Celebration Recognition

[jennibug]

Hi Everyone,

We are leaving in about 2 and a half weeks for an 8 night stay at POP. The main reason for our trip is we are celebrating our adoption of our oldest foster daughter.

I am hoping that when we check in that the CM will acknowledge the celebration and say something to her about the adoption. I know it depends on the CM. Has anyone had an experience similar to this?

I'm NOT in any way hoping for an upgrade or special treatment. We are staying in the hotel she chose and are very happy with our choice. I just want someone to say congratulations to her.

 

[kathie859]

Hi Everyone,

We are leaving in about 2 and a half weeks for an 8 night stay at POP. The main reason for our trip is we are celebrating our adoption of our oldest foster daughter.

I am hoping that when we check in that the CM will acknowledge the celebration and say something to her about the adoption. I know it depends on the CM. Has anyone had an experience similar to this?

I'm NOT in any way hoping for an upgrade or special treatment. We are staying in the hotel she chose and are very happy with our choice. I just want someone to say congratulations to her.

In addition to being asked what you are celebrating at check in, if you make an ADR you can note the reason for your celebration. I bet you'll get loads of heartfelt "congratulations".

 

[Nadjalu]

You may or may not get asked, but you can always say that you are there celebrating your occasion. At that point the CM will acknowledge it.
Is it her first time there? If so ask for her a button to wear, even though they won't congratuate her on the adoption, every CM will say hi and welcome. That would be neat for her.

Congrats, I hope you have a wonderful stay!!

 

[ancestry]

I wouldn't get your hopes up just so you or she isn't disappointed. It may happen but then again it may not. Over our past several trips we were celebrating several major life events -- birthdays, anniversarys, college graduation, etc. and no one every said a word despite it being on all of our reservations.

 

[alex9179]

Congratulations! We are also a family that grew from a foster situation and will celebrate our 2 yr adoption anniversary at WDW next year. I think I'm more excited than the kids!

You could make your own adoption button to go along with the first visit button. Also, you may be able to discreetly ask the CM to say something to her. Have a great time!

 

[Liandro]

Hi Everyone,

We are leaving in about 2 and a half weeks for an 8 night stay at POP. The main reason for our trip is we are celebrating our adoption of our oldest foster daughter.

I am hoping that when we check in that the CM will acknowledge the celebration and say something to her about the adoption. I know it depends on the CM. Has anyone had an experience similar to this?

I'm NOT in any way hoping for an upgrade or special treatment. We are staying in the hotel she chose and are very happy with our choice. I just want someone to say congratulations to her.

Excuse me but why should a CM pay special attention to this?
There are millions of people visiting WDW and they all have their own "special" celebration.

All and mean ALL CM read over here and their greatest fear is a question like this.

 

[alex9179]

Excuse me but why should a CM pay special attention to this?
There are millions of people visiting WDW and they all have their own "special" celebration.

All and mean ALL CM read over here and their greatest fear is a question like this.

I think "greatest fear" may be overstating it a bit It's not that big of a deal to say congratulations and have a wonderful stay.

 

[Mrsjvb]

to assume/expect anything is pushing it. by all means make a note but under no circumstances should you expect to be singled out just for this.

yes you will most likely be asked if there is something special going on when making ADRs or booking your package. but to insinuate that you expect or feel entitled to have a CM go out of their way at check in is a bit much.

in other words if you expect the CM checking you in to get all excited and gush over your daughter, prepare to be disappointed. you may have to prompt the CM by stating that you just adopted her first.

 

[kathie859]

Excuse me but why should a CM pay special attention to this?
There are millions of people visiting WDW and they all have their own "special" celebration.

All and mean ALL CM read over here and their greatest fear is a question like this.

Seriously?? Every CM I have spoken to (to book (actually 3 different CM's) for the room and multiple ADR's--maybe another 3-4-- and lastly the CM email from CL) ask what we are celebrating during our visit. It happens we're not celebrating anything--just seeing the decorations--but if this is a CM's greatest fear, I bet they all are having a rough year.

 

[Mrsjvb]

on the phone/online yeah.. I get it all the time.. but in person at check in? she needs to either prompt the CM that the daughter is expecting something over the top, or do not get the kid all excited over what might not happen. that only leads to hurt feelings and possible meltdowns.

 

[alex9179]

Hi Everyone,


I'm NOT in any way hoping for an upgrade or special treatment. We are staying in the hotel she chose and are very happy with our choice. I just want someone to say congratulations to her.

Did you actually read the OP's post? A word of congratulations is hardly asking for a CM to "gush over her daughter" or "expect something over the top". Sheesh, she's not asking for a parade in her honor.

 

[Mrsjvb]

yes I did read and I stand by my comments.. if she wants specific recognition for the child she needs to prompt the CM not assume it will automatically happen. i would hazard a guess that most reservations will have some notation that the family checking is celebrating 'something'

last 2 trips were celebrating an anniversary and a homecoming from deployment.. neither time was it mentioned upon check in. the only unsolicited congrats we got was for the anniversary dinner I made ADR for. the usual plate with the chocolate writing on it that came with dessert.

 

[alex9179]

I also suggested a prompt to the CM, and without implying entitled behavior on the part of the OP.



This board is in a bad humor today.

 

[emmysmommy]

Hi Everyone,

We are leaving in about 2 and a half weeks for an 8 night stay at POP. The main reason for our trip is we are celebrating our adoption of our oldest foster daughter.

I am hoping that when we check in that the CM will acknowledge the celebration and say something to her about the adoption. I know it depends on the CM. Has anyone had an experience similar to this?

I'm NOT in any way hoping for an upgrade or special treatment. We are staying in the hotel she chose and are very happy with our choice. I just want someone to say congratulations to her.

I want to say congratulations to you and your family!

I hope the CM does acknowledge it but if it is noted on your ADRs (if you have any) there may be multiple chances for recognition.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[jennibug]

First off a big thank you to everyone who congratulated us!

Second, I never said I expected anyone to give us special attention or "gush" over my daughter. I asked if anyone who was in our situation had any similar experiences. AND I also stated that I know it depends on the CM. I never said I mentioned this to my daughter and I haven't. We are not novices when it comes to WDW and I've probably been more times than most of you. I know how the game is played.

Third, I am sorry but I do feel an adoption celebration is above a birthday celebration so yes we are excited about it and want it to be special for her. Everyone has a birthday EVERY YEAR but how often does a child get told that this will be your forever home?

With all that being said. I hope everyone has a fantastic trip when they get to go!!

 

[junebugTN]

That was very well-stated, Jennibug. Congratulations to your family regarding this very special occasion.

June

 

[mousefan1972]

I'll share a quick story about our check in at the Beach Club this past August..

Our daughter was turning 8 while we were there, 3 days after our arrival. I had it noted on our reservation. The CM checking us in was an older man who was less than magical. He didn't mention her b-day at all, and I had to ask him for a birthday button for her. He seemed annoyed that he had to turn around, grab one, and write her name on it.

Right next to us, a large family was also checking in. A boy who appeared to be about 12 or 13 was also having a birthday while there. Their CM did, in fact, gush over him, giving him a birthday button and telling him to be sure to wear it every day, not just on his birthday, as to get as much attention as possible from the CMs. They were all laughing and having a great time. Us, not so much.

So it is completely luck of the draw as to whether or not your noted celebration will be acknowledged at check in...

 

[mousefan1972]

Forgot to add, OP, congrats on the adoption. I hope you have a wonderful trip.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

First off a big thank you to everyone who congratulated us!

Second, I never said I expected anyone to give us special attention or "gush" over my daughter. I asked if anyone who was in our situation had any similar experiences. AND I also stated that I know it depends on the CM. I never said I mentioned this to my daughter and I haven't. We are not novices when it comes to WDW and I've probably been more times than most of you. I know how the game is played.

Third, I am sorry but I do feel an adoption celebration is above a birthday celebration so yes we are excited about it and want it to be special for her. Everyone has a birthday EVERY YEAR but how often does a child get told that this will be your forever home?

With all that being said. I hope everyone has a fantastic trip when they get to go!!

Congrats!! It takes a very special person to adopt via Foster Care. If you came into my place of work, I would gush over it and your daughter (despite the rude comments from some). We have celebrated a birthday at WDW on two separate trips and one at DLR and we have been acknowledged on every occasion, so I can only assume that you will come across some very nice CM's that like you and I agree this is a huge deal! Congrats again!

 

[KerriL]

Hi Everyone,

We are leaving in about 2 and a half weeks for an 8 night stay at POP. The main reason for our trip is we are celebrating our adoption of our oldest foster daughter.

I am hoping that when we check in that the CM will acknowledge the celebration and say something to her about the adoption. I know it depends on the CM. Has anyone had an experience similar to this?

I'm NOT in any way hoping for an upgrade or special treatment. We are staying in the hotel she chose and are very happy with our choice. I just want someone to say congratulations to her.

Congratulations jennibug! From one foster mom to another
I bought my daughter an autograph book and on the first page wrote something like "Celebrating Lilly's Adoption at WDW 2006". When the characters(mostly face) would sign the book they would refer to the first page for her name and see the message. They almost always acknowledged the adoption.
Actually, Fairy Godmother at CRT was especially moved and was close to tears..
We hope to be celebrating next summer at WDW with the adoption of our little guy...hoped we could have done it this National Adoption Day which was also his 2nd birthday and celebrate in WDW in 2 weeks..but it was not meant to be...
Have a wonderful time!!