Hello, Simon!
Welcome to planDisney, it's so wonderful to have you here. Celebrating birthdays at the Disneyland Resort is magical for kids, but I still love spending my birthdays in the parks!
Nighttime spectaculars are, in my opinion, the absolute best way to finish off a day in the parks. Currently, there are three nighttime spectaculars happening across the parks—two in Disneyland Park and one in Disney California Adventure Park.
At Disneyland Park you can see
Wondrous Journeys, a beautiful tribute to 100 years of storytelling from Walt Disney Animation Studios. The show is a stunning combination of projections, lasers, music, and includes pyrotechnics on select nights. There are no official dining packages for this show yet, but you could try having dinner at
Plaza Inn on Main Street, U.S.A. to see if you can find an outdoor table with a bit of a view. You'll want to arrive early!
The second option in Disneyland Park is my personal favorite:
Fantasmic! You can join Mickey as his incredible dreams take him from beautiful visions to villainous nightmares. But don't worry! This is Mickey's dream and he can certainly find the courage to be victorious.
There are several dining packages that let you enjoy a meal prior to going to a reserved seating area for the show. For a special adult birthday, I would suggest reserving the option at the Blue Bayou if you can!
In Disney California Adventure Park we have the new
World of Color - ONE. I love that the message of this show is all about how one person can make a difference! The fountains, lasers, projections, and fire make this show unforgettable. You can choose from a
dining package that includes a reserved viewing section for the show, or you can do what my family loves and reserve the
World of Color Dessert Party! For a birthday celebration, I would definitely go with the dessert party. It includes sweet and savory treats, two adult beverages (for those of us who qualify as adults!) and you get to sit and enjoy the show right from your table! It is the BEST view and the most relaxing way to say "cheers" to a magical day.
All of these experiences require reservations, and your trip is close enough that you can book them now! Hurry quick, because many of them fill up fast. I did take a peek at availability for the World of Color Dessert Party and I saw some options for your arrival date, so hopefully you can find a reservation that works for you!
Simon, there are a lot of other ways to celebrate a birthday at the Disneyland Resort! Don't forget to pick up a complimentary celebration button from Guest Services so everyone will know your party is having, well, a party! If you'd like more ideas on how to make it an extra special day I hope you'll come back and visit us here at planDisney.
Keep moving forward!
Amanda