Birthdays at Paradise Pier Hotel

[richardgolino]

We're going to DL in June and staying at the Paradise Pier Hotel. My daughter's birthday is just a couple weeks after our vacation. I was wondering if the hotel does anything special for birthday's. I thought I read somewhere that they may do a basket and b-day pin.

If so, how do we let them know. We booked our trip through Costco. So not sure if we call ahead to tell the hotel, wait until checkin, or what.

Any info would e appreciated.

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

We're going to DL in June and staying at the Paradise Pier Hotel. My daughter's birthday is just a couple weeks after our vacation. I was wondering if the hotel does anything special for birthday's. I thought I read somewhere that they may do a basket and b-day pin.

If so, how do we let them know. We booked our trip through Costco. So not sure if we call ahead to tell the hotel, wait until checkin, or what.

Any info would e appreciated.

Good question. I'd like to know, too!

 

[Sherry E]

Some of what the PPH (or any of the DLR hotels) does or doesn't do depends on which CM checks you in. I think the basket may be something that Vacation Planning can arrange for you if you contact them (and that would likely be an extra charge to your hotel bill). They can make sure the basket is waiting in the room for you.

Now if you don't want to buy anything extra that you order from Vacation Planning (they can also arrange for cakes, I think), then when you make your PPH reservation, let the CM on the phone know that someone in your party is celebrating a birthday. (Or if you made your reservation online, then be sure to call them directly and have them make note of the birthday on your reservation.) They will note it in their system so that when you check in, they know to acknowledge it (or not).

That's where it depends on which CM you get at check-in and if they are feeling generous that day. Some of them will try to do little things, like they may give you the standard DLR birthday button, or they may give you a special pin or a voucher for a pin, or they may give you a black and white 8x10 photo of whomever the favorite character is. We checked in at GCH and they gave us birthday buttons and a voucher for a free pin. We checked in at PPH and they gave us the 8x10 B&W pictures of the characters we liked, complete with the characters' "autographs" (which were hastily scribbled by the PPH CM's in a back room somewhere!!). Other times, they did absolutely nothing. So it's better to let them know in advance just in case, but it is not guaranteed that they will do anything - especially if you get a CM who is in a bad mood!

The cool thing about wearing the birthday buttons around the parks is that all kinds of people - both Cast Members and visitors alike - will say Happy Birthday to you. You could be in a dark ride, ready to board your vehicle (like we were about to get on the POTC boat), and the CM loading you will say Happy Birthday. You could be sitting in a chair, with the button practically hidden, and someone will come up and sing to you. The CM's are sort of trained to look for the buttons and acknowledge as many people wearing them as they can. Also, sometimes in restaurants, if the server is feeling nice that day, they may give you (or the birthday person) a little free thing, like a free sundae, a free knick knack, pin, etc. We had that happen on a couple of trips - we got free sundaes and free pins. Make sure that the birthday button is always in view!

 

[richardgolino]

Sherry . . .thanks for the info, it helps out A LOT!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry . . .thanks for the info, it helps out A LOT!!!

You're very welcome! I hope it all works out and that the PPH will do something nice - just let them know in Reservations beforehand so they can note it in their system, or contact Vacation Planning if you want any 'extras,' and also make sure you know in advance what the favorite character is of the birthday person, as they may ask you that on the phone or when you check in (so they know which 8x10 B&W photo to pull out and "autograph" in the back room!!). Good luck!!