Hello, Jennifer! We're so glad you came to the planDisney team with your question. I can't think of a better place to celebrate a birthday than The Happiest Place on Earth. I'd love to offer you some advice!
So...it looks like your trip is coming up in two days! As Mickey likes to say, "Oh Boy!" You can certainly buy your theme park tickets at the gate, but you will still need to make a park reservation to enter the theme parks. Unfortunately, if there's no availability, you cannot enter the theme parks.
However, don't give up! My advice is to keep checking the website; guests cancel their theme park reservations as their dates get closer, so you'll often see more availability open up. I strongly suggest getting your tickets and park reservations through the
Disneyland website before leaving home if you see your desired dates. Looking at the
Availability Calendar now, I see some openings through the end of this month (but the beginning of May seems full). Another suggestion is to consider booking a stay at a
Disney Resort Hotel, as these guests have access to a
different calendar with more openings.
If the unfortunate happens, and you're unable to secure your theme park reservations, I recommend celebrating your Mouseketeer's double digits at the
Downtown Disney District, where no tickets are needed! You can "let the good time roll" at
Splitsville Luxury Lanes. The bowling here is great, and so is the food; I like the freshly rolled sushi! Then head to
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes, where they specialize in crazy milkshakes, such as the Cake Batter Shake with Rainbow Sprinkles.
Salt & Straw is another favorite dessert spot, and their claim to fame is their "taste-provoking ice cream." End the day with a shopping spree at the
LEGO Store or
World of Disney. I'm sending a little pixie dust all the way to New York, Jennifer! We hope you have a magical trip, and please write back if there's anything else we can do. Take care!
Eean