Do the DVC resorts do anything special for birthdays?

[JonHM]

Hello!

My wife has been undergoing chemotherapy for the past year, which has been extremely hard on all of us, but especially our 3yo DS. We're taking a big, WOO-HOO trip in November, including a short cruise and a bunch of days at VWL, but given the trauma of the last year, we've decided to take a brief (2 and a half day) DVC trip in mid-June. As it turns out, it's going to be right around DS's birthday - he's turning 4yo. We've been to WDW a lot, but NEVER around any of our birthdays.
I guess I'm asking for advice - what can we do (or what can we ask Disney to do) to make his birthday as special as we possibly can? Any and all suggestions are welcome.
We're probably going to be in VWL, but are waitlisted for BCV also - so either specific comments about those or general recommendations are very welcome!

Thanks!!!

Jon

 

[lightningcoach]

I would see about reserving a character breakfast or dinner and have the restaurant order a special cake. If you plan ahead they can arrange it.

Just spending quality time away and with eachother will be a big thing. My other advice is not to try to pack so much into a short trip. Go at a relaxing easy pace, because sometimes just the frantic pace of being at a theme park can stress out a child.

Much pixie dust your way and have a wonderful time.

 

[spiceycat]

I am glad your wife is better!!!

if you order something through the WDW florist (okay not for a little boy) or gifts of a lifetime - or better yet call the resort - I know that WL has a chef and I think BC has one too -

to do your child's cake - I think they need either 24 hours or 48 hours - just call the phone number for the resort in the DVC member guide - and ask about the cakes - I think there are several for you to choose from. However each resort has different cakes - I think - so you need to be sure which resort you are staying at before you do this.

Also tell MS what the occasion is - also tell the front desk when you check in - sometimes they will do stuff for little children that they wouldn't consider for adults - just depends upon the CM that you get when you check in....

good luck!!!

 

[jomik1]

4 years ago we did Disney when my older DS turned 7. We did a PS at Chef Mickey for dinner and we ordered a birthday cake for him. Mickey came over to help us sing and blow out the candles. He had a ball.

We did my younger DS birthday this past March (he turned 9) on the Disney Magic. Again we ordered a cake and the servers made a big production out of it.

Both times it was special.

 

[The Great Baboo]

My daughter's b-day is early September and for the past 3 years we've celebrated at Disney .... at the theme parks if you go to customer service -- they will give you a special button to wear that says something like today is my birthday ...this way as you walk through the parks the CM's can do special things (like give you more stickers!!! )... Also, last year we celebrated at Chef Mickeys which was wonderful ...we ordered a special cake in advance.... Mickey & the gang came over and sang happy birthday, gave my daughter a special balloon signed by all the characters and then also gave her a special laminated place mat signed by all the characters ....I think if you ask, Disney and DVC will try to accomdate you in anyway they can..... Good luck to you and your family and enjoy your trip.....

 

[Paula H]

We celebrated my DD's 4th b.day and VWL last year. I told the front desk when we checked in, and on the afternoon of her b. day a CM left in our villa a balloon bouquet with a signed card from Minnie. It was the highlight of DD's b.day!

 

[Pa@okw95]

Whatever you decide if you want to make sure something happens you have to arrange for it. Do not expect WDW to do anything free. I am telling you this to save you from being disappointed. Call ahead of time any ask what to do and make arrangements like others have suggested.

 

[Regina]

I ordered a gift basket as a surprise for our DD when we went to VWL to celebrate her graduation last year: WDW Florist

It was waiting in the room when we opened the door. They did a great job.

 

[crbalb]

We celebrated our DD 4yo birthday at OKW in December. They sent balloons each day and autographed pictures of Cinderella and Mickey to our room. At check-in, the CM said Happy Birthday and called her by name. He had a balloon waiting for her. We had made a note on each of our priority seatings about her B-day. Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey, and CRT all did very special things for her. Our DD did not like wearing the MK B-day button, she got embarrassed by all of the attention. We did order a delicious cake from the Boardwalk Bakery ($25) and we still had
a lot left over when we departed. It was very big.

So, yes we did make some arrangements on our own, but DVC and Disney CMs did go out of their way to make our DD b-day special. Our biggest advice is to tell everyone.

 

[DisneyMim]

As others have said I would make my own plans. We've been going for years and have never had any "surprises", so I've learned to make my own. When I read about your wife I had to share this, my husband too is a cancer patient. We went down in March and I had mentioned it. I thought for sure Disney would do something (maybe) or at least give us the room we wanted (non-smoking) which was absolutely necessary for my husband. I had to remind them at check-in of what we wanted. I was nice, but very firmly told them what we needed. The moral of this story is, don't expect anything. Make your own magic.

Have Fun and God Bless your wife and your family. I know first hand what you are going through. Hope this vacation is everything you need!!!

 

[JonHM]

Wow, what a lot of great replies! I will start planning now and make sure we have things prepared and that we tell everyone. We were going to do VWL, but we've never been to Beach Club (even though we own there), and it just came through on the wait list. So I'll be sure that they know about it. Thanks again! Any other comments/recommendations would be fantastic too!