Birthdays at Disney?

[wteare]

My daughter's birthday falls while we're at Disney - do the resorts automatically do something or would we need to request (and pay) for something to ensure they make her feel special?

Thanks! Wendy

 

[MouseMan]

My daughter's birthday falls while we're at Disney - do the resorts automatically do something or would we need to request (and pay) for something to ensure they make her feel special?

Thanks! Wendy

Wendy, a CM may do something if they know it's her birthday, but keep in mind they don't have a normal thing for birthdays. Otherwise it would be everyone's birthday when they go. This is one of those ~~HOT~~ subject on this board that I have read about.

 

[Leota]

Like Mouseman said, a CM may or may not do something if they are aware of it. If you want to be sure of a little Pixie Dust, make arrangements (pay) ahead of time.

 

[CindyBella]

We were just at AKL last week to celebrate DD fourth birthday. At check-in I asked the CM if they could help me by delivering gifts to the room so we could pretend they were left from Cinderella. They were more than happy to help and asked who her favorite princess was. On our first night, I went to Downtown Disney and went nuts. I dropped of the items at the front desk and the next morning, they took care of everything. When we arrived back from the parks, "Cinderella" had left gifts and even a signed photograph with a personalized birthday card! It was amazing.

 

[rcraw45425]

We just came back last night from the GF where we celebrated DD Amy's 8th birthday. Sue Ellen with DU had had them note the birthday during the reservation and I had spoken with room assignments about a possible MK view for her. Upon arrival the guest services CM, Roberta, handed her the phone and Goofy wished her a happy birthday. She remarked that we had been upgraded to Boca Chica, lagoon view, then asked if the two girls would share a sleeper sofa. That room was a king bed/queen sleeper with a view of MK/Space Mountain/train station/ Cinderella's Castle from the balcony. Great upgrade. Then, on her actual birthday "day" we came back to the room to find signed personalized photos of Cindy for each girl along with a gorgeous chocolate bar from the GF hotel. Thrilled both the girls. That night at dinner at 1900 Park Faire, the waiter had tiaras for both girls and Prince Charming presented Amy with her Happy Birthday cupcake! It truly was special. When making your PS' be sure to have them note that it's your child's birthday. Out of all of our PS meals the only ones that didn't recognize it were Nine Dragons, Rose & Crown and Sci Fi. The CM doing my PS's made a note on every one, her idea, not mine, meaning that we celebrated her birthday all weekend long

 

[bavaria]

There are a lot of good experiences like the one above, but please don't *expect* it or you may be disappointed.

Case in point - last Sep we went for a week with a party of 10. I was at POR, the rest at GF. My bday as well as my little 4 yo friend's bday.

While making the res, the CM asked why I was going, told him I always go to WDW for my bday. He made note of the date (he asked me for it, and made a pretty big deal about it on the phone). A few days before my actual birthday, my friend gave me a gift, in a gift bag which said 'happy birthday'. I removed the gift, but left the bag in my room. On return to my room I found a card signed by lots of characters, wishing me happy birthday. I think that it was initiated by the room attendant, who would have seen the bag, since it was not yet my birthday (that fell on a hurricane, but that's another story!)

We went to O'Hana for my birthday dinner (day after hurricane) and my friends had ordered me a cake. It was delivered with nothing else (ie no singing, etc, not that I expected/wanted anything else)

The next day was 4 yo birthday. We went to CG (ok my friend booked this backwards, but so what!) Here we ordered her a birthday cupcake, and the servers were very nice, but again nothing 'special'. Nor did she get anything in her room, etc.

I'm in no way disappointed - I just want to point out that it's very hit and miss, so don't expect something. Be surprised if it does happen. I suggest planning something special yourself to ensure no disappointment.

As others have said in other threads, a LOT of people have special occassions at Disney - weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. The magic for me comes in the element of surprise....

 

[rcraw45425]

Bavaria, I agree. WHen I booked our trip for last October I mentioned to the CR CM that our arrival day was in fact DH's birthday, we were coming down for the Halloween party and it just happened to coincide. He made a huge production of it, favorite character, kids favorite character, etc. Said something special would be waiting in the room. Well, I had to call them back several times because of codes, etc. Each time the CM mentioned that it was DH's birthday. You guessed it,nothing in the room, or even a mention at check in, upset the girls, they wanted daddy to have some Mickey magic. Ohana's had the cupcake thing for him but we had had so many problems with our Poly checki n that day that DH actually wound up having to leave the table to return to the room due to nausea. The sweet waitress packed up the cupcake and our pineapple and caramel sauce for us to take to the room. That's what made these things for Amy's birthday so special to me. She is my younger daughter and was truly thrilled to have all this happen for her, compliments of WDW. WHen we return in June for our older daughter's special day I may find myself scrambling if the same things don't occur.

 

[nygrl]

we were also at the cr last oct for my ds birthday.. on his birthday we came back to the room to find balloons a cake and a pic of goofy signed for him.. we were staying 12th floor tower club so im sure that helped.. ds was thrilled

 

[T1130]

On our trip last year it just so happened it was my dd 3rd birthday. We went to Ltt that night. I told our waitress that it was dd birhday. They had all the characters come over to the table when they sang happy birthday. And they gave my daughter a birthday card sighned by all the characters that are at that character meal. That made my dd day. She still walks around with that card.

 

[kendzee94]

If you have any character dinners scheduled for that day, let them know about the birthday when you make your PS and when you check in. We got a special cookie and a birthday card signed by all the cm's that worked at the restaurant. Also don't forget to ask guest services (EPCOT, AK, and MGM) or guest services at City Hall (on left when you enter the park) at MK for a bithday pin. When we went to the parks, a lot of CM's noticed and wished DD a Happy Birthday. Stitch even wrote Happy Birthday when he signed the autograph book. We did the Princess Storybook breakfast and were the first to sign in and she also was able to be the "honorary princess" What a truly magical day.

 

[rcraw45425]

The guard checking bags at the back gate to EPCOT noticed AMy's Congratulations! button from MK, told her to show it to the people at the turnstile. THey presented her with an EPCOT birthday button that says happy birthday in all the languages. At 1900 Park Faire she was given a laminatd placemat signed by all the characters there for dinner and the birthday tiara.

 

[bavaria]

I once got off the Great Movie Ride, and a CM stopped me and gave me a birthday card signed by all the CM's working that morning. Too bad it wasn't my birthday!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Last year we were at MGM for my birthday. I picked up a button at Guest Relations. I got birthday greetings all day, but the best was at 50's Prime Time. I got a HUGE cupcake with a candle, everyone in our dining area sang Happy Birthday, and I got a card signed by everyone in our area. It was the best birthday ever, and I was 47 years old.

 

[Lisa345]

Not sure about WDW, but at DL in CA you can go to the town hall on Main Street and get a special button. It is not a 'guarantee', but usually you will get special things. For example, for my DD's b-day when we went to one of the carts for popcorn and they gave her an extra treat. She also got to ride on Matterhorn twice in a row. It just depends on the CM. I would assume that WDW is the same.