Welcome to planDisney Dawn! I love that you are planning a pixie-dusted perfect day with your little princess, and am so happy you've stopped by with your question. It's such a wonderful age to experience the magic of Disney World!
This will be a big day indeed, but the good news is you can make all of these dreams come true from right inside Magic Kingdom. You will need theme park admission. Once inside the park, you'll be able to visit the Biddidi Boddidi Boutique for your appointment, have a special character greeting lunch or dinner with Cinderella, watch a magical parade or two, and conclude your practically perfect day by watching
Happily Ever After fireworks. We planned a similarly special day when my daughter had just turned 4, and it was a memory I'll always cherish.
My first tip is to try and schedule your little princess's magical makeover at
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for the first portion of your day. That way she will receive the full royal treatment, and feel extra beautiful when she goes to meet Cinderella! She'll also get to savor the rest of her park day, as you'll find many Cast Members will extend a royal greeting to your little transformed princess. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is part of the
Enchanting Extras Collection and is highly popular, so I recommend you make your reservation as soon as your eligibility window opens up 60 days prior to your check-in date.
What better way for a princess to celebrate... than to dine in a castle! Next, you'll want to make an advance dining reservation at
Cinderella's Royal Table. You'll begin this fairytale adventure by meeting Cinderella herself, and then enjoy a feast in a setting right out of a storybook. Again, this is hugely popular so mark your calendar and be ready at 6 AM ET, 60 days prior to your check-in date to make this reservation.
Once you know the dates of your visit, you can also watch the
Parks Operating Calendar to find out the exact times of the parades and fireworks. Did you know there is now both a festive afternoon parade at Magic Kingdom... and a spectacular nighttime light parade,
Disney Starlight - Dream the Night Away? Either one with be such a treat for your little one. Sometimes staying flexible is critical to enjoying your time in the Disney Parks with your Mouseketeers, so play it by ear and just try to enjoy whatever fits into the flow of your day best. I recommend checking out
Disney's Preschooler Guide for other helpful ideas on what you may want to include in your visit.
You may also want to consider renting a stroller at the park entrance. This is a convenient option that can really save energy in those toddler legs. Maybe it can even provide a convenient spot for a power nap, so your princess will last through the last magical firework of the night.
I remember my daughter returning to preschool after this particular vacation, and proudly announcing to her teacher, "I met Cinderella. She's real." Dawn, I will be wishing upon a star that your experience is a dream come true for both you and your daughter! Please visit us again at planDisney if we can assist with any other questions.
Magical memories await!
Tami