Tips for a birthday surprise for my 7yo girl?

[bagheeramom]

I have been to the resort in FL a few times, but am unfamiliar with Disneyland. In 2 weeks, I will be taking my daughter for a surprise trip to celebrate her 7th birthday. Being #4 of 6 kiddos - a one on one trip is a rare treat! Hopefully she won't even know until we get to the park.... we will be flying in, but she has no idea what is IN California.

Since I'm not familiar with the CA park, and we havent done birthdays at the other one before...do y'all have any tips for making it an even MORE special day?

edited to add:
This will be a quick trip...flying in the day before, going to the park, going home the day after. It will be mid-week.

 

[DangerMouse]

How fun! I have taken all my kids for individual one-on-one birthday trips, and it's a real treat.

Make sure you stop by City Hall to get a birthday button. Are you taking advantage of the free-ticket promo for her? If you are going to DCA as well, stop by the Mission Tortilla Factory to get a free dozen tortillas (usually, you only get one).

If the Mark Twain is running and if you are the first up to the top of the stairs, you can ask the Captain of the Twain if you can help co-pilot (make sure you flash that birthday button). Being able to steer the boat and ring the bell is so fun.

Have a great trip to Walt's original.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Here is an article with ideas of things to do to celebrate a birthday at the park. Some are already mentioned in the post above. Libby Lu's is mentioned in the article, but I know they are closing or already closed.... (Hopefully, somebody can fill in with the exact info. on this.) The Mark Twain wasn't running when we celebrated my DS's birthday so instead of that I asked the driver of the Monorial if my DS could sit up front with him when we went to Goofy's Kitchen to have his birthday brunch there. My DS loved it and had a great time.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/more/mm050412lp.htm

 

[Disney Dreams]

Since you are familiar with WDW, but not DLR, may I suggest that you read Hydroguy's (a fellow DIS member) guide A DLR Guide WDW Vets. He does a great job of explain DLR in WDW perspective.

There are soooo many fun things you can do to make this special bday trip memorable.

- How about dropping a penny in The Wishing Well (where you can hear singing after you drop your penny)?

- Stop by City Hall. Have your daughter go up to the CM there and tell them it's her birthday and she heard there was a phone call being held for her. They will hand her the phone and a special someone will be on the phone with birthday wishes for her.

- Make sure to get her a birthday button so everyone can wish her a Happy Birthday throughout the day!

- Dreams

 

[grumpy's fan]

You can play Musical Chairs with Alice and Mad Hatter at Carnation Cafe at 230pm each day.I made a tshirt transfer that said It's My 7th Birthday with Princesses on it , attached it to a tshirt and had all the characters we saw that day sign the tshirt as a souvenir for her special day. We also got her a birthday button for the day.

Also you can...

Celebrate a "My Disneyland Birthday Party" with Mickey and Minnie!

Searching for a magical way to enjoy your big day? Make plans for a "My Disneyland Birthday Party" at Disneyland® Park's Plaza Inn! Join your host, Pat E. Cake, for a happy, fun-filled celebration featuring music, merriment, laughter and cake decorating — with a special appearance by Mickey and Minnie Mouse. All Guests receive a party hat, souvenir sipper cup, mini birthday cake, icing and cake toppings.

Seating daily. Priority Seating can be arranged at Plaza Inn, City Hall, Guest Relations information kiosks and by phone.
Price: $15.99 per person**

For reservations, information and pricing, please call
(714) 781-DINE†.

or..


Order a Disneyland® Resort Birthday Bucket

Celebrate your birthday with a meal at a full-service restaurant in Disneyland® Park, Disney's California Adventure® Park or the Disneyland® Resort Hotels, and add to the fun with a Sorcerer Mickey or Disney Princess birthday bucket!* Both buckets are topped with an individual-sized birthday cake and contain terrific birthday treats — including a collectible toy, a cloisonné pin and a few special surprises. Birthday buckets are also available from room service at Disneyland® Resort Hotels.

Price: $20

Celebrate a "My Disneyland Birthday Party"

 

[azdisneylover]

Since you've been to WDW, you could plan to ride your daughter's favorite rides as many times as she likes. Have a character meal with her favorite character, get the birthday button. Maybe give her some Disney dollars to spend? Walgreens has Disney cameras. Maybe you can make her a travel bag for the plane ride filled with Disney goodies.
Have a great time and take lots of pics.

 

[TheZue]

The my birthday party at the plaza was a blast when we did it a couple years ago. We still have the plastic cup from his drink that day

If she likes princesses you could go to Ariel's Grotto for dinner. It's an all Princess character meal.

 

[AmericanItGirl]

Since you've been to WDW, you could plan to ride your daughter's favorite rides as many times as she likes.

Speaking from a (former) kid's point of view, getting to ride only the rides you want to is very special. I grew up with two older brothers who liked TMRR and SM, which scared me, so spending a day where I didn't have to stand in line and then wait for them to finish riding the rides that they liked was very fun for me. If she's like me, that'll be the best part of the day.

Another thing you can ask to do is ride up with the conductor on the Disneyland Rail Road.

Ask at Main Street about the musical chairs game that someone else mentioned. If she likes Mary Poppins, you can also ask about this chimney sweep show that they do out in front of the castle (they pick out kids to do dancing with Mary).

You can also always ask a cast member to enlist everyone waiting in line for a ride or waiting for a show to start to sing "Happy Birthday" to her.

Like many others have said, get a birthday pin from City Hall at the beginning of your day so that people have a chance to wish her a Happy Birthday and it will be a beacon for a little extra attention from CMs and characters.