Kenzie, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Planning a
Walt Disney World Resort trip during your father's upcoming birthday week is an amazing way to honor and remember your time together. This question hits close to home for me, as I recently lost a family member as well. I have many fond memories of exploring the parks together, so with every visit, I am overcome with nostalgia for my childhood Disney World vacations. I love taking the opportunity to reflect on the time we spent together.
Unfortunately, there isn’t an official way to honor the life of a loved one at Disney World, but I have some suggestions that I think could help you and your mom plan the perfect day. I would start by making a list of your father’s
favorite attractions and
dining locations at the
Magic Kingdom. On his birthday, you could spend your day zigzagging through the park to make sure you hit all of his favorites and end the night with some reflection during
Happily Ever After. Maybe you could consider booking an
Enchanting Extras Collection, such as the
Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Seats & Sweets, so you and your mom can enjoy the fireworks show with desserts in a particular seating area that would be less crowded than finding a spot on Main Street, U.S.A.
I would also suggest that you purchase
Memory Maker for your trip as well. This would allow you to capture all of these memories through
Disney PhotoPass. On a recent visit to the Magic Kingdom, I noticed that Cast Members from Disney PhotoPass were taking photos of Guests with the Tangled Lanterns outside Rapunzel’s tower (next to its small world). These lanterns have many different uses and meanings throughout history. In China, lanterns are meant to symbolize family reunion, and what better way to connect with your father on his birthday than to symbolize you and your mom sending a lantern in his honor?
Since Disney World was your father’s favorite place to visit, maybe you remember Disney’s Walk Around the World, personalized walking paths near the Magic Kingdom, and the Transportation and Ticket Center. Guests would purchase bricks with their family name or a special message etched into the brick that was then used to create the special and unique walking paths. Walk Around the World has been discontinued, but the
Disneystore is offering Guests the ability to purchase commemorative clay replicas to have at home. This could be a unique way to memorialize your father’s love for Disney World and a daily reminder of those happy times.
Kenzie, I am sorry for your loss; I hope these suggestions assist you and your mom in planning the perfect day to remember your father! If you would like any additional suggestions,
please ask me another question, I would be more than happy, and honored, to help you plan your day!
Brent