We attended in January. I think two little princesses were having a birthday and I think they brought out a cake. I don't know if this is something they just *DO* or if folks called ahead. I think you could probably phone the GF and ask.
The reason it's so expensive, I believe, is that each child gets a Disney version of an American Girl type doll (dressed like Aurora - so cute!) to keep. The dolls retail for over $100. It's also a lengthy character experience. I think there are 4-5 characters (all minor except Aurora), but the lady who leads it, can't remember her name, sings and dances and tells stories. It's a very big to-do.
When the girls arrive, they are each crowned with a little beaded crown and "announced" to the crowd. Then you're shown to your table. There are place cards. My daughter's said, "Princess Audrey of the Ivy". I don't know why "Ivy", but it was cute. The hostess (Rose Petal is her name, maybe?) asks all the little girls to flick their napkins open and surprise! A charm bracelet pops out for each little girl. I think it has a pink crystal heart charm. It's the same kind of bracelet/charm that they sell all over WDW, but that's great, because your little one can add some charms that she picks out herself later on if she likes.
The food is lackluster, I must admit. Adults get a plate with lavosh, several cheeses, maybe a chicken salad sandwich (tea sandwich size) or something like that, plus some fruit (grapes for sure). The kids get heart shaped tea sandwiches (ham and cheese or pbj) and some fruit. The kids' tea is apple juice and they can sweeten it more (!) if they like (mine did!). Basically, the food and drink is nothing more than something to sip/nibble on while listening to the storytelling. I wouldn't consider it a meal or even a very good snack.
Eventually, Aurora appears and leads all the little ones in a dance around the room, which is exceedingly cute. There is MUCH face time with each of the characters. Whoever played Rose Petal was a very talented lady, and sweet as she could be.
I think the whole thing culminates with a piece of cake, which I remember as being delicious. Oh, and afterwards, you can go pick up some complimentary scrapbook pages at the shop in the GF. They're cute.
My daughter had a fantastic time, so I think it would be a great birthday celebration. The doll and bracelet are very nice keepsakes.
When we did it, we left my husband in the room (he was secretly thrilled for the alone time, I think), and just went by ourselves. A girls only outing!
When I booked, they took my credit card info over the phone, but they didn't charge me until the day of. I think you finalize it while waiting for the festivities to begin.
It's a lot of money, but if your daughter's favorite princess is Aurora, AND this is a birthday surprise, AND it won't break the bank, I would bite the bullet and do it. I would not have done it myself, except that I had a friend who did it years ago and raved about the experience. I will also add that the leisurely pace of it was a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of the parks. For an hour and a half, you just sit there and let someone else entertain you.
