Why do we always notify hotels and restaurants about anniversaries and birthdays???

[ZPT1022]

Does anyone know who you should call to get a cake delivered to your room? I expect to pay for it but DS is celebrating his 17th Bday while we are there and I wanted to have something to surprise him when we check in and I wanted to make sure it was there not just hope.

I believe you can call the Grand Floridian bakery and order a cake to be delivered to your room. I've heard they're very good too!

Now about telling people at WDW that it is your special event, I don't see too much of a problem with it. I am going this Sunday for my honeymoon and my TA noted that on our reservation, she thinks this may help us to get a King Bed room instead of the room with two queen beds. Why is that such a big deal?

 

[Disneylvr]

Originally posted by ZPT1022
Now about telling people at WDW that it is your special event, I don't see too much of a problem with it. I am going this Sunday for my honeymoon and my TA noted that on our reservation, she thinks this may help us to get a King Bed room instead of the room with two queen beds. Why is that such a big deal?

I agree with you! What is the big deal? It seems that some people believe spending big $$$ is the only way to show someone that they are special.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I believe you can call the Grand Floridian bakery and order a cake to be delivered to your room. I've heard they're very good too!

You can also call the Guest Services desk at your resort or room service if you hotel has that. Hope your son has a great time celebrating his birthday in WDW.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Disneylvr
I agree with you! What is the big deal? It seems that some people believe spending big $$$ is the only way to show someone that they are special.

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I don't think that is the case. I feel that getting something from a loved one is special even if it cost nothing. I still think it tacky to tell everyone under the sun that it is your B-Day, anniversary, and on. Does everyone really think they are doing CMs, desk clerks, waiters, a favor by letting them know it is their special day? Sure there are some that might get a kick out if a first birthday or honeymoon couple but I can't imagine by the 1ooth "It's my birthday" of the week that they are really experiencing great joy! I still say that those occasions are private and should be celebrated within the group. I can't understand the need of having strangers get involved in a personal matter simply to feel special. Got my flameproof suit on.

 

[Bob NC]

Sure there are some that might get a kick out if a first birthday or honeymoon couple but I can't imagine by the 1ooth "It's my birthday" of the week that they are really experiencing great joy! I still say that those occasions are private and should be celebrated within the group. I can't understand the need of having strangers get involved in a personal matter simply to feel special. Got my flameproof suit on.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that the CM is getting any joy from the situation, rather, the CM is the one that is expected to supply the joy...In the form of some type of freebie, or well wishes.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Bob NC
I don't think anyone is suggesting that the CM is getting any joy from the situation, rather, the CM is the one that is expected to supply the joy...In the form of some type of freebie, or well wishes.

I've read some say that the CM or waiter has seemed really happy for them and happy to be a part and so on. If you go back and look it really makes it sound like these CMs really get off on celebrating others special occasions! LOL!

 

[CamColt]

I just remembered something from our trip last month. While eating at Mama Melrose a waiter made a BIG announcement that a couple there were returning honeymooners to the restaurant. I had to laugh. We ate there on our honeymoon in 95 and again in 98, 00, 01, and then 02. I didnt expect any big announcement or round of applause for us(or anything free). I just liked the restaurant(well, before the menu change, I did).

 

[MiaSRN62]

. I still think it tacky to tell everyone under the sun that it is your B-Day, anniversary, and on. Does everyone really think they are doing CMs, desk clerks, waiters, a favor

I've never considered what I did over the years as tacky. It's just fun and adds a little more sparkle to the occassion. No harm in it. Seems like most people are split 50/50 on this whole issue which is fine.

 

[Pete's Mom]

Originally posted by gaegrand
Where do you get those birthday pins?

We got ours at City Hall in the Magic Kingdom!

 

[Sharper]

I searched for "birthday" and "husband" to get some ideas for making his birthday (our arrival day) extra special and ran across this thread. I didn't even bother reading all the posts but was actually stunned at the venom and "sour grapes" type comments. [I'm not referencing folks who lie about it, or EXPECT freebies for their entire visit because that is NOT what most of us are talking about] If you don't want a special event celebrated, FINE, but the insinuation that anyone else who chooses to mention it to staff or to try to make an extra special occasion is mooching or trying to be the center of attention or just somehow inappropriate is ridiculous. Birthdays and anniversaries ARE special and being at Disney when they occur is particularly magical. Some people have issues about those events, but the rest of us who want to have fun on a special event at Disney plan to do so whether the grumps think it is okay or not!

 

[Gabrielle]

Sharper

I agree with you.

-Gabrielle

 

[Bob NC]

Originally posted by Sharper
.......but the insinuation that anyone else who chooses to mention it to staff or to try to make an extra special occasion is mooching or trying to be the center of attention or just somehow inappropriate is ridiculous.

If not mooching....then why mention to the staff that YOU and YOUR family are celebrating an occasion? I don't understand why you would mention your occasion to the staff if you DIDN'T want to be the "center of attention".

As I've said all along, mentioning it when you make a PS, or, when you make your resort reservations would be fine for ME....It's just that "I" would find it tacky for "MYSELF", to mention it to everyone I met.

LOL, I think the original poster was kinda fishing for OPINIONS, and nobodys is better than anyone else's...right?

 

[Sharper]

You seem to have completely missed my point. Opinions are fine, but for some unknown reason there are a few here who seem to resent other's birthdays and special events being recognized. I don't understand why, but particularly considering the location (hello, it is Disneyworld!) then the "oh, it should be privately and I would never do such a thing and you are tacky for making a production" seems a bit out of place. If you choose to celebrate privately, then wonderful for you, but why the anger at others who choose another way?

 

[Bob NC]

Sharper, I agree with you, mostly. If it were my kids birthday while we were at WDW, I would probably mention it to the person at the desk upon checking in for a PS. (Though, I wouldn't mention that it's MY birthday).

I don't think it's sour grapes, or not wanting others to get their little celebrations....I think the mindset of a LOT of DIS readers is that they are very tired of reading post after post of people complaining that they didn't get their special attention after asking for it. I don't care who gets what or how and why they got it. I come here to read uplifting stuff though and the constant whining of the folks that didn't get their freebie grates on me a little.

This, again, is just my opinion.

 

[Sharper]

Originally posted by Bob NC
If not mooching....then why mention to the staff that YOU and YOUR family are celebrating an occasion? I don't understand why you would mention your occasion to the staff if you DIDN'T want to be the "center of attention".

Ummm, perhaps because DH would be very pleasantly surprised if CM told him "Happy Birthday" at check-in? Tells him that other human beings made the effort to give him a positive stroke on a special day? It has zero to do with me and doesn't involve expectations of material freebies. Again, don't understand the extreme negativity unless there is some jealousy issues??? I mean, if someone is that ticked off at other's birthday being recognized perhaps it is because no one told them happy birthday?? I just don't get it.

 

[Sharper]

Originally posted by Bob NC
... I come here to read uplifting stuff though and the constant whining of the folks that didn't get their freebie grates on me a little.

Okay, now I think we're on the same page. Yes, don't expect to be treated like a superstar every day of your trip and don't whine about not getting ANYTHING. (It's the rules for birthdays period!) Those type of folks are very annoying but I think most of us just think that any extra recognition is fun, but don't get ticked if that doesn't come.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Sharper
You seem to have completely missed my point. Opinions are fine, but for some unknown reason there are a few here who seem to resent other's birthdays and special events being recognized. I don't understand why, but particularly considering the location (hello, it is Disneyworld!) then the "oh, it should be privately and I would never do such a thing and you are tacky for making a production" seems a bit out of place. If you choose to celebrate privately, then wonderful for you, but why the anger at others who choose another way?

I see nothing wrong with wanting to celebrate a special occasion at WDW or anywhere else. I just see no reason to tell the world about it unless you are trying to mooch, your word-not mine but it fits. a freebie out of the deal. By all means, make your loved one feel special. BUY them a cake, card, balloons. What a wonderful thoughtful gesture instead of trying to lay it on some stranger to do for you. But by all means if someone has a need to be the center of of attention please don't let me stop you! LOL! Now if someone really just wants someone to say Happy Birthday to them that is totally different. But if the motive is to get a card, free cake, balloons, or other tangible then that is plain tacky. Calling it like it is.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I just see no reason to tell the world about it unless you are trying to mooch, your word-not mine but it fits. a freebie out of the deal. By all means, make your loved one feel special. BUY them a cake, card, balloons. What a wonderful thoughtful gesture instead of trying to lay it on some stranger to do for you.

Well, here's my opinion again, but I agree with Sharper. So what's the big deal to anyone else if you mention your birthday and you get a free balloon or card (as long as noone gripes about not getting this or that)?
It's fun. Disney is not going broke and it's not the material balloon or card that makes it special anyway, but rather the gesture. If there's a small little token that comes along with it, well, just chalk that up to some "pixie dust". As I said in an earlier post, if we're not in WDW, we sometimes go to the Red Lobster or Olive Garden or whatever to celebrate someone's b-day or anniversary. They'll bring out a cake or cupcake and all the servers will sing a happy 'lil tune in the restaurant. I don't think this is tacky at all. With all the worry and stress in the world, what's wrong with doing something fun like this ? Many of us go to WDW to be little kids for a week or so anyway, right ? I honestly never even considered that this topic would be fodder for debate. I'm pretty suprised at the viewpoints that are against the idea of mentioning a b-day to a CM ? I would think WDW would be one of the best places for this sort of thing ? I understand everyone has their opinions (and I respect them all), but, like Sharper, I just don't understand why some seem to have such an issue with it ? I honestly never thought it bothered anyone--at least I never picked up on this from a CM or other guests. This topic sure has been an eye-opener for me. It's interesting to hear all the different viewpoints. But, once again, I'm with Sharper. I would never complain or diss Disney if there was no recognition to the special event made.
I say, bring on those balloons, buttons and birthday songs. I love it and think it's fun whether it's a celebration of mine or someone else's !

 

[Sharper]

Originally posted by skiwee1
By all means, make your loved one feel special. BUY them a cake, card, balloons. What a wonderful thoughtful gesture instead of trying to lay it on some stranger to do for you. But by all means if someone has a need to be the center of of attention please don't let me stop you!

Your mean-spirited characterization of what we are talking about is simply wrong. I specifically said that it would make someone I love happy to be told happy birthday upon check-in. Your comments giving me permission to be the center of attention and laying the burden of making my love one feel special on a stranger are uncalled for, and clearly contradict what I said. Sorry you can't appreciate this little bit of pixie dust and want to try to twist it into something "tacky" And if you think about the initial question of this thread, I think it is interesting that travel agents, CM's, reservationists, etc. more often than not ASK if it is a special occasion. Would seem to me that they, too, think it is pertinent to your visit to Disney.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by MiaSRN62
Well, here's my opinion again, but I agree with Sharper. So what's the big deal to anyone else if you mention your birthday and you get a free balloon or card (as long as noone gripes about not getting this or that)?

That is my point. Some people are not just asking for good wishes. You just said it. "What is wrong with getting a balloon or something?" So are we talking about getting a freebie or just a little pixie dust in the form of Happy Birthday wishes? There is big difference to me in telling everyone in the world it is special occasion if you are out to get a free balloon. If it is just for the good wishes, that is one thing. If the intent is to get something for nothing than that is mooching. So which it? Good wishes or a free what ever it is you can get? This is just my opinion also and I'm not trying to debate anything. Jus trying to understand how getting something for a birthday when it pretty much had to be announced it was a birthday for the sole purpose of hopefully getting something out of it would be special? I'd prefer a loved one do it because they wanted to and not because I nagged them to do it or expected it. Hey, if it makes you feel more special to get something from a stranger simply because it was announced, go for it. LOL! To each his own.