DD Turning 16 at Disney--Could I Make Arrangements for Character to Give Gift to Her

[donnajz]

DD will be turning 16 and is going to Disney for her birthday. She loves purses so I'm considering getting her a special purse for her birthday. I thought it would make it even more special if when we went to a character breakfast/dinner, a character would give her a present...she'd be so surprised. Has anyone ever done anything like this and if so, what would I need to do to arrange it?

 

[hvivona]

Oh what a neat idea! I'm sure they will help you out. Disney makes a big deal about birthdays. So, I'd call ahead of time and talk to someone about it. Have fun!

 

[twinspluscade]

Okay, I've never personally asked if they'd do it for not.....so maybe they would. Either way, I would ask and see. However, I've read on Disboards in the past that they won't, for the reason that another child watching might see and think that the characters give out gifts to everyone, and then feel bad they didn't get a gift (or worse yet, have the parents go ballistic ).

But...this is just what I've read here on Dis. I might be totally wrong. Maybe you could call the restaurant reservation line and ask??

 

[beattyfamily]

Okay, I've never personally asked if they'd do it for not.....so maybe they would. Either way, I would ask and see. However, I've read on Disboards in the past that they won't, for the reason that another child watching might see and think that the characters give out gifts to everyone, and then feel bad they didn't get a gift (or worse yet, have the parents go ballistic ).

But...this is just what I've read here on Dis. I might be totally wrong. Maybe you could call the restaurant reservation line and ask??

I have also read this.

The only thing they 'may' do is when they bring out a special dessert/cake you ordered they may have one of the characters 'happen' to be at your table when the cake/dessert comes and sing along or wish the person a happy "fill in the blank".

 

[ElizabethB]

I agree with the above poster. All you can do is ask -- although I have found it exceptionally difficult to ever get a restaurant representative on the phone.

Having said that, I seriously doubt Disney will let the characters do that. Not just for the reason the pp poster stated. But, they don't know what is in the package. If it is something that frightens or disgusts the recipient, Disney doesn't want any part of that transaction.

WDW is extremely careful about what its characters do and don't do. Notice the character wranglers whenever a character appears. WDW has been sued more than once over a character's behavior. They work very hard to protect their characters' images (they are an extremely valuable commodity), as well as the corporate purse.

Again, however, all you can do is ask -- if you can get anyone on the phone. I never could.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

What I would suggest is when you get to the restaurant talk to one of the character handlers. You might get a yes if it will be at the same time the cake is brought out.

However, as another poster said, generally Disney does not want to be seen having characters give something special to a person.

 

[MLC]

We Did This For My Niece's 13th Birthday At Chef Mickey's. Mickey Mouse Handed Her A Ring Box. It Was Truly Magical.

 

[donnajz]

We Did This For My Niece's 13th Birthday At Chef Mickey's. Mickey Mouse Handed Her A Ring Box. It Was Truly Magical.

I'll have to give it some thought. While it would be a very special 16th birthday for DD, I don't want any children upset because they didn't receive a gift.

 

[Promomx2]

We did this along time ago for my daughter on her 5th birthday. But we went to MK and stood in line to see Mickey. I told the CM it was her birthday and had a present in a bag, slipped the bag to the CM and we got to go in and see Mickey by ourselves and he gave her the present. Of course, it was a small Mickey Mouse. She's 21 and still has it.