Hello there, Jacqueline, and welcome to planDisney!
How wonderful that your daughter's birthday is so close to the Holidays! First, we wish her a very happy early birthday from all of us at planDisney! Second, how cool is it that you'll be celebrating at the Disneyland Resort? And the great news is that, since the Holiday Season doesn't officially end until January 7, 2024 at the Resort, you and your daughter will still get to enjoy all the Holiday decorations and the special Holiday meal at Goofy's Kitchen!
That's great that you were able to secure dining reservations at such a popular venue, Jacqueline. I recently went through a similar situation where I had two extra family members for whom I did not account on a dining reservation at Goofy's Kitchen. I have a few suggestions for you to try which hopefully will allow your entire family to celebrate your daughter's birthday.
- Keep trying to edit your existing reservation to include the two extra party members. You never know when availability might open up.
- If possible, make a separate reservation for two people at around the same time as your reservation and inform the Cast Members when checking in that your parties are together.
- Arrive at the restaurant a little early and ask the Cast Member at check-in if it would be possible to accommodate two extra guests. This is the method that worked for us when we arrived about an hour before our scheduled time. Thankfully, the Cast Members were able to fit us all into a large table.
Don't forget to inform the Cast Members that you are all there to celebrate your daughter's birthday and definitely get her a complimentary "I'm Celebrating" button to tell others what a special day it is! I love the smile that can light up a stranger's face when someone wishes them a "Happy Birthday" out of the blue!
Jacqueline, I hope that this all works out for you and your family. You're visiting during what is traditionally a very popular time, so there are no guarantees, but I wish you the best of luck and plenty of pixie dust that your daughter will have a special birthday with her loved ones! If you need anything else from us, please feel free to write again because you're always welcome at planDisney!
Wishing You a Great, Big, Beautiful Tomorrow!
-Al