Just back from Birthday Trip!

[ter-moo]

I went for my 50th birthday with two friends on April 7-8. Tuesday was VERY crowded at DL--not so bad at DCA. Wednesday seemed a bit less crowded. Wait times around the park were all under an hour. We used FastPass and didn't wait for anything except the Matterhorn, and that was maybe 20-25 minutes at most.

Here's the run-down on the birthday stuff:

I had a pass already, so I opted not to use the free entry option. The three choices I was offered were:

1. A free one-day/one-park ticket to use within one year.
2. A $69 Disney gift card to use within one year (no food or drink).
3. Fastpasses for everyone in my party good for 3 rides each. There were two lists (Donald and Daisy--as have been previously mentioned). We would have had 6 Fastpasses with these, but decided that we didn't really need them, since I'm pretty savvy at collecting them myself.

I opted for the gift card. I will use it on our family trip in August.

The weather was awesome--no rain as threatened and big fluffy white clouds that would periodically cool it off. The evenings were breezy, but not enough to cancel the fireworks.

We were able to do pretty much EVERYTHING in the two days we had (Tuesday we arrived at DCA around 10 and Wednesday we arrived at DL at 7:30 for opening. We had to leave for our flight by 7:30, but we left around 5 to go to Jazz Kitchen to eat.)

They really do a GREAT job of wishing you a Happy Birthday (both castmembers and other tourists), and it was fun to meet other people young and old who shared my birthday!

Our SW flight home (9:15 flight from SNA to Oakland) only had about 15-20 people on it, so that was really nice too!

Any questions? I'm happy to answer them!

 

[teatime]

Sounds like you had a great time

 

[disney_love<3]

Sounds like lots of fun!

I was there thursday around 2pm and it was very busy.

 

[ter-moo]

It was weird on Tuesday night. IT had been SO crowded all day. When it came to be about half and hour before the fireworks, we decided to stake out a spot. There were TONS of great spots right in front of the circle with Walt's statue that's in front of the castle. I have NEVER had such a great spot for the fireworks, EVER! There was tons of room.

 

[ter-moo]

Sounds like lots of fun!

I was there thursday around 2pm and it was very busy.

I think Wednesday was sort of an "in between" day between two long weekends, so it was less crowded, maybe??? Also, they had been predicting rain, so I'm wondering if a lot of people just decided not to go to the parks that day (like locals). It was crowded, but not as bad as Tuesday.

I would say the crowds were similar to summertime ones.

 

[ter-moo]

Fireworks view (can you spot Tinkerbell???)

My personal birthday card...

Mickey floral display--in his birthday hat--in front of the train station:

 

[WDWfantasy]

I opted for the gift card. I will use it on our family trip in August.

I thought you had to use the gift card on your actual birthday???? I thought that it was not valid after that day??

 

[Stacerita]

Sounds like you had a fun trip. Thanks for the pics.

 

[ter-moo]

I thought you had to use the gift card on your actual birthday???? I thought that it was not valid after that day??

At the ticket booth, they told me I could use it whenever--it doesn't have to be on your birthday.

 

[WDWfantasy]

At the ticket booth, they told me I could use it whenever--it doesn't have to be on your birthday.

That's good to know. We are taking our daughter for 3 days on her 17th birthday. We check in on her birthday so I was thinking she would have to get her card and spend it all that day. She'll be glad to know she can "shop" around over the 3 day trip. Sounds like you had a great time

 

[ter-moo]

That's good to know. We are taking our daughter for 3 days on her 17th birthday. We check in on her birthday so I was thinking she would have to get her card and spend it all that day. She'll be glad to know she can "shop" around over the 3 day trip. Sounds like you had a great time

I would re-confirm this when you get the card, just to make sure they tell you the same thing they told me. You know how things can change/be different with different C.M.s!!!!!

 

[bonofreak]

Fireworks view (can you spot Tinkerbell???)

My personal birthday card...

Mickey floral display--in his birthday hat--in front of the train station:

Thanks for the pictures, they were very cute and the birthday report! Was your birthday on April 7th? That's my birthday too! Sounds like you had a great one!

 

[Queenbillabong]

I thought you had to use the gift card on your actual birthday???? I thought that it was not valid after that day??

No, you have to pick it up on your birthday, but it does not expire (CA law). I was there for my birthday in March for a week and used the card throughout the week

At the ticket booth, they told me I could use it whenever--it doesn't have to be on your birthday.

That's right - just has to be picked up on your birthday

 

[ter-moo]

Thanks for the pictures, they were very cute and the birthday report! Was your birthday on April 7th? That's my birthday too! Sounds like you had a great one!

No, my birthday was April 8. We had SO much fun! (Happy Birthday, by the way!)

 

[Disney Dreams]

I thought you had to use the gift card on your actual birthday???? I thought that it was not valid after that day??

At the ticket booth, they told me I could use it whenever--it doesn't have to be on your birthday.

That's good to know. ...

I would re-confirm this when you get the card, just to make sure they tell you the same thing they told me. You know how things can change/be different with different C.M.s!!!!!

When they first started this promo, the Fun Card had to be used on your birthday. A couple of days in, that was changed as they realized it was illegal in the state of CA to have it expire. The birthday Fun Card does NOT have to be used on your birthday. It DOES have to be picked up on your birthday.