[batraylover]

We are back from celebrating my birthday at Disneyland! What a perfect way to spend your birthday, whether you are turning 1 or 101. We notified Disneyland ahead of time that we would be visiting Disneyland to celebrate a birthday. They sent a personalized autographed photo of Mickey Mouse that said happy birthday with my name on it, along with a birthday sticker (also with my name). I was really glad that we notified them in advance, because the lines at City Hall were a nightmare at points throughout the day, definately would not have been worth waiting in line for just a sticker. About a week later, they sent a photo of Mary Poppins, also personalized, along with an Honorary Citizen sticker. So, if you write to Disneyland is advance about a birthday celebration, be sure to state your (or your child's) favorite character.

Once we arrived at Disneyland, we spent a lot of time on Main Street. The Chracters were all decked out in their gold outfits for the 50th, and it was great to see so many characters out walking around and having a good time. I got photos and autographs of The Queen Of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland); Max (Goofy's son); Goofy; Minnie Mouse; and Peter Pan before we even left Main Street. Max is apparently not too popular of a character, as he had next to no line. My mom stood in line for Goofy and I was able to dash to the center circle and have a photo taken with Max. I can't wait until we get the photos developed.

The lines were relatively short for the rides, although I heard rumors that Splash Mountain had a fairly long line (we were not going on Splash). We made it onto Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters; Autotopia; Peter Pan's Flight; Dumbo; Storybook Land Canal Boats; Indiana Jones; Disneyland Railroad; Snow White's Scary Adventures; Winnie The Pooh; Pirate's of the Caribbean; Pinocchio's Daring Journey; Mr. Toad's Wild Ride; Alice In Wonderland; The Mad Tea Party; The Matterhorn; Jungle Cruise; The Haunted Mansion; and It's A Small World;
We also saw the Parade of Dreams, which in my opinion is by far the best parade at Disneyland in a very long time. In addition, we hit the Snow White An Enchanted Musical show which I absolutely loved. The longest ride line was 35 minutes, and that was for Indiana Jones. Walked right onto both Haunted Mansion and Pinocchio's Daring Journey with most other rides having a minimal wait.

We got fantastic seating for the parade completely by accident. But, I would totally recommend it to everyone looking for a great spot. About 40 minutes before the first parade, we had been at Triton's Garden taking photos and getting autographs with Arial (The Little Mermaid). She is my favorite character, got an awesome photo taken with her, both on our camera, and Disney's. We actually bought the photo, it came in a cute 50th anniversary folder that I will definately save as a souvenier after I frame the photo. Near the area where Arial was, is a couple of fountains (one of King Triton, one of Arial), just beyond those is a pathway lined with benches and trash cans. Along that pathway, we staked out a bench, and pulled the electric wheelchair alongside the bench. We were right in the middle of all of the parade's action, the characters were so close, both the Fairy Godmother from Cinderella and the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio came over and shook my hand and said happy birthday. One of the fairies from Sleeping Beauty (the blue one) also said happy birthday, along with a zebra on stilts from the Lion King.

I got to see the much talked about talking trash can. He came for a visit and scared the heck out of my mom while we were leaving Triton's Gardens. I just laughed, I hadn't told my mom about the talking trash can, so she was so freaked out, truly a priceless moment. We managed to take photos on all of the golden rides, with no waiting for any of them. Photos were taken in the golden tea cup, golden autotopia car, golden Mr. Toad vehicle, golden Dumbo, on the golden carousel horse; and the golden Peter Pan boat.

The birthday perks of going to Disneyland with a birthday sticker:
The Queen of Hearts and Arial wrote special birthday messages along with their autographs in my autograph book. When we were in line for Autotopia and they were handing out the driver's licenses, the attendant said happy birthday and pulled a special winning license out of his pocket and gave it to me, so I got a free Autotopia souvenier car. Just about everyone, including gift shops employees, ride attendants, and even park guests wished me a happy birthday all day long. They sang a birthday song on the Jungle Cruise and the Storybook Canal boats just for me. Received a birthday card at the Winnie the Pooh ride that says "Happy Birthday from your friends at Critter Country" with a cute message written in Owl talk in the inside. It really makes you feel like a million bucks when you spend your day at Disneyland.

Wonderful day thanks to all of the ahead planning and the recommendations from everyone on this site. Thanks a ton!

[pumouse]

Wow, that sound great. Happy belated birthday!! I want to hear more about that trash can?

[Disneyfever]

What a great way to spend your birthday. The CMs at Disney seem to do a wonderful job making people feel special on their birthdays. You got to ride a lot of rides too. I wish I could have seen the talking trash can scare your mom. What a sight that must have been! Sounds like a great trip!

[batraylover]

Originally Posted by pumouse

Wow, that sound great. Happy belated birthday!! I want to hear more about that trash can?

I originally learned about Push the talking trash can on Mouse Planet. Push is a gold trash can that talks. Nearby Push, if you look around is a cast member holding his hand in a black bag, I saw the guy, pretty much out in the open, but no one was really paying much attention to him because they were all watching the trash can. I guess he hangs out in Tomorrowland primarily, but I saw him at Ariel's Grotto. Push went over to Ariel and said hi to her, and she gave Push a big hug. He also went up to a few kids and everyone was either cracking up with laughter, staring at him in disbelief, or totally frightened by him. It was my first time seeing Push in the park. I think he's an awesome addition to Disneyland.

[Disneywife]

Originally Posted by batraylover

I originally learned about Push the talking trash can on Mouse Planet. Push is a gold trash can that talks. Nearby Push, if you look around is a cast member holding his hand in a black bag, I saw the guy, pretty much out in the open, but no one was really paying much attention to him because they were all watching the trash can. I guess he hangs out in Tomorrowland primarily, but I saw him at Ariel's Grotto. Push went over to Ariel and said hi to her, and she gave Push a big hug. He also went up to a few kids and everyone was either cracking up with laughter, staring at him in disbelief, or totally frightened by him. It was my first time seeing Push in the park. I think he's an awesome addition to Disneyland.

I've been a regular at Disneyland for 35 years now, and my dh is a CM...and I've never seen or even HEARD of a talking trash can!!

Do you have a link to more information about it?

[Cinderellafifi]

Doesn't sound like it could have been any better!! So glad you had such a magical birthday!

[batraylover]

Originally Posted by Disneywife

I've been a regular at Disneyland for 35 years now, and my dh is a CM...and I've never seen or even HEARD of a talking trash can!!

Do you have a link to more information about it?

I originally found out about Push in a park update on Mouse Planet, that update didn't have a whole lot of information, but I was excited to hear about the new addition to Disneyland park. I think Tomorrowland has become less than exciting through the years, and Push is a really cute addition. I would love to see Disneyland create an entire crew of various characters like Push: Fire hydrants, trash cans, street signs, lamp posts, and so on and so forth.
Here's that update: Mouse Planet Park Update

Here is a link to a photo of Push (this is not a photo that I took, we haven't gotten our photos developed yet). Photo Of Push

Another photo of Push:Photo #2 of Push

There are a few visitors experiences with Push found at Mice Chat: Visitor's Experiences With Push

Here's a video clip of Push from Mouse Info (it even has sound):
Video Clip Of Push

Hope this answers your question!

[Soundgod]

I'm still not sure how much i'll actually broadcast it's my birthday, for fear of over attention. Then again, there's some reason I decided to do my birthday there.

[Erin]

I say you GO ALL OUT, Soundgod! Once a year! Come on!
Do it batraystyle!!!

[batraylover]

Originally Posted by Soundgod

I'm still not sure how much i'll actually broadcast it's my birthday, for fear of over attention. Then again, there's some reason I decided to do my birthday there.

You should go all out for your birthday, like someone else said. Your birthday only comes once a year. What's the point of spending it at a place like Disneyland if you do not plan to go all out? I mean if you are going to spend the money to go some place like Disneyland, why not get all of the perks? I mean the place that takes your money buy the fist full is willing to give you freebies just because you are visiting on your birthday. Of course there are no guarantees that they will give you anything, but I guarantee you will never feel more special a day in your life. Of course I am still young (24 this year), but having costume characters write birthday messages to me, cast members treat me like royalty, and even guests saying happy birthday was a really cool experience. I remember being in line for Indiana Jones and there was a guest who I kept passing in the line, he was a row behind me in the line so we would pass at just about ever turn, he would say "Happy Birthday" each time. Little things like that, you will remember forever.

[Erin]

Exactly!! Go Batraystyle!!

You know how to do it right!

[batraylover]

Just finished uploading photos to Ofoto/Kodak Gallery. If anyone is interested in seeing pictures, PM me, and I will send you the link. We got pictures of some characters, most of the golden vehicles (if not all of them), and other things in the park.

[unome1434]

Happy Belated Birthday! When was your birthday exactly? Mines was on the 7th. and we too were at DL...we ate at Yamabuki's for my birthday! I hope you had a WONDERFUL time...we just LOVED our trip, I can't wait to start planning our next one!