Hi there, Ashley!
Thank you for stopping by planDisney with your question! With less than 2 weeks before you arrive at Disneyland Resort, I bet that your family is getting excited about your upcoming trip! Valentine's Day and a special birthday are sure to make this an extra sweet vacation.
After fully paying for a Disneyland Vacation Package at a Good Neighbor Hotel, you usually do not have to pay any other fees upon check-in, although it depends on the hotel. Some hotels do charge daily parking fees, and most hotels will place a hold on a credit card for any incidental charges that occur during your stay. I recommend calling the hotel directly to clarify any potential charges.
Disneyland Resort is my family's favorite
celebration destination for birthdays! After entering one of the theme parks on your first day, I suggest picking up a birthday button at City Hall on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland Park or at Guest Services in Disney California Adventure Park. It's so much fun when Cast Members and other Guests wish your child a happy birthday!
Instead of an autograph book for character interactions, a blank birthday card is a fun way to get autographs to commemorate your child's birthday! Speaking of characters, eating brunch with "Minnie & Friends – Breakfast in the Park" at
Plaza Inn is one of my favorite birthday meals. If you didn't make reservations there, you can keep checking the Disneyland mobile app or the Disneyland website to see if it becomes available.
When we were celebrating my kids' birthdays at that age, I also loved taking them on
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. There is a darling birthday scene in honor of Winnie the Pooh's birthday towards the end of the ride; it's like they are celebrating your child's birthday too!
As far as celebrating Valentine's Day, I would
eat all of the treats!
Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe has some of the tastiest baked goods, which you can
mobile order ahead of time on the Disneyland mobile app. I also like stopping by the Grand Californian Great Hall Cart for their seasonal treats, like the Mickey-shaped Valentine’s Day Cookies. Yum! While in
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, check out the giant dragon kite that is currently hanging from the ceiling as part of the
Lunar New Year celebration!
The sold-out event,
Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite, is taking place on two nights during your trip, on February 12 and 14, 2024. Disneyland Park will close at 8:00 PM for the events on those nights. If you have a Park Hopper Ticket, you can head over to Disney California Adventure Park, which is currently scheduled to remain open until 9:00 PM. If you don't have Park Hopper Tickets, you may want to spend those two days at Disney California Adventure Park.
Ashley, I hope your family's visit to Disneyland Resort is filled with love and laughter. We hope to see you real soon!
Jen