Making special requests Disney Dining

[mickeyforpresident]

Are you no longer able to add celebrations etc? When you make an online booking for a disney restaurant? I was hoping to let them know of DS9 birthday?! Have I missed something?

 

[wilma-bride]

You need to phone to have it added. You have never been able to add it online, only things like special dietary requirements.

 

[chmurf]

You have never been able to add it online, only things like special dietary requirements.

It used to be possible to add them.
I remember being able to add celebrations in 2011/2012 on the very old website before they moved to MyDisneyExperience

To be fair, there was an issue with UK guests not being able to display that site due to URL redirections, so that may explain why some of us were able to do it online while others only had access to the dietary needs.

ETA : here's what it used to look like. Too bad it's gone now

source : DFB

 

[wilma-bride]

It used to be possible to add them.
I remember being able to add celebrations in 2011/2012 on the very old website before they moved to MyDisneyExperience

To be fair, there was an issue with UK guests not being able to display that site due to URL redirections, so that may explain why some of us were able to do it online while others only had access to the dietary needs.

ETA : here's what it used to look like. Too bad it's gone now

source : DFB

You used to be able to add a celebration to a Disney reservation but not specifically to a dining reservation. We have done this on several occasions but it does not necessarily link it to your dining reservations anyway, in fact I was told by a CM it is always best to add to the dining reservation rather than rely on the celebration added to your room/package reservation.

 

[BudgieMama]

We added our anniversary to our overall booking, and some of the restaurants mentioned it/congratulated us on arrival (without seeing badges).

For example, when we arrived at Crystal Palace, we were taken to a table with Mickey Head Confetti all over it, and were congratulated on our anniversary (the surrounding guests didn't have any)... we also got a cupcake (at breakfast!) there, and we got some free Grey Stuff at Be Our Guest because it was our anniversary too. We hadn't told them, other than noting it on our general booking... but other restaurants didn't say anything, so that was a bit hit and miss (but made the surprises where it happened nicer!)

 

[DLPDreams]

When I rang to book my first ADRs today the CM asked if it was our first visit and later in the conversation she asked if we were celebrating anything special. I told her it's my Mum's and my special birthday trip and she said she was going to make a note of it in all the bookings. But asked which booking in particular we would like noted that it is our birthday celebration? I wasn't aware they did this? I've asked for Ohana (dinner) for both of us - figured it's less embarrassing if anything is for both of us, but wondering if I made the right choice. Neither of our birthdays fall when we are actually there, as we have to go in school holidays due to the children, so I feel a bit of a cheater. But the holiday is specifically to celebrate our special birthdays!

 

[Elise79]

In the past we have picked one meal to celebrate something if it's not while we are actually there. I know Disney don't mind as such I just think it feels a bit odd celebrating a birthday for an extended period.

DH had his birthday meal at YS last year exactly one week before his birthday (we were going to be home by then due to school).

Even when I was there for my actual Birthday we still only celebrated on the day - only wore my Birthday button on the actual day too. It was quite funny when CMs asked me when my birthday was and I replied today as the looks on their faces were those of shock - I don't think they get many there on their actual birthdays!

This year however I have had our 15th wedding anniversary noted on our hotel booking, meal bookings and tour booking as we are there for the actual day. I know we won't in most likely hood be in Disney again for our anniversary for a while so decided to make the most of it especially as its a semi-special one (August flights are just too expensive when I can go 3 weeks earlier and pay regular prices)

 

[chmurf]

I know Disney don't mind as such I just think it feels a bit odd celebrating a birthday for an extended period.

No one ages at Disneyworld


As far as we're concerned, when we're at WDW, we join the March Hare and the Mad Hatter and celebrate our unbirthdays each and every day we're there.

 

[DLPDreams]

In the past we have picked one meal to celebrate something if it's not while we are actually there. I know Disney don't mind as such I just think it feels a bit odd celebrating a birthday for an extended period.

DH had his birthday meal at YS last year exactly one week before his birthday (we were going to be home by then due to school).

Even when I was there for my actual Birthday we still only celebrated on the day - only wore my Birthday button on the actual day too. It was quite funny when CMs asked me when my birthday was and I replied today as the looks on their faces were those of shock - I don't think they get many there on their actual birthdays!

This year however I have had our 15th wedding anniversary noted on our hotel booking, meal bookings and tour booking as we are there for the actual day. I know we won't in most likely hood be in Disney again for our anniversary for a while so decided to make the most of it especially as its a semi-special one (August flights are just too expensive when I can go 3 weeks earlier and pay regular prices)

We won't take the children out of school for holidays so we have no choice but to celebrate when we can go in school holiday time as our birthdays are well into term time. I wouldn't normally bother but as it's a special birthday for my Mum (most importantly) and myself this year, I'm paying a lot for the holiday - and it is the main reason we are even going, then why not! I won't wear my badge every day but do plan on celebrating it .

 

[disneyholic family]

You used to be able to add a celebration to a Disney reservation but not specifically to a dining reservation. We have done this on several occasions but it does not necessarily link it to your dining reservations anyway, in fact I was told by a CM it is always best to add to the dining reservation rather than rely on the celebration added to your room/package reservation.

you used to be able to add it to every ADR made online.
I did just that in 2013. Every single dining reservation i made i added a birthday/anniversary to it on that trip.
But when i booked the ADRs in 2014, i wasn't able to add it to the ADRs at all.

 

[mickeyforpresident]

So, can you add special celebrations onto the whole booking through DME, or do you need to phone ( I hate phoning!)

 

[Elise79]

So, can you add special celebrations onto the whole booking through DME, or do you need to phone ( I hate phoning!)

You'll have to phone - there is no where to add celebrations online at all anymore!

 

[DLPDreams]

So, can you add special celebrations onto the whole booking through DME, or do you need to phone ( I hate phoning!)

Yep as Elise says, you will have to phone. But, as I said in an earlier message I was a bit stumped as the nice CM said she was adding it to all my ADRs but then asked which one we would like to celebrate our birthday at? I didn't like to ask what she meant .

And unfortunately for us UKers it seems you have to ring for all ADRs (and anything to do with them!) at the moment which is infuriating as you have to repeat everything every time you call!

 

[Elise79]

And unfortunately for us UKers it seems you have to ring for all ADRs (and anything to do with them!) at the moment which is infuriating as you have to repeat everything every time you call!

You don't have to call - you only have to call if you want to use the +10 perk.

Booking online is still available if you wait till 180 days

 

[DLPDreams]

You don't have to call - you only have to call if you want to use the +10 perk.

Booking online is still available if you wait till 180 days

I couldn't book my first ADR at 180 days on the laptop (not app). I logged on at 11 am before ringing to book them and tried to book only my first day - it just said 'call' . I could get times etc, but it wouldn't let me book.

But in the instance I was talking about above, I meant at 180+10 and then thereafter, sorry if I didn't make that clear.

 

[Elise79]

I couldn't book my first ADR at 180 days on the laptop (not app). I logged on at 11 am before ringing to book them and tried to book only my first day - it just said 'call' . I could get times etc, but it wouldn't let me book.

But in the instance I was talking about above, I meant at 180+10 and then thereafter, sorry if I didn't make that clear.

I could book my 180 day out i.e. My check in day - only had trouble when I went to do later ones.

 

[DLPDreams]

Yes - I think it is glitchy. The ADRs I booked on Monday (180+10) all showed up within minutes of my booking - very impressive. But the one I've booked today is still not on there! MDE seems a brilliant system but clearly has some issues at times!