Fun in Disney World – Orlando, Florida

Archive for the ‘disney world special events’ Category

Admit it you laugh like most people do when a team wins the Super Bowl and immediately we see one of the heroes of the game yelling into a camera, “I’m going to Disney World!” For many people Disney is the place where young and old alike can return to their childhood roots. Never does this come into play more than on one’s birthday. I don’t know about you but I know a few people who try and celebrate the weekend, week and month of their birthday.

As crazy as it sounds you would think these are the people I am referring to. In fact it’s those people who hardly ever celebrate their birthday that get the most out a Disney World Birthday Experience. Think about it, where else could you have breakfast with your favorite Disney Character, Lunch in an authentic Moroccan establishment and dinner at a Parisian Restaurant all without boarding 5 different flights and losing countless hours traveling back and forth across the ocean.

Disney offers this between the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Center endless opportunities for you to both quench your appetite for fun, adventure and fine dining. Better yet it forces you to remember what it is like to be a kid again. In 2009 you can even go to the Parks for Free on your Birthday. That’s right folks one day no admission price. You have to register your birthday on the Disney Parks Website and this is only good for 2009. On your special day go to the Park of your choice with a proof of Identification which includes your date of birth and enjoy the day.

Here are a few recommendations to make your day more memorable

* Inform Cast Members/Travel Agent when you book your reservation that it is a Birthday celebration and provide them with the name and age of the Birthday boy or girl.

* Let your Resort know when you check-in. Sometimes they will do something special for you ranging from autographed character pictures to balloons in your room. This does not always happen but we have heard of many instances where it has.

* Visit ‘City Hall’ on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, ‘Guest Services’ in EPCOT, ‘Guest Services’ in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and ‘Guest Services’ in the Animal Kingdom for a ‘”IT’S MY BIRTHDAY” button. This always generates special attention from the Cast Members in the Parks.

* If you are celebrating your child’s birthday, make sure your child has an ‘Autograph Book’ when they wear the button. They will receive special Birthday greetings from the Characters.

* When you are having a meal at any one of the restaurants, tell the server about your birthday. They will bring a decorated cupcake to the table with a candle in it. This only applies to sit down meals.

* If you are staying at one of the Disney Resort Hotels, contact the front desk and request a special birthday phone call for your child (young and old) from a Disney Character.

* Purchase a passport in EPCOT to have stamped in each country around the ‘World Showcase’ and make sure the Cast Member’s who signs it know it’s your Birthday. You will receive Birthday greetings in many different languages.

All in all remember to have fun, it’s your day and you are at Disney World, the sky is the limit.

Most theme parks these days are extending their traditional summer time high times with holiday specials.  While parks in the northern states close for regular business by October, and only open for Halloween & Christmas on the weekends, Disney World of course is open year round, thanks to the beautiful sunny & warm weather Florida has to offer.

Disney’s Magic Kingdom does celebrate Halloween though!  Not with frightful ghouls and goblins, meant to scare visitors, like some theme parks have catered to.  Instead Disney allows visitors to purchase exclusive tickets for Halloween at the Magic Kingdom, where the younger guests won’t be so scared, and can trick or treat around the Magic Kingdom in their costumes with Mom & Dad.

On certain days during the months of September and October Disney’s Magic Kingdom shuts down to the general public at 7 p.m.  Once the gates shut, then the Halloween fun begins! Children are given special trick or treat bags, and the shops within the Magic Kingdom, along with characters and the staff all get into the spirit of Halloween with the children.  Disney’s “Not So Scary Halloween Party” is definitely a treat for the kids.

From about mid-September until the end of October, the park is decorated in Halloween attire, too.  From the pumpkin statues that greet you as you enter the gates, to the staff’s very “Halloween Themed” uniforms, it’s easy to see that the Magic Kingdom goes all out for this fun holiday.  There’s even special character statues around the center garden area in front of Cinderella’s castle.  From Donald Duck, to Mickey & Minnie Mouse, each has it’s own bronze looking Halloween statue.

For the special Halloween entrance to Disney’s Magic Kingdom for Trick or Treating, check out the Disney World’s event page.