Birthdays at WDW?

[winkytink]

We are planning what will likely be our first and only trip to WDW for October 2017 (I know, I know). While things at the parks change often I was curious about one thing: is it true that if you book a standard room and upon your arrival it is your birthday, you receive a complimentary room upgrade? DD will be 9 on the day of our projected arrival date (DS will have just turned 8 a few days prior to arrival) and we are planning to stay at the Polynesian. It isn't a necessity but I was curious as to whether this was true. We may do a Poly/AKL split stay depending on price and itinerary once the time finally comes.

 

[Prose]

Sorry, not true. DD can get a Birthday button, and that will help her get the occasional free cupcake at restaurants and many hearty Happy Birthday greetings from CMs. She also might get a birthday call from Mickey at your resort room. Anything more would be unexpected random pixie dust for sure.

 

[winkytink]

Thanks for the info Prose. Like I said, it would be cool to get an upgrade, but not something I'm counting on. I heard about the birthday button - hoping that when we arrive she will have enough time left in the day to experience some of that extra magic, but if not, just being in WDW will be enough I'm sure.

 

[ptlohmysoul]

Thanks for the info Prose. Like I said, it would be cool to get an upgrade, but not something I'm counting on. I heard about the birthday button - hoping that when we arrive she will have enough time left in the day to experience some of that extra magic, but if not, just being in WDW will be enough I'm sure.

She can wear it the whole time you are at Disney. The CM's will continue to wish her Happy Birthday, but prob. nothing else on her non-actual birthday.

 

[winkytink]

Oh wow, I didn't realize that! What about DS? His birthday is seriously four days before DD's. (they are less than a year apart) This trip will be both their presents. I would hate for DD to get more attention for what is meant to be both of their birthday gift (although it will be DD's golden birthday that year...) I don't know, I'm a mess and confused. So confused I'm all over the place and forgetting to properly punctuate. Lol

I guess I'm wondering if there is a way the both of them could get buttons in celebration of their birthdays, even though DS will turn 8 before we arrive. Not to get free anything (free is awesome but I'm not looking for handouts), just in the name of less fighting amongst siblings.

 

[ptlohmysoul]

Oh wow, I didn't realize that! What about DS? His birthday is seriously four days before DD's. (they are less than a year apart) This trip will be both their presents. I would hate for DD to get more attention for what is meant to be both of their birthday gift (although it will be DD's golden birthday that year...) I don't know, I'm a mess and confused. So confused I'm all over the place and forgetting to properly punctuate. Lol

I guess I'm wondering if there is a way the both of them could get buttons in celebration of their birthdays, even though DS will turn 8 before we arrive. Not to get free anything (free is awesome but I'm not looking for handouts), just in the name of less fighting amongst siblings.

As long as you are honest about it not being the actual birthday, I'm sure Disney has no problems with every CM wishing both children a Happy Birthday all vacation long. Just ask at the customer service at the parks or at the concierge desk at your hotel. A birthday call from Mickey would probably only be on the actual birthday, so I wouldn't expect that if you are checking in on that day.

 

[winkytink]

Awesome! Thanks for the tips.

 

[aVASTGrl]

As long as you are honest about it not being the actual birthday, I'm sure Disney has no problems with every CM wishing both children a Happy Birthday all vacation long. Just ask at the customer service at the parks or at the concierge desk at your hotel. A birthday call from Mickey would probably only be on the actual birthday, so I wouldn't expect that if you are checking in on that day.

This is not actually true. Even if your actual birthday is outside the dates of your trip, as long as you officially add the celebration to your reservation, you get all of the birthday "perks". I celebrated last year even though my actual birthday was 2 days before I arrived. When I checked in they had my birthday button all ready to go, and when I got to my room, I had a birthday message from Mickey waiting for me Also got lots of free treats at all of the restaurants I ate at, and pulled to the front of lines several times while wearing my button

They don't put the date of your birthday on the pin, so there is no way for the CM's outside of check-in to know when your real birthday is, anyways! People travel to WDW whenever they can to celebrate all kinds of events. You don't actually have to be there on the exact day. Hope that helps! Have fun planning!

 

[wiigirl]

Awesome tips!

 

[purpledisneyprncess]

My son turned 7 while on our trip and he rarely got any "Happy Birthdays". I think because we went during Easter/Spring Break time, it was mobbed and the CM's weren't really in their element, they seemed full of anxiety from the crowd levels and just not what we're used to in terms of customer service. We understood though.

So like others have said, wear the Happy Birthday button and you will probably get happy bdays but other perks like a room upgrade, a cupcake, etc are at the discretion of that particular CM.

 

[GoldieLocks5]

We were there for my son's 5th birthday last spring break - he wore his button all week even though his birthday was the first day we were in the parks.... every meal he got sung to and a cupcake (by the end of the week he was kind of tired of it, lol). And also at character meals he got a card signed by each character- at each of the 4 character meals we did.

it was spring break and really busy - but he still got a lot of attention... Woody pointed out his button from the parade and waved to him - and the fairy god mother pointed to him and yelled happy birthday from the parade, too (both were on his actual birthday - it was SOOO magical for him!)

 

[PrincessSamanthaC]

Both your son and daughter can wear their pins as long as they want for the trip. because its not only a birthday but also a celebration. like for example last june i graduated, but our trip wasn't until august. i still got a pin for celebrating my graduation and got to wear it the whole time even though I didn't graduate that day.

 

[winkytink]

Wow! Thanks everyone. Reading your experiences has me all excited! I want to go NOW! Lol!

 

[expeditioneverestgrl]

It was my 12th bday two years ago and I got a bday button and got character signings bday cards, cupcakes, and got extra fast passes to space mountain! this was in June and honestly, being my bday for a week, it was fun but tiring! Lol

 

[revdisney33]

Last year we were chatting about birthdays with a CM. we have been during my DD17 and DW but not my other DD8. He said the rule is simple. As long as your birthday is within 6 months before you are there or 6 months after, you should celebrate. Also when you make dinner reservations they ask if you are celebrating anything special while there. I told them my DD who's birthday was in April. They said they would make sure it was on every reservation. I don't ask for it to be on all reservations.....Disney is about Magic.....and magic can be having your birthday at Disney when it's impossible to be there on the actual day.

 

[Vivilove]

Last year we were chatting about birthdays with a CM. we have been during my DD17 and DW but not my other DD8. He said the rule is simple. As long as your birthday is within 6 months before you are there or 6 months after, you should celebrate. Also when you make dinner reservations they ask if you are celebrating anything special while there. I told them my DD who's birthday was in April. They said they would make sure it was on every reservation. I don't ask for it to be on all reservations.....Disney is about Magic.....and magic can be having your birthday at Disney when it's impossible to be there on the actual day.

That is good to know! We are going 3 months before my DD's birthday and we will be celebrating the whole trip! I can't wait to surprise my DD