No Birthday Attention?

[PatsGirl]

I'm reading that CM's are no longer able to recognize birthdays? Is this true? I've taken both my children specifically for their birthdays and this November promised my friend that her son's birthday, 7th, would "probably" be recognized .... but I did tell her everything the CMs did for my kids so ... "probably" probably seems like "likely". Tell me it isn't so. And if it is, anyone know why?

 

[C.Ann]

I haven't heard anything about them "no longer being able to", but based on the posts on these boards, not everyone gets this extra attention.. It's at the discretion of the CM..

I wouldn't get my heart set on anything special happening - and especially if it's not something that you're paying extra for.. That way you won't be disappointed..

 

[Tink n Poohbear]

I haven't heard that they are not able to, but we just returned and celebrated a b-day there, but no b-day wishes from any cm's.

 

[tjmw2727]

I have always said that if you want birthday magic then create it yourself. Not to be smart but to make sure, if it is important, no one gets dissapointed. We have celebrated 4 birthdays at WDW, 2 each for my dds - lucky kiddos.

They ranged from awesome to just another day at the parks, which IMHO is more enough for a birthday anyway!! Sometimes you will get a happy birthday, a re-ride or a cupcake, sometimes nothing - that is just the way it is.

Grab the button and see what happens. If you expect nothing then everything that does happen is special. If you have read all the reports and expect lots of great things you may be dissapointed.

TJ

 

[safetymom]

It all depends on the CM's you see. It's all part of the magic. Not everyone receives the same level of recognition.

 

[Worfthedog]

I got quite a few 'happy birthdays' and had the entire queue in the living seas (before entering the pods - hydrolators?) sing it to me at the request of the cast member.

One cast member asked if Ihad had a telephone call from Goofy, I said no and she passed me the phone and he sang to me too! This was in one on the shops in Canada and EPCOT.

we also visited MK, MGM and AK in the same day and barely had the badge noticed at all. So it seems that EPCOT is the place to have a birthday!

Now I am 35 and am quite tall and the badge was on the shoulder strap of my bag so it may have been easier to see than if it was on a child in the crowd.

Paul.

 

[PatsGirl]

Oh, I'm not talking about free cakes and that stuff, just a "happy birthday" here and there, maybe a free front of the line, or with any luck, and hold your flames, a pin, maybe? I'll admit, a pin is not anything I'd ever tell the kids might happen, but it has happened and I want to make sure that it's still a possibility for some luck kid

 

[safetymom]

I was wished lots of happy birthdays, got to ride Journey into your Imagination with just my family, got the Goofy phone call. I am plenty old and still received this. I never heard of a free pin from a CM because it was their birthday.

 

[cranbiz]

Last week I received extra magic on my birthday (46). Many CM's said happy birthday and the CM at BOMA brought me a cake and Frunch.

 

[tjmw2727]

Oh, I'm not talking about free cakes and that stuff, just a "happy birthday" here and there, maybe a free front of the line, or with any luck, and hold your flames, a pin, maybe? I'll admit, a pin is not anything I'd ever tell the kids might happen, but it has happened and I want to make sure that it's still a possibility for some luck kid

The pin yes - just go to city hall at MK and guest relations at the other parks get a pin, at least as of Feb 05.

The level of recoginition after that is what differs from day to day, person to person, park to park.

Happy Birthday.

TJ

 

[tjmw2727]

Oh, I'm not talking about free cakes and that stuff, just a "happy birthday" here and there, maybe a free front of the line, or with any luck, and hold your flames, a pin, maybe? I'll admit, a pin is not anything I'd ever tell the kids might happen, but it has happened and I want to make sure that it's still a possibility for some luck kid

Oops maybe I misread - if you are talking about a "today is my birthday pin" then yes they are (or have been) free at every park. But wearing one dosen't always guarantee "freebees" just think of how many people wear them every day - birthday or not??

If you are talking about a trading pin then he will probably not get one. We have gotten a re-ride occasionally, but never a front of the line. Dd's have had lots of wonderful wishes from guests and CM's along with the call from goofy.

If you promised your friend her child would get a "magical day" you may want to back off on that promise - its one you can't guarantee.

While you can tell her what your experience was, you can't guarantee that will happen for her son.

I was in a similar situation - my oldest dd celebrated her 3rd birthday and it was truly beyond my expectations -which were low as we had never been. Then her best friend went for her 3rd and it was similar. Then my youngest 4th birthday - nothing real special. Both girls had their 5th at WDW due to in-laws close by and they were wonderful.

If you want the child to get a birthday pin maybe you could get one discounted at disney direct or the disney store and send it to the room. IMHO this is the only way to "guarantee" a special birthday.

Then again - not flaming just mho -there is nothing more magical than birthday at WDW without any special perks. Think of the kids who have magical birthdays and have never visited. That kid of puts anything the CM's do in the context they should be.

I hope your friends son has the best 7th birthday ever!
TJ

 

[rayelias]

Just got back from a "surprise" birthday vacation from my DF. ("Surprise" is in quotes because I found out about it!)

We made sure to mention to EVERY CM we spoke to that it was my birthday - when booking, when getting PS's, when checking in at the resort, when arriving at the restaurants, etc. My DF bought me a "Happy Birthday" trading pin, and we went off to Guest Relations for my "It's my Birthday" pin. I didn't wear my lanyard, because I didn't want anything to distract the CM's from my 2 birthday pins.

So, when we check in, my DF tells the CM that this trip is my birthday present, and about how I found out about the trip and our birthday dinner plans. I thought it was odd, but the CM didn't wish me a happy birthday. Well, maybe it was a fluke.

First stop - Epcot! Head straight to the Pin Station and get my "Happy Birthday" trading pin. We tell the CM it's my birthday, make the purchase. Again, no "Happy Birthday". Hmmmm. She was nice enough to remind me to go to guest relations for the "It's my birthday pin", though.

Off to guest relations - they are out of birthday pins. The CM gave me a "Congratulations" pin instead. I thought that was nice of her, but I didn't even get a "Happy Birthday" from her, either.

Now I'm a starting to get a little disappointed. But, I've got the trading pin and the congratulations pin on. I'm sure the CM's will get the point.

I wasn't acknowledged a single time all day.

Well, maybe dinner will be a little different - over to Artist's Point. We remind the girl at the desk it's my birthday, just in case it wasn't on the PS. About 10 minutes later we're seated. We have a nice meal, but not a bit of recognition of my birthday.

I wasn't expecting any "freebies", but I thought maybe a "Happy Birthday" here and there would have been nice. Heck, I would've been estatic if I was offered a fast pass or something. But, nothing.

I guess it wouldn't had been so bad if I knew ahead of time that they weren't allowed to recognize birthdays. But, I've read all the stories and had all this excited anticipation. It was a bit of a let down.

FWIW, they stopped recognizing "anniversaries", too. About 9 months ago, we took my parents down for their 37th anniversary and we were going to surprise them with the "rehitching ceremony." After setting everything up, telling them when reserving the PS, telling the CM's at the desk, etc. At the end of lunch, I took the waiter aside to remind him, and he told me they stopped doing them. Again, a big disappointment. We weren't told by any of the other CM's that they stopped doing them - we had to find out after the meal.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Ok, I don't get it. Why in the world would they stop allowing CM's to reconize birthdays, but still give out the Birthday pins???

I was just at Disney for my birthday on May 10th of this year. I got a birthday button and I'd say of the CM's who noticed it about 75% of them wished me a happy birthday. Several even stopped me on walkways to say happy birthday. We had lunch at the Plaza on Main Street and the decorated my table with Mickey confetti and streamers and brought me a birthday cupcake with a candle. Then when we went on Soarin' the CM let me and my niece go in the Fast Pass line (even though we didn't have an FP) and wished me a very happy birthday. He sure seemed like he was "allowed" to do it.

 

[Feralpeg]

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.

 

[ANTSS2001]

my last bday in April was still full of surprises... yes I got the call of Goofy in Epcot somewhere in France. Got all the pins from 4 major park and Downtown Disney, Gherardelli gave me not one but a small bag of free choco squares, thank god for the TDD Pin. Got 2 cards waiting for me in my room... one from Mickey and Minnie and one from my Fave Crew 100 acre woods plus a card from my housekeeper . Got serenade by a few CM at the WDW store in Downtown Disney. Got a free not cupcake but a regular cake and we did not even did a PS for bday but just lunch at 9 Dragons at Epcot with a card signed by all the CM in the restaurant. Got another card at Crystal Palace and Winnie the Pooh was the one who brought my cake out and had gathered all 4 Winnie,Piglet,Eeeyore and Tigger for a picture Including Abe the CM( he is the SWEETEST!!! ) Got Lipoa to serenade me a nice hawaiin Bday song with the Kids at O'hana and an extra Lhey.. what else... I got the mouse towel every single day of my bday week. I got a free Mickey Bar at Epcot 1sxt thing in the morning again thank god for the "it's my birthday today" Botton. Mr. larry from Segway Tours.. love him love him love him.. was very helpful during our Sgeway tour and had mentioend to everyone one we pass by.. pointing at me.. "it's her Bday today" So far I cannot complain all my Bday that was celebrated in the WORLD was SUPER FANTASTIC!!! This year I went with a bag of goodies nothing expensive but just a token of my appreciation for all the CM I encountered.. Ohhh and not to forget Danyel from O'hana fed me till I cant say No anymore... And last but the not List... Cami of ASMu was very lovely.. the other CM got even teary eyed when I had her the small plush of Marie the cat with a heart saying "You are one cool cat"...and Denorah the best mousekeeper this past April keeping me giddy every time I go back to the hotel. Value... deluxe... Moderate.. it doesnt really matter sometime what matters are the people who also have the magic in their heart and love sharing it with us guest!

 

[SammieG]

When we were in Epcot in March/April time.. a couple at the table next to us were celebrating their anniversary and they ordered dessert and it arrived with "happy Anniversary" piped on it..

they were certainly recognising anniversarys then!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

To the OP's question... I don't think it could be the case that they are no longer recognizing birthdays. They have even noted my daughter's birthday (during our upcoming June trip!) on our confirmation papers! They also told me when I called to be sure to take her to get her Birthday pin at MK so she'll be sure to be recognized by CM's. She's pretty excited to be at WDW on her birthday... she's only 4 so the world is her birthday party if you know what I mean. LOL

 

[Schmeck]

Sounds like it's hit-or-miss! I'd plan on doing something yourself to celebrate, like ordering a b'day cake to be delivered, etc.

BibbidyBobbidyBoo, a computer generates those confirmation papers from info the travel agent includes. Even if your TA is Disney, it doesn't mean that special treatment is going to be given. We had our anniversary printed on our papers last August. The TA put it on there. Didn't mean diddly to WDW.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Both ds' got cards from Mickey at AKL. Despite their birthdays being noted on our ADR's, nothing special occured at the restaurants and no one wished them a happy birthday. We did note that other children and adults got birthday and anniversary cakes (NOT special orders) and songs. Of course, neither of my boys would wear birthday buttons/stickers.

On our anniversary last fall, dh and I received no special treats; but we were wished a happy anniversary everywhere we went. That was really nice.

 

[ANTSS2001]

Just got back from a "surprise" birthday vacation from my DF. ("Surprise" is in quotes because I found out about it!)

We made sure to mention to EVERY CM we spoke to that it was my birthday - when booking, when getting PS's, when checking in at the resort, when arriving at the restaurants, etc. My DF bought me a "Happy Birthday" trading pin, and we went off to Guest Relations for my "It's my Birthday" pin. I didn't wear my lanyard, because I didn't want anything to distract the CM's from my 2 birthday pins.

So, when we check in, my DF tells the CM that this trip is my birthday present, and about how I found out about the trip and our birthday dinner plans. I thought it was odd, but the CM didn't wish me a happy birthday. Well, maybe it was a fluke.

First stop - Epcot! Head straight to the Pin Station and get my "Happy Birthday" trading pin. We tell the CM it's my birthday, make the purchase. Again, no "Happy Birthday". Hmmmm. She was nice enough to remind me to go to guest relations for the "It's my birthday pin", though.

Off to guest relations - they are out of birthday pins. The CM gave me a "Congratulations" pin instead. I thought that was nice of her, but I didn't even get a "Happy Birthday" from her, either.

Now I'm a starting to get a little disappointed. But, I've got the trading pin and the congratulations pin on. I'm sure the CM's will get the point.

I wasn't acknowledged a single time all day.

Well, maybe dinner will be a little different - over to Artist's Point. We remind the girl at the desk it's my birthday, just in case it wasn't on the PS. About 10 minutes later we're seated. We have a nice meal, but not a bit of recognition of my birthday.

I wasn't expecting any "freebies", but I thought maybe a "Happy Birthday" here and there would have been nice. Heck, I would've been estatic if I was offered a fast pass or something. But, nothing.

I guess it wouldn't had been so bad if I knew ahead of time that they weren't allowed to recognize birthdays. But, I've read all the stories and had all this excited anticipation. It was a bit of a let down.

FWIW, they stopped recognizing "anniversaries", too. About 9 months ago, we took my parents down for their 37th anniversary and we were going to surprise them with the "rehitching ceremony." After setting everything up, telling them when reserving the PS, telling the CM's at the desk, etc. At the end of lunch, I took the waiter aside to remind him, and he told me they stopped doing them. Again, a big disappointment. We weren't told by any of the other CM's that they stopped doing them - we had to find out after the meal.

HI Neighbor.. Del County here