Does it pay to note a special occassion on your reservation?

[Snork]

My wife and I go during our wedding anniversary, and each year we let them know when calling our our prefrences. At CSR we got a certificate for free champagne at thier bar, we got to keep the glasses. At POR, we got a certificate signed by Mickey and Minnie (my wifes favorite).

I would say it really pays off. Also, get the buttons at the park guest services area. We got all sorts of free stuff last year at EPCOT. Free wine at dinner, a certificate from some guy at the American Pavillion, and alot of cast memebers congradulated us. It was nice for my wife.

 

[Mom2JoeyandBen]

Yes, however it still depends on the CM you get at check-in. There have been times where we mentioned things when we made the reservation, but then the CM never said a word about it. Other times they have, and we got cards somtimes, or balloons for our kids when it was there b-day.

 

[newholidayx2]

ya know Im mentioning my 50th "every where I go" (Off Kilter song) but Im making my own 50th bday celebration too! Decorating my BCV room and
Food & Wine pairing, cheese tasting
Segway tour, Dolphin encounter
joining another family for a Wishes birthday cruise
ARs at Rose & Crown, Norway princess, GF (for slipper dessert), LeCellier, Marakesh, 50s Prime Time
looking into having a cake & champagne delivered to a set of Off Kilter! now how cool is that? thats the reason Im going to WDW for my 50th - to listen/dance with Off Kilter!
Yes Im mentioning it everywhere but Im only relying on myself to make it a 50th birthday bash I will always remember (thats if I remember it all! lol)

 

[PudgetteD]

My wife and I go during our wedding anniversary, and each year we let them know when calling our our prefrences. At CSR we got a certificate for free champagne at thier bar, we got to keep the glasses. At POR, we got a certificate signed by Mickey and Minnie (my wifes favorite).

I would say it really pays off. Also, get the buttons at the park guest services area. We got all sorts of free stuff last year at EPCOT. Free wine at dinner, a certificate from some guy at the American Pavillion, and alot of cast memebers congradulated us. It was nice for my wife.

Glad to know they do that for anniversaries too. DH and I will be leaving in less than 20 hours for our 5th anniversary trip I'll definately let them know @ check-in. (We'd already planned to get the park button)

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

We celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary this week but we are unable to be in Disney till next month when our boys are on holiday from school, but the holiday is about our anniversary, it is our celebration so I feel justified in asking for the badges, and as its our first ever visit I'm going to get 1st time visitor badges too for the boys to wear.

 

[jrogalny]

I wouldn't mention it when making reservations or calling Disney directly. I did that for our honeymoon and we had nothing special done for us. Not that I was looking for anything but it would have made that little special touch!

Years ago we had dinner at Primetime for my birthday. Mentioned it when checking in at our reservation time and they brought out a dessert and the waiter sung. it was pretty hilarious. Definitely a good time

 

[goofy4tink]

We've been to WDW several times for birthday celebrations, and yes, on the actual day no less. I have always had it noted when we booked, as well as when booking ADRs. So....first time was back in '99, my dd turned 6 on that trip. She did get a nice birthday card signed by Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace and they did bring her a birthday cupcake with a candle. That was it for that trip.
Last Oct we celebrated dd's 13th birthday, and her friend went along since she celebrated her 13th the day after we got home from WDW...so moms and birthday girls had a birthday trip. I did mention it when booking at BWV, and at several dining spots when booking ADRs...I think I mentioned it at Crystal Palace and HDDR bookings since those were the spots we were eating on her actual birthday. Oh yeah, also Chef Mickeys for our first meal since we wanted to start the trip off with a bang. CM's brought each girl an autographed birthday placemat, and birthday cupcake. At Crystal Palace, for breakfast, again a cupcake. At HDDR, they sang Happy Birthday to dd...that was her most favorite thing the whole trip...to be singled out by another redhead and have the song sung to her..especially since we were right up at center stage, front row.
The girls did get some happy birthday wishes from CMs and guests alike. But nothing special, like FPs or rides with characters. I did make my own plans though...ordered an absolutely beautiful cake from GF bakery. We had it brought out at the GF Cafe. The whole place sang to dd...she was mortified. David, our server, was a huge amount of fun...he really added to the whole thing.
So...long story short...sure, mention any special occasions when you book. But if you have your heart set on something special happening, I would plan it yourself. Disney just doesn't have the time or manpower to make all our birthday, anniversary wishes come true. In order to do that, they would have to hire a ton of CMs to just take care of proper acknowledgment of guest birthdays. Now, there's a job I would love!!!

 

[redkelley]

We arrive at POR on 9/22 and we are celebrating both of our daughter's birthdays.

DD#2 actually turned 8 on 9/9 and when I mentioned that to Disney Travel when we book last June, the rep said "well we will note that on the reservation." She then asked me when DD#1's birthday was (it was in April.) She then said, "Why not make it a joint birthday trip? Then no one will get their feelings hurt!" Since this was Disney making the suggestion, I don't feel guilty in the least. There is no way we could afford two separate birthday trips, so doing one big one works for us!

Joi