Which restaurants for birthday acknowledgment?

[purple figment]

To get a card (if you get a card) did you just tell the hostess when you checked in you were celebrating a b-day? I can't find anywhere to note a b-day when making dining reservations.

You have to call the dining line to add the celebration info to the reservations, but also let the host/ess know when you check in or have her wear her birthday button. If you don't want to call, the button and letting the host/ess know is fine.

 

[tapenn]

My daughter celebrated her 16th birthday our last trip. At Ohana she got a signed card. Everywhere else we ate she got a special desert. At Chef's de France she got a dessert, they wrote on the plate Happy Birthday and they sang to her in French. If you wear your button you get a lot of attention. The bus driver had the whole bus sing to her. A photographer sang to her on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom.

 

[AngiTN]

I think the only one that is guaranteed to acknowledge your celebration is Chef Mickey's. That's what the yellow napkins are for. Any other is purely pixie dust. Can't count on that

 

[crabbygal902]

My DH's bday is near Thanksgiving, which is one of our favorite times to visit. The most unique celebration he received was a Chef's hat at Teppan Edo. It really is hit or miss when it comes to special birthday acknowledgements and we never expect anything. It is a nice surprise when it happens.

If a special celebration is important to you, please consider ordering a custom cake or items from Disney floral and gifts. I ordered a chocolate monorail from Contemporary's room service once for DH's bday. It was really cool!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

One in our party of 3 will be celebrating a birthday during our visit next year. Which restaurants will we have better luck having this occasion acknowledged? What's been your experience?

BIRTHDAY-ANNIVERSARY-HONEYMOON-GRADUATION-ETC Celebrations "411":
.
1) It is a matter of the CM's personal initiative.
. . . depends upon how much they like you as a guest
. . . it always helps to wear a "Happy Birthday" or "Just Married" button
. . . 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 as they have immense control
. . . they are under no obligation to give goodies or even acknowledge special day
. . . they can go way overboard, give lots of gifts
. . . they have A LOT of leeway for what they will or will not do for you
. . . they can see the event if listed on the ADR or hotel ressie and you hope for the best
3) Some of the things a CM can do for free are
. . . table with Mickey confetti
. . . your name/celebration on menu at TS locations (except BOG)
. . . best table location
. . . special personalized menu
. . . character-autographed birthday cards
. . . balloons
. . . balloon animals
. . . wine or champagne or Shirley Temples
. . . room towel animals
. . . appetizers or desserts
. . . cakes
. . . cupcake with candle (almost always available for the asking)
. . . place mats autographed by characters
. . . free appy or free dessert
. . . ride an attraction with a character
. . . personalization items for the Magic Bands
5) Some other items CM's can give for free
. . . room full of balloons and/or flowers
. . . fruit basket or wine basket in hotel room
. . . individual fast passes or booklets of several fast passes
. . . food and snack items (candy, popcorn, sundries)
. . . room upgrades
. . . attraction rides with characters
6) If you really want something special, buy it yourself.
. . . eatery: carry presents in and keep/hide them in a paper bag
. . . eatery: carry a cake in, but, WDW won't prepare, store, or serve it
. . . eatery: order non-decorated cake at the eatery podium check-in
. . . eatery: order decorated cake from the WDW Cake Hotline
. . . room: order special in-room celebration decorating by Disney
. . . room: order strawberries and cream, if resort has room service
. . . room: decorate the room yourself
7) If there are multiple celebrations for people during a trip
. . . do not do separate celebration locations or tables
. . . one person may get an enthusiastic CM and get goodies
. . . one person may get a lazy CM and get nothing
8) Hundreds, or thousands, celebrate everyday at WDW.
9) It is too much time/money for CM's to attend or recognize every one of them.

 

[DLBDS]

Thanks for the replies! I thought it was more about WHERE you went than what SERVER/CM you got. I'll just have her choose wherever she wants and hope for the best. She won't be disappointed if nothing happens. Just thought I would try to improve the odds by asking here. She'll be turning 20 by then. Special thanks to TheRustyScupper for the detailed reply including what CMs do for free list.

 

[MarissaMarissa]

I've had breakfast at boma twice on two different birthday trips, and both times they did something special! The first time I got a card signed by a bunch of CM with happy birthday written in all different languages, and the second time they brought me a oreo cookie decorated like Mickey Mouse!