Birthday surprises from Poly & AKL

[Vermin]

We just got back from a trip to WDW that lasted from 5/2-5/11. During that time, DS turned 6 yrs old. Our stay included lodging at the Poly for 4 nights and the AKL for 3 nights.

Prior to the trip, I sent faxes to both the Poly and AKL with room requests, and oh by the way, DS will be celbrating his Bday during the trip, we look forward to spending it with you!

When we checked into the Poly, we got all of our requests, plus there was a cake, party hats, noisemakers, balloons, and a birthday certificate waiting for us in the room! DS was absolutely thrilled and is still talking about how Mickey made him a cake.

Then, when we moved over to the AKL, the CM at check-in, said something about I hope you're son is having a nice birthday trip, and guess what - we want to give him one more present. Then she upgraded us to a savannah view room (was booked only for standard) free of charge! What an awesome surprise! We all loved looking at the animals!

 

[Fokus17]

That is awesome. We are staying at the AKL in a few days. My son 22yo just graduated from college and my daughter 17yo will graduate from high school in 2 days. I sent the fax today and i hope that will do something special for them. Im glad you had a great time.

 

[Vermin]

I hope it works out for you. I honestly wasn't expecting anything for his Bday, just hoping for our requests to be filled and if lucky, a bday message. They really did go out of their way to make the trip special.

 

[strawberryblonde]

While I am always happy for the person who enjoyed being special on their day, I worry it will set up dissapointment for others who read and then don't get similiar treatment. I am happy for your 6 year old , that is a magical time to celebrate a birthday at WDW.

We also celebrated my DS's 6th birthday this past March. We stayed at the contemporary and they were aware of his birthday. He wore MK's birthday button on his actual day all day and got told "Happy Birthday" on one ride. We had his birthday breakfast at Chef Mickey's (at his request) and they did bring out a cupcake with a lit candle. I had it noted when making the PS that it was his birthday but the waitress was not informed and we were ready to go when I finally asked her about it. She saved the day but I was left feeling a bit overlooked. Nothing done in the room for that day, not even a towel animal but we did get a few cute bunnies later in the week (which the kids loved). No phone call from Goofy, no front of the line, no balloon, no being asked to be part of a parade (entire family wearing matching disney t-shirts that day).........DS didn't know those things might happen. I didn't expect all of them but was hoping for one because I have read so much about them. We planned this trip one year in advance because DS asked to go to WDW on his birthday. It was a great trip and memory for him. If I didn't know about what was possible, I wouldn't be left feeling just a bit left out now. Sounds awfully selfish and jealous of me but it is the only down side of being so informed by these boards. Just wanted to put the word out not to expect anything and then the day will be wonderful no matter what happens.

Your post really didn't get me going, so glad a child was recognized. I've read quite a few posts lately about others wearing the birthday buttons all week, or 6 mths in advance ect. I wonder if this causes the CM's to not take as much notice of the buttons as in the past or to think that the birthday kid will be taken care of on other days during the trip.

 

[Ozymandias]

I have to chime in and say that we too got the Birthday surprise at the Polynesian. I mentioned in my faxed room request before we arrived that it was my son's second B-day. I had forgotten about it and then later in the afternoon after check-in there was a knock on the door. It was mousekeeping bringing us a cake, hats, party horns and the whole works. My family was really impressed and figured I must know somebody for such special treatment

 

[Vermin]

I can understand how you might have felt somewhat overlooked. It is a great warning to anybody reading this that you must be aware that Disney does not owe anybody these special moments - it just kind of happens. If you go expecting these things, you will most certainly be disappointed.

I would be lying if I said I would have been perfectly happy if none of these things happened - fortunately they did. Not only at the resorts, but also at MK. DS got his bday button at City Hall 1st thing in the morning and the CM said there was a message waiting for him - a BDay message from Goofy it turned out. DS wore his button - right in the middle of his hat where it could be seen very well. All day long CM's were saying happy birthday and engaging him in conversation. No special perks such as getting in the front of any lines, but that was OK. At Chef Mickey's for dinner, he got a special placemat signed by the characters, a bday cupcake with candle, and Goofy came over and danced with him after the CM's announced it was his (and other folks) bday. Probably the neatest thing all day though, was that after riding splash for the 3rd time that day (was his favorite), a CM in the Splash store after the ride, saw his pin, asked his name, then yelled to everybody in the store, got their attention, and led the store in singing happy birthday to him - it was really special - he was soooo embarrassed.

I don't know why sometimes things happen and other times they don't. But you're right, go not expecting anything special, and if there are magical moments, they will mean that much more.

 

[Gette88]

Wow Vermin, you guys lucked out. That's so great. 4 of the last 6 times we went the week of my birthday and our anniversary. To bad I'm not a kid (atleast not on the outside) I would have loved any special attention. I'll bet your son was on cloud nine.

 

[dsnyfun]

That is so great on your trip. We also had a dd 6th BD, in Jan, at Disney. We stayed at ASMO did not even think to mention BD until at check in. Went to MK on her BD and had breakfast at Cindy's castle. They gave us a BD card and all the princesses signed it. Went to the lobby of the castle and had pictures with the Fairy Godmother. My DD told the Fairy Godmother her front tooth was loose. The Fairy Godmother told DD that the tooth fairy was Tinker Bell's best friend and if she lost her tooth here, she should put it under her pillow for a very special surprise. Later we saw a CM (grandfatherly type guy) who saw the BD pin and came up and let her pick two princess pins off of his pin holder. WOW!!

We got home and balloons and a card are waiting in the room from Bell and Cinderella! WOW again!

Don't you know she loses the tooth. Well the Fairy Godmother was right, Tinker Bell left a Tinker Bell doll and great magical note for our DD. How do we top this trip ever. DS turns six in two years. We'll see.

 

[KathyFP]

This is all so interesting. We will be a Disney for DD six bday in Feb 2004. We are also going to Discovery Cove because her dream since she was two is to swim with Dolphins.

I hope she has a few of the birthday perks.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

It is so wonderful to see Disney is still sprinkling Pixie Dust for childrens BD. My DS who will be 15 soon spent a few of his birthdays when he was small at WDW. We always brought a big blue button from a local party store and he wore it. They went out of their way ( even back in the olden days LOL). We came back to our room to ballons, cake , stuffed Mickey and horns . Each and everytime it happened it shocked me


Pease,Love&Mickey Mouse