Jeremiah’s 7th Birthday Celebration at Disney
- Whitney Storey
- Sep 2
- 9 min read
Updated: Sep 12
Hey Mamas!
Guess what?
We did it again… we went to Disney! 🏰✨
Come along as I share our full itinerary, the must-haves I never travel without, and all the behind-the-scenes planning that helped us make this magical trip happen.
Our miracle boy turned 7, and we knew exactly where to celebrate…Walt Disney World! When did we start planning? Honestly… the minute we left in 2023. 😅 If you know, you know. Between dining reservations and ride times, you practically need a travel agent just to figure it all out. We’re so grateful for our personal family manager (aka my sister) who handled our entire itinerary like a pro. It takes a village, y’all… especially at Disney.
Let’s start with the planning and prep...
Where did we stay for this magical birthday celebration? So my husband and I have this fun little tradition: each Disney trip, we try to level up the experience just a bit. And this time? We officially entered the... Disney bubble.
What’s the “bubble”? It’s what they call the inside of Disney’s property and you’ll know you’re in it the moment you ride under that iconic arch that reads: “Walt Disney World.”
Cue the confetti!🎉
We explored a few resort options and ultimately chose the Contemporary Resort. We actually booked it a year in advance to lock in availability! This resort is not only one of Disney’s most historic hotels. It’s also incredibly scenic, modern, and super convenient. We were just a 5-minute walk from Magic Kingdom, and from the 4th floor, we watched the fireworks light up the night sky (absolutely magical). Plus, it’s home to Chef Mickey’s, one of the most memorable dining experiences, and yes the monorail glides right through the building 5-star service all around!
Now, we were about 90 days away from our trip…
We received a personalized welcome guide in the mail (I think this is another amazing perk of staying on Disney's property). The guide was about 10 to 12 pages and helped us prepare for our upcoming stay.
On the very first page, it gave us a heads-up about when we could start booking our reservations. This includes dining reservations and other must-do adventures that are a separate cost. For example, at Animal Kingdom, we reserved the Caring for Giants experience (I’ll share more about that later in the blog).
After receiving this guide, it called for a mandatory family meeting. We sat down and discussed which character dining experiences were a must, which rides mattered most, and what shows were non-negotiable for this trip. By the 60-day mark, we were ready. Our reservation window opened, and my sister secured all of our plans like the Disney boss she is! 🙌🏾
I also learned from another Mama Bear about MouseWatcher.com. This site helps you snag those hard-to-get reservations you couldn’t secure on your own. It was a total game changer, we landed our top choice for our first morning character dining thanks to it!
If you haven’t already, make sure you download the Disney My Experience app. Literally everything flows through the app: park tickets, ride times, dining reservations, and more.
Jeremy is responsible for making sure Jeremiah’s DAS (Disability Access Service) is set up upon arrival.
DAS stands for Disability Access Service, a program at Disney designed to assist guests who, due to a disability, cannot wait in a traditional queue (line) for an extended period of time. It allows you to schedule a return time for attractions, similar to a virtual queue, making the experience more accessible and enjoyable.
We also decided to invest in MagicBands for this trip. They’re not required, but they definitely elevate your experience. MagicBands make everything more convenient by:
Unlocking your hotel room
Scanning into the parks
Capture and link PhotoPass photos
…and so much more.
Travel Day
Does your family count travel day as part of the vacation? We definitely do!
One of the great perks of staying inside the Disney bubble is the complimentary admission to one of Disney’s two waterparks: Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach on your check-in day. It’s the perfect way to unwind after traveling and kick off your vacation with some fun and relaxation.
Blizzard Beach was our choice. After some much-needed downtime floating down Cross Country Creek (their lazy river) and splashing around, we headed back to the hotel to freshen up and get dressed for dinner.
Our Night Cap: Disney Springs:
We went over to Disney Springs to enjoy some family nightlife and dinner over the water at Summer House on the Lake.
Ambiance: Beautiful and peaceful with nice, quiet vibes
Food: Good, a solid 7/10 from our family
Bonus: Their gourmet cookie bakery will definitely catch your eye (and your taste buds) whether you’re walking in or out of the restaurant!
💡Mama Tip:
I recommend renting a stroller on-site instead of packing one in the car. We saved so much space by renting from Polar Strollers, and the process was seamless. They dropped it off at Disney Springs and picked it up from our resort at checkout.
Disney travel day, waterpark fun, good food, and memories made.
EPCOT
We kicked off Day 2 with character breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace at the Riviera Resort with Mickey & Friends. One of the cast members even gifted Jeremiah a special pin to add to his backpack collection. The food? An easy 10/10. Highly recommend!
After breakfast, we headed straight to EPCOT for a day of fun:
First Stop:
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure – Jeremiah’s absolute favorite! We’ve already rewatched Ratatouille on Disney+ a few times since our trip!
Other Adventures:
Frozen Ever After – always magical, I sung the entire ride!
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana – so beautiful and interactive!
The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion - We explored SeaBase, their large saltwater aquarium. Jeremiah loved seeing all the aquatic life up close.
For dinner we ended the day with a family-style dinner at Garden Grill, dining with Chip, Dale, Mickey, and Pluto. They made Jeremiah a custom birthday treat with a candle such a sweet, inclusive, and welcoming touch. Exceptional service all around! We’ll always remember our waiter Mr. Jeremy! After dinner, we tackled Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – EPCOT’s hottest attraction right now and my personal favorite!
💡Mama Tip:
Don’t ride this after a big meal. Jeremy felt sick, Jeremiah pulled his beard the entire ride, and my sister lost her MagicBand (thankfully Disney mailed it back to her!). Meanwhile… I was living my best life the entire time!
We concluded the night watching the fireworks light up the sky and stood in awe as EPCOT’s giant ball changed colors. Truly a magical ending to Day 2.
Magic Kingdom
We kicked off our morning with a fun-filled Chef Mickey’s character breakfast. The buffet had all the Mickey waffles you could ever want!
Jeremiah joined in on a dance party celebrating his birthday alongside other kiddos, which was his vibe because he absolutely loves a good dance party. The characters moved at a faster pace here compared to other dining experiences, but each one made sure to stop by and sign Jeremiah’s character signature book.
Chef Mickey’s was a 10/10 experience. We’ll definitely be seeing them again soon! *wink
After breakfast, we hopped on the monorail over to Magic Kingdom, ready for a day of fun. After we entered Magic Kingdom, we did some light shopping to kick off the day. Jeremiah picked out a classic Mickey hat, and I grabbed a pair of Mickey-shaped summer glasses along with the black leather Mickey ears, all from the Emporium. I took the ears over to Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe to have them customized, these assessories made our day extra special!
💡Medical Mama:
Make sure you grab this disability brochure. Everything you need to know to make your experience magical.
We rode:
Jungle Cruise
Pirates of the Caribbean
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Mad Tea Party
Tomorrowland Speedway
Tron
We caught one of the daytime parades and soaked in the Main Street magic. Jeremiah would not ride the Tron (the latest thrill adventure) this time, but maybe next trip! We closed out our day with a walk back to our resort. Magic Kingdom has a walking path that leads directly to the Contemporary Resort. It was about a 5 to 7 minute walk, the perfect way to wind down after a full park day.
To close out the night, we split up for dinner to celebrate 13 years of marriage. 🥂 Mom, Aunt Neisha, and Jeremiah enjoyed dinner at California Grill, while Jeremy and I had a date night at Steakhouse 71, both conveniently located inside the Contemporary Resort.
Animal Kingdom
This day was extra special because it's Jeremiah’s favorite park and it showed from start to finish. Animal Kingdom is a mix of adventure, animals, and unforgettable memories.
We kicked off the morning with a family-style breakfast at ‘Ohana, where we got to meet Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, and Pluto! On the way to our seat, our server made a quick stop to grab a warm loaf of Hawaiian bread. Yes, it was as good as it sounds. The breakfast? Finger-licking good. We’d 100% add this to our must-do list for every future trip.
Jeremiah collected every character’s autograph.
💡Mama tip:
Don’t forget to bring a signature book for character dining. It’s a fun souvenir and keepsake your kids will treasure!
We Rode:
Dinosaur – Jeremiah gave this one a big thumbs down (his least favorite of the day).
Kilimanjaro Safaris – Jeremiah’s pick, of course! The love this kid has for animals runs deep. This is always a peaceful ride through the savanna.
Avatar Flight of Passage - This one’s a must-ride! Jeremy and I took turns riding since Jeremiah changed his mind at the last minute (he wasn’t feeling the ride seating once he saw it).
Na’vi River Journey – A beautiful and relaxing ride through Pandora. The glowing bioluminescence is stunning in person.
We experienced:
🐘 One of the most memorable moments of the entire trip: We got to do the behind-the-scenes Caring for the Gentle Giants tour, and it was absolutely magical.
The regular viewing area was under maintenance, so our tour ended up being a VIP experience. We spent a full hour up close with an elder elephant named Mac. He was majestic, calm, and so intelligent. We watched him get a health check and participate in training. It was a dream come true, especially for Jeremiah. If your child loves animals, add this to your Disney bucket list.
and
🦁 This is a family favorite and a tradition for our crew. There’s nothing like cooling off indoors while singing “Hakuna Matata” with the pride at the Festival of the Lion King. Our MagicBands lit up during big moments of the show, it was so cool!
We ended the day with dinner at Rainforest Café, where the surprise rainstorms inside the restaurant added to the Animal Kingdom magic. The atmosphere, food, and theme all felt like the perfect wrap-up to the perfect day.
Animal Kingdom will always be a dream come true for our family. From character breakfasts to safari rides, elephant encounters to Pandora nights, this park holds a special place in our hearts.
Now who wants to say goodbye to the Magic...
It’s time to pack up and hit the road back to Georgia! As we said our final goodbyes to Orlando, we made one last stop to the Universal Studios CityWalk. We grabbed lunch and, of course, couldn’t leave without dessert from the infamous Voodoo Doughnut (seriously, if you're ever in Orlando, it's a must-try!).
Before heading home, we made a quick Walmart run to snag a few last-minute souvenirs. Then it was time to hit the highway, hearts and cameras full of memories.
Until next time, Orlando!✌🏾
Want to know a secret?👀
WE VLOGGED IT ALL!
The adventure doesn’t stop here! Head over to our YouTube channel to catch even more of the magic. Become part of our family!
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And did you know there’s also a TRAVEL tab right here on the blog? Here, you’ll find more Disney adventures (including our very first flight!) and all the 411 on how we made it happen. Be sure to check it out!
Lastly, I have something just for you! 👀
From a mama to another, I know how important it is to be prepared for Disney or any family vacation. That’s why I put together a Disney Essentials List just for you!
⬇️ Download yours here and make your trip a little easier, a lot smoother, and way more fun!
Thank you Mamas for reading along! My hope is that this blog blesses you and that something here eases your mind as you plan, prep and execute your next magical vacation.
I'd love for you to become a part of the tribe! Here you'll find encouragement and a spark to ignite your faith walk. Remember to share with another mama, because we truly hold each other up.
Chat soon!✌🏾
With Pace & Grace,
Whit
Disclaimer: This blog is not sponsored by Disney or any other organization.
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