Planning A Special Celebration for a Child While at Disney World

Last week, I wrote about how to plan a .  This week, I’m going to discuss ways to create a memorable celebration for children while in “The World”.  There’s nothing quite as magical as celebrating a special occasion for a child while at Walt Disney World, and there are countless ways to make the day unforgettable.  Here are a few suggestions:

Reserve a Special Character Meal: When you book a character meal, you are basically reserving the right to spend some one-on-one time with certain characters in a more intimate setting.  Some of our favorite Disney World memories were made at character meals.  Best of all, character meals are highly efficient: instead of wasting precious time standing in long lines to meet characters in the parks, you’ll be meeting them while you eat!  But which character meal should you choose?  Check back next week, when I’ll be covering character meals in depth.

Party Like a Princess: Book an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where little girls receive the royal treatment and emerge as their favorite princess.  The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique has two locations: one in the Magic Kingdom and one at Downtown Disney.  Packages start at about $50 and increase in cost with each add-on.  To save money, bring your own princess dress for your child to change into instead of purchasing an overpriced gown at the boutique.

Become a Buccaneer: Book an appointment at the Pirates’ League in the Magic Kingdom, where landlubbers are transformed into pirates!  While the Pirates’ League tends to attract boys, a super-fun “pirate empress” package is offered for little girls.  The Pirate’s League is not just a place to get a makeover; it is truly an experience, complete with pirate naming, a pirate oath, and a special gift of “treasure”.  Packages start at about $30.

Fall Down the Rabbit Hole: On select afternoons, little girls can attend afternoon tea with Alice and the Mad Hatter at the Grand Floridian Resort.  They play games, decorate cupcakes, and do crafts.  While their little “Alices” are enjoying their own tea party, parents can make a simultaneous reservation at the Gardenview Tea Room in the same resort if desired.   

Take a Kid-Friendly Cruise: On select evenings, the Pirates & Pals fireworks cruise departs from the Contemporary Resort.  Sail along Bay Lake with Captain Hook and Smee, enjoy a prime viewing location for Wishes Nighttime Spectacular (the nightly fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom), then prepare yourself for the ultimate surprise guest when you dock back at the Contemporary.

These are just a few of my favorite ways to celebrate a child’s special occasion at Disney World, but it is just the tip of the iceberg.  What about you, readers?  Have you ever celebrated a child’s special day at Disney World?  What did you do?

Meredith McCutcheon

Disney Specialist, Ginger's Getaways

Personalized Disney Itineraries and Daily Touring Plans

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