Welcome to planDisney, Genesis!
Gawrsh! It looks like you have quite the magical debacle on your hands! I'd be happy to help point you in the right direction to make all your dreams come true.
Disneyland Park does seem to be a popular birthday destination, though both parks have so much to offer on your niece's special day! If you'd like to visit Disneyland Park, there may be a few ways to make that happen. First, keep a close eye on the
Theme Park Reservation Availability leading up to the date you'd like to visit. There are many Guests visiting the Disneyland Resort daily and their plans often change before, during and close to their stay. When one Guest cancels a theme park reservation, it becomes available for another Guest to reserve. If there is a date I'd really like to visit a certain park, I often check the Theme Park Reservation Availability Calendar every day, multiple times per day to see if there have been any changes. If you see that Disneyland Park happens to have reservation availability, you can pop over to the Disneyland Resort Website and
purchase tickets.
As wonderful as it would be to purchase tickets in advance and switch your park upon arrival, that does prove to be a risky decision. If there are no reservations available for Disneyland Park once you arrive, a Cast Member will not be able to wave their magic wand to help you switch parks. However, you could opt to purchase a Park Hopper Ticket to
visit both parks on the same day. With a Park Hopper Ticket, you will start in one park, likely
Disney California Adventure Park in your case, then park-hop to Disneyland Park anytime after 1 p.m. Though it may not give you a full day at Disneyland Park, it is plenty of time to explore and make some birthday magic!
Speaking of birthday magic, don't forget to pick up a
celebration button once you arrive. You'll find these buttons at City Hall on Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland Park or at the Guest Services location at Disney California Adventure Park. These buttons do come with a warning, though.. If you don't want other Guests and Cast Members wishing your niece a "Happy Birthday" all day long and maybe even sprinkling a little extra pixie dust, then these buttons aren't for you. However, I'm sure she will love a little extra attention. It is her day after all!
I hope this helps answer your question today, Genesis. I'll keep my ears crossed that Disneyland Park does become available for you to reserve for this special occasion, but your niece will feel showered with love from people like you no matter what!
Have a magical day,
Ashley