Hi there, Darlene! Thanks for bringing your question to planDisney!
Celebrating a birthday at the Happiest Place on Earth is truly magical! We celebrated at the parks when my daughter turned 5 years old and we all cherish the memories from that special trip. The first thing you will want to do is get a birthday celebration pin for your daughter and 1st visit pins for her and her cousins. These pins are complimentary and can be obtained at your Disneyland Resort Hotel or at Guest Services or various shops in the parks. The pin will garner your daughter all sorts of birthday wishes from Cast Members throughout the parks!
I would also suggest making a special dining reservation to celebrate the birthday and the first visits. Some great options include character breakfasts at either
Storytellers Cafe or the
Plaza Inn, or a fancy lunch or dinner at Blue Bayou Restaurant or Carthay Circle. If you'll be visiting after August 26, you may even consider splurging on the
Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures at Napa Rose Restaurant in Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. This is a one of a kind Disney princess experience with all sorts of special treats. Reservations will open for this experience on August 11.
Finally, have you ever heard of a "yes day"? A yes day is where you say "Yes" to (almost) everything your child asks. We gave my daughter a yes day during a recent Disney vacation and she had a great time deciding which attractions to ride, when she wanted to stop for a snack, and even when she wanted to head back to the hotel to swim. It's just a fun idea to let your kids have a little freedom on their special day!
I hope you have an absolutely magical time at the Happiest Place on Earth!
-Linda