Is it worth "adding a celebration" to an ADR?

[MJ6987]

Hi,
We have made our ADR's for October, but I was thinking whether to "add a celebration" to one or more of these. Our daughter (aged 8) is having to move schools in September to a specialist school that can better meet her social and communication needs (she is being assessed for ASD). I thought it might be nice to "celebrate" this during our trip rather than her see it as a negative thing.

I see that online you can retrieve ADRs and "add a celebration", one of which is "personal triumph" but is it worth it? Will they actually recognise it?

If so, which restaurant would be good to do this? Maybe a character meal (we are booked for CRT, Akershus, Chef Mickeys, Crystal Palace!) or something like Ohana? In something like CRT or Akershus would the Princesses come and say something about it? Any tips? Or just add it to every ADR and hope for the best?

Thanks everone,
Matthew

 

[danyella522]

I think it would be worth it! Someone is bound to recognize it My daughters both received a celebration card with all the princesses' signatures on it at Akershus

 

[jodywgirl]

I would definately do it you also should ask for a button for her to wear. We went last year during my birthday and everyone of the restaurants acknowledged it with a special dessert or singing to me.

 

[scojos]

i just wanted to send a hug, my ds 10 has asd, i know how hard you need to fight to get a diagnosis, and to let you know the first few months can be rocky...
we still have bad days but they get easier, we are adding meal celebrations to 2 meals in wdw, our v and a without the kids, and the "actual" wedding anniversary at Boma...
HTH
tracy

 

[KBoopaloo]

I would definitely add it to the ADR but make sure you mention it when checking in at the restaurant as well. I was really disappointed in November when I had added my roommates 30th birthday to our ADR, the person at the check in desk confirmed it and then our server did NOTHING to acknowledge it at the Whispering Canyon Cafe. We didn't order a cake since we were on the DP and all got dessert, but I thought it would at least be acknowledged in some way.

Fortunately the server at our character breakfast that morning brought a cupcake and sang to her without me even mentioning it to the person at the restaurant check-in. It was a total surprise.

 

[pixarmom]

Funny story about adding a celebration to the ADRs.

For our last trip, we all did GAD, and I thought it would be nice for CMs to acknowledge our boys' volunteer efforts. (Our youngest was not old enough to get a GAD ticket, but he participated in our volunteer activity and got a button!) So I added a celebration to each ADR, alternating among our three boys for the "guest of honor."

Well, for the two ADRs where I listed our youngest, he received a free special dessert (usually a cupcake) and congratulations from our server. For the older two boys, the CMs never mentioned the celebration or asked about the guest of honor. So that's 2 out of 6 where they recognized the celebration.

I was fine with it - I didn't call attention to the "celebration" on the ADR when checking in, and it was just a little "extra" for the trip - not a big issue. But our older boys protested! I had to convince them that I really did list their names on the other ADRs, and not just their little brother's!

So I'd suggest adding the celebration, but reminding the CM about it when you check in!!

P.S. Ohana was one of the restaurants where they recognized our celebration!

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

We went twice in 2009. The first was a mother/son trip to celebrate his birthday. Every TS recognized his birthday with a cupcake, table decoration or a card. Our second trip the whole family went and it was DD's first visit. Even though I had it noted on all our ressie's she was never recognized.

I would go ahead and note it on all your ADRs since it is so easy to do. As PPs have mentioned if it is really important to you that your DDs accomplishment is noted, like at one of your character meals, just remind them when you check in.

I hope your DD really enjoys her trip and transitions well to her new school.

 

[tink1957]

We went to WDW during Free Dining last September for 11 nights and added my daughter's college graduation celebration to all of our ADR's, the only place that acknowledged it was at the Garden View Lounge for tea, which coincidently was the only one that I didn't book online. I would go ahead and add your celebration and remind them when you check in or it may not get celebrated.