Birthday (almost) at Disney

[littlemermaid95]

Four days before we leave for Disney, my dd will turn 6, and three days after we leave is my dh's birthday. I'm told there are special perks for birthdays, but does that still apply if your birthday is close to the time you're there, but not exactly? And does anyone know what special things they do for people with birthdays?

 

[Disney1976]

Four days before we leave for Disney, my dd will turn 6, and three days after we leave is my dh's birthday. I'm told there are special perks for birthdays, but does that still apply if your birthday is close to the time you're there, but not exactly? And does anyone know what special things they do for people with birthdays?

The "special perks" are actually hit or miss, a bit of "Disney magic" provided randomly to guests. Obviously, because thousands of people will be celebrating a birthday, graduation, wedding, anniversary, bar mitzvah, communion, new job, or some other occassion at the same time you're there, Disney can't afford to recognize everyone, even though I think they'd love to do that!

Certainly, make sure you and your DH get the free "birthday buttons" when you check in, or get them at guest relations at any park, and make sure they wear them during your stay. They'll likely get a lot of birthday wishes from cast members. Maybe they'll get something additional, but again, don't expect it. It's better if you'd like something special, that you arrange it yourself with Disney beforehand (like ordering a birthday cake after a TS meal).

 

[amandaraye]

Make sure you get them each a birthday button and maybe have them wear them on different days so they can each have their own day to be extra special. From what I understand, children with the birthday buttons will likely receive extra attention from CMs and characters. not necessarily other "perks" but they do tend to lavish them with attention.

I'm told you can get the button at the front of the park entrances at guest relations and even likely at the front desk of your resort. We're celebrating DDs 3rd birthday while we're at WDW and we're going to have a special day for DS who will have had his birthday a couple weeks before as well. Have fun!!!

 

[iheartdisney]

The new things for 2009 are ONLY on the actual birthday.
You have your choice of:
1 free pass
Family Fastpasses
A gift card which has to be used ON the birthday worth the cost of admission.
There is more info on WDW or DL website.
But again, that is on the actual birthday.
There are several other things you can do, not on the birthday, such as ordering a birthday cake at dinner, the birthday button, etc.
I'm looking forward to getting the resort room decorated!

 

[mickeygaga]

When we went this last May I told the cm at Pop century that it was dd's birthday. My younger daughter was standing next to us, and the cm looked at her and said it was her happy Un-birthday. She gave us 2 birthday pins and wrote there names on them. I tell ya, in the past dd has wore the sticker but these pins must really stand out because I have never heard so many happy birthday wishes in my life! Also, Every and I mean every meal we sat down at and even at one counter service the girls were given a cake/cupcake. By the end of the trip my oldest dd said when she saw cake her eye would begin to twitch! It was truly amazing the attention we were shown.

 

[Jen117]

Does anyone know what proof you need to show it is your birthday, especially for a child that does not carry a photo ID? Do they want to see a birth certificate or do they just take your word??

 

[design_mom]

Does anyone know what proof you need to show it is your birthday, especially for a child that does not carry a photo ID? Do they want to see a birth certificate or do they just take your word??

If you're going for the 2009 Free On Your Birthday promotion, you'll have to show proof of birthdate, even for children. Per the FAQ on the "Free Admission on your Birthday" page, for children who do not have valid photo ID, you can bring an original or certified copy of their birth certificate: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/di...ouCelebrate/index?name=WDWCelebrationFAQsPage

For the birthday buttons, etc... they'll just take your word for it.

Edit: We went for my mother's 65th birthday last year. She wore the button. She got *lots* of good wishes from CMs. She also got a card and balloon from Cinderella left for her in our resort. She got a special cupcake, delivered by Pluto, at Chef Mickey's... and when we were in a shop once, the clerk came up to my mom and told her there was a phone call for her. My mother couldn't figure out who could have called her on the shop's phone. It was Mickey Mouse, wishing Mom a happy b-day. (Apparently the CM's can call in and get a recording.) She had a blast.

A few weeks later, my sister took her DD for her 3rd birthday. She got a few good wishes, but didn't get nearly the attention that my mother got. I think it must be somewhat hit-or-miss.

 

[littlemermaid95]

Thanks for all the info. My dh doesn't really care about wearing a birthday pin, and would rather the attention go to our 6 year old dd. However, she is quite shy with strangers, and will probably be ripping the pin off before lunch time just so everyone will quit talking to her.