Planning daughters 18th bday. Wanted to stay at Grand Fl. Have special gluten free cake by grand fla pastry chef. And park photo shoot in a beautiful gown perhaps from Disney wardrobe. My dad was a VP for 20 yrs but passed away. He would have arranged it.”

Hey there, Laura!

Thank you for bringing your question to planDisney! Each of us here on the planDisney Panel always welcomes an opportunity to share our own Disney destination vacation experiences as a way to help you plan your own magical Disney vacation stay.

Please allow me to share my personal condolences for your father's passing. He sounds like a wonderful man who loved creating and arranging magic for others. I'm sure you have many cherished memories in which the magic of a Disney experience makes the memory even more precious.

I always find that a birthday celebrated at Walt Disney World Resort is a special birthday, indeed. I think Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is a simply spectacular Resort and a wonderful venue for a special  birthday celebration. 

Laura, while I don't have the magic touch to make all the birthday celebration arrangements myself personally, I do hope I can offer some helpful information. 

I placed a call to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and spoke with the pastry chef for you. She was happy to share that they can prepare a special birthday cake that is a no-gluten-added cake. The chef did note that the kitchen is not a gluten-free kitchen as they do bake a lot of bread. If you are interested in ordering a no-gluten-added birthday cake, you can call the Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa private dining phone number at (407)-824-2474 and select option 2 for custom cake orders. The chef also shared that Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC located in Disney Springs is another recommended option. I placed a call to Erin McKenna’s Bakery, and they shared with me that they can prepare a cake that is gluten-free and vegan, and the cake can be delivered to the Resort. You can order a birthday cake 72 hours in advance by calling the Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC main phone number at (407)-476-4098 from Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

One suggestion for arranging a special photography session to capture your daughter's magical day is to contact Disney Fine Art Photography by calling (407) 934-4004. Another special option is the Capture Your Moment - A Disney Parks Photo Experience that you can book by calling (407) 939-7758.

You can book your room-only reservation or vacation package at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
online, or call the Walt Disney Travel Company at (407) 939-7675 to get assistance in making your reservation.

Let me also mention that Disney Floral & Gifts offers a variety of choices for adding that something extra special to any birthday celebration. 

Laura, here's wishing your daughter a magical 18th birthday celebration at Walt Disney World Resort! If you would like any tips or insights from planDisney Panelists as you put your vacation plans together, please just ask us. And be sure to follow my fellow planDisney Panelists as they share their experiences on social media.

Here's to the Disney magic in all your celebrations!

Jerry