From one Midwesterner to another, welcome back to planDisney Toni!
How exciting that it will not only be your first trip to the "Happiest Place on Earth," but also a birthday celebration for your daughter! I cannot think of a more magical vacation!
I recommend calling the
JW Marriott Anaheim Resort for in-room celebration options for your stay. Hopefully they'll have some great suggestions on how to make your stay extra special! We have stayed at the JW Marriott before, and it's a beautiful hotel. We loved that we could still walk to the Disneyland Resort each day.
Once you enter the theme parks, I recommend heading to City Hall on Main Street, U.S.A. in
Disneyland Park, or Guest Services in
Disney California Adventure Park to pickup your complimentary birthday button for your daughter! They can write her name on the button, and I'm sure she'll receive some fun shout outs from Guests and Cast Members during your trip.
Another way to
celebrate your birthday while at the "Happiest Place on Earth" is to secure a
dining reservation at one of the great table service restaurants. You can also pre-order a
celebration cake for delivery to select table service restaurants, and it's an adorable cake in the shape of Mickey Mouse himself! You'll need to order the celebration cake at least 3 days in advance of the reservation, or you can also try to request a cake upon arrival to the restaurant, but I recommend pre-ordering if you can. You can begin to make dining reservations up to 60 days in advance, and some of our favorite table service restaurants include
Blue Bayou Restaurant in Disneyland Park, and
Lamplight Lounge in Disney California Adventure Park.
I hope that you and your daughter have a pixie-dusted trip, Toni! I'm happy to help with any other tips or recommendations, so don't hesitate to
ask me any other questions, you've got a friend in me!
Have a magical day,
Melissa