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I can't think of a more magical way to celebrate a 5th birthday than at Walt Disney World Resort and
character dining offers a great way to add an extra pinch of pixie dust to the celebration! While you may not be able to plan for a character to deliver a birthday cake to the table or to sing, you can definitely count on lots of hugs, high-fives, and warm wishes on this special day. When you
make your dining reservation, you can note that it's a birthday dinner and I would also be sure to let your server know as well. In my experience, Cast Members love to celebrate along with you and will do what they can to make the evening feel special for your little Mouseketeer! You can also find an option at most character dining locations to
order a Mickey Mouse Celebration Cake to be served during your meal!
If you're still deciding which character dinner you'd like to choose, I'm happy to share a few of my favorite recommendations!
- Chef Mickey's - I feel like everyone has to experience this iconic character dining at least once! It can be a bit busy and loud - perfect for celebrating! You'll also find Mickey and friends here so if classic characters like Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy are favorites, this is a great choice! You'll find Chef Mickey's inside Disney's Contemporary Resort which makes this an option you can enjoy if you plan on dining on a day that you don't have theme park admission. However, it's also just a short walk from Magic Kingdom Park so it's easy to visit during your time in that park.
- Minnie's Seasonal Dining at Hollywood & Vine - Our family really enjoys dining here, especially at Halloween or during the holiday season as Minnie and pals dress to impress! The buffet is full of delicious options and it's always a festive atmosphere. Hollywood & Vine is located inside Disney's Hollywood Studios so please note that you must have admission to that park on the day you're planning to eat here.
- Garden Grill Restaurant - Tucked inside The Land pavilion at EPCOT, you can usually catch Mickey, Pluto, and Chip 'n' Dale dressed as farmers in this unique setting. This restaurant is circular and rotates above the Living with the Land attraction while dining. I also like that your meal is served family-style at this location so you don't have to go back and forth to the buffet while dining. Theme park admission is required for this dining location as well.
I hope this helps you plan a memorable character dinner for the special birthday boy! Character dining is very popular so I'd definitely encourage you to make your reservation as soon as
reservations open for your vacation. Don't forget to pick up a complimentary "Happy Birthday!" button from your resort or around the theme parks for your son to wear during his trip so that Cast Members and other Guests can join in wishing him the happiest of birthdays!
If you have any other questions, please stop by to see us again here at planDisney - we're all ears!
Cheers!
Kristi