Hi there, Jeanne! Welcome to planDisney. It sounds like you are trying to plan a magical day for your son at the Happiest Place on Earth! I can see that it's just a week away, so let's jump right into your question!
Yes! Yes, you can purchase your tickets and
make your reservation for an alternate date! This method definitely involves some faith, trust, and pixie dust as it does not guarantee that your preferred date will become available or that reservations won't be snapped up just as quickly if it does. Each scenario involves a few steps and, as you know, reservations have been going quickly! Everyone is excited about the return of the nighttime spectaculars (myself included!) so May has been a busy month!
While tickets are non-refundable, reservations can be canceled and rescheduled, which means that they can also open up as Guests make changes to their plans! The
theme park reservation calendar updates live so if you pull up a chair, put on your favorite Disney tunes, grab some patience (and a snack!), and continue to refresh, you might see something pop up!
I realize this may not be the ideal scenario, and I know you are really hoping to be there for the big day itself! If your date does not open up, the good news is that those tickets have a lifelong supply of magic. Tickets purchased this year do not expire until December 30, 2023 for single-day tickets and January 12, 2024 for multi-day tickets. If you are unable to make it ahead of those dates, you can always apply the value towards the purchase of a new ticket. You are pretty much guaranteed a magic carpet ride to the Happiest Place on Earth at a time that feels right for you!
Now, let's start to think happy thoughts and take flight with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell for a moment. Let's say your date DOES become available. It's time to fire up your fast fingers! Essentially, you will be canceling your current reservations and rebooking new ones from scratch, which can be done in a few simple steps:
- Open up your Disneyland Mobile App, tap the "+" along the bottom navigation bar, and select "Make a Park Reservation". If you are using the Disneyland website, simply hover over "Parks & Tickets" on the top navigation bar and select "Tickets and Reservation Details".
- On the next screen, select "View My Park Reservations".
- Scroll to the date you would like to change, select "Cancel Reservation", and follow the prompts.
- You will be redirected to "My Theme Park Reservations" where you can tap the button to "Book Theme Park Reservations" and begin the process again, selecting your preferred date.
It's always a great time for a
celebration at the Disneyland Resort! Even if you don't make it on the exact day, don't let that stop you from making it a true celebration. Be sure to grab an "It's My Birthday" complimentary celebration button on the way into the parks. You can find these at most retail locations or City Hall just to the left as you walk under the Disneyland Railroad. Your son will be greeted by birthday wishes all day long, and you never know what kind of magic might follow! If you've made a dining reservation, select restaurants offer
Mickey Mouse Celebration Cakes, and let me tell you, they are as adorable as they are delicious!
Sending good vibes and a touch of pixie dust your way, Jeanne! Come back to see us if you have any more questions!
Tara