Hi Charles!
Welcome to planDisney! A few years ago we were able to celebrate my son’s first birthday in Walt Disney World Resort and it was such a magical day.
I recommend making the whole day about your daughter. Since she is only one, you’ll want to go to all the attractions that she can experience. I’m sure your daughter would enjoy
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and
Dumbo the Flying Elephant. A few surprise favorites of my 1-year-old were the
Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover and
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. You can also stop by Cinderella Castle to watch
Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire, a stage show filled with characters and music that your daughter will love to see.
One thing I was so glad I did on my son’s first birthday trip was taking photos of him in front of various park décor, icons, and attractions. I have a photo of him in front of Cinderella Castle, sitting in front of
Harmony Barber Shop, and on
"it’s a small world", that I will look back on for years to come and watch as he grows. Using
Disney PhotoPass Service especially helps with taking photos, so I recommend purchasing
Memory Maker, and even booking a
Capture Your Moment Session if you can. Your daughter can have her very own first birthday photo session in Magic Kingdom Park!
Don’t forget a complimentary birthday button from Guest Relations! This button will let other guests and Cast Members know that you are celebrating a very special birthday. I think it is so much fun to get that extra little acknowledgement from the people you pass by in the theme parks.
And of course, you can always try to meet characters. Watching a 1-year-old toddle over to
Mickey Mouse or a Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall is so sweet to watch and it’s really the perfect activity for that age. A
character meal is a great way to see a lot of characters in one location, and it gives you a break from walking around the theme park with a good meal!
I hope this was helpful, Charles. There is a planDisney podcast episode attached to this answer and a
Disney Parks Blog guide to attractions for little ones filled with great tips that will help you plan a visit to Walt Disney World Resort with young children. If you have any future planning questions,
come see me again at planDisney!
Enjoy making magical memories!
Kaitlin