Magnolia Jackson fulfilled her dream by celebrating her 106th birthday at Walt Disney World. According to a press release, Jackson’s desire to celebrate her birthday stemmed from her falling in love with everything Disney after attending the Florida Classic college football game in Orlando last fall and seeing Mickey Mouse perform on the field in his drum major outfit.
The resort hosted a lavish birthday celebration for the centenarian in the Magic Kingdom this month, complete with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, numerous cast members, and her family members, in an effort to make her first visit to the park unforgettable.
Her party grounds were decked out with Mickey Mouse-shaped balloons and large light-up numbers spelling out “106,” as well as an impressive customized cake on a table with the words “Happy 106th Birthday, Magnolia” printed on it alongside Disney princesses and characters like Goofy and Pluto. Jackson was also given a silver tiara, which she proudly wore.
Jackson was seen grinning as she said “Hello” to Minnie in a video of the celebration. Afterward, Mickey and Minnie, along with some of the cast members, sang “Happy Birthday,” and Jackson even participated in the singing at one point.
During the celebrations, the celebrant said, “I have a very good feeling towards all these boys and girls.”
Walt Disney World Resort ambassador Shannon Smith-Conrad said, “Watching her and her family come into the area and seeing Mickey and Minnie and all the love and support from our cast members and community, you just felt the love that she had in her heart and the excitement to be here at Walt Disney World Parks and Resort this morning.”
She continued, “People come to Walt Disney World for birthdays, graduations, wedding anniversaries, so to be able to celebrate Miss Magnolia Jackson’s birthday with her family and friends and our cast members has truly been a magical morning indeed.”
Jackson, the oldest living alumnus of Bethune-Cookman University and a longtime resident of Florida, also visited the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, “where she embraced her life-long love of gardening,” and took a tour of the Magic Kingdom with Princess Tiana.
