Birthday Freebies

When I called to book rooms for my Dad, they asked if there were any special celebrations, but when I had called to book my own room it wasn't brought up. I wondered what they might do by noting it in their system.
 
When I called to book rooms for my Dad, they asked if there were any special celebrations, but when I had called to book my own room it wasn't brought up. I wondered what they might do by noting it in their system.

From what I've gathered, when Disney asks what you are celebrating, it goes on the special notes for your booking. So when the resort CM checking you in pulls it up they see "Celebrating Birthday/Honeymoon/Anniversary/ect" - but it's the CM's choice to grant any magical moments beyond acknowledging it with a greeting and "congrats!". It will also be on your Magicband data so when that chip is read - CM's might also see what your celebrating that way.

Essentially your mindset should be less "what special things am I getting out of this for my special day" and more "I just want to celebrate with everyone!".

But like the pins/badges - expect nothing unless something happens! I think the closest to an obligation you get is some of the stuff at the meals. I went for my birthday in 2008 when the celebration pin wasn't *as* widespread as it is now - and for all of our ADR's I got a special Birthday dessert of some sort. But I also did things like chat to the CM's serving us and gifted the Characters at our meals drawings - not really in the hopes of getting things, more because I was 19 at the time, I was old enough to appreciate what the characters do for the public and wanted to make them feel a bit special too!

At Crystal Palace breakfast I gave all the pooh characters sketches, they all reacted in some way - but Tigger was ESTATIC about the sketch I did for him. He bounded around the room and gave me a massive hug! That moment was worth more than anything I could of gotten that day. Tigger's CM friend also stayed around to chat a bit and was really lovely. 13 years later I'm planning it again for our honeymoon.

Worth noting for that trip I was staying offsite, so you don't have to be staying onsite to have a chance at a magical moment. I'm sure shelling out for something like GF prob does lead to small increased chance mind (that doesn't mean you should book GF just for the chance to get like a free cookie on main street)

But yes - don't fish for things with CM's or be like "huff where's my birthday surprises". Understand that they probably see a billion people celebrating different things every day - which means it's gotta be at random or there's gotta be something that makes you stand out in a good way. Even then it's not a sure thing that being nice will get you something special, appreciate the natural benefit - anything else is a boon
 
But yes - don't fish for things with CM's or be like "huff where's my birthday surprises". Understand that they probably see a billion people celebrating different things every day - which means it's gotta be at random or there's gotta be something that makes you stand out in a good way. Even then it's not a sure thing that being nice will get you something special, appreciate the natural benefit - anything else is a boon

I didn't mean it to sound like I was fishing for anything, I just genuinely didn't know why one CM asked and another didn't. Thanks for clearing it up, I was just curious. I fully expect to make a big deal out of all my family members celebrating milestones while we are there and anything done by anybody else will just be extra sprinkles on the cake. Relying on someone else to make them feel special would drive me crazy.
 
I didn't mean it to sound like I was fishing for anything, I just genuinely didn't know why one CM asked and another didn't. Thanks for clearing it up, I was just curious. I fully expect to make a big deal out of all my family members celebrating milestones while we are there and anything done by anybody else will just be extra sprinkles on the cake. Relying on someone else to make them feel special would drive me crazy.

Ah not meaning to lecture, just being up front. What worked was just going with the flow - that trip was very special for me anyway. I met future Hubby face to face for first time (we met online) at WDW so I was in a pretty twitterpated state that trip lol. But we got a lot of nice little magical moments - nothing grand but it was still a wonderful trip!

One might not ask because it's not a crucial requirement like the other booking details, but I think they are normally coached to ask just in case and it just happened to be that the other CM noted there was a blank under the notes. All the same if you answered on one call - it should be attached to the notes on your stay - or so I've heard anyway. I would still make sure you pick up your celebration badges and let servers at meals know you are celebrating. But I've heard this data does come up on magicband scans too.

My notes were more generalised but I also know way back during "Year of a Million Dreams" there was a massive issue with guests expecting stuff and last visit in 2016 practically every other person was wearing celebration badges. But above all I hope you have a magical time whatever happens!
 


My son got a free balloon once. LOL Wasn't the best thing since we had to fly back home, so we couldn't take it with us, but it was still sweet and still a freebie! LOL
 
For our anniversary, we got a complimentary cupcake at the first couple of TS meals we did. I don't eat cupcakes and the kids weren't with us, so after that we told the servers that we were celebrating our anniversary, but didn't want the cupcake, LOL.
 
My pixie dust story. So the last time I went to WDW it was 10 years ago. And I had a really rough year that year and my trip just kept getting longer. In all of it, I was celebrating my birthday. It was my Mom, brother and I and we went to TuskerHouse for lunch. Anyway, our server, I don't remember is name, noticed my birthday badge and Maria, who was across the restaurant hears, "MARIA! DID YOU KNOW IT'S ALY'S BIRTHDAY!" Our server announced, for the entire restaurant to hear, it was my birthday. I went a bright shed of red, got a cupcake I think it was, and a slew of Happy Birthday's on my way out. It was great and slightly embarrassing, but still a great memory to have, because my mom and I still exchange - "Maria! Did you know.."
 


I turned the big 4-0 a week after our last trip in October. While there, I got free desserts at a few places, and a giant pail sundae at Blizzard Beach. My favorite, though, was Chefs de France. My DD (8 at the time) charmed our waiter with what little French she knew. He invited her back with him to get my dessert and she carried it out while they sang happy birthday. Made her day (and mine)!
 
Hi,
I know people celebrating their birthdays at Disney get a free pin. Are there any other freebies?
I think it really depends on the moment and where you are. We tend to go for big bdays my son turning 5, 10, 13, and my dad turning 70. We’ve done other bdays like my 36th that weren’t huge. Last year for my dads bday was quite nice. We had gone out to dinner and when we returned to our separate rooms my mom called to say there was a recyclable Disney shopping bag with balloons and gifts. The resort had filled it with a resort throw blanket, resort mugs, picture frame and something that’s escaping me. She was convinced I did it but it really was from the resort! We were celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary and in our room was a basket with balloons that had champagne flutes, White wine or champagne can’t remember, chocolates, and a picture frame. It was so nice and both unexpected. I wouldn’t expect anything and you’ll be surprised. For my child he’s been confectioner of the day , gotten fp’s, cupcakes, cards, I got the 1900 pf placemats, and lots of happy birthdays. I think their extras are age appropriate and fit with the moment you are in.
 
We are going as a celebration for my son's 3rd birthday but it will be a couple weeks before the actual date. We planned on celebrating his birthday at Ohana and when I called to add that to the reservation, the CM added it to EVERY dining reservation without me asking. They also added it as a note on our hotel reservation. I don't know that he will realize why everyone might say Happy Birthday but I'm sure he will love it.
 
Do you tell them in advance or just when you get there?
I noticed if I tell them in advance nothing happens, but if I tell them right before they bring the check (when they ask if we'd like dessert, I say not unless this restaurant brings something for a birthday celebration, and point out which person is having their birthday), then they are more likely to bring something. Quality varies. We especially enjoy it when it comes on a decorated plate.
 
I think it really depends on the moment and where you are. We tend to go for big bdays my son turning 5, 10, 13, and my dad turning 70. We’ve done other bdays like my 36th that weren’t huge. Last year for my dads bday was quite nice. We had gone out to dinner and when we returned to our separate rooms my mom called to say there was a recyclable Disney shopping bag with balloons and gifts. The resort had filled it with a resort throw blanket, resort mugs, picture frame and something that’s escaping me. She was convinced I did it but it really was from the resort! We were celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary and in our room was a basket with balloons that had champagne flutes, White wine or champagne can’t remember, chocolates, and a picture frame. It was so nice and both unexpected. I wouldn’t expect anything and you’ll be surprised. For my child he’s been confectioner of the day , gotten fp’s, cupcakes, cards, I got the 1900 pf placemats, and lots of happy birthdays. I think their extras are age appropriate and fit with the moment you are in.
Lucky! We have never gotten anything but the generic button for our anniversary. What is confectioner for the day? Sounds awesome.
 
We went over two of my sons’ birthdays. One of them got a free ice cream cone in AK. The CM just popped out from the shop and said “Happy Birthday” and handed it to him as we were walking by. He also got a free Mickey Bubble Blower. We stopped at a cart to buy one for him but the CM said it was on Mickey for his birthday. That was a nice surprise!

My older boy got selected by the Citizens of Hollywood improve show to be the main guest interaction on his birthday. He had so much fun and at the end they gave him a coupon for a free Mickeybar for everyone in our family. He also got gifted a lightsaber churro when we stopped to buy one for him. The little magical moments were out in abundance for us and sure made both boys feel extra special.
 
We have had items put in our room, balloons and maybe candy. It seem to work better if you note a birthday when reserve your trip.
 

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