Welcome to planDisney, Wendy! Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog! What a birthday celebration you are planning!
My daughter turned 21 earlier this year, and it was a fun, but slightly surreal milestone. Let's think happy thoughts, sprinkle some pixie dust on her birthday, and put together a perfect celebration.
First, snag a reservation at a
Disneyland Resort Hotel. There's nothing like staying in the
Disney bubble for a birthday getaway. My favorite is Disney's Grand Californian, especially because there are some fantastic lounges where you can share a first celebratory cocktail together. That said, you can't go wrong with any of the Disneyland Resort Hotels!
For a fun 21st birthday twist, consider a "21 Years, 21 Pictures, One Magical Birthday" challenge. Create your own Disney-inspired scavenger hunt with photo stops like:
• Picture with Sleeping Beauty Castle (daytime and nighttime!)
• Picture with Mickey Mouse
• Picture with her favorite snack (When in doubt, birthday wishes and churros make a sweet pair!)
• Attraction reaction picture
• Picture with her first Disney drink (I recommend Lamplight Lounge in Disney California Adventure)
• Picture under the Main Street, U.S.A. snow
And keep adding to the list from there! It's a fun way to capture memories and create a birthday album filled with magical moments.
I'd also book a special dining reservation. Blue Bayou Restaurant in Disneyland Park has the perfect setting for a birthday celebration, tucked along the banks of Pirates of the Caribbean.
I highly recommend ending the evening with a reserved viewing experience for a nighttime spectacular. Fireworks are my personal favorite, but there are several wonderful options. World of Color offers
dessert parties that include delicious sweet and savory treats, along with specialty cocktails. There's something celebratory about having a reserved viewing area and spending more time making birthday memories instead of saving a spot on the curb.
Be sure to purchase
Lightning Lane Multi Pass. You'll spend less time waiting in standby lines during what will likely be a busy week, but it also includes unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos! A family photo shoot with a PhotoPass photographer is the perfect way to capture this milestone birthday.
Now, let's talk crowds. The week between Christmas and New Year's can be quite busy, so you'll want to secure your park reservations, dining reservations, and any dining package reservations as early as possible. Dining and package reservations typically become available 60 days before your visit, though opening times can vary. My favorite strategy is grab some coffee and check for dining availability around 3:00 a.m. PST and again around 6:00 a.m. PST. If your must-do experiences aren't available right away, don't lose heart, and keep checking. Guests change their plans every day, and sometimes a little birthday magic appears.
Finally, stop by Guest Relations to pick up a complimentary birthday button for your daughter and an "I'm Celebrating" button for the rest of the crew. You've spent 21 years helping her grow into the person she is today. I'd say that's worth celebrating!
Wendy, I hope she has the happiest birthday and that your trip is packed with unforgettable memories, all of the birthday magic, and a few wishes come true. As you continue planning, please come see me again if I can help with any additional details or tips to make this birthday adventure one for the record books!
Kimberly