Magical 16th birthday ideas

[escriven75]

We've been trying to get back to WDW since our March 2020 trip got cancelled. It is looking like our next chance will be August. If so, our dates just so happen to fall on my daughter's 16th birthday. We haven't been to Galaxy's Edge yet and she is a super Star Wars fan so I know that will be extra exciting. I'm looking for any suggestions and ideas on things you've done at Disney to celebrate a 16th bday! A cool meal idea? Souvenir? Photo opp. Anything you can think of? We miss Disney so much and as I'm sure everyone can attest to, it has been a tough year! We are ready for some super-sized magic!!!

 

[JenBush]

Since she’s a Star Wars fan, I’d suggest a reservation at Ogas Cantina. The environment inside Ogas is really fun and they have some cool non alcoholic beverages she can try. Also in Galaxy’s Edge, you can look into going to the droid depot and building your own droid or Savis workshop and building a light Sabre. The Droid Depot and Savis are both a bit pricey, but could be great birthday gifts.

 

[DisneyMommy77]

I agree with the above poster for any Star Wars Fan. Great ideas!

Here are a few things I have done on “girl’s days” with my daughters that they liked:

1. Dinner at Disney Springs, shopping and then a ride in the Amphicars at BoatHouse

2. I don’t think it has reopened yet, but Tea at the Grand Floridian was a very fun experience.

3.One of my daughter’s loves France, so we did a special trip for the evening just the two of us to Epcot. Special dinner at Chefs de France, ice cream, shopping for French perfumes, souvenirs.

4. Raglan Road is always fun!

 

[holden]

Make a reservation for her to build her own lightsaber!

 

[ksanftleben]

It’s not Star Wars, but if the Magic Kingdom is doing them when you visit, consider signing up for a Keys to the Kingdom tour. I think you have to be 16 to take the tour, so that would make it special for her Sweet Sixteen visit. It costs about $100/each and lasts around five to six hours. It includes lunch, probably at Pecos Bill’s, and escorted rides on two attractions, probably Jungle Cruise and Haunted Mansion. You also get a souvenir keepsake. The tour goes behind the scenes for a look at things like parade rehearsals and float preparations. The best thing, though, is that you get to visit the park’s underground tunnel system which is pretty impressive. I imagine you can make reservations online, but I’m sure you make them by phone.

Also, don’t forget the little things:

I think you can still get a special Mickey-ears birthday cake at any table-service if your pre-order and attach it to your ADR. We got one several years ago, and it was enough for six of us. It was surprisingly inexpensive; I think back then it only cost around $25. Even if you don’t purchase a birthday cake, let the server know it’s your daughter’s birthday, and they should bring her a cupcake or other treat with a candle in it.

When you check-in (if not before), be sure to let your resort know that it’s her birthday; it doesn’t always happen, but sometimes they'll deliver birthday balloons to your room. When you tell them, also ask them to arrange for a character birthday call to your room. Perhaps, they may now make calls to cell phones as well.

You can contact the WDW florist (I think it’s called something like Disney Florals and Gifts) ahead of your arrival. I bet they can create a Sweet 16 flower arrangement to be waiting in your room when you arrive.

Also, don’t forget to have her pick up a birthday button at a main guest services office near the front of any park. If nothing else, she’ll get lots of birthday greetings as she travels throughout WDW. I'm pretty sure that they sell birthday ears in the parks too. Ask the CMs at guest services where you can buy them, or maybe you can pick up a set in advance somewhere online.

 

[cgattis]

Took my DD (just the two of us) for a weekend for her 15th, and just let her pick what to do, and she had a blast. She wanted a pic with Sofia the First and was the only person over like 3YO in the line LOL Echo the PP and say definitely get that birthday button—she loved all the attention from that. She likes ears, but rather than bday ones, she got the clear light-up SW ones that look like TIE fighters and X-Wings in a shootout. And we get pics with Chewie and Kylo Ren with them on, so that was fun. We didn’t do anything big like a fireworks cruise, but it felt very special just being there “for” a bday. (Our first trip was on our sons 4th bday and that was sweet too.) Love the mouse ear cake idea. Or maybe pick something from Amorettes, if you’re going to DS.

Ooh, just had another thought...a pic with/in the Main Street car would be super cute for a 16th! I took some great pics of him last trip—I think the driver was pleased to have some attention!


Word of caution, though, her bday is August too and OMG it was surface-of-the-sun hot, so be prepared. We didn’t look very cute in most of our pics! LOL But we drank tons and survived fine open to close (four parks in two days) for a short trip. It’ll be a blast!

 

[escriven75]

Since she’s a Star Wars fan, I’d suggest a reservation at Ogas Cantina. The environment inside Ogas is really fun and they have some cool non alcoholic beverages she can try. Also in Galaxy’s Edge, you can look into going to the droid depot and building your own droid or Savis workshop and building a light Sabre. The Droid Depot and Savis are both a bit pricey, but could be great birthday gifts.

We had already planned to (and saved up for) one droid each at the Droid Depot back in March when we were originally going. I was thinking since it is her bday maybe SHE can do Saviis and get a Saber. They are quite pricey but I hear it is worth the experience! I'll make note of Ogas. I don't think it requires a res., right?

 

[escriven75]

I agree with the above poster for any Star Wars Fan. Great ideas!

Here are a few things I have done on “girl’s days” with my daughters that they liked:

1. Dinner at Disney Springs, shopping and then a ride in the Amphicars at BoatHouse

2. I don’t think it has reopened yet, but Tea at the Grand Floridian was a very fun experience.

3.One of my daughter’s loves France, so we did a special trip for the evening just the two of us to Epcot. Special dinner at Chefs de France, ice cream, shopping for French perfumes, souvenirs.

4. Raglan Road is always fun!

I can't believe I have to ask but what is Raglan Road?

And we haven't been to Dis Springs since it was Downtown Disney so that is a great idea. She has actually mentioned it a few times on our last several trips and we just never made the time. But our arrival day is never a park day so maybe DS will be how we kick off our trip!!

 

[butterscotchcollins]

We had already planned to (and saved up for) one droid each at the Droid Depot back in March when we were originally going. I was thinking since it is her bday maybe SHE can do Saviis and get a Saber. They are quite pricey but I hear it is worth the experience! I'll make note of Ogas. I don't think it requires a res., right?

I'm not even a Star Wars fan but I accompanied DH while he built his lightsaber and the experience was very, very cool. Even I was getting emotional! I say it's worth it if she's a huge fan.

And yes Oga's does require a reservation. Hit that 60-day window and you'll have no trouble getting one.

Also read up on how to get a Rise of the Resistance boarding group so you guys don't miss that! It's awesome.

 

[DisneyMommy77]

I can't believe I have to ask but what is Raglan Road?

And we haven't been to Dis Springs since it was Downtown Disney so that is a great idea. She has actually mentioned it a few times on our last several trips and we just never made the time. But our arrival day is never a park day so maybe DS will be how we kick off our trip!!

No worries, Raglan Road is an Irish Restaurant that has traditional Irish music and dancing. It is really, really fun! All 3 of my kids request to go everytime. You just want to make sure when you check in that you ask to please have a table near the stage. I can’t attach a video to this post, but you can probably see the amazing dancing on

Homecomin’ is another really good restaurant that my kids also enjoy going to!

Have fun!

 

[mitsukoshi samurai]

It’s not Star Wars, but if the Magic Kingdom is doing them when you visit, consider signing up for a Keys to the Kingdom tour. I think you have to be 16 to take the tour, so that would make it special for her Sweet Sixteen visit. It costs about $100/each and lasts around five to six hours. It includes lunch, probably at Pecos Bill’s, and escorted rides on two attractions, probably Jungle Cruise and Haunted Mansion. You also get a souvenir keepsake. The tour goes behind the scenes for a look at things like parade rehearsals and float preparations. The best thing, though, is that you get to visit the park’s underground tunnel system which is pretty impressive. I imagine you can make reservations online, but I’m sure you make them by phone.

Also, don’t forget the little things:

I think you can still get a special Mickey-ears birthday cake at any table-service if your pre-order and attach it to your ADR. We got one several years ago, and it was enough for six of us. It was surprisingly inexpensive; I think back then it only cost around $25. Even if you don’t purchase a birthday cake, let the server know it’s your daughter’s birthday, and they should bring her a cupcake or other treat with a candle in it.

When you check-in (if not before), be sure to let your resort know that it’s her birthday; it doesn’t always happen, but sometimes they'll deliver birthday balloons to your room. When you tell them, also ask them to arrange for a character birthday call to your room. Perhaps, they may now make calls to cell phones as well.

You can contact the WDW florist (I think it’s called something like Disney Florals and Gifts) ahead of your arrival. I bet they can create a Sweet 16 flower arrangement to be waiting in your room when you arrive.

Also, don’t forget to have her pick up a birthday button at a main guest services office near the front of any park. If nothing else, she’ll get lots of birthday greetings as she travels throughout WDW. I'm pretty sure that they sell birthday ears in the parks too. Ask the CMs at guest services where you can buy them, or maybe you can pick up a set in advance somewhere online.

Tours not available at this time