A Guide to Going to Disney on Your Birthday!

[latharia]

Just got back from celebrating with my nephew, on a special birthday trip for his 9th birthday -- he got lots of well-wishes from CMs, plus a free powerade & free frozen banana! Everyone was so friendly! A CM also gave him a certificate for a free pin of his choice, since he was new to pin-trading!

 

[Aunt Michelle]

Some many cool ideas!!

 

[chanty]

Nice thread...bumping for people to read!

 

[fiveforall]

For DS's 7th birthday, he wore a shirt that said "I'm 7 today" and got a birthday button at AK. We had b'fast at Donald's and he got a birthday certificate, song, and lots of attention. A few days later on DH's birthday, he also wore a shirt and pin, but got way more attention than DS. He received two calls from Mickey, a certificate, the audience in HISTA sang to him, plus, we got two free Mickey rice krispy bars. He and DS got lots of Happy Birthdays. It was a fun day.

DD and I will be there on my birthday this June. I can't wait!

 

[Poohbear123]

For my 50th BD trip in 11 days, I will be wearing my Birthday Button and my Tiara!

 

[kimkarli]

We had a AWESOME time there on my DD's 8th birthday on Dec. 16! We went to BBB first thing in the am and she got a Birthday Princess sash. We ate lunch at CRT. The table was decorated (we noted it on the ressie) and we got a window table. I ordered to plain birthday cake, which was great for four of us. She loved it!! We were at MK all day (her favorite). She had a birthday shirt, sash, and pin on, and got LOTS of extra attention. She even got a popcorn free. Then we had dinner at Chef Mickey's. They also had the table deoratedn and a special placemat. Here she got a birthday cupcake. She had been given a birthday card at CRT that she got all the princesses to sign. She also got the characters at CM to sign as well. We stayed at POR, and that am, I had made sure she was on the birthday list. I was expecting balloons, maybe and a card. When we got back to the hotel, there was a beautiful flower arrangement & a signed personalized card form Cinderella. There was also a towel animal and birthday note from mousekeeping! The flowers were so wonderful. I went down to the front desk to make sure they did not charge me for them, and there was no charge! We were thrilled! It was an awesome birthday! Problem is now she wants that for her birthday every year!!!

 

[PrincessEmilysMommy]

We're going in 9 days. My dd's 4th birthday is March 30th. The reason for the trip is her birthday, but this is the only time we were able to travel. So my question is would it be out of line to mention we were there to celebrate her birthday?

 

[Miniefan]

What is the birthday list?? I have planned a top secret surprise visit to WDW for mine and DD turining 8's b-day. See, I really wanted to go to WDW for my own b-day, which was 1/3/08 but my dh travels for his job and it just wasn't able to happen during that date, so I decided to wait and go for dd's bday as a surprise, and celebrate both our bdays!!! We will be going to the P&P party on 3/6/08, and I booked BBB for that afternoon. We will be eating at LTT that night and I plan to order a cake. Any other suggestions on making the day special and one of a kind??
Thanks
Kim

 

[kimkarli]

It absolutely would not be out of line to tell that you were there to celebrate DD's birthday!
The birthday list is a list at the hotel of who they are going to put something special in their room. It is best to make sure the night before that you are on it for the next morning. We were at POR. I had noted her birthday on our reservation, and mentioned it at check in. However, on the morning of her birthday, I called the operator on the hotel phone and sked if they would do something for her. She told me to check at the front desk to make sure she was on the birthday list. I went down and she was not, but they added her. When we came in there were beautiful flowers and a card! (At no charge!) I know this is not guaranteed, but we were VERY lucky!!

 

[jazzmine]

What a great post! We are going to be there during DH and my birthday (April fools day!!!) and I plan on making a big spectical of us. DH will probably be a bit mortified because he doesn't like the spotlight but um, I do! I can't wait!

 

[tinkeramy]

This is so great! We are leaving in a few days to celebrate my son's 6th birthday. His birthday is on Valentine's Day. I am making him a birthday t-shirt and I purposely got an obnoxious yellow color - I figure that everyone else in the MK will be wearing some variety of red, pink or white, and this shirt will STAND OUT! We'll see how it goes - DS isn't necessarily crazy about lots of attention from strangers but he is MOST DEFINITELY crazy about free stuff and special privileges, so we'll see which urge wins out!

 

[kid-at-heart]

I may get a smackdown for saying this, but...

It's considered by many CMs to be in extremely bad form to demand perks on your birthday.

If a CM sees your Happy Birthday button and offers your party Fastpasses, or a cupcake, or a magical moment certificate, or a phone call, awesome! But if they don't... please don't demand it, as none of these things are something birthday guests are automatically entitled to.

The following is a transcript of an encounter that happened to me while working FastPass Return at an attraction a year or so ago. I was standing there when a party of three (mother, DD, and DS) came up. DD had a "Happy Birthday!" button on, and all three started to walk past me.

CM: Excuse me, folks. Fastpasses, please?

MOM (icily): It's her birthday.

CM: I see that. Happy Birthday, Suzie!

MOM: So she gets to ride everything without waiting, right?

CM: Well, not that I've ever been told. If that were the case, every single person here would be having a birthday.

MOM: Well, thanks for RUINING her DAY!

CM: Sorry you feel that way, ma'am. Fastpasses are available to your right. Have a good day.

The really sad part? If Mom had approached me and asked, "It's little Suzie's birthday, and I was wondering if you had any extra Fastpasses... please?" I would have been more than happy to oblige her.

Remember: Attitude is EVERYTHING.

Very good comments! I do agree, "Attitude is everything". The pixie dust spread on a special day should be "pixie-dust", unexpected surprises. I must say, CMs must have the best dispositions in the world. It must be hard to be polite to someone who has just been rude to you. Thank you CMs!!! You are special people.

I am glad I ran across this forum. Now I am prepared for our next celebration trip. I wish I had known about the BD and ANN buttons before our last two trips. Even without the special pixie-dust, the trips were great!

 

[mamaLori05]

I have a question about birthdays and park tickets. We will be celebrating my dd's 3rd birthday while down there. She will turn 3 half way through our vacation. What do I do as far as a ticket for her? I had heard that she doesn't need one because she will be 2 when we start our vacation. Is this true??? Just don't want to find out it's not as were heading through the gate. Thanks for any info!!

 

[the Fidge]

I have a question about birthdays and park tickets. We will be celebrating my dd's 3rd birthday while down there. She will turn 3 half way through our vacation. What do I do as far as a ticket for her? I had heard that she doesn't need one because she will be 2 when we start our vacation. Is this true??? Just don't want to find out it's not as were heading through the gate. Thanks for any info!!

From my experience and its been a few weeks as DS will be turning 12. It is based on when they arrive not if they change during your stay.

WE go every year on or around DS and DH birthdays as they are 2 days apart in April. I inquired aobut the DDP and ticket price change while he was there and was told many times I too was unsure that it is based on their arrival age.

 

[mamaLori05]

From my experience and its been a few weeks as DS will be turning 12. It is based on when they arrive not if they change during your stay.

WE go every year on or around DS and DH birthdays as they are 2 days apart in April. I inquired aobut the DDP and ticket price change while he was there and was told many times I too was unsure that it is based on their arrival age.

Thanks so much!! Just wanted to make sure someone else heard the same thing. I don't want to feel like I am or worry about possibly cheating the system.

 

[heartbeeps]

I love it when women "of a certain age" have on a birthday button. After wishing them a happy birthday, I usually "guess" their age at 19 or 20. You'd be amazed how many of them blush and then agree.

I also like to ask moms and daughters if they're sisters. Mom says yes, and DD almost always says (in an exasperated voice) "No, this is my MOM!"

I do something similar. When I met a young child (5-8 yrs old), I'll say hi and then ask them... "Are you married?" You should see the responses I get. It's priceless.

 

[Disbabe]

Only 5 weeks and 2 days to go - woo hoo!!!
It's my DD Birthday on 25th March and she wants to go Animal Kingdom for the day - which we have planned around (its her favourite park - only because they have the new Nemo Musical and she's nemo mad!!)
We have made reservations for Chef Mickey's as well and told them over the phone its her birthday - she'll be 12.
Have taken on board comments about a T-Shirt so we are going to make her one ourselves and will get the pins at the parks so she can have a collection of the different ones - this thread has been useful. She is going to be so excited!!

 

[Nisa]

Any helpful hints at how to celebrate a 16 year old boy's birthday? He wanted to dive in the tank at EPCOT for his 16th birthday so we are going and will be there on the day of his actual birthday. I want to make a day of it and order a cake--any more ideas for a teenager?

Thanks and happy Valentines day!!!!

 

[waynesgirl]

ME!ME!

It is my bday on the 22nd of APR-DH is the 20th and our anniv is the 21st-and I want to go to Animal Kingdom! I got the cutest shirts for us and I don't care about freebies, but I just love it when people say Happy BDAY! I always say I am 29 and holding (36 this year!)

Have great bdays all!!!!!

 

[becky_AK]

Thank you for great information! We took my son last year for his 1st birthday. It was a blast. We got an autograph book, had a couple of great dinners and overall had a wonderful experience. We are planning on making his birthday our annual trip, so I love all of the ideas.