Free cupcakes at the Walt Disney World Resort? Let's celebrate!

March 26, 2013, 9:01 AM · There is nothing like celebrating a birthday or anniversary, especially on vacation. Walt Disney World has its own kind of magic to sprinkle on your special day. When you book dining reservations, be sure to tell them what you are celebrating. When you arrive at your table, Mickey confetti will be sprinkled everywhere. After dinner you will be graced with a special cupcake. What makes it even more special is that it is FREE. Nothing tastes better than a delicious cupcake that wasn't added on to your bill.

I have been able to celebrate both a wedding anniversary and a two birthdays at Walt Disney World. Our wedding anniversary trip was showered with seven days of free champagne and a cupcake to share. My birthdays were again an all-week event of free cupcakes. One thing I noticed on our last trip in December, was that each place we dined at had begun to get creative. Each cupcake had its own design, taste, and special touch. Here are a few of my favorites.

Remember, let Disney know if you are wanting to celebrate during your vacation. You will be pleasantly surprised at the little free touches of magic.

Cupcake from Tusker House: This was more of a pound cake with vanilla frosting. It had a very light flavor.

Cupcake from Tusker House

Cupcake from Chef Mickey's: This vanilla cupcake with whipped icing was my only winter cupcake. The snowflake was a creamy white chocolate candy.

Cupcake from Chef Mickey's

Cupcake from Ohana: This cupcake was all chocolate and decadent. The little umbrella definitely put me in an island frame of mind.

Cupcake from Ohana

Cupcake from Akershus Royal Banquet Hall: This was by far my favorite for design and presentation. It had a delicate lemon flavor with creamy frosting. I loved it!

Cupcake from Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

What's your favorite birthday or celebration extra at a theme park?

Replies (4)

March 26, 2013 at 11:46 AM · But, you are paying 5 times too much for all the other food you have purchased, a comp-ed cupcake is not "free".
Now, if you can tell me how to constantly get free cupcakes without having to buy anything, I will be surprised...and grateful.
March 26, 2013 at 12:31 PM · I wouldn't say that...The food prices at most of the table service restaurants are not more than 20-30% more than you would pay for similar dishes at comperable restaurants. The "Comp" Cakes are a little known perk of eating at WDW table service restaurants. However, I think some people take advantage of it to the point that WDW might discontinue the perk---I've been in restaurants where literally every table around me is having a birthday...Not that it's not possible, but I doubt 10 people celebrating a birthday are all in the same place at the same time.
March 26, 2013 at 1:02 PM · My wife and I just celebrated our 5 year anniversary, which is also my birthday (yes, on purpose). We had lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern (so no, not family-style), but the waiter was really awesome. He not only gave us a free dessert, which was the cran-apple sweetbread and vanilla ice cream dish they have at dinner, but he also brought out a bowl of stew, at no extra charge. He'd recommended we order it because it's his favorite, but we ordered something else. He decided we were going to try it anyway, even if he didn't add it to the bill.

Other than that, we celebrated our honeymoon at Disney World and were chosen to be the Grand Marshalls in the parade! No food included in this treat, but it will always be a cherished memory.

March 28, 2013 at 5:25 AM · Yummy stuff, Amanda, thanks for sharing the article even if you can't share the actual cupcakes.

As for Tony's remarks, all theme and amusement parks overcharge for food. At least Disney tries to offer something tasty and experiential for that "captive audience" upcharge.

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