Every year thousands of people descend on the Disneyland Resort and Parks in Anaheim, California. Many of these guests are there to celebrate a birthday! Whether it’s getting a birthday treat or splurging on a special activity, Disneyland has a way to celebrate a birthday for every age. Here are five ways to celebrate a birthday at Disneyland!
Grab a complimentary “Celebrating a Birthday” button!
The very first thing a guest should do with regards to celebrating a birthday at Disneyland is to get a complimentary birthday pin! There are several places at the Disneyland Resort that offer them. City Hall, Guest Services kiosks, and most merchandise shops in Disneyland and California Adventure have the buttons. Getting a birthday button is important because it lets Cast Members know that you are celebrating at the Parks. Most Cast Members will wish you a happy birthday if they spot the button.
Pro tip: Have a Cast Member put the name and age of the birthday guest on the button. They make a great keepsake!
Disneyland Restaurant Birthday Celebrations
Each sit-down restaurant at the Disneyland resort offers additional birthday offerings. Disney restaurants offer celebratory cakes that start at $60. Calling ahead is ideal for any sort of birthday dessert (Disney recommends at least 3 days before) but make sure to get a birthday button first thing in the morning. Cast Members are trained to recognize if you are wearing any Disney specific buttons. On a recent trip, our birthday person had a birthday button on and our server at Plaza Inn brought out a fun cupcake without us asking. We sang Happy Birthday and several other patrons joined in.
Celebrate Over a Cookie “Cake”
Disney’s California Adventure Pixar Pier is a fun place to celebrate a birthday. Since the opening of Pixar Pier, Disney fans have been raving about Jack Jack’s Num Nums. Located in a stand across from the Incredicoaster, a Num Nums is a fun take on a chocolate chip cookie. Each individual oversized cookie is warmed when purchased and a Cast Member hand it to you piping hot! How fun would it be to celebrate a birthday over a warm gooey, chocolate cookie?
Pro tip: Bring a candle, lighter and have a mini birthday celebration over one of the most delicious snacks in Disney’s California Adventure!
Spot the Disneyland Birthday Scenes on Rides
Did you know that several rides at Disneyland and California Adventure have birthday scenes? One fun activity for birthday kids is finding all the birthday celebrations throughout the Park. A favorite scene is the Haunted Mansion when it’s not decked out in Jack Skellington décor! Soon after leaving the main hallway, riders come upon a ghostly birthday scene that includes a ghost blowing out candles and the smell of birthday cake wafting through the air. Other rides that have birthday scenes include Winnie the Pooh and Alice in Wonderland. Both have birthday scenes that take place towards the end of the rides!
Pro tip: Not a fan of rides? Ask to sit next to the pilot of the Mark Twain Boat in the wheelhouse for a unique birthday experience.
Splurge on a Special Disneyland Birthday Activity
There are several activities to splurge on at the Disneyland Resort for birthday guests. Hotel guests can have their rooms decorated in specific themes starting at $250. Themes include Frozen or Pixar characters and Mickey/Minnie birthday baskets. The baskets come with a variety of Disney swag, balloons, and décor! Other unique splurges include visiting the Disneyland Hotel for afternoon tea or joining a fun walking tour of Disneyland!
Pro tip: Don’t want to splurge? Mention to the band outside of the Haunted Mansion that you are celebrating a birthday and they will play a special birthday tune!
Oh and don’t forget your Birthday Ears!
I don’t know anyone that wouldn’t want to celebrate a Disneyland Birthday. Talk about magical! Heading to Disney World? Many of these tips work there too. Make sure to check out What’s New at Disney World in 2019, Walt Disney World Food Picks and Pans, Where to Enjoy Disney Fireworks at Magic Kingdom, and Walt Disney World Tips and Tricks From The Experts. All the Disney fun!
