Hi there, Doug!
Welcome to planDisney! Celebrating your daughter's birthday during a stay at the Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa is such a special event. She will have magical dreams, for sure! I would love to share some ideas for how you could make her birthday wishes come true.
There are some amazing experiences at the Disneyland Resort to celebrate a birthday! For instance, you could...
- The first way to celebrate is easy: ask for a complimentary birthday button when you check in at your hotel! Your daughter will love wearing her button because everyone will wish her "Happy Birthday!" when they notice it.
- Order a birthday celebration for your hotel room! In-Room Celebrations can be ordered by phone in advance and feature a variety of characters, treats, or balloons. It's the perfect way to start off a celebratory visit!
- Make a reservation for a special birthday meal! At Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, I would recommend Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures or Mickey's Tales of Adventure Breakfast Buffet! Either one would be a perfect place to celebrate an 8th birthday. You can usually make reservations 60 days in advance.
- Some restaurants in the theme parks allow you to order a special Mickey cake when you make a reservation. You can customize this yummy cake with a "Happy Birthday" message, too!
My favorite way to celebrate at Disneyland Park is by choosing a special souvenir that I'll be able to enjoy long after my vacation is over. When I was the same age as your daughter I fell in love with the tiny, sparkling items at
Crystal Arts and I would save my birthday money to spend there! There are lots of beautiful trinkets that feature Disney characters, as well as some lovely gems she could wear...like a tiara!
There's one other quick stop I always like to make in Disneyland Park. If you visit the
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Fantasyland you can ask a Fairy Godmother's Apprentice for a quick (and complimentary) sprinkle of pixie dust! I can't think of anything better to celebrate a birthday than some extra happy thoughts.
Please send an early "Happy Birthday" wish to your daughter from me, Doug! I hope you will both enjoy an unforgettable day celebrating your special girl.
Keep moving forward!
Amanda