Things Disney Offers But Doesn't Advertise *Summary Added Oct 08*

[CJ]

DD 22 got DH & I anniversary pins and also wrote Happy Anniversary in indelible ink on our ponchos! It was Tropical Storm Fay time!!

We got congratulations from tons of CM's and fellow guests! It was great!

 

[kimberh]

We went to WDW for DHs birthday Aug 14-18 and I have to say, it was fantastic! He wore his pin the whole time (sorry for folks who think this is wrong) and we had a blast. People saying happy birthday constantly, the folks at the Starring Roll's Cafe singing happy birthday and giving him a wonderful mickey cookie (he ate the ears off ), sitting outside a bakery at the studios (sorry, I can't remember the name) and a cast member came running outside to hand DH a yummy chocolate covered marshmallow on a stick...a fellow guest gave us a couple of fast passes for Everest

Gosh, lots of fun stuff happened! I love this, when we were at whispering canyon our server brought him out a "present". It was the bill!! lol

So, definitely get the birthday pins, anniversary pins, first time visitor pins, just married, what have you, and enjoy! Smile, laugh, have fun. You're at Disney!

I did not say "It Was Wrong" I said," nothing happened the whole day." I am glad it worked for you all. For what's it worth, We are a very happy family, Maybe it's the CM's you encountered vs the one's I encountered. I just didn't want another adult to wear one then say, " what happened?"
My grandson could not have been treated better. They even made an announcement when we walked into the security area, that it was Master xxx Birthday!!!! He was thrilled.
I ended up feeling odd wearing the Pin. I do know that if you tell Disney Dining it's your birthday, you receive a special desert, that has nothing to do with wearing the pin. I received a wonderful desert at Epcot, but It even had my age on it, so that had nothing to do with the Pin, I had called it in.

 

[kimberh]

You know after hearing about all the wonderful things others are having on their birthday, We have another trip planned for next May, on my Birthday. I am going to get another pin... I will report back. Disney is where I always spend my Birthday, I have only tried the Birthday Pin on one trip.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I did not say "It Was Wrong" I said," nothing happened the whole day." I am glad it worked for you all. For what's it worth, We are a very happy family, Maybe it's the CM's you encountered vs the one's I encountered. I just didn't want another adult to wear one then say, " what happened?"
My grandson could not have been treated better. They even made an announcement when we walked into the security area, that it was Master xxx Birthday!!!! He was thrilled.
I ended up feeling odd wearing the Pin. I do know that if you tell Disney Dining it's your birthday, you receive a special desert, that has nothing to do with wearing the pin. I received a wonderful desert at Epcot, but It even had my age on it, so that had nothing to do with the Pin, I had called it in.

There have been many a thread about the "wear the pin every day" vs "only on your birthday" vs "only on one day if you're celebrating your birthday on a different day" debate. I don't think that was directed at you.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

Oh, also, DS and DNiece both got lots of happy birthdays and cupcakes. We picked one meal and noted it on the ADR as their birthday meal. However, everywhere else we ate when they wore their pin (DS wore it twice, DNiece wore it twice), they received some special dessert. DNiece got a "Chef of the Day" hat and make your own sundae set up at Mama Melrose. Everywhere else was yummy, yummy cupcakes.

My grandparents wore their anniversary buttons and received a cupcake with two candles at Chef Mickey's and the table at Artist Point that is featured in their picture on the site. I believe they also got a special dessert. We let them do that dinner alone. They also got lots of "Happy Anniversary"s.

The kids wore the First Time buttons and got lots of comments. The grandparents wore it to all the parks but MK since it was their first time to all of those. I think mom wore it to AK. Lots of comments!!

It will be my birthday in December, and I plan on getting a pin!!

 

[emmsmama]

Ds' b-day is Nov. 14th and my b-day is Jan. 19th. We are going to WDW Nov. 30th-Dec. 13th. When should we wear our pins and where do we get them? Are they like lanyard pins or are they button pins? Are they free or do you buy them somewhere?

 

[pickles]

Ds' b-day is Nov. 14th and my b-day is Jan. 19th. We are going to WDW Nov. 30th-Dec. 13th. When should we wear our pins and where do we get them? Are they like lanyard pins or are they button pins? Are they free or do you buy them somewhere?

I could go with the ds for the Nov bday, but i am afraid you are sol in my book. unless you are planning to celebrate an unbirthday at disney? really why cheapen a special event? plan your trip for your bday and then wear your pin

which you can get often at your hotel desk or at guest relations in the front of the parks

I know others disagree, but to me a bday should be in the same month at least as your trip!!
I got married in Aug, can I celebrate our anniversary in Dec this time we go and May next time we go?

 

[kimberh]

The pins are large button pins, so every one can see them. We went to Guest Services and received ours.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

Ds' b-day is Nov. 14th and my b-day is Jan. 19th. We are going to WDW Nov. 30th-Dec. 13th. When should we wear our pins and where do we get them? Are they like lanyard pins or are they button pins? Are they free or do you buy them somewhere?

They're the big, round buttons.

Here's DNiece wearing hers before her birthday breakfast at CRT:

Here she is with her first time button, too:

I forgot I had this one uploaded. Here's the cupcake from Chef Mickey's when my grandparents were wearing the anniversary pins. It was noted on the ADR as DS's birthday, but they also got a goodie!

Here's DS with his pin (and sleepy DNiece):

You can get them at your resort (if you're onsite) or at the guest info (City Hall, etc.) building at each park.

I say wear them whenever you want. Some people only get to Disney once in their lives, and if they're planning on celebrating a birthday during that trip, it's no one's business but theirs. Have a great trip!!

 

[Dcanoli]

...I hope this does not come off as snarky, but we are a bouncy, happy, smiling group, and maybe people just notice the buttons because of that and feel like we would be open to wishes from strangers. We always yell a big THANK YOU!! which makes others notice and starts a domino effect We also go in jan/feb, so maybe because it is slower, the CM's aren't as busy and can take a moment to notice and say something.

That's funny that you say that because (no offense to anyone) we are the very same way, and I was thinking the EXACT same thing...

If you interact w/the CMs, you'll be surprised what you'll get in return.

 

[hipchickie]

I say wear them whenever you want. Some people only get to Disney once in their lives, and if they're planning on celebrating a birthday during that trip, it's no one's business but theirs. Have a great trip!!

Celebrate your birthday when you want to! I can't imagine anyone is abusing it for the freebies (there really are not that many), most of the time for adults it is just a conversation starter. It doesn't affect other guests negatively if you are celebrating, it just makes it that much more of a fun party atmosphere

we always get ours at town hall - I am not sure if they do this everywhere, but at town hall they have my son receive a phone call (from goofy I think?) saying happy birthday!

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[shyjade]

I could go with the ds for the Nov bday, but i am afraid you are sol in my book. unless you are planning to celebrate an unbirthday at disney? really why cheapen a special event? plan your trip for your bday and then wear your pin

which you can get often at your hotel desk or at guest relations in the front of the parks

I know others disagree, but to me a bday should be in the same month at least as your trip!!
I got married in Aug, can I celebrate our anniversary in Dec this time we go and May next time we go?

Normally I would agree with this (I would never think of celebrating MY birthday at Disney anytime other than my actual birthday).

But I'm taking parents (mom & stepdad, but consider him my dad because he raised me since I was 7 and I call him "my dad") for their 30th wedding anniversary. This is a special gift to them, for all they have done for me over the years. They haven't been to Disney since 1984 and that was their only time going (I actually went a lot with my "real dad" as a kid) and then we stayed offsite with relatives. They can't afford to travel; my dad recently lost his job this past spring when the company he worked for was bought-out and his position eliminated. He has started his own small business and the only time of year he can get away is fall. Their anniversary is actually in April, but it's not possible for him to leave his job at that time.

And on top of it all, my mom has been caring for her dying mother (my grandma) for over a year now. We've almost lost her so many times, and medically it's a miracle she's still with us. Anyone who has ever been through that knows how completely draining it is to care for a dying loved one.

Does that make it any less their anniversary trip? Nope. And when CM's have asked if this is a trip to celebrate anything special, I always honestly tell them their anniversary isn't until April but this trip is a gift to them for their anniversary, and each CM has gone out of their way to give me special tips (like anniversary buttons) and not one has scoffed at the idea since it's 5 months away.

 

[Dcanoli]

...i am afraid you are sol in my book.

Wow! That's pretty harsh, isn't it?

ITA with the PP...if you are only at Disney one time a year, and it's close to your birthday(s), then celebrate.

My motto about a Disney vacation is, "You never know what the next year will hold in store for you, and you may never be back."

ENJOY LIFE TO THE FULLEST, EVERY LAST DROP OF IT.

I say get a pin and enjoy yourself!

 

[bonybroad]

unfortunately the sword in the stone ceremony ended late last year. the umbrella is also MIA due to reported damages.

My son was picked to pull the sword in April 2008. Just a few months ago.
It was a "certified magic moment."

 

[Dcanoli]

My son was picked to pull the sword in April 2008. Just a few months ago.
It was a "certified magic moment."

Really? Thanks for sharing that with us because it WAS discontinued.

We noticed in September that the "prop" was still there, so it's neat to see they have continued it again!

...and as for the Umbrella, it was gone for a while (a truck or something hit the pole), but it has been back for almost a year now...

 

[Hootch]

at summer but it was not part of an official ceremony. He was playing around pulling on the sword and it started to come. There was a CM nearby and she presented him with a magical moment certificate. She told him he was able to pull the sword out because he believed in magic. Made my son's day.

 

[KarenNYC]

My son was picked to pull the sword in April 2008. Just a few months ago.
It was a "certified magic moment."

Where is this??? My son would LOVE to do this!

 

[KarenNYC]

I could not disagree more - we go every year for mine and my sons' bday (2 days apart) and we are always showered with "Happy birthday!!" all day long

I hope this does not come off as snarky, but we are a bouncy, happy, smiling group, and maybe people just notice the buttons because of that and feel like we would be open to wishes from strangers. We always yell a big THANK YOU!! which makes others notice and starts a domino effect We also go in jan/feb, so maybe because it is slower, the CM's aren't as busy and can take a moment to notice and say something.

To be honest - my b'day is in January and we are usually there on the actual day. Trust me when I say we are usually happy, bouncing and smiling - I am a HUGE Disney nut - just being there makes me grin like an idiot. I just think the birthday pin "works" for some and not for others. By that I don't mean free stuff = just a few extra happy birthdays. I will say that I did get serenaded by the barber shop quartet on main street one year. Gotta give credit where credit is due. This year we are going for DS's b'day - maybe they see it more on the littler folks in the group.

 

[Hootch]

Where is this??? My son would LOVE to do this!

in the stone is in front of Cinderella's Golden Carrousel on the castle side. It's easy to walk past it without noticing.

 

[bradk]

My son was picked to pull the sword in April 2008. Just a few months ago.
It was a "certified magic moment."

just to clarify, you quoted me on something i said well over a year ago. and it was true then (the umbrella has since returned) and it's technically still true now. the scheduled show that featured merlin is no longer. the stone and mechanism are still in place and occasionally a child is able to pull the stone out. that's just going to be pure magic.

i also haven't been keeping up on this thread but wanted to add re: the ladybug release. the ones at the resorts (they were around the 7 seas lagoon primarily) ended years ago. there is a daily one done at either 10:30 or 11:30 (i can never remember which) at the great american farm exhibit in innoventions. it's also part of the behinds the seeds tour and is also a daily event during the food & garden festival.

ETA: this is the stone