Make Daughters Birthday Magical

[TheRustyScupper]

Any tips on how to make our daughters Birthday special?

BIRTHDAY-ANNIVERSARY-HONEYMOON-GRADUATION-ETC Celebrations "411":
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" or "Just Married" 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 any 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 decorating 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 every one of them.
.
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. Of course, there are those guests for whom I would do absolutely nothing involving personal initiative.
.
NOTE2: If you are celebrating something, tell the SEATER (the podium person) when you check-in at the eatery. They will note it on the table-slip that is presented to the SERVER. The SERVER than can determine if they want to do something.

 

[mommycrawford]

Did you book Bibbity Bobbity Boutique?...Get her dolled up, and any place you go is a princess meal!

How old is she? OHANA is a great place to be celebrated.

Crystal Palace in MK is sweet: Winnie The Pooh characters. 1900 Park Faire has Cinderella and Prince Charming at dinner, and the Grand Floridian feels very grand...you could take photos in the lobby of your princess.

I will also say, don't just look online, but call the dining line!...I was just at WDW and looking for a reservation after 8 PM at Trattoria Al Forno, but could see none, so I called, and there were several to be had! For some reason they just weren't loaded. (This was a same day reservation too!)

 

[hollyrose1313]

Are you open to other meals? I know I wanted dinner at CRT for DS's bday but it was all booked. Ended up snagging a breakfast ADR instead.

 

[MermaidMommy]

Try touringplans.com's Reservations Finder. It's free, and it really works. It continually searches for whatever ADR you're looking for, and will text you when one becomes available. You do have to have a touringplans.com account, but you can sign up for one for free -- you don't have to subscribe.

https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/reservation-finder

Also, not at MK, but 1900 Park Fare is a fun dinner, with Cinderella, Prince Charming, and the evil stepmother/stepsisters. It's at Grand Floridian, so very easy to get to from MK. Cinderella and crew are only there at dinner, not breakfast.