When you visit Disney World during your birthday celebration, you are eligible to receive the following goodies:
Celebration Buttons
If you are celebrating a birthday (or any other life event), the first thing you should do is pick up a Celebration Button.
You can find them at the front desk of your Disney World hotel or at Guest Services near the entrance to any Disney Park.
Tell the Cast Member what you’re celebrating they’ll give you a free special personalized button to commemorate your special occasion. For birthdays, guests will receive a “Happy Birthday” button with a fun Disney graphic.
Celebration buttons are great Disney World souvenirs, but wearing them around the park will let everyone know you’re celebrating a birthday. Cast Members will see your pin and give you special attention, and they may even hook you up with some perks like birthday stickers and birthday cards.
Don’t be afraid to wear your birthday button throughout your stay (and not just on your birthday). You’ll receive oodles of “Happy Birthday!” wishes from Cast Members and other guests.
Free Birthday Desserts
It’s a not-so-well-kept secret that guests celebrating a birthday or anniversary at a Disney World restaurant are often treated to a free dessert or champagne toast. Just mention that you’ll be celebrating a birthday when you make your dining reservations, or wait until you are seated and tell your server.
Even though Disney doesn’t offer free birthday meals, free desserts are still pretty sweet.
Who knows, you may even receive a birthday song courtesy of the restaurant’s Cast Members!
See our Magic Kingdom Restaurants, Epcot Restaurants, Animal Kingdom Restaurants, Hollywood Studios Restaurants, Vegetarian Options at Disney World, How Much Does Food Cost at Disney, Can you Bring Food into Disney World, Disney Character Dining, Disney Dining Calculator, and Disney World Foodies for dining suggestions.
Free Entree at Shula’s
The Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort is home to the award-winning Shula’s Steak House. The restaurant is a perfect spot to celebrate anything – at any time of the year – but there’s even more reason to head here on your birthday.
Join Team Shula’s rewards program and, before your birthday, you’ll receive a coupon for a free birthday entree with the purchase of another entree.
This is a VERY generous offer coming from a steakhouse with pricy entrees.
Right now you can redeem this offer within 2 weeks of your birthday, but you might want to check with Shula’s before you go as the terms of this deal are subject to change.
Free Cupcake at Sprinkles
We all know the best way to celebrate a birthday is with cake.
Before you arrive at Disney, sign up for Sprinkles Perks and you’ll be eligible to receive a free birthday Sprinkles Cupcake at the Disney Springs location.
Sprinkles typically awards members a free cupcake after signing up for their rewards program. This means that you may be eligible for TWO free cupcakes if the promo is active. Double the fun! Yum!
Free Birthday Drink at Disney Springs Starbucks
We all know and love Starbucks.
Sign up for Starbucks Rewards and you’ll be eligible to receive a free drink on your birthday.
You can redeem this offer at either one of the two Disney Springs Starbucks locations.
Free Chocolate at Ghiradelli
Free samples anyone? Yes, please!
Head over to the Ghiradelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop in Disney Springs. Here, Disney Cast Members will greet you at the doors and offer you free chocolate samples as you enter.
They are known to give EXTRA free samples to those wearing a celebration button. Be sure they see yours!
Free Birthday Treat at Earl of Sandwich
Sign up forEarl of Sandwich’s Loyalty Club and you’ll be eligible to receive a coupon for a free treat on your birthday. You can redeem this offer at the Disney Springs location.
As you can see, going to Disney World on your birthday has its benefits! Here are a few more birthday ideas, but these will cost you money.
Other Birthday Ideas (Not Free)
Mickey Mouse Celebration Cakes for Birthday Dinners
Add a little extra magic to your birthday dinner celebration and pre-order a Mickey Mouse Celebration Cake. This specialty cake is in the shape of Mickey Mouse, feeds 4 to 6 people, and comes in either chocolate or white chocolate. Cakes can include a special message of either “Happy Birthday” or “congratulations,” if desired.
As of June 2023, the cost was $39 per cake (plus tax and tip) and will be added to your regular restaurant bill. Restaurants usually keep a very limited number of cakes on-hand for same-day requests, but it’s best to order them more than four days in advance. Learn more about Disney birthday cakes here.
