Sci Fi Dine in Birthday celebration

[ginnygi]

I noted on my reservation that my son was celebrating his 7th birthday. Unlike some people I have seen, we do not note this kind of thing on every single reservation; we just do it at one place that we want it to be special. Has anyone had extra magic at Sci Fi for their birthday? Are the cast members attentive to that sort of thing there? Do they do anything special/fun?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Acknowledgment is a matter of the CM's personal initiative.
. . . depends upon how much they like you as a guest
. . . 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 - they have immense control.
. . . they are under no obligation to give goodies
. . . they are under no obligation to even acknowledge your special day
. . . but, they can go way overboard and give lots of gifts to a guest
3) The CM's have a lot of leeway of things to do or not do for you if they wish
4) Have anniversary-birthday-celebration-honeymoon on the ressie and ADR.
5) Some of the things a CM can do for free are
. . . table with Mickey confetti
. . . best table location
. . . special personalized menu
. . . character-autographed birthday cards
. . . balloons
. . . wine or champagne or Shirley Temples
. . . appetizers or desserts
. . . cakes
. . . cupcake with candle (almost always available for the asking)
. . . placemats autographed by characters
. . . free appy or free dessert
. . . room full of balloons and/or flowers
. . . fruit basket or wine basket in hotel room
7) If you want something special (cakes, etc) buy them instead of hoping for

NOTE: Hundreds or even thousands of folks are celebrating everyday
at WDW. If they gave attention to all of them it would be too much time
and too much money.

 

[ginnygi]

To be honest, I would be happy if they just tell him happy birthday and act extra nice/cheerful to him. I hope for at LEAST that, since it is the only time on the entire trip that we noted that it was his birthday. I completely understand everything you are saying. I understand they are not obligated and that there is no guarantee that they will even acknowledge it. But do you find that certain restaurants/parks are better at performing? If so, how does SFDI rate among others places?

 

[Mariannekay]

I was at Sci Fi for my birthday in November. Although it wasn't noted on my adr, I was wearing a birthday button. I was tickled to death when our server presented me with a free birthday sundae! Very nice surprise

 

[PHLtoMCO]

To be honest, I would be happy if they just tell him happy birthday and act extra nice/cheerful to him. I hope for at LEAST that, since it is the only time on the entire trip that we noted that it was his birthday. I completely understand everything you are saying. I understand they are not obligated and that there is no guarantee that they will even acknowledge it. But do you find that certain restaurants/parks are better at performing? If so, how does SFDI rate among others places?

Just note in on the ADR, also mention it when you check into the restaurant, and make sure that button is visible! I have had nothing but positive experiences when celebrating birthdays at the world.

 

[TDC Nala]

Without knowing exactly what you would like to happen beyond a birthday greeting (would you be satisfied with a birthday song or is there an expectation of a free dessert?) there isn't any way to determine. It can't really be determined anyway as it seems to be up to the individual server (as Rusty pointed out) and not the restaurant in general.

 

[elaine amj]

If he wears the birthday button, he'll be Happy Birthdayed all day long. That usually made my kids happy. We were in TL an my DS got a Birthday tattoo (since u can't wear the button on swimwear!) and he adored it, proudly showing it off all day long.

One trip he got sung to in a CS place in MK and got a special bday treat. It's really cool what they do. (Smart too since it really makes for a fun celebration - making folks want to get to WDW to celebrate everything and anything!!)

 

[Mama Moose]

We took my mom for her birthday and our server gave her a free sundae. The server was so sweet and wished her happy birthday. I hope you son has a great birthday!! That's my kids' favorite place to eat, they beg to there multiple times during a trip.

 

[figment_jii]

I hope for at LEAST that, since it is the only time on the entire trip that we noted that it was his birthday.

The servers at Sci Fi have no way of knowing that this was the only ADR you noted his birthday. So in that respect it doesn't make it any more likely that they'll do anything. As others have noted, make sure he's wearing a birthday button and that's visible.

 

[Mickey527]

As many others have said, there are so many people wearing the Birthday buttons now that the servers will not be able to celebrate every one. I know a few people who go to WDW every year and grab a button each day even though their birthday was months ago.
However, last year I went with my son and grandson and we were given a car in the back row over to the right hand side of the screen. Our server was very attentive and about half way through the meal he came over and told us that our table had just been picked for the daily celebration. He then gave us each a glow in the dark cup filled with carmel corn. My grandson loves the cup for his water at night, it glows for about 5 hours and he can find it on his bedside table.
This was during "free dining" and I think he was happy to see a paying customer.

 

[ginnygi]

Thank you all for the great info! Like I said before, I am not looking for anything free, desert or otherwise, just for my son to feel a little special, and them just being nice to him, and saying "happy birthday" will be more than enough. It seems that Sci Fi is pretty good about that from your responses, so I am going to stay optimistic. This is my kids' favorite restaurant too, Mama Moose

Mickey527, I have to say that I really hate when people do that, because it really ruins it for everyone else!!! We traveled during my daughter's birthday before (December), and the people at the Crystal Palace were really wonderful. She got the confetti and autographed place mat. But my son has never had the privilege so I really hope it works out for him. Like I said, I only give them the buttons if it really is their birthday and I only note on one reservation - to be fair to everyone else, so that they can have their turn too. I think everyone should be as courteous, but unfortunately I know that is not the case.