Hi Jo!
Welcome back! Wow. Your trip is quickly approaching. I am so excited for you!
As you have discovered,
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop is an adorable and popular restaurant. Do not despair! When I have faced a similar dilemma in the past, I practiced some patience. I just picked a night when I had several hours of free time and checked repeatedly throughout the night. I have done this for my family and for friends who were also searching for hard-to-get reservations. Fortunately, in my experience, there have always been cancellations and I have been able to secure a dining reservation. I would check now, then again 30 days prior and one week before your trip.
If you do not have the time to check repeatedly for openings, I suggest that you consider other options. Disney Springs has a wide array of dining options. Try dinner at one of the many restaurants and then, to celebrate the birthday with a special treat, try the
Ghirardelli® Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop. Or, you could have a special birthday cake delivered to certain restaurants using the
Cakes at Walt Disney World Resort service. Since you will be in the
BoardWalk area, you could try dining at the
ESPN Club and having a cake delivered!
Jo, remember to have the celebration noted on all of your dining reservations. We have received a few small surprises when celebrating birthdays!
Magic, memories and Minnie Mouse hugs,
Donyell