At dining tables around the world, life is shared over a meal, a joyful part of any celebration with friends and family. And more than ever before, American families are hitting the road to mark birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, reunions and more with “celebration vacations.”

In 2009, Disney Parks is embracing this growing trend with a parks-wide party with the theme “What Will You Celebrate?” that includes free admission to a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park for everyone who visits on their birthday.

As so many festivities take place around a table, culinary treats are a delicious part of the celebration. From your own birthday cake to appealing sweets to sip, here’s a sumptuous sampling of food and beverage options that can be purchased to put the “extra special” in special occasions:

Happy Birthday

For an impromptu party, guests can order the Magical Pop-Up Party Pack, goodie bags filled with fun activity sets and a surprise pop-up centerpiece. Character dining and buffet locations at Walt Disney World Resort offer the treat; at Disneyland Resort, they are available at full-service restaurants, character dining restaurants and through room service.

A magical way to enjoy your big day is “My Disneyland Birthday Party” at the Plaza Inn on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Park. Featuring guest appearances by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, the daily celebration is hosted by Pat E. Cake, a wacky character who has everyone singing and dancing. There are plenty of sweet treats to decorate your own “mouse-terpiece” mini-cake, along with a souvenir party hat and cup. Park admission is required plus cost per person for the party

Sweets to the Sweet

Make any occasion special with A Sweet Ending to Your Celebration dessert, from indulgent to delicious low-fat and no-sugar-added treats. Available at most Walt Disney World table-service restaurants and all Disneyland table-service restaurants.

My Mini-Cake Surprise includes your own mini celebration cake with a special treat, packaged one of three ways: in a Sorcerer Mickey Celebration Bucket (Disneyland Resort only), Disney Princess Jewelry Box or Disney Pirate Treasure Chest. Available at Walt Disney World character dining and buffet locations; at Disneyland Resort in full-service restaurants, character dining and through room service.

Guests who prefer a Disney Custom Bakery Cake can order at least 48 hours in advance of their celebration. Choices include a custom cake (6-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch and quarter sheet), an 8-inch Mickey Mouse cake or a themed cake with enhanced inscription and edible decorations (8-inch, 10-inch and quarter sheet), available at most Walt Disney World table-service restaurants and all table-service restaurants at Disneyland Resort. To order at Walt Disney World Resort, call the cake ordering hotline at 407-827-2253.

At Walt Disney World Resort, create an instant party with the Celebrate Today! Cake, a 6-inch vanilla cake with vanilla icing and fun confetti sprinkles. No notice necessary, just order at the podium in most of the table-service restaurants.

Sweetheart Dinner for Two

For romantics, Disney’s three-course, Sweetheart Dinner for Two is the perfect way to create a memorable evening, ending with a shared dessert. Includes a specially selected beverage in a souvenir toasting glass to commemorate a special moment. Dinners available at all Walt Disney World signature restaurants except Victoria & Albert’s; available at Disneyland Resort at Napa Rose, Steakhouse 55, Yamabuki and Blue Bayou. Guests who prefer an in-room romantic dinner can check with their Disney resort hotel’s front desk.

Fun for Any Reason

At Disneyland Resort, the festive “Celebration Roundup and Barbecue at Big Thunder Ranch” features family-style service with barbecue chicken and ribs with all the fix’ns. The party includes live “frontier” entertainment and goodie bags, plus a special treat for everyone.

Cheers!

Appealing sweets to sip at most Walt Disney World table-service restaurants include the Magical Star Cocktail with X-Fusion Organic Mango and Passion Fruit Liqueur, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum and Minute Maid pineapple juice, cooled by a multicolored glow cube. For an apéritif or sweet ending, Magicale, Brachetto Piemonte DOC is an off-dry rosé with fresh red berry and Bing cherry flavors – perfect with chocolate. Or pop the cork on a bottle of bubbly Fairy Tale by Iron Horse, Celebration Cuvée, festively crafted by Disney’s sommeliers exclusively for Disney parks and resorts.

For more information about Celebration Vacations, visit the www.disneyparks.com.