Hello and welcome to planDisney, Lachlan. We are so glad you found us to share this question. There's nothing more exciting than a visit to the
Disneyland Resort, but your very first visit is something to celebrate. I'm honored and delighted to help you prepare.
First visit and your birthday? This is going to be an epic trip! Just being at the Disneyland Resort to
celebrate your birthday will be wonderful in itself. I've made it a bit of a tradition to celebrate my birthday at Disneyland and I'm happy to share some additional tips to make it extra memorable. First things first, stop into one of the many shops on Main Street, U.S.A. and ask a Cast Member for your complimentary birthday button and "1st Visit!" button. This will make the day special as you hear Cast Members wishing you a happy birthday all day long. No promises or guarantees, but it could also make any interactions you have with
characters during the day a little extra special when they see your button.
You may also want to think about
scheduling a special meal or tour to make the day extra special. I will often add something like this to my day for an extra sprinkling of pixie dust. Advance dining reservations are available up to 60 days in advance of your visit and you can even order a
Mickey Mouse Celebration Cake (for an additional fee) if you dine at one of the select participating restaurants. A character meal is also a super fun and great way to kick off a birthday celebration.
Since it will also be your first visit to the Disneyland Resort, I recommend taking some time to slow down and take it all in. It will be difficult to do and see everything in one day. I always recommend first-timers don't miss experiencing
Alice in Wonderland. This Fantasyland attraction is exclusive to Disneyland and can't be found anywhere else. I also recommend checking out the planDisney podcast with my pals Al and Tishra where they share some magical tips for first-time visitors.
Finally, I can't forget to mention that the
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort will be in full swing during your visit. Keep an eye on
Disney Parks Blog for more details about all of the festivities (and seasonal eats) as we get closer to the holly jolly season. There should also be a digital guide to all of the festivities in the Disneyland app, so be sure to download this upon your arrival.
Well, Lachlan, this is really just scratching the surface, but I hope it gives you a good place to start planning for your magical adventure. Please come back to visit us with any other questions as you continue to plan. Here's wishing you a very merry birthday visit to the Happiest Place on Earth!
Michelle