Hi there, Claudia! Welcome to planDisney. There is nothing more magical than celebrating a birthday at The Happiest Place on Earth on top of a first trip to the parks! From babies to big kids, there is truly something for every age. As Walt said himself, he wanted Disneyland to be a place where all ages could come together to experience some of the wonders of life. I'd love to walk you through how to make your children's birthdays and first visits nothing but pure magic!
After walking through the main entrance, you can get celebration buttons at Guest Services where they can write that your children are celebrating a birthday and a first visit. Wearing that button throughout the parks will let Cast Members and guests around you know of their special day to offer birthday wishes and even first visit wishes. I know that when I'm in the parks, I love shouting out "Happy Birthday" to anyone wearing one, and I love the feeling received back when my little guy is wearing a button on his shirt.
When I took my son for his first visit, I combined it with a belated birthday trip. I made sure to really capture the experience in mementos that I could take home to display in our house and look at as the years go by. On Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland Park, there is
Silhouette Studio, where Cast Members carefully create silhouette cuttings of your children or even yourself right before your eyes in a matter of seconds. You can do multiple cuttings within a portrait and purchase a frame to keep them in. I love looking at my son's whenever I pass our shelves in our living room. It always takes me back to that very magical first visit. This line can get backed up throughout the day. Alongside the memento category, I also love to wander down the street to
Plaza Point to customize an ornament. Cast Members can personalize an ornament with names, dates, and little touches like pixie dust to create a beautiful piece of artwork to take home. For my son's first visit, we purchased a globe-style ornament and wrote his name with the wording 'first visit' in addition to the date we went. When we pull it out during the holidays, it's another way to look back on the sweet memories we created as a family. I recommend lining up for these as soon as possible (during rope drop if possible while everyone is off to the attractions) to ensure a seating for this keepsake treasure.
Another way I love to celebrate in the parks, whether it's a birthday or just a regular weekday, is table-service dining. When you make a reservation on the
Disneyland Mobile App or
website, you'll be asked what you're celebrating. Here you can select birthday, anniversary, or special occasion. Cast Members will take note of this as you are seated and can bring you a special treat at the end of your meal. We recently dined at
Storytellers Cafe for dinner at the Grand Californian Hotel and noted that we were celebrating a birthday in our party. They confirmed with us prior to the end of our meal and brought out a special cupcake with a lit candle. It's these little bits of pixie dust sprinkled throughout a trip that you remember, especially as a kid!
Claudia, thank you so much for visiting planDisney with your question. I hope this gave you inspiration in planning your children's first visit to The Happiest Place on Earth during their birthdays. If you have any questions until then, planDisney is here to help!
With a Sprinkle of Pixie Dust,
Bev