There are soooo many ways to make a birthday special! Here's a few I can think of off the top of my head:
- If your daughter is into princesses, you could try to get her an appointment at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo salon (in MK and in DTD) for a princess makeover.
- You could also consider going to a Character Dining Meal (such as lunch at Cinderella's Castle, breakfast with Chef Mickey's gang or dinner at the Crystal Palace with Winnie the Pooh, etc.) Make certain to say it's for a birthday and she'll be treated to confetti on the table, signed birthday cards or a cupcake.
- If she would be interested in pirates, you could either get her a pirate's makeover (or mermaid transformation--only until early July, however!) for $30 at the Pirate's League.
- Sign her up for one of the resort pirate cruises--it's a 2-hour boat excursion (kids only, no parents) that has the crew take the kids on a pirate's adventure from resort to resort, they read a map, find bury treasure, enjoy a lunch, etc. Again, I think it's about $30
- You could get tix for the Fireworks Desserts party--a special drinks and desserts meal on a restaurant terrace during a Fireworks show--great seats!
- Pirates and Pals cruise for the family--drinks, snacks, boat cruise with music and games and trivia, followed by the Fireworks show.
- Hot Air Balloon Flight (room for up to 30 people at a time) in DTD
- Pick-a-Pearl in Japan in Epcot or at DTD - choose an oyster from the tank and watch as someone opens it up, cleans and measures your cultured pearl. Then, either keep the pearl or have it set into jewelery. (I think it's $18)
- Attend the free Alice in Wonderland tea party at the Grand Floridian - I think it's an hour long event with the Mad Hatter and Alice. Kids drink 'tea' and decorate cupcakes, do singalongs and games.
- If you really want to spoil her, you can reserve a spot for the Perfectly Princess Tea Party. It costs $250 (for an adult and a child), but you get to have a meal with Aurora and other entertainers. The kids get all kinds of goodies--a doll, a bracelet, a tiara, a rose, a scrapbook page, etc. They singalong, have storytime, do a craft, play games, etc. Very costly, but probably a lot of fun!
- Just take her to the Grand Floridian for a quiet, simple mother-daughter tea.
- Go to DTD and make a little scavenger hunt while shopping -- pick up MisMatched socks, free Godiva chocolates, run through the fountains without getting wet, check out the animatronic dinos at TRex restaurant, etc.
Or--and here's the easy one--simply go to Guest Services and get her a Birthday Button (free). She can wear it and feel special all day long. CMs will wish her happy birthday all day long, some will give little freebies like popcorn or cookies, others might sing her happy birthday, etc!
Are you staying on Disney property or GKTW? Because there are also some special room things, too. Free wake-up calls at Disney and a special birthday balloon and card packages at GKTW.
And, if she's an Ariel fan--check out my thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2712736. My daughter is nuts for her, too!
To the Wish Boards!!! Emily sounds like a great kiddo! I bet she will love all the princesses- it will be a great wish! Can't wait to read more- will go check out your caring bridge page too! 
