Held in the United States each year on the second Sunday in May, Mother’s Day is all about showing the moms in your life how much you appreciate them. And while Walt Disney World is known for Mickey Mouse and family-friendly fun, the sprawling Central Florida resort is also the perfect place to shower Mom with love this Mother’s Day.
From limited-time Mother’s Day offerings to unique activities she can enjoy all year round, there are a ton of ways to pamper Mom at Disney. So, if you’re heading to Walt Disney World for Mother’s Day, cancel that basic bouquet order and treat Mom to one (or more!) of these thoughtful ideas instead. (Updated May 8, 2023)
Make Her Day Magical with These Disney World Mother’s Day Ideas
With so many different things to see and do, The Most Magical Place on Earth has something for everyone, including Mom, whether she’s hoping for a fun-filled day with the family or a little peace and quiet away from the kids and crowds. Best of all, as many of our suggestions are available throughout the year, any day can be Mother’s Day at Disney World.
So, crown Mom queen for a day – or, better yet, a Disney Princess – and celebrate her with one or more of our pixie-dusted Walt Disney World Mother’s Day ideas tailored to her unique interests.
For the Gourmand
Enjoy a Classic Mother’s Day Brunch
No matter where you are, an ever-popular way to honor Mom on her special day is with a Mother’s Day brunch. Disney World typically dishes up its own version of the meal at a few restaurants on property, with brunches offered at Olivia’s Café at Old Key West, Ale & Compass at the Yacht Club and Whispering Canyon Café at the Wilderness Lodge.
For 2022, an all-new Mother’s Day brunch made its delicious debut at Steakhouse 71 in Disney’s Contemporary Resort and, happily, it’s back on the menu for Mother’s Day 2023. Last year, the menu featured an assortment of cozy favorites like Floridian Eggs Benedict and Hummingbird Bread Pudding, a brunch exclusive featuring banana, pineapple and coconut bread pudding, along with salted caramel, candied pecans and cream cheese ice cream.
Treat Her to Some Fine Dining
Disney World may be famous for its low-brow eats like turkey legs and DOLE Whip, but Mom needn’t feast on quick-service corn dogs this Mother’s Day (unless she wants to, of course – corn dogs are delicious). Rather, spoil her with a meal at one of the Disney World signature restaurants.
Offering a refined menu and upscale atmosphere, signature restaurants are made for foodies and special celebrations. Like the rest of Walt Disney World, there’s something to suit every taste. Sophisticated places Mom is sure to love include Cítricos at the Grand Floridian or Topolino’s Terrace at the Riviera Resort.
Sample Special Mother’s Day Treats
As anyone who has ever been to Disney World can attest, Disney loves any excuse to make sweet, seasonal treats, Mother’s Day included. So, if your mom can’t say no to dessert, indulge her sweet tooth with a selection of limited-time eats made especially for all the mothers out there.
Think cupcakes crowned with pastel-frosting flowers and special DOLE Whip sundaes. Yum! Items are available throughout Walt Disney World. Click here for a complete menu.
Shake Things Up with a Sangria Class
Disney World isn’t just great for a memorable meal – it’s also home to its fair share of worthwhile bars and lounges. For moms who love a good cocktail, book her spot at Disney’s Sangria University.
Held at Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Coronado Springs Resort, this 90-minute course offered on Saturdays and Sundays educates participants in the drink’s wine-soaked history and shares the recipes and a tasting of the lounge’s own in-house sangrias, all accompanied by a light appetizer. Afterwards, Mom can mix up her own refreshing glass from her chosen fruits and booze.
For the DIYer
Make a Masterpiece and Some Memories at a Master-Led Painting Class
Does your mom have a collection of Disney-inspired art? Let her create her own magical masterpiece to add to the mix at the Colors of Coronado Painting Experience at Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood.
Offered exclusively on Fridays, we’ll admit that this artsy, two-hour activity won’t work for an actual thing to do on Mother’s Day, which is traditionally on a Sunday. However, this hands-on experience led by local artists makes for an undeniably fun Mother’s Day gift that Mom is sure to remember.
Get Creative During a Disney-Inspired Mosaic Art Workshop
The streets of Barcelona, Spain are dotted with vibrant patchworks of mosaics. While you might not be able to take Mom there to see them in person this Mother’s Day, you can bring a piece of the tradition to her with the Spanish Mosaic Art lesson at the Barcelona Lounge at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
Like the hotel’s painting workshop, this creative, two-hour class is more of a Mother’s Day gift idea than something to do the day of, as it’s only held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Still, the colorful keepsake she leaves with at the end is sure to remind her of how much she’s loved (and how much she loves Disney, too).
For the Self-Care Queen
Pamper Her with a Luxurious Spa Treatment
There’s no better way to treat Mom like the queen she is than with an indulgent spa treatment. While several deluxe resorts at Disney World offer spa services at their on-site fitness centers, for a true taste of Disney luxury, spoil her with a relaxing experience at The Grand Floridian Spa instead. Is there a mom-to-be in your life? Then kick the Mother’s Day celebrations off early with a soothing prenatal massage.
Escape the Theme Parks with a Relaxing Day by the Pool
Mom’s special day should be all about pure relaxation and the things and people she loves. Check at least two of those things off the list with a day at one of Disney World’s water parks (Typhoon Lagoon is open now) or, if it made our list, maybe your hotel pool. Bonus points if it’s got a great pool bar!
For a truly luxuriant experience, book one of Typhoon Lagoon’s Beachcomber Shacks or a hotel pool cabana. While Mom won’t have someone fanning her with palm fronds and feeding her grapes, these plush private areas come with comfy seating along with refreshments and drink service.
Spoil Her with a Disney Springs Shopping Spree
We’re pretty sure Mom would agree that shopping is self-care. After all, it’s called retail therapy for a reason. Without a doubt, the best shopping at Disney World can be found at Disney Springs. There she’ll find everything from Disney-inspired apparel and home décor to designer handbags and high-end cosmetics.
For the Adventure Seeker
Giddy Up for a Trail Ride
While you wouldn’t be able to tell from inside the theme park bubble, Walt Disney World sits on acre upon acre of lush woodland. One of the best ways to experience the resort’s rich natural beauty this Mother’s Day is on horseback.
Set out on a 45-minute trail ride through the picturesque Fort Wilderness Resort. Too much adventure? For something more subdued, take Mom on a horse-drawn carriage ride beneath the trees at either Fort Wilderness or Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.
Paddle It Out with a Kayak or Canoe Rental
Is your mom happier out on the water than on the back of a horse? Then consider taking her out to explore the watery highways and byways of the Fort Wilderness Resort. Canoe and kayak rentals are available for a reasonable $13 per hour, making for an affordable and adventurous way to spend some quality time with Mom.
For the Animal Lover
Take a Walk on the Wild Side During a Safari
An African safari is a dream trip for many animal lovers. If a trip to Kenya isn’t in the cards for Mom this Mother’s Day, just plan a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park or the Animal Kingdom Lodge. While Kilimanjaro Safaris is available to all park guests, treat your mom to an extra-special tour.
The park’s Wild Africa Trek and Savor the Savanna offer up-close views of the Harambe Wildlife Preserve’s residents, as well as a fragrant African-inspired meal. Or, for a more budget-friendly alternative, the Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge keeps the focus on the wildlife.
Learn from One of Disney’s Animal Experts
Hoping to take Mom’s animal experience to a whole other level? Consider reserving her a close-up animal encounter. Hear how Disney World’s animal keepers care for the resort’s resident rhinoceros and elephants during Up Close with Rhinos and Caring for Giants. During these 60-minutes tours, hear about the creatures’ day-to-day life and Disney’s conservation efforts.
Visit the Walt Disney World Ranch
Is your mom still as horse crazy as when she was a girl? Then don’t just stop at a trail ride or carriage ride. Gallop on by Disney’s Tri-Circle-D Ranch at the Fort Wilderness Resort (hint: the three circles hint at Mickey Mouse’s classic silhouette). These stables are home to the herd of horses that call Disney World home, including Cinderella’s Ponies.
There, Mom can come face-to-face with such beautiful breeds as Arabians, Clydesdales, Appaloosas, Quarter Horses, Percherons and more. For a dash of nostalgia, don’t miss the Dragon Calliope, a horse-drawn musical instrument bought by Walt Disney himself for Disneyland’s Mickey Mouse Club Circus Parade. Best of all, it’s completely free.
For the Green Thumb
Stop and Smell the Roses at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Is your mom an avid gardener? Does she have a soft spot for blossoms? A penchant for produce? Then be sure to pay the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival a visit. Blooming to life each spring and early summer, this vibrant celebration is a dream for green thumbs and gourmands alike.
The stars of the show at this massive garden party are the Outdoor Kitchens, each cooking up a tempting selection of fresh, seasonal dishes drinks that are as beautiful as they are delicious. As you snack on something tasty, tour the impressive Disney character-inspired topiaries.
For the Competitive Spirit
Putt-Putt Your Way to Fun with a Round of Miniature Golf
For many moms, their favorite activities hit the sweet spot between quality time with the family and her competitive nature. We’re talking her kids’ sporting events, family game night and, of course, miniature golf. A magical combination of skill, luck and just plain fun, Disney World mini-golf is one of our top things to do outside the theme parks.
Disney World touts two mini-golf courses: Fantasia Gardens & Fairways and Winter Summerland. Though each has a distinctive vibe, from manicured gardens overrun with the characters from Disney’s Fantasia to Santa at work or on vacation, both offer a whimsical way to spend Mother’s Day.
Test Your Skill with a Game of Bowling
Prefer something with a little more A/C? Keep things chill without losing that competitive spirit with a family-friendly Mother’s Day at Splitsville Luxury Lanes. With its retro-cool atmosphere, a palate-pleasing menu serving everything from burgers to sushi, live music and, of course, bowling, it’s wholesome fun that everyone will love.
Challenge Her to Some FootGolf
Hoping for an activity gift for mom that’s a little outside the ordinary and yet familiar all at the same time? Look no further than FootGolf at Disney World’s Oak Trail Golf Course.
Confused? Basically, your leg is the club, a soccer ball is the golf ball and the 21-inch-wide hole is the net. Located at Disney’s walking golf course, this unique outdoor activity will surely delight and challenge both Mom and the kiddos.
Have you celebrated Mother’s Day at Disney World? How do you like to pamper Mom while visiting Disney? Let us know in the comments!
Then, don’t miss our 1-day guides for Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. After all, there’s no greater gift you can give Mom while on vacation at Disney World than a relatively stress-free day. Afterwards, check out our discounted Disney World tickets and save some cash for even more gifts for Mom.
