Disney Magic?

[RichP1269]

Planning a trip (a surprise for my wife) for our 20th anniversary in September. I plan on booking through Costco and staying at the Grand Californian. What are the chances of Disney spreading a little magic if I inform them that this is a surprise trip for our 20th?

Not expecting anything at all, just curious if it is something they do.

 

[princesshalo22]

A lot of cast members' whole reason for working at Disney is to help create magic. I would say chances are high, especially if it is a surprise trip. You can call the hotel before and tell them, they might have some things they will offer to you (anniversary packages for the room etc.). If you call the CM should make a note in your reservation so you should be greeted with a "happy 20th anniversary" and anniversary buttons when you arrive. If they don't mention it when you check in, tell them, the CM may have not put the note in your file. I say wear your anniversary buttons around and watch what happens Congrats! 20 years is quite an accomplishment! Hope your trip is great!

 

[Angrose]

I don't know your chances for getting any magic spread your way, but when we stayed at DLH over Thanksgiving weekend I called in advance to request a high floor with fireworks view and we got it! We only paid for a standard room so we were very happy!

By the way, if your anniversary falls on or around Sep 18th, that is Dapper Day weekend and you can get GCH for around $249 a night! www.dapperday.com

 

[RichP1269]

I don't know your chances for getting any magic spread your way, but when we stayed at DLH over Thanksgiving weekend I called in advance to request a high floor with fireworks view and we got it! We only paid for a standard room so we were very happy!

By the way, if your anniversary falls on or around Sep 18th, that is Dapper Day weekend and you can get GCH for around $249 a night! www.dapperday.com

As it happens, it's the 23rd.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

Something small but still magic. The CM who makes your reservation will ask if you are celebrating anything, then they make a note of it on your reservation. I have seen it were kids get a birthday button, a signed picture, and balloons for their birthday; so they may have something similar to this for anniversaries, I know for sure that they have anniversary buttons). And as a previous posted mentioned, ask if they have any complementary upgrades. It never hurts to ask and it just might happen.

Congrats on 20 years!
Kriss

 

[gottalovepluto]

Well, I hate to be the Debbie downer here but... magic is always a "might" just keep that in the back of your mind. You could always assure you have your own surprise for her by booking a nice meal at Napa Rose at GCH or the Steakhouse at DLH. Members of my party were once celebrating an anniversary and told GCH at the time of booking, they received pins and a cute picture of Minnie & Mickey wishing a happy anniversary. Have a most wonderful time!!

 

[ter-moo]

Every time we've been to DL or WDW for an anniversary and informed the front desk, we've gotten an anniversary card with chocolate covered strawberries or a chocolate Mickey Mouse in our room at some point. It's worth a try!!!

 

[krispin41]

During my recent trip, I stayed at the DLH, and when I called ahead to request a king-sized room, I mentioned that I was celebrating being cancer free!

When I checked in, I had a very pleasant chat with the CM at the front desk, my room was upgraded to a pool view and I got a "Happily Ever After" button and autographed picture of Mickey!

I wasn't expecting these things, I really just wanted a king sized bed, LOL. But they were a nice surprise.

That night I was shopping at World of Disney, and the CM helping me noticed my button, and we started talking, I told her my story, we had a good cry, and she also brought me an autographed picture of the Fab Five!

And on my last day in the park, I was playing with the Droids you can build in the shop by Star Tours, the CM noticed my button, more crying and she just asked me, "Can I give you a hug?" So sweet and she gave me a GREAT hug!!

But, I also want to point you in the direction of the links in my signature, particularly the In Room Celebration link. I ordered this for our first Anniversary and it was AWESOME. I would do it again, the details were sooo amazing!! I'm not gonna lie, it was expensive, but the look on my husband's face were priceless!

Here's the link for Disney Floral & Gifts: http://disneyland.disneyfloralandgifts.com/home.do

 

[Mysteryincorp]

There is always a chance for magic at Disneyland! Wear your buttons and don't hesitate to tell CM when making reservations or really anytime an opportunity arises. My daughter told everyone it was her birthday (she's 5) and we got some minor magic throughout the day
And I second the in room celebrations, while they are expensive , they are really amazing!

 

[Brancaneve]

We stayed at the Grand for our tenth anniversary. I excitedly mentioned it when making our reservation. After our dinner at Napa Rose we came back to the room to find champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and rose petals on the bed. It was a nice surprise !

 

[RichP1269]

Thanks for the responses. I may have to look into the in room celebration.

 

[2tinkerbell]

A little off topic, but, I noticed this is a surprise trip and you are booking through Costco. With Costco Travel, the travel packet is send a couple of weeks ahead and signature is required as it contains your park tickets. However, go ahead and book it, get your confirmation # and then call. You can request that your package be held at the hotel desk and not sent to you. That is the time you can inform them that you are celebrating an anniversary. At least this is how I did it when I booked a surprise birthday trip for my DD through Costco.

As far as magic, my DD was given a birthday button at check-in along with a picture signed by Goofy. There were other magical things that happened as well. When you make your ADR, be sure to call or have noted that you are celebrating your anniversary. That is what I like about the magic at DLR, you never know what, when or where.

Congratulations on 20 years!

 

[BoomerThePirate]

i would suggest something from disney floral. my gf has loved everything i got her from there.

disney magic is so prevalent in the hotels. as long as people know.

For my GF's birthday (halloween time) we stayed at DLH and i decorated the room with spider webs and what not. The house keeping people made a towel ghost and hung it from the standing floor light in the corner of the room to go with the theme. it was very cool.

 

[frank430316]

We celebrated our 40th anniversary at DLH. I had arranged for a room celebration and they did a great job! Very cute stuffed Mickey & Minnie in wedding outfits, candies, strawberries, etc. Can't say the hotel cm's did anything "magical" but they were simply great. We spent nearly 1/2 hour checking in, because the cm at the desk wanted to make sure we had a great time, so she told us which restaurants for gluten-free, her favorite spot to see the fireworks, and many other tips. Then as my wife left to find the gift shop, the cm pulled me aside and said that the celebration was all set up in the room, so it was quite a surprise for my wife. We also had quite a bit of pixie dust scattered over our time there - special dessert at the Blue Bayou, special viewing spot for World of Color, and others. None were expected but all very appreciated. Not only did I report all the wonderful things back to Disney, but I also wrote a personal letter to the manager of the DLH to complement her staff.

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

The disney staff are more than happy to make your trip super special! You might not get room upgrades if the hotel is all booked, but you might get anniversary buttons, autographed photos of disney characters, etc. Small gestures, but they do add a little more magic to your trip. If they don't mention your anniversary at check in, remind them about it, and chances are, you will get a little pixie dust spread your way! I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[RichP1269]

Received an email from Disney Destinations yesterday about discounted rates for the Grand Californian. The offer expires one week before the planned trip (a week before our anniversary). Called to see if Disney would honor the rate even though it expires 9/17. The best they would do is book the trip now and tell me to keep checking back to see if any new offers would apply. I'm disappointed they said no, but I had to ask. I mean, $300 is $300.

Oh well.

 

[RichP1269]

Disney did spread some magic!!!

After I called Monday to ask if they would extend a special discount rate an extra week so we could take advantage of it for our trip in September and they said no, I thought the issue was over and done.

Just got a call from their Special Activities department. After asking why I needed those particular dates and I explained that it was to celebrate our 20th anniversary, the lady once again apologized and said they can't extend the dates of the offer. She then said that since it is a special day for us and we are sharing it with Disney, she has a special offer for us only available through her department. She gave me a Premium View room, which normally goes for $500+ a night, for only $189 a night! Talk about spreading some magic for us!