Hi, there!
Samantha, I'm so excited to hear you're planning a birthday celebration for your little princess at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Traveling with a little one in tow always makes for a magical visit, but especially so when there's a special occasion to celebrate!
We planned a special visit a few years ago to celebrate my son's third birthday and it made for lots of priceless memories. I'm happy to share some tips and suggestions with you for the Disney vacation you're beginning to plan!
Let's start with Disney Resort hotel recommendations. Staying in the
Disney Resorts Collection means you'll be staying IN the magic even after you leave the theme parks! If your little girl is anything like mine, she'll love going under the sea in
The Little Mermaid Rooms at Disney's Art of Animation Resort. As a mom of three, I love the
family-friendly recreation and
amenities this unique hotel offers to Guests traveling with little ones. Another incredible option is
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This plush hotel is within walking distance of Magic Kingdom Park, which is super convenient for families!
Speaking of Magic Kingdom Park,
all four theme parks feature lots of family-friendly attractions. These attractions do not have height requirements, making them perfect for Guests of all ages! My preschooler especially loves attractions with gentle, easy tracks like Peter Pan's Flight and The Seas with Nemo & Friends. She also loves boat-ride attractions like "it's a small world" and Frozen Ever After!
A birthday celebration calls for a special meal. I suggest booking a
Character Dining Experience like
Chef Mickey's or
Hollywood & Vine. I love these dining experiences because my kids can see their favorite Disney Characters and fill their bellies, all in the same place! We had a lunch reservation for my son's third birthday and the Characters delivered him a cupcake and an autographed birthday card. It was so precious!
On your daughter's birthday, be sure to stop by Guest Relations at any of the theme parks to request a complimentary birthday button. With her birthday button, she'll receive well-wishes from Cast Members and Guests alike!
One last tip from one mama to another. Children under the age of 3 are special Guests of Mickey Mouse and do not need theme park admission or Theme Park Reservations. If your daughter is still 2-years old at the time of check-in, Disney will consider her to be under the age of 3 for the duration of your stay, even if she turns 3 while you're there. My advice? Save some money by making sure you arrive
before she celebrates that third birthday!
Thanks for stopping by planDisney, Samantha. Please visit us again soon with any new questions you may have about your Walt Disney World Resort vacation!
Ashley