Should I have told them about DD's birthday when I made ADRs?

[katiesmom2]

I just finished calling Disney Dining about 7 times to make reservations for the end of January. For some reason, I thought I'd have no problems getting what I wanted since I thought it was not a busy time at WDW. Boy was I wrong! I had to rearrange our schedule several times so I could get ressies at all the places we wanted.

Anyway, in all the hurry, I forgot to mention DDs birthday until the last time I phoned. I made ressies at 1900 Park Fair for breakfast and the lady at DD put down that it was DDs birthday trip. I told her that I forgot to mention the birthday when I made my other ressies and she said to tell them at the podium when I check in.

Last year was my birthday and I remember having a decorated table at several restaurants. Will they have time to do this for DD if I don't tell them until I get there?

The lady at DD seemed irritated, like she didn't want to have to go back to add it to 4 other ressies. She said "I'll do it if you want" but hemmed and hawwed about it.

Any advice?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Pakey]

As busy as every place is, I would not expect that telling them when you check in at the podium is going to leave them enough time to prepare a special table setting. They might do it but I certainly wouldn't be counting on them having time.

I would call back. That's what the CM's are there for. If they are not talking to you, they'll just be talking to someone else, doing the same sort of things!!! Or if you are staying onsite, you could do it after you checkin with the hotel concierge.

 

[Nancyg56]

They may not prepare a special table setting for you even if you call. We told them about DGD birthday when I made my ADR's but we never got a decorated setting. I had seen some on a previous trip but I have no idea how you get them. It did not matter to us, but if you have your heart set on this you may need to ask for it.

 

[Tink415]

We returned earlier this month from a birthday trip for our youngest. I did mention we were celebrating her birthday when I made ressies for meals. Only Boma, for breakfast, brought her a birthday cupcake with a plate that had happy birthday written on it, and this was after I mentioned it was my daughters b-day to the waiter and asked him to take a picture of all of us at the table. I wouldn't count on anything special being done, even if you have it noted on the ressie, just be pleasantly surprised if it does.

The best moment for my daughter was at the MK during MVMCP parade when Santa said 'happy birthday princess' directly to her from high up on his sled Santa must have excellent vision to have seen her b-day button from so high up!

 

[k_s_m]

I'm glad to read this thread. We are going for a week in Feb. and we'll be celebrating my DS birthday. I'll be calling tomorrow to add this info to our ADR!

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with the others, don't count on anything at all being done because it is noted on the ADR
We went in October and were celebrating DS birthday. It was noted on our room confirmation as well as our ADR's. We did not receive anything special at all. We were not expecting to and we were fine with that. But if I had thought that the notation would result in a special table setting or whatever, than I would have been disappointed.
If you want to be sure of a special celebration you can order (and pay for) a birthday cake to be delivered at one of your meals. There is a special thread here on the Restaurants Board about the cakes.
Have a great trip.

 

[katiesmom2]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I knew about cake orders, but I decided DD would prefer one of the Publix princess cakes to any of the Disney ones, so we're going that route (for the night before her actual birthday).

I think I will call back and add the birthday comment to just the dinner on her actual birthday (Teppan Edo - she loves to watch cooking shows, so we thought she'd like this!). We are having breakfast on her birthday at the Norway princess meal and I already mentioned it to them.

I really don't expect anything special for the entire week of her birthday - something on the actual day would be nice though.

IMO, Disney should pay closer attention to children's birthdays in particular. If I go to a restaurant down the street, they would do something special for DD, so why shouldn't Disney if we happen to be at one of their restaurants? I guess the problem is that some people would abuse it just to receive free dessert/extra attention. Maybe they could ask to see a passport or whatever to confrim the birthday? I don't know......just some thoughts. I think all kids at Disney who are truly celebrating their birthday should get something, even if it is just some streamers thrown on the table and a card like I got last year at Crystal Palace.

 

[DisneyLover83]

I didn't mention my DH birthday when making ADR's but when we checked in for dinner at Tony's they saw his button, and when they brought us to our table it was decorated! They did it in under 3 minutes!

 

[daisyduck123]

Call back.

We were in WDW for DD's b-day this August.
I had had it noted on most of our ADRs.

One special thing: When they took our family pic. at Chef Mickey's...they had a "Happy B-day" graphic put on it (Mickey with a cake). It would not have been there if we had not had the b-day noted..I know we had not mentioned it to the photographer.

When we got to our table, it was already decorated with a pre-signed keepsake placemat & confetti.