check out. Wearing a tiara on your birthday just adds something extra special to your day. After all who doesn’t want to be a Disney Princess on their birthday at Disney!
Do you have a tiara? Would you get one?
8. Ask for Disney Gift Cards & Use Disney Visa Card
Going on a Walt Disney World trip for your birthday can be expensive! I found that if you tell enough people that you want Disney Gift Cards for your birthday and Christmas, most people will get them for you. Any amount given can be used towards your birthday at Disney. Whether it is toward the trip itself, an add on experience or a gift for yourself.
Being a Disney Visa Cardholder there are money saving perks you can use on your birthday at Disney. Some of those perks include:
- Save 10% on select merchandise at the Disney Store, when shopping at the Disney Parks
- Save 10% on select dining at both Walt Disney World Resort
- Save 15% on select guided tours at both Walt Disney World Resort
- Save 10% on select recreation experiences at Walt Disney World Resort
- Save 15% on select salon or spa treatments at Walt Disney World Resort
- Finance your vacation with promotional APR of 0% for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages from the date of purchase with your Disney Visa Card
- Points that are earned on certain purchases and can be redeemed for future Disney vacations or items
- If you are not a Disney Visa Cardholder you should look into it! The savings also include Disneyland, Aulani, Disney Cruise Line the Disney Store.
Need more information about Disney Visa Card? Watch my video all about it!
How do you save money for your trips to Disney?
Here are 5 Money Saving Tips for Disney!
Things to do on Your Birthday at Disney:
1. Get the Birthday Button
As soon as you step foot on Walt Disney World property you need to ask a Cast Member for a Birthday Button! Once you have it, you should wear it at all times, so everyone knows you are celebrating your birthday at Disney!
This is really the only way Cast Members will know it is your birthday. You never know what pixie dust will be sprinkled on you!
One of the best parts of wearing the birthday button is everyone, including other guests, will say “Happy Birthday!” Disney has formed an interesting community and we are all there for the same things.
Pro Tip: After your name is written on our birthday button, put some tape on it so your name doesn’t rub off during your visit!
Did you know that you could take your Birthday Button to Disney’s Day of Christmas in Disney Spring for extra art work around your name? For a small fee you could!
2. Buy Souvenirs to Commemorate Your Day
There are countless souvenirs to buy while at Walt Disney World. To commemorate your birthday at Disney, I recommend, you get something that you will use throughout the year to remind you of your trip. This way when people ask “Where did you get that?” there is a story to tell!
Some of my favorite birthday at Disney souvenirs to buy include:
- Mugs
- Disney refillable drink mug
- Ornaments with the year and space for a photo
- Pandora jewelry
- Sweater
Keep in mind how you are traveling and what you will have space for! Bigger items may be hard to pack.
Pro Tip: With that being said keep in mind to compare prices while you are shopping on Walt Disney World property with those prices at the Disney Store. If an item is cheaper at the Disney Store just order it from there, this will save you a significant amount of money and space in your luggage. If the item you are interested in is not on the Disney Store App/website then just buy it, as you will not find that item again!
One more Pro Tip: Did you know that you DO NOT have to carry your bought items all over Walt Disney World property? If you are staying on Walt Disney World property you can have your bought items sent directly to your room! If you are not staying on property then you could have them wait for you at the exit with Security at any of the Walt Disney World Theme Parks.
What is your favorite souvenir to buy?
3. Take All the Pictures!
For any reason you go to Disney you should be taking tons of photos. SO, why would your birthday at Disney be any different?!
You need to take all the pictures while at Walt Disney World. Someone in your group needs to be taking photos of you doing everything and anything. If you happen to be traveling alone, which is perfectly fine, then practice those selfies and ask people to take a picture of you! Guests and Cast Members are more than happy to take pictures!
Don’t forget that Disney PhotoPass are located throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Get your family birthday at Disney photos done with one of those photographers in your favorite locations! Also, some rides will also snap a photo of you! Be sure you have the My Disney Experience App downloaded to see all those wonderful photos!
Here is a list of some birthday at Disney photos you should take:
- You traveling to the Walt Disney World Resort
- You arriving at the Walt Disney World Resort
- The Walt Disney World Resort hotel you will be staying in
- Inside your Walt Disney World Resort hotel room
- Your birthday at Disney outfit
- Your Birthday Button
- On your way to and at every birthday at Disney must do location
- At breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert
- You with your birthday cupcake
- You eating your birthday cupcake
- A picture with anyone who made your birthday at Disney special
- Group Shot!
- At a Disney Wall
- With your favorite character
- Wearing random birthday hats
Pro Tip: Ask for a Magic Shot when taking photos with a Disney PhotoPass photographer.
Speaking of Disney PhotoPass a great alternative to buying the Memory Maker is create a photo album with the photos taken by Disney PhotoPass! I did this during a week long trip to Walt Disney World, when we were not Annual Passholders or Disney Vacation Club Members, and made it my mission to take ALL the Disney PhotoPass opts and it paid off! I was able to create an album with all those pictures.
For more about Disney PhotoPass see Disney PhotoPass: Lesson Learned.
What are your favorite birthday at Disney pictures to take?
4. Enjoy the Day You Planned
Your birthday at Disney is one that you will be planning for months! When the day finally arrives remember to enjoy it! After-all you are celebrating your birthday at Disney!
There will be times when things will not go according to plan and sometimes things will need to be adjusted or canceled. Do not let these things that are out of your control ruin your day! Go with the flow and eat your birthday cupcake!
Pro Tip: Depending on how long you plan to stay at Disney I would write out the plan for each day. This should include times for reservations and FastPass+. Take a picture of each individual day and make that your lock screen photo. This way you will know what is on your birthday agenda at a glance!
Final Thoughts
After spending the last 10 birthdays at Disney, I hope this will help you seamlessly plan for your birthday at Disney.
Celebrating your birthday at Disney will provide a memorable experience! This is your day so personalize and customize it however you want. And by the way, it is perfectly acceptable to celebrate your birthday at Disney anytime in your birthday month.
Now that you know why and how to celebrate a birthday at Disney, will you take the birthday vow and celebrate yourself?
I challenge you to take the Birthday Vow! Your day does not need to be celebrated at Disney, but it does need to be celebrated somewhere doing something you love! Empower yourself by making your own choices and plan your own day! Take the Birthday Vow and never be disappointed on your birthday again!
How do you celebrate your birthday?
As always like, share, comment and subscribe! From ‘Dis’ Happy Home to yours, find happiness in whatever life brings!
Don’t Forget to Sign Up Below!
it must be such fun for having a birthday at Disney! sounds very well planned out on what to do to make it super fun!
Great post! I’ll definitely revisit when I plan a disney trip!
Celebrate my birthday at Disney is one of my dream! I’ve never visit Disneyland but I would love to go someday. Love this tips from you!
I love Disney I went once with my grandmother years ago and with my kids last year. My grandma surprised me with the trip on my birthday and it was the best day possible.
My friend is going to Disney for her son’s first birthday. I’m definitely going to share these great tips with her, thank you!
This is amazing and the fact that you have spent your past 10 birthdays there is just epic. Love Disney and never thought of spending my birthday there but may need to reconsider with the tips you have here
Such a lovely tradition. We are heading back to Disney this year. Can’t wait.
I love Disney so much, i will probably be a grandparent and still be obsessed with Disney. A Disney birthday is the best birthday one can have, Looks like you had fun. I love the tips here.
I’ll be that grandparent too, so you are in good company! Thank you for stopping by the blog!