My daughter is turning 5 years old at WDW in March

[SongFam]

It's also her first time at a Disney park. Is there anything I can do to make it a more magical experience than the average WDW trip?
We are staying at the Art of Animation resort and spending 4 days at the parks. THANKS!

 

[JustinD]

I would keep it simple and not stress over this. A 5 year old on her first trip to DWorld is having a magical experience. Just get a birthday pin and a princess tiara or something like that. Or, an it's my birthday t-shirt. Don't fall into the trap of trying to have a more magical experience than everyone else.

 

[DisneyPups]

You could check out Etsy and get her a cute Disney "It's my birthday" shirt for her to wear on her actual bday!

 

[westie55]

It is going to be magical no matter what. If you plan to do a character meal, maybe schedule that on her birthday. Or plan to do the rides she is most excited to try that day. You can't go wrong; there is literally magic around every corner even on the "average" WDW trip. As a first timer, she will be blown away regardless. Or, you might want to consider paying extra for a pirates and pals Wishes cruise, or the new Tiana Riverboat dessert party coming to MK if those are things she'd be interested in. I don't think spending extra money is necessary, however, given that it's her first trip and nothing is going to feel commonplace or "been there, done that" to her.

 

[sullyfam]

We took our middle daughter to WDW for a 5th birthday trip and we did BBB at the castle on her actual birthday. She loved it!

 

[ruthies12]

I responded to your other thread on this with some suggestions, it's just bit further down on this same page.

 

[jeepnjudy]

When my DS was younger we hired an outside florist to come in and decorate the room while we were gone for the day. It was a package deal with gifts included and it was amazing!

 

[TeamH5]

We asked the staff at the character meal to sing Happy Birthday, and the characters did. And they signed a bday card at the meal. We stayed at AoA too, and told the desk staff, who also had Mickey and friends sign a card and left in the room for us.
And, just getting the Birthday Pin brought all kinds of extra attention every where we turned. Lol

 

[Mousemommy1]

I am of the opinion that a birthday at Disney is special enough. Sometimes I let my kids pick the restaurant for that day, but other than that, I'm like "Dude...you're at Disney".

 

[DisMommyTX]

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is fun at that age, but is a significant investment of time/money/planning. The main street barber shop (near the fire station) does a great little sprinkling of confetti and the princess store just past the castle gives a free sprinkling of pixie dust. Both budget-friendly and available any time you happen to be walking by!