Hi, Linda, and welcome to planDisney! I'm so sorry your vacation was cancelled due to weather. Here in Tennessee, we're snowed in, too, so I can certainly empathize with you. But also, Happy Birthday to your sweet daughter! I can't think of a better way to celebrate than with a trip to The Most Magical Place on Earth. Let's help you get some plans made!
It sounds like you're planning to arrive in just a few days. Woo hoo! If you haven't already, I encourage you to visit the
Walt Disney World website to get your trip booked. I always head straight for the
special offers section to see what discounts I qualify for. From there, you'll be able to browse through the
Disney Resorts Collection Hotels, take a look at your
ticket options and make
dining reservations. You'll also be able to look over
Disney Dining Plans to see if this option is right for you.
Now that we have all the basics covered, let's talk about how to make your daughter's birthday extra special. Is your daughter a fan of the Disney characters like I am? I did a quick search using the
My Disney Experience Mobile App and found several character dining reservations available next week for a party of 2. I also found a few Signature Dining experiences available, too.
California Grill is perhaps my favorite special occasion restaurant and would be perfect for an elegant birthday dinner. The most popular times to dine there are in the hour or so before showtime for
Happily Ever After, the nighttime fireworks at Magic Kingdom. However, if you get an earlier reservation, you can come back with your receipt that same day and watch the show from their private balcony. The view is truly spectacular, and I always cry when Tinker Bell flies. If you do decide to book a special birthday meal, consider ordering a
cake to go along with it.
You could also book a
Capture Your Moment session with a
Disney PhotoPass photographer if your daughter loves posing for the camera. I've linked some information to the session at Magic Kingdom, but it's available at all four Disney Theme Parks. With this, you get a 20-minute personalized photography session. Your digital downloads are included if you have
Memory Maker or Memory Maker One Day. Reservations are required, so book as soon as you can if this is something you think she'll enjoy.
I have one last tip for you, Linda. Be sure to pick up a Happy Birthday button for her either at your Disney hotel or inside any of the Disney Theme Parks. Cast Members love wishing Guests a Happy Birthday, and as a Guest myself, I love wishing other Guests a Happy Birthday, too.
I hope she has the most wonderful day and that both of you have the most wonderful trip!
Have a magical trip!
Melanie