Hello, Laura!
Thanks so much for stopping by with this great question. I'm so happy that you and your son will be able to enjoy special moments together on his birthday! Way to go, mom!
Since you want to make this extra special, my first suggestion is to
stay inside the Disneyland Resort. There's something truly unique about a trip that keeps you immersed in magic from dawn to dusk. I love to enjoy quirky, whimsical Disney touches all day long, and I bet your boy will love them too. My favorites are the
Disneyland Hotel (with fireworks on the headboards!) and
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, but you can't go wrong inside the Disneyland Resort!
My second suggestion is to plan at least a character meal and a fancy dinner. My favorite character meals happen at
Goofy's Kitchen and
Storyteller's Cafe. Depending on where you're staying, one would be more convenient than the other, but both will be wonderful!
For your special, fancy dinner, Carthay Circle and
Napa Rose are the places to be. If your boy is more of a foodie, Napa Rose is phenomenal. But if he is a massive Walt Disney fan, then
Carthay Circle is perfect. This restaurant showcases Walt's more refined, sophisticated side, and you will have a wonderful time looking at the details and pictures that make this place so extraordinary.
You'll also find a lot of exceptional eats in
Quick Service locations, and the best tip here is to find what would be special for him. If he's a Marvel fan, Pym Test Kitchen is the place to be, but if he's into Star Wars, Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo is a must-do.
If he's into Star Wars, you could also surprise him with a custom lightsaber experience at
Savi's Workshop. It's undoubtedly the most remarkable experience for a Star Wars fan!
Finally, I also recommend looking into
Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane purchases. These add-on services will save you time and enhance your trip!
The key to unlocking many of these magical add-ons is the
Disneyland Mobile App, so I encourage you to download it and play around before the trip.
Laura, I hope these ideas help you create a fantastic trip for you and your boy, but let us know if you need more. We will be here!
May the magic be with you,
Julie