Brother's Birthday

[SantaRay]

My brother Don was born July 17, 1955, That same day, Disneyland also greeted the world for the first time. He has been planning to be at Disneyland for the 60th celebration for two years. We will be there July 15 - 18. We are DVC members and were able to book rooms for him and his wife, his two daughters, and my wife and myself. This will be the first trip back since '61 or '62 for me and my brother. The others have never been. We've been to WDW several times. What would you consider must see/do shows, rides, attractions? Can we expect the Disney hotels to do anything to help make this birthday extra "magical"?

 

[calilou]

That's awesome! So cool that he will be there on the 17th and how kind of you to make it happen.

As for the hotel - I would call the front desk about a week ahead of time and let them know. Maybe even ask to speak to a guest services manager because in my experiences sometimes the operator you speak to makes the special occasion note on your reservation and sometimes they don't. Just ask if there are any options for making his trip and arrival extra special.

I think it would be fun to dine at Blue Bayou for his birthday dinner. You could do just the regular menu or the special Fantasmic! dining package that includes VIP viewing for the show plus you can stay there to watch the fireworks after (for the early F! show and assuming the entertainment schedule stays the same on the 17th).

I think it would be neat to get a list of all of the original rides that were there on opening day and make sure to ride them all that day. I'm sure they can be easily tracked down.

 

[GoBears 1980]

My brother Don was born July 17, 1955, That same day, Disneyland also greeted the world for the first time. He has been planning to be at Disneyland for the 60th celebration for two years. We will be there July 15 - 18. We are DVC members and were able to book rooms for him and his wife, his two daughters, and my wife and myself. This will be the first trip back since '61 or '62 for me and my brother. The others have never been. We've been to WDW several times. What would you consider must see/do shows, rides, attractions? Can we expect the Disney hotels to do anything to help make this birthday extra "magical"?

I would make an effort to reach out to someone in the Disney organization to see if they are interested in the story. They are always planting stories in newspapers all over the country.

 

[Filipina]

Wow! What are the chances to have the same birthday! That is awesome! Well, you should definitely let the hotel know. Also think you should make reservations at Blue Bayou.... Though not my favorite, I believe you should stay in Disneyland on 7/17... Be prepared for Crowds! I wouldn't be surprised if the park hits capacity that day which means Don't leave once you are in. Must do : Paint the Night Parade, Disneyland Forever Fireworks ( and remember, every location is different so watching it every night is not crazy) World of Color (DCA), Aladdin the musical (Dca), Mickey and the Magical Map, Pirates (longer) Haunted Mansion (Hatbox ghost) Submarines, Alice & Wonderland, Full loop of train, Carsland and Radiator Springs (DCA). And if you can cough up the money, I love the Walk in Walts Footsteps Tour. Also agree to find out if there is anything special for people who have the same birthday.

 

[SantaRay]

That's awesome! So cool that he will be there on the 17th and how kind of you to make it happen.

As for the hotel - I would call the front desk about a week ahead of time and let them know. Maybe even ask to speak to a guest services manager because in my experiences sometimes the operator you speak to makes the special occasion note on your reservation and sometimes they don't. Just ask if there are any options for making his trip and arrival extra special.

I think it would be fun to dine at Blue Bayou for his birthday dinner. You could do just the regular menu or the special Fantasmic! dining package that includes VIP viewing for the show plus you can stay there to watch the fireworks after (for the early F! show and assuming the entertainment schedule stays the same on the 17th).

I think it would be neat to get a list of all of the original rides that were there on opening day and make sure to ride them all that day. I'm sure they can be easily tracked down.

Thanks for the tip about asking for the GS manager. My sister-in-law got us set up for a dinner package for one of the shows, but I don't remember now which one. Love the idea about the list of original rides. Plan to revisit the things I remember, Tom Sawyer's Island, Jungle Cruise, 20,000 Leagues (submarines?), DLRR.

 

[SantaRay]

I would make an effort to reach out to someone in the Disney organization to see if they are interested in the story. They are always planting stories in newspapers all over the country.

I've made a couple of inquiries to guest services telling them of the situation and asking about any special things for folks in similar circumstances. The response from cast members has been wonderful, but from corporate not so much. Nothing planned even though they have had some other inquiries.

 

[SantaRay]

Wow! What are the chances to have the same birthday! That is awesome! Well, you should definitely let the hotel know. Also think you should make reservations at Blue Bayou.... Though not my favorite, I believe you should stay in Disneyland on 7/17... Be prepared for Crowds! I wouldn't be surprised if the park hits capacity that day which means Don't leave once you are in. Must do : Paint the Night Parade, Disneyland Forever Fireworks ( and remember, every location is different so watching it every night is not crazy) World of Color (DCA), Aladdin the musical (Dca), Mickey and the Magical Map, Pirates (longer) Haunted Mansion (Hatbox ghost) Submarines, Alice & Wonderland, Full loop of train, Carsland and Radiator Springs (DCA). And if you can cough up the money, I love the Walk in Walts Footsteps Tour. Also agree to find out if there is anything special for people who have the same birthday.

Thanks for the tips. We do expect the crowds and plan on being in the park all day. I called to get us on the Footsteps tour at 8:40 on June 16 for the July 16 date. There were only 5 spots available and we have 6 in the group. I went ahead and took the 5 spots and explained our situation and expressed my disappointment. The cast member said she would send a request up the line to add 1 to the tour for that special situation. A few days later we got a call back saying they would not be able to add to the group. I called back earlier this week to check on cancellations and was told that because the reservations were non-refundable, they never got cancellations. The cast member said the best thing to do would be to get to City Hall early that day and ask about adding 1 then. I'm hoping that we all can do the tour, otherwise I'm the one who will be left out.

 

[Filipina]

Thanks for the tips. We do expect the crowds and plan on being in the park all day. I called to get us on the Footsteps tour at 8:40 on June 16 for the July 16 date. There were only 5 spots available and we have 6 in the group. I went ahead and took the 5 spots and explained our situation and expressed my disappointment. The cast member said she would send a request up the line to add 1 to the tour for that special situation. A few days later we got a call back saying they would not be able to add to the group. I called back earlier this week to check on cancellations and was told that because the reservations were non-refundable, they never got cancellations. The cast member said the best thing to do would be to get to City Hall early that day and ask about adding 1 then. I'm hoping that we all can do the tour, otherwise I'm the one who will be left out.

I think try when you get there. Believe it or not, that happened to me to. Tour was full and there were two of us. They had only one spot. When I got there, they were able to accommodate my +1... Not saying that that will always happen but go there AS SOON AS THE PARK OPENS. Talk to the person at the Tour check in and cross your fingers. Sometimes when it comes to the phone, they can't override the count, but once you are there live.... Actually, since you will be there the 15th, I say go there first thing in the 15th and tell them your situation. Like I said, this happened to me exactly.

 

[calilou]

I agree - go to the Guided Tours kiosk at the front of the park first thing in the morning on your first day. I have not experienced this reservation situation with tours but other reserved experiences and the CMs always go out of their way to accommodate in person. The CMs on the phone don't have this same ability to make things happen for guests.