Birthdays

[ram101]

I have read mixed reviews about what Disney does for childrens birthdays. I know about the pins you get at the parks but have heard of gifts, cards and other items being left at the rooms.
It will be our 1st trip and my daughters 8th b-day.. I would like to make it extra special since it is her 1st trip. When I made reservations they told me Disney does not do anything for childrens b-days.
Can anyone help with ideas? If your child had a birthday how did they make out and what did you have to do or pay for it.
Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[shelli132]

We celebrated our DD's 10th birthday at Disney last year and it was magical. She was treated like a princess the entire trip and I thought to myself, how in the world will I ever top this? Just a few examples, the staff at the Wilderness lodge sent balloons and a card our first night there and on her actual birthday left her a chocolate cake in our room complete w/candles. When I made our ADR's a very nice CM made a note that we were celebrating her birthday and she received a birthday cupcake after every meal. Make sure you get the birthday pins at the park. Most CM's go out of their way to wish you a happy birthday. A CM at AK had the entire line waiting for Kilamanjaro Safari sing Happy Birthday to her. Same thing when we ate at WCC at the WL. She was also chosen to "open" LTT in MK and received a Magical Moments certificate. If you ride on the monorail be sure to ask if you can ride up front. It was a fun experience!

Those are just our experiences, we didn't pay for a thing. Just be sure to mention her birthday to the staff at your hotel and when you make ADR's. Hope your DD has a wonderful birthday!

 

[robinb]

As shelli132 said, the CMs (and some guests like me) will wish you DD a Happy Birthday when she has her pin on. My DD has celebrated 3 birthdays at WDW and we have never received any gifts, but we have received cupcakes, cards and a birthday place mat from 1900 Park Faire.

If you want your DD's birthday extra-special, you're going to have to do it yourself. I would recommend a reservation at one of the princess meals (1900 Park Faire, Cinderella's Castle or the Princess Meal in Epcot at Norway) for a start.

Here is a picture from my DD's 7th birthday at 1900 Park Faire:

We ordered the cake in advance (check here for more info:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1173219) and we were very lucky that Cinderella came to celebrate with us. Don't count on Disney doing something for you. YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary). It's best to be surprised than disappointed.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We celebrated DS's 4th birthday with breakfast at the Crystal Palace. They gave him the birthday pin and sang to him and brought him a FREE birthday cupcake with a candle in it. He even got some pixiedust - Mickeyhead confetti!
I did mention his birthday at check-in but the resort didn't do a thing.

 

[simba baby]

When it was my 10th birthday, (I'm 12 now), my mom and dad suprised me with a scavenger hunt around the Magic Kingdom. I know now that they used "Gifts of a Lifetime". You tell them what your kid likes or is interested in, like I love cats, and they hide the things around the park and you get little clues along the way. I had a lot of fun and it was my best birthday ever! I also read about a suprise you can book where stuffed animals "fall from the sky". And your little one would be so suprised. It's really cool! I'll remember that birthday forever!