Hi Lynette!
I'm so excited you will be visiting Walt Disney World for your 8-year-old's birthday. You are definitely coming to the right place...no one celebrates better than Disney! There are
so many things you can do to make your visit especially memorable and many ways to
Customize Your Celebration. If you would like to order a cake ahead of time, give the Disney Cake Hotline a call at least 72 hours in advance at (407) 827-2253. Another option is to request a basic 6"chocolate or vanilla cake at the podium when checking in for any
Advanced Dining Reservation. These can be purchased at most places upon arrival.
As far as Character Dining goes, my family absolutely loves
Chef Mickey's at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Another favorite is
The Crystal Palace inside
Magic Kingdom. These two places--along with many other Character Dining spots throughout the Parks and Resorts--create the perfect atmosphere for a one-of-a-kind birthday celebration! Oh, and one more thing: don't forget to stop by Guest Services right inside the entrance to any of the Parks and request a Customized Birthday Celebration Button. It is the perfect way to announce to everyone you see that it is your child's special day!
Thanks for stopping by the Disney Parks Mom's Panel. I hope you will come back if there is anything else we can do to help you.
Have a magical day!
-Nancy-