Pirate birthday cake
  • On Nov 6, 2019

    Besides the in-room celebration packages which are insanely expensive, is there any way to celebrate my first born son's 10th birthday, without giving up my first born?

    Hi, there!

     Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Jackie. I'm so glad you sent me this question about your upcoming Disney vacation!

     There really is no better place to celebrate a birthday than the Walt Disney World Resort. There are lots of ways to celebrate your son's special day without breaking the bank! It's my pleasure to share my best tips with you.

     Be sure to stop by the Front Desk of your Disney Resort hotel or Guest Relations at any of the four theme parks for a complimentary celebration button. There are celebration buttons for almost every occasion, so you can bet there's an exclusive birthday button for your little guy! These buttons are super great because they make a fantastic (and free!) souvenir. With a birthday button, your son is sure to receive lots of well-wishes from Cast Members and Guests alike!

     With a bit of planning and a touch of sneakiness, you can create a do-it-yourself in-room celebration. We celebrated my son's birthday at the Walt Disney World Resort a few years ago and managed to surprise him this way! Before we left home, I purchased some easy-to-pack birthday decorations (Disney-themed, of course!) like Character confetti and balloons. During the first few days of our vacation, I paid close attention to the things he really liked when we were walking through gift shops. The night before his birthday, I waited until he was asleep and then I snuck out to do some birthday shopping while my husband stayed on guard in our room. I purchased one of the reusable bags near the cash register to use as a gift bag for the items I was buying my son. I told the Cast Member at the register what I was up to and he helped pack the bag and stuff it with tissue paper! When I got back to the room, I placed the gift bag near my son's bed and then I quietly blew up the balloons and spread them throughout the room with the confetti. He woke up to an in-room celebration the next morning that was budget-friendly but no less memorable! 

     You'll certainly have to eat on your kiddo's birthday, so plan for a meal that's extra special. Character Dining Experiences always make for an unforgettable birthday dinner, but there are lots of unique restaurants throughout the Walt Disney World Resort that fit the bill! A few of my favorites for a birthday celebration include T-REX, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, and Coral Reef Restaurant.

     One of the best gifts I can give my kids is the gift of choice. I usually have our Disney vacations planned  to the minute, but I try to remember that allowing my sons to make choices about our pixie-dusted adventures in theme parks is really meaningful to them!

     I hope this was helpful, Jackie. We're wishing you and your son a magical visit to the Walt Disney World Resort!

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Meet the Panelist: Ashley, Pennsylvania


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