No Birthday Attention?

[ladysoleil]

I think it varies. We were at California Grill for our anniversary in March and they treated us very well, but I'd suspect that they probably treat everyone in there rather well- the service was extremely gracious. We were wished a happy anniversary by various servers and given a rather nice table with a good view of Wishes. The dessert we ordered came out with a chocolate "card" on it that said Happy Anniversary.

We weren't expecting anything other than a nice meal that we were happy to pay for, so everything else was a pleasant surprise.

 

[DisneyMim]

It really varies. We've celebrated my son's birthday from the time he was 3 (he's now 16). Some years nothing. Other years some CMS have said "Happy Birthday". One time, and only one time, they let him (and my daughter) have a second ride on SM. We've always let him pick a restaurant for his birthday (he is a little expert on Disney restaurants) and tell them at the time of reservation that it is his birthday. We've always received a cake and sometimes a card. All that being said, I always tell people that if you really really want something, you have to pay for it. When we've wanted a "real" birthday cake, we've ordered one from Disney. I think some people set themselves up for disspointment. It's good to hope for something, but don't expect. These boards are wonderful, but sometimes people read something about someone else's vacation and think they will get the same thing. You might and you might not. I hate to see a child be dissapointed. I have to tell you last year, when my son turned 16 he got the most attention!! So it doesn't matter what age you are, just the right timing I guess.


Have Fun!!!

 

[bunnyfoo]

I wore my birthday pin and only got two Happy Birthdays at Epcot ... I didn't really notice though because we were busy doing our own thing. I got a personalized menu at Citricos that said Happy Birthday on it but that was only because my DBF phoned and had them make a note of it on the PS. Other than that, nothing special from the CMs ... I just figured they made a bigger deal about birthdays for the kids

 

[DisneyCP2002]

Where I work, we try and recognize every birthday that comes through the resturant. Sometimes that is hard depending on the time of day. We do our best though I know our bussers are notorious for getting the resturant to sing Happy Birthday

 

[Epcot82Guy]

It really is a matter of having the pin being noticed and hitting CMs at the right time. I actually have two tips that may help that.

First, treat the B-Day pin as the big gift. That way, he is guaranteed to get what he is expecting. Then, anything extra is a bonus.

Second, you might consider buying a lanyard and getting him three or four pins of his choice. Pin the B-Day pin on the lanyard. Then have him trade with any members around. That way, they have a larger chance of seeing the pin and at least wishing him a happy b-day.

If he is not a big pin guy, buy him a set of ears with his name (or another hat if he doesn't like that) as a B-Day gift. Then pin the BDay pin front and center on the hat. That gets it higher, and, especially on the Ears, the light colored pin sets off from the black background.

Just a couple ideas. I also agree with the making magic on your own. Let him decide what to do, so his BDay is great Any CM treatment is then icing on the cake (no pun intended).

 

[LisaS]

I took DD over to Epcot for her birthday a couple of months ago. We picked up a birthday pin from Guest Services, but didn't really expect anything. Because we didn't go expecting anything, the occassional "Happy Birthday" from guest and CMs were very special.

IMHO people set themselves up for disappointment expecting people to acknowlege it.

When we went to dinner at Le Cellier, we never said a word to anyone about it being DD's birthday. The CM must have noticed the pin, because at the end of dinner, she brought DD a desert with "Happy Birthday" in chocolate around the edge of the plate. She also gave her a birthday card signed by the other CMs at the restaurant.

We never mentioned her birthday to anyone other than having her wear the pin and she was acknowledged. Maybe it puts people off when it is put right in their face. Just a thought.

I think you're on to something here. I've spent my last three birthdays in the World. I usually don't say anything to anybody -- I do wear a birthday button and if anything happens, it's a nice surprise. And I have had many nice surprises, such as Mickey confetti and free desserts, birthday greetings from CMs and other park visitors, and having "Happy Birthday" sung to me by a CM while we waited in line for a ride.

One trip was for a major birthday. We had booked a room at AKL so DH contacted AKL (via a fax to the room assigner, back when it was still OK to do that) and mentioned it was a special birthday, etc., etc. Well... nothing happened. At check-in, the CM didn't mention anything, the room we were assigned was nothing special, no birthday card signed by Mickey, nothing. The only special treatment I received at AKL was at Jiko where we hadn't made a big deal about the fact that it was my birthday and... surprise! they brought a free creme brulee to the table and a card filled with birthday greetings in various African languages from the CMs at Jiko! It was wonderful!

So, I'm with Feralpeg on this. I think the CMs really enjoy surprising people and you can't really surprise someone who has already made it clear they are kind of expecting special treatment. I also agree with other posters who have said that when you aren't expecting anything special, it's all the more magic if and when something special happens.

And to the original poster who asked if they just aren't doing anything for birthdays anymore, I celebrated my bd there just over 3 weeks ago and was wished a happy birthday by several CMs and offered free bd desserts at both lunch and dinner that day.

 

[bicker]

It seems to me that a visit to WDW is more of a rare event for many children than having a birthday, so I feel that actually visiting WDW should receive recognition from CMs moreso than birthdays. Of course, everyone there is visiting WDW, so the CMs do their best to make everyone's visit special. It surely is nice, as much as other considerations allow, for the CMs to go a bit further for as many guests as possible, whether it be because of a birthday, anniversary, first visit, 100th visit, etc., whatever context is applicable.

 

[InnerStrength]

The day after we arrive for our Disney vacation this year will be DH's 38th Bday, and I am looking for a good place to have a nice/fun dinner with him and the children, DD7 and DS4. It will be mid-December and as it will be our first full day at WDW, we will most likely spend a good part of the day at MG. I did chose to go with the MYW w/dining package, so any good sit down place will be fine. So far we have been to O'Hana, Chef Mickey's (kind of goofy but the kids loved it), some fancy place at CSR (I forgot the name- Maya Grill maybe?), Cape May Cafe, Sci-Fi. Prime Time, Rain Forest, Planet H. ~ mostly kid friendly places except the one at CSR. The "nice place" does not have to be at MG, but it would be nice if I am able to make PS and have the ressie noted that it is DH's BD. Just the look on his face (of extreme embarrasment) if the CM's break out in a HB song for him will worth it!

Thanks in advance...


Lori

 

[N.Y.PhoneMan]

I have to agree with the point that was made regarding kids needing to realize that going to Disney should be the birthday magic and not extra's that might happen while there.

That being said my daughter went for her 3rd birthday and got birthday wishes all day from many people both CM's and other guests. She received an ice cream cookie sandwich from a fellow at the tommorowland restaurant, a cake, phone call from Goofy and a window table as well as song as living seas, a monorail front car ride and many other things.

This time she again got as many birthday wishes as well as quite a few happy birthday songs, one that Stitch organized getting everyone in his autograph line to sing then Lilo pulled her over close and whispered something into her ear ( the handler looked a little shocked and asked ME if Lilo was talking to her, but my daughter told us it was secret and won't tell.. but she was happy ), one that Pete a CM in AK took her into the middle of the street that was blocked off and got everyone waiting for the parade to sing to her and a few other impromtu ones in the middle.
She also got a little extra special treatment at a couple of the character meals we went to including. A special placemat and tiara at Cinderella's Royal Party ( and cupcake ) and birthday song with Suzy. A special placemat and cupcake which Chip smeared frosting on her nose with. A birthday card and a cupcake and some decorations on the table at crystal palace. She also received 2 magical moment certificates ( France and Morocco ) when she visited at the kidcot, she got happy birthday sung to her in French, Spanish ( in Mexico ) and written down in German and Chinese.

Many of the characters spent a little extra time with her during photo's and some wrote happy birthday and other little things in her autograph book. I know I am forgetting some of the things like a birthday call from Goofy at Innoventions, and loads of stickers everywhere.

Between the button and the shirt I made for her, many people were extra nice to her..
She twice got called over by the people who close off the parade routes to get the corner they were about to rope off, and a terrific view of the AK parade and of Spectromagic.

I was told by one CM quietly that the character she was with pays attention to who waits patiently in line and who gets pushy or cuts the line and always spends more time with little kids that wait their turn. Which my daughter tends to do well, something that we all seem to forget is that a lot of the time it's what you give that amounts to what you get.

They definately still recognize birthdays as of the last 2 weeks of May 2005, in all the parks..

Oh yeah and the Dapper Dans sung happy birthday too.

For anyone that works at WDW that may read this... We really do appreciate all the little things that you do to make the visit so special.

Thanks