Celebrating Birthdays

[angelofjoy23]

We are going to Disney this December for our big Birthday celebration. My husband's birthday will be the day before we get there and my son's 5th birthday will be a couple weeks later. Will they do anything special for them or do we have to actually be there on their Birthdays? I would love for them to make a big deal out of their Birthdays. And how does that work? Do you just tell them you're there celebrating birthdays? Thanks for the advice!

 

[lesabrowning]

When you make your ADRs, you have the opportunity to list birthdays. You can also get birthday buttons for them at Guest Services. We have celebrated several birthdays at WDW and it is a lot of fun!!

It does not have to be the actual birthday to celebrate at WDW : )

 

[jc040404]

I wouldn't go to WDW expecting anyone to make a big deal of birthdays. You'll be amazed at how many guests are wearing those buttons. When we've done Disney birthdays each year, the CMs seem to assume it's not your actual birthday and ask when the real date is. It wouldn't be unusual to celebrate before or after the real date.

Have it noted on your ADRs and you might get lucky with a free cupcake and some confetti. Sci-Fi put lit candles in my sons' ice creams last week. If it's on your room reservation, you'll probably get a card with Mickey's picture one day. The only thing you can really count on is hearing "Happy Birthday!" from lots of people while you're there.

If the trip is truly to celebrate their birthdays, you'll need to go the extra mile yourself for it to be a big deal. There are loads of options available to you from in room celebrations from Disney florist and special cake ordering. There's a great thread about cakes here. Have fun planning!

 

[BoardWalkBelle]

actually, disney doesnt do much for individual birthdays..you can get a birthday button from any of the parks or hotels...and at the restaurants they might give a cupcake but they dont have time to sing happy birthday to everyone(can u imagaine). the cast memebers do say happy birthday if they see a birthday button but dont go exxpecting alot of personal attention..

 

[Amber1111]

They don't do a whole lot to celebrate birthdays. As the pp said, everyone seems to be wearing a Happy Birthday pin. My daughter wore one for about 3 days through the parks and while a lot of people said happy birthday to her (including a "happy birthday" song by the Dapper Dans), we didn't get any free dessert or anything. One CM did give her a Mickey rice krispy treat, but I don't think she even noticed the Happy Birthday pin.

 

[lesabrowning]

I guess everyone has their own idea of what to expect. I think Disney makes it easy to celebrate. We have done several birthdays at WDW and have always been treated better than I would have expected. Not every restaurant does a special desert, but I think overall about 75% of the TS restaurants we visited have made a fuss. I guess it is all about what you are looking for. We really don't expect much and are always pleasantly surprised when CMs go out of their way for us. It is nice to have CMs and guests wish you a happy birthday. It is nice when the characters make a little extra fuss when they see the pin. A special cupcake? Very nice. When people say Disney doesn't do much for birthdays I just don't get it.
My experience has been different, or maybe I just have a different idea of what makes a birthday special at Disney : )

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We are going for DD4s 5th bday in August as well as a belated bday celebration for me- since mine is just a few days before. We had the bday info added to all of our ADRs, but they've also added the bday info to our resort reservation. I'm still not expecting much more than a few happy birthdays and buttons...and maybe a cupcake if we're lucky. We are probably just going to order a fancy cake for DD4 (obviously, that's going to cost) - in addition to having her wear a fun bday outfit and ears -just to ensure she gets some bday recognition.

 

[angelofjoy23]

Thank you so much for all the responses!! I will go in expecting nothing and be happy if they get some sort of recognition

 

[kari B.]

Thank you so much for all the responses!! I will go in expecting nothing and be happy if they get some sort of recognition

I have noticed from experience that you seem to get "more" for celebrating the birthday if you are there on your actual birthday instead of the week of or just a trip celebrating the birthday. If I were you... Any reservations you make at a restaurant... since it is only one days difference... I would officially make that day the actual birthday You still may get nothing, but from experience, at least in the restaurants, there is a better chance.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

We have made many Bday trips (my husband and I have the same Bday) and it seems that the 50s Cafe (DHS) ALWAYS does a little something (cupcakes, card and song) for you which usually includes the entire room where you are dining. Fun! Don't know if you plan to dine there.
Also, when we ate at Cindy's Castle they gave us cupcakes + the normal dessert that came with the meal. Sweet overload.
Be sure and wear you Bday buttons so they will know.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

For birthdays, anniversies, and other celebrations,
no restaurant is that much better than another restaurant.

1) Acknowledgment is a matter of the CM's personal initiative.
2) It also depends upon how much they like you as a guest.
3) CM's can do a lot, or they can do nothing at all.
. . . they are under no obligation to give goodies or even acknowledge, or
. . . they can go way overboard and give lots of gifts to a guest
4) The CM's have a lot of leeway of things to do or not do for you.
5) Have your anniversary-birthday-celebration noted on the ressie and ADR's.
6) Some of the things a CM can do for free are
. . . decorate table with Mickey confetti
. . . best table location
. . . special personalized menu
. . . character-autographed birthday cards
. . . balloons
. . . wine or champagne or Shirley Temples
. . . appetizers or desserts
. . . cakes
. . . cupcake with candle (almost always available for the asking)
. . . placemats autographed by characters
7) If there are multiple celebrations for people during a trip
. . . do not do separate celebrations
. . . one person may get an enthusiastic CM, and get lots of goodies
. . . one person may get a lazy CM and get nothing

 

[BoardWalkBelle]

about 7 yrs ago(wow) i was at the MK for my birthday. I was wearing a birthday button.. I had luch at Tony's. I checked in at the podium and the CM at the posium said i would be seated in a few moments that my table was being readied. a few minutes passed and i was escoreted to my table. when i arrived at the table to find confetti and streamers all over it! then afte i finished my meal, my server presented me with an ice cream sundae(free) and made everyone in the restaurant sing happy birthday to me..i ususally go to the MK every year on my birthday and this is the only time any CMs have done anything like this...I think they went above and beyond for me that yr at Tonys and i really appreciated it.