Hiya, Terry! Welcome to planDisney--I'm so glad you found us. It's my pleasure to help you plan a magical birthday celebration for your lovely granddaughters--let's get right to it!
Girl birthdays are a particular specialty of mine, as I have two princesses of my own who have grown up celebrating at
Walt Disney World Resort. Unfortunately, Guests are not usually allowed to ride in the parades at
Magic Kingdom Park. The one exception occurs when Cast Members randomly select Guests to be the Grand Marshals for the afternoon parade--this is a super-cool experience, but not something you can count on.
OK, let's focus on some fun experiences that you can organize to make your special girls' birthday extra fabulous.
- Start by getting some Celebration Buttons at your Disney Resort Hotel. These can be personalized, and the girls will receive birthday greetings from Cast Members and Guests throughout their vacation--and maybe even a little surprise pixie dust here and there!
- A royal makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is sure to be an experience that the girls (and you!) will always remember. A PhotoPass photographer is present throughout the appointment to capture plenty of great pictures--I love the ones I have from our daughters' visits. If the girls aren't interested in wearing a full princess gown, there is a package that comes with a t-shirt, rather than royal regalia! Advance reservations are an absolute must, and can be made starting 60 days in advance of your January arrival date.
- Let each girl plan their own "Yes Day". We have done this in the past with our kids, letting the birthday girl choose the itinerary for the day including which park to visit and where to eat. It's always fun for us to see how very differently those days unfold, depending on who is in charge!
- For a special birthday gift, I love a Pandora bracelet--you can add charms to it over time to celebrate different occasions and milestones (so it also sets you up for future gift ideas!).
- No birthday would be complete without cake, of course! You can add a Mickey Mouse Celebration Cake to your reservation at most Table Service restaurants and personalize it with a "Happy Birthday" message.
Terry, I'm sorry to dash your parade dreams, but I feel very sure that your special girls are going to have one amazing 11th birthday in 2025. Thanks so much for stopping by planDisney, and please don't hesitate to reach out again if we can help with any other questions.
See Ya Real Soon!
Susan