Hiya, Ericha,
Oh boy! Celebrating
birthdays at the Disneyland Resort is one of my favorite things! I do understand your concerns still. When my son was younger, he felt anxious and uncomfortable while standing in
attraction lines. Over time, we developed special strategies to help ease his anxiety. Mostly that involved having small activities and snacks available for him. Of course, every child is unique. And you will want to employ the strategies you know work best for your son.
The Disneyland Resort strives to provide necessary accommodations for
guests with disabilities, including guests with
cognitive disabilities. Because circumstances vary for each guest, in order to access certain accommodations, it is necessary to consult individually with a cast member at the main
Guest Relations locations. In Disneyland Park, start your visit off at City Hall on Main Street, U.S.A. In Disney California Adventure Park, head over to Chamber of Commerce on Buena Vista Street. While visiting there, I recommend picking up a complimentary birthday button for your son. It’s a great way to send some special pixie dust his way.
Some of the best
Character Experiences with our young children have been at the various
Character Dining experiences of the Disneyland Resort. I loved chatting with Chip and Dale about the special badges on their uniforms at
Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Breakfast Buffet. And the cavalcade that Mickey leads through Storytellers Cafe is such a fun game. Another fun game we love is
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. This attraction is a slow-paced ride that includes a fun element of basting the evil Emperor Zurg’s army of marauding robots to save the galaxy’s batteries.
When making reservations at
table service restaurants, be sure to note
special dietary needs, including food allergies. The online reservation system allows you to indicate restrictions from corn, wheat/gluten, milk, egg, peanut, fish, shellfish, soy, tree nut, and other ingredients. When you arrive at a restaurant, you may ask to speak with the chef or restaurant manager about any specific questions you may have. This is particularly useful at Character Dining experiences and other buffets so that appropriate items can be pointed out or even prepared specially in the kitchen. Many
Quick Service restaurants have allergy-friendly menus online and in the
Disneyland app. You may also
email the Disneyland Resort Special Diets team with any specific questions or concerns.
May your son have a magical birthday, Ericha!
~Tony