Linking birthday and personal triumph?

[augusta1]

I called disney and they were linking my dd's birthday to our dining reservations. She asked me if our other dd had any big moments this year. I mentioned she had just started kindergarten in July, she told me that was a personal triumph that she would link as well as other dd's birthday. She was so nice! What do they do for a birthday and personal triumph? A cupcake maybe? Just curious... Thank you!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . What do they do for a birthday and personal triumph? A cupcake maybe? Just curious... Thank you!

. . . Maybe.
. . . It all epends upon the CM's on that say.

*************************************************************

BIRTHDAY-ANNIVERSARY-HONEYMOON-GRADUATION-ETC Celebrations by Cast Members:
1) It is a matter of the CM's personal initiative.
. . . depends upon how much they like you as a guest
. . . it always helps to wear a Happy Birthday button
. . . depends if they feel like doing anything special today
. . . depends upon the phase of the moon
2) CM's can do a lot, or they can do nothing at all as they have immense control
. . . they are under no obligation to give goodies or even acknowledge special day
. . . they can go way overboard, give lots of gifts
. . . they have A LOT of leeway for what they will or will not do for you
. . . they can see the event if listed on the ADR or hotel ressie and you hope for the best
3) Some of the things a CM can do for free are
. . . table with Mickey confetti
. . . your name/celebration on menu at TS locations (except BOG)
. . . best table location
. . . special personalized menu
. . . character-autographed birthday cards
. . . balloons
. . . balloon animals
. . . wine or champagne or Shirley Temples
. . . room towel animals
. . . appetizers or desserts
. . . cakes
. . . cupcake with candle (almost always available for the asking)
. . . place mats autographed by characters
. . . free appy or free dessert
. . . ride an attraction with a character
. . . personalization items for the Magic Bands
5) Some other items CM's can give for free
. . . room full of balloons and/or flowers
. . . fruit basket or wine basket in hotel room
. . . individual fast passes or booklets of several fast passes
. . . food and snack items (candy, popcorn, sundries)
. . . room upgrades
. . . attraction rides with characters
6) If you really want something special, buy it yourself.
. . . eatery: carry presents in and keep/hide them in a paper bag
. . . eatery: carry a cake in, but, WDW won't prepare, store, or serve it
. . . eatery: order non-decorated cake at the eatery podium check-in
. . . eatery: order decorated cake from the WDW Cake Hotline
. . . room: order special in-room celebration decorarting by Disney
. . . room: order strawberries and cream, if resort has room service
. . . room: decorate the room yourself
7) If there are multiple celebrations for people during a trip
. . . do not do separate celebration locations or tables
. . . one person may get an enthusiastic CM and get goodies
. . . one person may get a lazy CM and get nothing
8) Hundreds, or thousands, celebrate everyday at WDW.
9) It is too much time/money for CM's to attend or recognize all.


NOTE: I have personally given out freebies such as major room
upgrades, fruit baskets, wine & cheese baskets, fast passes. It
all depends upon how you act toward us and the mood we are in at
that time.

 

[disprincess2213]

Hi! I am wondering- I know cm stands for cast member- but where? The cast member on the phone? The person who seats you? The waiter? Thanks!!!!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Hi! I am wondering- I know cm stands for cast member- but where? The cast member on the phone? The person who seats you? The waiter? Thanks!!!!

Any employee who contacts guests (in-person or via mail or via phone) is an "official" Cast Member.
. . . some say ALL employees, but most of us doubt that *
. . . we are "on-stage" as players in a role
. . . that is why we wear costumes (NOT uniforms!)
. . . this is Walt's method of interaction
. . . in fact, as one exits and employee-area, the door sign says "on-stage"

* We don't consider "suits" as CM's. We certainly do not believe Ogre (I mean
Iger) is one of us.

 

[disprincess2213]

Any employee who contacts guests (in-person or via mail or via phone) is an "official" Cast Member. . . . some say ALL employees, but most of us doubt that * . . . we are "on-stage" as players in a role . . . that is why we wear costumes (NOT uniforms!) . . . this is Walt's method of interaction . . . in fact, as one exits and employee-area, the door sign says "on-stage" * We don't consider "suits" as CM's. We certainly do not believe Ogre (I mean Iger) is one of us.

I'm sorry I'm so confused! No one has ever contacted me for anything... Should they? I would love to note a very special birthday ... Who do I talk to?

 

[TDC Nala]

Rusty means that any employee of Disney who has direct contact with guests as part of their job is considered a cast member. It's a Disney thing, they market it as a "show" and all their employees are the "cast."

If you want to add a celebration to a restaurant reservation then you must call WDW-DINE and ask the cast member on the phone to do that.

As for what you will get if you do, Rusty has explained that it varies and it is up to the cast members working at the restaurant as to whether they will give you anything for free or just offer congratulations. It may actually be best not to expect anything.

 

[ttintagel]

Wearing a celebration button means you will get LOTS of well-wishes from Cast Members and some from other guests. Here are some of the pixie-dust things that have happened to members of my group while wearing a Birthday button and noting a birthday on dining reservation:

• Free confetti in hair for both the birthday girl and I at the Harmony Barbershop
• Bus driver leading the entire bus in a chorus of “Happy Birthday to You” (happened more than once!)
• CM opening the gate to Camp Minnie-Mickey let us go in first, and had the other people waiting sing “Happy Birthday to You”
• Getting a souvenir menu signed by all the restaurant staff at the Rose and Crown
• Streamers on the table, a candle in the dessert, and all the waitstaff singing a birthday song (not “Happy Birthday to You”) at Liberty Tree Tavern
• Special “Hear ye, hear ye” announcement made by the Town Crier in Liberty Square
• Free Mickey pretzel at a food cart in Hollywood Studios