Hi there Julie, welcome back to planDisney! I cannot think of a more magical way to celebrate your 50th Birthday! Until that day comes, I'm wishing you a very "Merry Unbirthday!"
There definitely have been some changes over the last few years, however, it seems like you're on top of your planning! You are correct that both a valid
theme park ticket as well as a
theme park reservation are needed for entry into the theme parks each day you plan to visit. You can reference the
theme park reservation availability calendar as your plans start to come together for your trip!
In my opinion,
Park Hopper tickets are always a great idea! Since the parks are in such close proximity together, it's very convenient to cross over between parks during the day so you can enjoy your favorite parts of each park. You are able to hop to the other park starting at 11:00 AM (pending availability), so you'll have plenty of time each day you visit to enjoy both parks. We always opt for Park Hopper tickets, and I always recommend them if they're a good fit for your trip plan and budget!
Don't forget to stop by City Hall on
Main Street, U.S.A. in
Disneyland Park to pickup a complimentary "Happy Birthday" button during your big celebration Julie! I'm sure you'll receive some very special shout-outs from Guests and Cast Members, and I hope that you feel the birthday love throughout your whole trip.
If you think of any other questions that we can help with as you plan your celebration, please do not hesitate to
come back and ask!
Have a magical day!
Melissa