Character meals and birthdays - what was your experience?

[starshine514]

So, we were at WDW for my younger DD's 3rd birthday. I noted it on the reservation at Cinderella's castle for lunch and they had a card for her and a special little princess cupcake. Earlier this month, we did Minnie's for breakfast for DD's 7th birthday (once again, I mentioned it when making the reservation). The CM who checked us in wished her a happy birthday...that was it, nothing else special, not even a card (luckily, I had made her a special birthday autograph book - and she didn't notice until later, when she cried about it).

So, was my Minnie's experience typical for what Disneyland does for a birthday at a character meal (nothing)? Or, did we just slip through the cracks?

I'm asking because my younger DD wants to spend her 5th birthday at Disneyland and wants to eat at Ariel's. I'm wondering if I would have to make a lunch reservation (my girls would like the breakfast food better than the lunch food) in order for her to get some special treatment, or if only WDW treats them special and it doesn't matter which reservation I make.

Thanks!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I think it's it or miss at both WDW or DL. I'd get your DD a birthday card for the princesses to sign. We did this for DS and all characters we encountered throughout the park signed his card instead of another autograph book. Make sure she has a birthday button and hope for the best.

 

[larina]

Yes, it does seem hit or miss. At Goofy's kitchen my son got a cupcake. At Mickey's Surf's Up my daughter got a mini castle cake thingy (it was awesome looking!). Both were in May (their b.days are April and May). At Goofy's, I saw a table with 2 birthdays get the castle cake we got at Mickey's.