Celebrating a 50th birthday in Disneyland - any tips or suggestions?

[sherilaine]

My DH will turn 50 this March when we are in Disneyland. This is the first time he'll actually be in the parks on his birthday, and considering it's a milestone I wanted to celebrate it. Of the 4 of us he is the least Disney crazy so it's funny that he's the first one to get to celebrate his birthday there.

Any tips on how to make the most of it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

DH and I both spent our 50 birthdays at Disneyland (three years apart)! Be sure to get a birthday button at City Hall or any of the shops (just ask the cashier for one). We also made sure to book at least one special meal that day. DH chose the character breakfast at the Plaza Inn. The characters made a big deal of his birthday button and hat. On my birthday, I wanted to have breakfast at the Carnation Cafe. After breakfast we shopped on Main Street. DH told a cashier at the Emporium it was my birthday. She told me to wait there for a minute and then she handed me the phone. It was a birthday recording from Goofy. We both got lots of birthday wishes from cast members and park guests throughout the day. It's my favorite place to spend my birthday!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Definitely get a birthday button so that CMs and guests will know that he's celebrating his special day! If he has a favorite restaurant (no matter how casual or fancy), make a reservation. Maybe do the WOC Dessert Party to end the day? Have a custom cake delivered to a TS restaurant? Book the Grand Circle Tour so that he can ride the Lilly Belle on his special day? Or would he really enjoy a relax-by-the-pool day or something non-Disney (like the Peterson Automotive Museum) followed by a super dinner on property?

 

[Congo Queen]

Both my sister and I celebrated our 50th birthdays at Dland. We had a blast each time. In addition to wearing birthday buttons and getting all kinds of nice well-wishes from CMs, we went to Napa Rose for mine and had an amazing dinner. For my sister's I had found a vintage Disneyland birthday hat online (looks like a crazy cake with candles) and she wore it along with her button. We had a grand dinner at Carthay Circle to celebrate her day. Mostly it was fun because we were just extra silly and happy and acted like 10-year-olds and made each other laugh and snort soda out of our noses, etc. Man I love Dland.

 

[whoever]

Fine dining. C33/Napa/SH55/Carthay (Carthay is my least favorite). Themed suites (Mickey Penthouse, Adventureland Suite, Frontierland Suite, Pirates Suite). Relax by the pool day at a Cabana at the DLH and have drinks from Trader Sam's flowing.

That's pretty much my plan for my 40th at the same time this March.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I did that on my birthday last year. I have an AP and it must have been flagged because I was wished a Happy Birthday when I went through the turnstile. I got the button and we had the WOC dessert party booked. It happened to be a very busy season (when isn't it, though). My button was covered by my jacket at the WOC dessert party, but the waiter knew it was my birthday - so, again, I think my account was flagged. It was overall pretty chill since I visit the park often, but it was fun. I did think about doing Napa Rose Chef's counter, but I'm not really a foodie.

 

[BayouQueen]

On my birthday at DL, my family bought me one of those hand painted name signs where each letter is a different character. My birthday is in October, so each letter of my name is a different Disney villain. It is dated, so it reminds me of a really special birthday. I'm looking at it right this minute and it still makes me happy!

Maybe for a husband I'd insist he sit for one of those caricature paintings they do in New Orleans Square. He'll saw "nawww,"
but then he'll laugh and love it forever!

 

[{WCS}]

So many thoughtful ideas here. I'd personally love a combo of two experiences courtesy of CongoQueen and Whoever...a Trader Sam's drink snorted out of your nose due to uncontrollable laughter!!

I agree the LillyBelle experience sounds interesting if he's a train lover. A Character Breakfast would be fun as would the WOC Dessert experience mentioned.
Looking forward to reading your March 2018 Trip Report!
PS After asking my husband (50+ years of life experience!) for his opinion(from a guys perspective), he just said "You can't go wrong! You're in Disneyland. It's Epic!"

 

[sherilaine]

These are all great - thanks so very much - snorting drinks out our noses tops it all though - no one is having a bad time if that is happening!!