birthday and anniversary

[momof4boys]

Hi all!
I am so glad that I found this site. The info that you have provided has been fantastic. We are staying at the poly and I wanted to know if they do anything special for birthdays and anniversaries?? The day we arrive is DH's b day and our anniversary is at the end of the week. Who should I let know the CRO or the poly when I fax our room request. Also how far in advance should I fax the request?? Thanks again!

Regina

 

[dznyntnh]

You can call CRO and have special occasions remarked on your reservation and you can also have them marked on PS you make, but remember there are alot of people celebrating a special occasion at wdw, so if you want something special to happen, then make arrangements for it.

You can contact wdw florist if you wish to have soemthign special done for an occasion or call the resort directly for assistance in making arrangements.

There are many posts from folks who have something magical happen on their special day, but there are more from people who expected and did not receive something.

You can fax in your room requests 3 days in advance, but make sure that any requests you have are on your reservation now. I have never faxed a room request in over 20 trips and have never had a problem having my requests met.

 

[Cameo]

We just returned from a split stay at the BC and Poly for my daughter's 6th bday trip. The BC noted her birthday, even asking who her favorite character was, but we received nothing from them.

I also told them at check-in at the Poly and the CM told me that they no longer do anything special for birthdays. She suggested if I wanted something done that I contact room service and ask for something catered in. I wasn't interested in that as we did several birthday meals at different restaurants throughout the week. I guess I expected a card from Minnie or something, but these two hotels did not do that, I guess. We also had the rooms decorated with birthday decorations and housekeeping did nothing special either.

I am not complaining, we had a great trip and my daughter was treated special in many ways around the parks. Just wanted to let you know not to expect anything special unless you pay for something extra.

About 10 years ago my husband and I celebrated our anniversary at CBR and we received a signed photograph from Mickey and Minnie.

We ate at Garden Grill on her birthday and they made a big deal with a mid-size cake (enough for 8 pieces). The cake was wonderful and they sang her a song. Very nice and a great meal too.

 

[hmp2z]

Hi! I think that you are more likely to get a gift from the resort if you are staying concierge. Just about everyone and his brother are celebrating something special, and I have read LOTS of complaints on here, from people who wanted something extra done for them, and didn't get it.
Of course, it's never good to expect anything, and your post, asking if they do something special, kind of sounds like you are hoping they will do something for you. But don't be disappointed if they don't - like I said, just about everyone at WDW is celebrating something. I remember reading once about a woman who got a room upgrade for free from the WL, b/c it was her mother's birthday, but was griping b/c the balcony was too tall for her 3 year old child to see over (what?!?) and was angry that they didn't send her mom a cake in addition to the room upgrade. Now, I'm not saying that you're like that, but it's easy to read about all the freebies and get disappointed when you don't get them. That's why I don't like to post about what we get - it raises false hopes in other travelers.
My advice would be for you to arrange something special yourself. That way, if you get something else, you will be happy, but if not, you will have made your DH happy with a special surprise from you - that is always better than a surprise from strangers!
Cheers!
Heather W

 

[turnlisa]

We are staying at the Poly in the concierage level during November. During our trip we are celebrating two birthdays -- mine and my oldest DS. I have already told the staff not to worry about my birthday but that I would like to make a big deal out of my DS's.

I have arranged for a bouquet of balloons to be delivered the night before his birthday so that I can decorate the room. The CM also told me that a special amenity would be delivered to the room on his actual day. Even though the CM said to expect something I have not mentioned it to my DS for fear it is not delivered. I wouldn't want him to be disappointed.

I have decided to make my own magic. I have contacted Pixie Gifts to have gifts delivered from the Birthday Pixie for my DS and from the Un-Birthday Pixie for my younger DS. I think these things along with the decorations will make the trip special even if the hotel fails to come through.

 

[momof4boys]

Sorry to make it sound like I was looking for something free. We have never stayed at the Poly before and I wasn't sure what could be done in order to make a special time even more special for us. Next time, I will be more careful to watch my wording. I have already made PS arrangements for both events and have let them know that we are celebrating something. Thanks for the advice on catering something in special and about the florist to have balloons delivered on our arrival day. We have 4 kids so no romantic dinners for us on our anniversary, but they would love to be able to sing happy birthday to their Dad with a cake and candles. Will I be able to order it from Ohana's or will I have to find a bakery in the area and if so does anyone know of one??
Thanks again,
Regina

P.S. You don't have to be in the concierge level in order to receive a gift from the resort. When I was newly pregnant with my second child our mousekeeper at POR found out when I was't feeling well one day. For the rest of the week I would find an assortment of crackers, pretzels and ginger ale to help me in the morning. One day when we came home from the parks there was a gift basket filled with things for the new baby. He will still look at his first mickey t- shirt and laugh about his first trip to the world.

 

[turnlisa]

momof4boys,

I don't think that any of us thought that you were looking for something for free. There are lots of stories out there of people that have gotten special treatment on special days. I think everyone's intention was just to make sure that you weren't disappointed if something doesn't happen.

I don't know about the cake at Ohana's but a lot of people have mentioned ordering one from the bakery at the Boardwalk. I have also heard that the delivery prices can be kind of steep. I know that most of the restaurants provide a cupcake with candle for the birthday boy/girl. I will be there for my birthday in November (even eating at Ohana's). I would be happy to give you a report when we come back. Happy planning!

Lisa

P.S. That story about mousekeeping is really cute! I think that is why everyone loves Disney so much - magical things happen everywhere!

 

[hmp2z]

Hi! I agree that you don't have to be staying concierge to have magic happen - we have had gifts turn up in garden view rooms! But it seems like the concierge staff really takes care of their guests, so you are more likely to get that special treatment, if you are one of a select few of concierge guests. It's only natural - think how many regular guests there are, but the concierge staff is exclusively dedicated to making concierge guests happy
Cheers!
Heather W

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Our very own DISshop would be glad to gift wrap and ship anything in the store to the resorts! Click below!

 

[bonnie w]

We were at the Polynesian 2 wks ago. I had mention when I faxed a room request that we were going to be celebrating our anniversary with them. I was surprised when we came back from the parks our 2nd day there, I had flowers and a beautiful Tinkerbell anniversary certificate. I was not really expecting anything & was just thrilled.

 

[Disney Dollarless]

I just returned yesterday (10/4) from the Boardwalk Villas, i had it noted on the reservation that it was my Mom's b-day. When we came back from the Park there were balloons and a character signed card with a photo of the characters. She was thrilled!!

And upon check in i reminded them about her b-day. I also mentioned that is was also my wedding anniversary. We also got a card with balloons. It was nice of them to acknowledge the anniversary and b-day!

Have a great time!

 

[dorisdvu]

Originally posted by turnlisa
I have decided to make my own magic. I have contacted Pixie Gifts to have gifts delivered from the Birthday Pixie for my DS and from the Un-Birthday Pixie for my younger DS. I think these things along with the decorations will make the trip special even if the hotel fails to come through.

What did you order for the Birthday Pixie and the UNBirthday Pixie? All I am seeing for kids on their website is Prince/Princess Collection, Pool Party and First Disney Vacation.

 

[>>^..^<<]

We had a weird experience on our August trip... somehow the concierge thought it was my DD's birthday (which is in December!!) there was birthday balloons in the room and one night we found a chocolate cake, candles, matches, blowers and hats with confetti and streamers on the bed!

and I guess she remarked it on all the PS's...

I did not catch on till the 3rd day or so.... I just thought it was weird when we would be seated there was a notation on the seating card... and a waiter said "So this is the Birthday Girl!!" and Noel said "Huh?"

When we arrived at the Garden Grill for the ice cream social the hostess said there was a call for Noel and it was Goofy wishing her a happy birthday... Noel was listening to the call and laughing... I had no Idea it was birthday greetings until she told me later... I flagged down the waitress and told her NOT to do anything.... just incase they were going to bring out a cupcake or sing or something.

From then on everytime we checked in with the hostess I would tell her it was NOT a birthday or special occasion... after it stopped happening I forgot about it but at the San Angel Inn for dinner we suddenly had our table surrounded by singing Mexicans and a flaming cupcake... Noel just smiled and looked at me... rolling her eyes.. she insisted later that it was her "half birthday"

I did feel bad about it happening.. many people are celebrating real events and not recieving anything

>>^..^<<

 

[Growin'upDisney]

When I was little, my dad used to acknowledge my "half-birthday" (nothing big just a card or a half-dozen roses). When you're young turning 6 1/2 or 7 1/2 is a big deal!! When we were first dating, (I was 14 he was 15), my DH heard my dad mention my half-birthday and thought it was a joke. So I had to explain that it was really only something we did when I was little. Well he thought it was the funniest thing he had ever heard of and figuered it must be an only child sort-of-thing!!

But to this day(which is nearly 14 years later) my DH never forgets my half-birthday nor do I forget his. Now we just use it as an excuse to go out for dinner.

So maybe part of the Disney magic is knowing about half-birthdays. Now my family's Disney obsession is somehow clearer to me!! lol