Birthdays at Disney World

[heidihoho50]

Wow, that's so cool!

That is awesome! I am celebrating my 41st birthday there in November. You have me totally excited now!!!

 

[kristenlovesdumbo]

This is a bit late but....

I enjoyed my birthday last year at Disney, I'm going back this October! (I'll be the big 3-0)

I wore my birthday pin the whole trip. Everyone wishes you a happy birthday and makes you feel special. One of the bus drivers even noticed my pin and had everyone on the crowded bus sign happy birthday to me.

Free stuff- YES! Last year I was able to note on my online reservation that it was my birthday, but this year I couldn't. You could always call to make them aware. The Wave gave both my fiancee and I a free glass of champagne, the Crystal Palace decorated our dinner table and gave me a free cupcake, Tutto Italia gave me free dessert and the hotel we stayed at (Saratoga Springs) had Mickey and Minnie call our room to wish me a happy birthday!

Last year I went into the Christmas store in MK just to browse. One of the gentlemen who was an ornament customizer (I just made up his job title) saw my pin and offered to make it fancy for me. He rewrote my name in fancy letters with purple and white paint markers for free. It looked fabulous!

 

[VanessaDisney4L]

I am excited to be going for my 25th Birthday in April! I have had a couple of free things happen to me even when it wasn't my birthday so i hope it is the same. On my honeymoon we had free desserts at every table service it was awesome!!

 

[Sandi12404]

Both my daughters will be celebrating their birthdays when we go in January. One is turning 10 and the other one 16. I've told them not to expect anything but happy birthdays from cast members. I don't want then going in thinking they're going to get free stuff. Debating if I should let them wear their pins all week or not.

 

[Disneylover99]

Both my daughters will be celebrating their birthdays when we go in January. One is turning 10 and the other one 16. I've told them not to expect anything but happy birthdays from cast members. I don't want then going in thinking they're going to get free stuff. Debating if I should let them wear their pins all week or not.

I think it would be okay to let them wear the pins the whole time if they wish. I bet at some point they may even take them off on their own. It can be kind of creepy being wished happy birthday by random strangers over and over again at those ages.

 

[kmedina]

I have not read the whole thread, but I can tell you my experience from my son's 5th birthday trip. There is a trip report in my signature if you want more specific details on some of the restaurants. We had his birthday noted on every reservation. He did not even make it long each day before taking his button off, so we stopped putting it on (except his actual birthday and he poked himself removing it). At EVERY single character meal we attended, he was given a birthday card signed by all of the characters. This was probably the best perk, because he adored them. While I am sure they are not guaranteed, it would never hurt to mention the birthday if nothing is automatically given. He did get free cupcakes at quite a few restaurants (including breakfasts). We were on the deluxe dining plan anyway, so he never really ate them. A lucky squirrel enjoyed the one at AK that the Donald's Safari breakfast server insisted we take. Side note, never leave food in your stroller.

For my younger son's birthday at Disneyland, he did not receive anything (no cards, no extra desserts, not even a button-which was my decision as the button poked my older DS). We did an in room celebration, which had a light up birthday necklace and birthday ears that were way too big. He wore the necklace and the reservations were noted. We had a birthday lunch for him with 25 guests and ordered a cake, but we paid for it.

I guess my point is add the celebration to the reservation and your odds of getting birthday magic will increase. By the end of the week, my older DS was like "again." He was actually over it believe it or not. My younger DS was too young to notice either way, so we never mentioned anything about his birthday (other than the party lunch which they already knew because of the cake we bought). Have a great time. Birthdays are magical at Disney no matter what, but a little extra magic is never a bad thing!