Hi there, Patricia!
Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your very sweet question. How exciting for your niece to
celebrate her Sweet 16 at
Walt Disney World Resort! I know you will want her to feel like a princess so let’s see what sort of bibbidi bobbidi boo kind of magic we can create!
Now, I wish that I could wave a wand like the Fairy Godmother and promise you a guaranteed spot for your niece to be in the
Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at
Magic Kingdom Park. Grand Marshalls for the Festival of Fantasy Parade are selected at random each day. However, I do have some tips for helping her to be selected to be the Grand Marshal or for your family to be selected as Family of the Day, which is a high honor! First and foremost, arrive at Magic Kingdom Park early, even before
park opening. As you are waiting for the park to open, be sure to greet Cast Members and other Guests with a warm smile and a friendly greeting! Patricia, I’ve had friends selected as Family of the Day before, and this is exactly what they were doing before being magically selected. So, short of a Fairy Godmother wave of the magic wand, it is worth a try.
But never fear, Patricia, there are many ways for your niece to be celebrated while at Walt Disney World! For starters, stop by
Guest Relations and pick up a complimentary “I’m celebrating...” or a birthday button. I suggest that everyone in your party wear a button celebrating her! Walt Disney World Cast Members go out of their way to recognize and celebrate birthdays by helping to create little magical moments for you. And while you are celebrating, consider ordering a
Celebration Cake in advance when you book your dining reservation online or through the
My Disney Experience app.
To make your niece feel like a princess, capture this special moment in time by purchasing
Memory Maker, which includes unlimited downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken by amazing PhotoPass photographers during your stay. I just returned from a Walt Disney World vacation and I'm so glad to have so many memories beautifully captured! You might also consider booking a
Capture Your Moment private photo session in one of the theme parks. Just thinking about what a special keepsake these photos will be for your family brings me such joy as I know you will cherish them.
Patricia, I know you will create so many magical memories for your niece and that she will feel extra special. You can’t go wrong with celebrating a birthday at Walt Disney World Resort, that’s for certain. If you have any other questions or would like more tips for making the most of your vacation,
please write back and let us know!
Remember, a dream is a wish your heart makes,
Shannon