Mom And Son Red Car Trolly; mickey balloons; Main Street; mother and son;
  • On Jul 12, 2025
    Hailey from CA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I want to stay at Pixar place soon for my child’s birthday. We have magic key passes and have a reservation for the day listed. I’m deciding if I stay Thursday to Friday or if I should stay Friday to Saturday. What is best for utilizing the hotel and park?

    Hey there, hi there, Hailey! It's fantastic to hear from a fellow Magic Key holder, and welcome to planDisney! You've picked a truly special spot for your child's birthday celebration at the Pixar Place Hotel! How exciting!

    Now, while it's absolutely true that any visit to the Disneyland Resort is magical, and you truly can't go wrong with either option... I know that's probably not the definitive answer you're hoping for when planning such a special trip! So, let's dive into some insights to help you decide what's best for your family when it comes to maximizing your hotel and park time for this milestone celebration.

    While predicting crowd volumes can sometimes feel like trying to guess what the Cheshire Cat is thinking, I generally notice that weekends tend to be a bit more popular, especially among locals. This means a Friday to Saturday stay might see slightly higher park attendance. However, this difference might be a little less noticeable during the summer months when many schools are out, as the parks tend to have a more consistent flow of Guests throughout the week.

    My general rule of thumb is to also factor any must-do special events or must-see entertainment offerings into your decision. For example, sometimes nighttime spectaculars, like Wondrous Journeys, include fireworks, while other times they feature projections only. During the summer, it seems that fireworks usually light up the sky more often on most days, which is fantastic news! Of course, this is always subject to weather conditions and availability. When I peeked at the daily events schedule for early August as of the time I’m writing this, it looks like Wondrous Journeys is indeed scheduled with fireworks when you're considering visiting. What a perfectly magical way to celebrate a birthday!

    You know what else is super unique and amazing about staying at Pixar Place Hotel, Hailey? You can actually watch the fireworks from the third-floor pool deck on nights when they're happening! The pool deck was recently reimagined and refurbished, so it'll be fresh and ready for your visit. This might be a great option for a relaxing night after a full day in the parks, allowing your family to enjoy the spectacle poolside. Plus, another fantastic perk of staying at Pixar Place Hotel (or any Disneyland Resort hotel!) is Early Entry into one of the theme parks each day. This gives you a priceless head start on some of the most popular attractions before the general public enters.

    Here's a key detail to factor into your decision: Early Entry is typically offered at Disney California Adventure Park on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and at Disneyland Park on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Be sure to check the official Disneyland Resort calendar for the exact schedule as your trip approaches, as it is always subject to change! Considering which park you'd like to prioritize with this advantage can definitely help you choose your stay dates!

    Ultimately, Hailey, you truly can't go wrong with either date choice for your child’s birthday celebration. There are so many wonderful things to consider when planning a Disney trip—from crowd levels and nighttime spectaculars to making the most of perks like Early Entry. I hope all this info helps you narrow down your choices and pick the perfect stay for your family's birthday adventure!

    Wishing you all the magic!

    Cody
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Meet the Panelist: Cody, California

Hiya, pals! I'm Cody, a native Midwesterner who traded the cornfields of Illinois for the California sunshine. With my husband, two pups, a bearded dragon, and a desert tortoise, it's an "Animal Kingdom" life every day! I love helping others plan magical Disneyland Resort vacations—whether traveling with family, friends, a sweetheart, or going solo. I'm thrilled to be a planDisney panelist, and I'm just as excited as you are to help plan your unforgettable adventure to the Disneyland Resort! Learn More About Cody

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