Celebrating a Birthday at WDW

[Fashionista007]

I'm getting ready to celebrate my 30th Birthday next month in WDW and I am wondering what experiences other adults have had celebrating a birthday in WDW? I caught a clip of a British lady on youtube having Happy Birthday sung to her by an entire bus. I really was only expecting the occasional Birthday wishes from random CMs. I would love to hear stories!

I am also looking for a silly Birthday hat or even better, a tiara and scepter to wear all day. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them! We're going to the Beach Club for a character breakfast the morning of my Birthday and MNSSHP that night. I can't wait!! :ROFLOL: 33 days and counting.

 

[DiPSU224]

My husband wore his last year only on his actual birthday. We spent that morning at AK. When our safari driver asked him when his actual birthday was and he stated it was that day, the driver had our truck sing Happy Birthday to him. It's one of my favorite WDW memories. We were also given champagne and dessert that evening at the California Grill.

To me, it seems that there was a lot more things that were spontaneously given or offered to guests for their birthdays prior to the Celebrate promotions that went on a couple of years ago. Since then the surprises seem less prevalent.

Probably because everyone and their mother (literally) has a button on anymore. Anniversary, engaged, birthday, honeymoon, first trip, first etc.... I don't know, and it's so silly....but the buttons bothered me so much on our trip last year. I understand they want everyone to feel special, but they're not special when literally everyone has one on. I don't usually let anything bother me when I'm there, but for some reason that really irked me...stupid I know...:lol:

 

[LuvMyLatte]

Birthdays at WDW

I celebrated my b'day last year at WDW and many many CMs wished me well. During one of the parades Princess Tiana and her escort stepped off the parade route and wished me a Happy B'day. That was cool. Last year they would give out gift cards for a free day in the parks, not sure if they still do that, we had a package plan so I rcvd one days admission back on my bday day for that amt. Don' forget your drivers lic. f they still do this as your proof of birth day. This year I will be there for my bday again. Being in the "Happiest Place on Earth" is just the best day ever!!!:sohappy:

 

[French Quarter]

They no longer give out free admission on your birthday. That ended at the end of 2009. However, in our experience, they treat you really really well.

We went for my DH's birthday. We were there for the actual day but he wore his button all week, as he was encouraged to do. We got the button upon check-in and they wrote his name on it. We were there during value season, so maybe that makes a difference, but everyone wished him a "Happy Birthday!", both CMs and guests. And many said his name when they did so.

Pretty much every bus we went on played a pre-recorded announcement that informed the people on the bus that someone was celebrating a birthday.

He had his birthday dinner at Sanaa and they brought him out birthday cake before dessert. They treated us like gold there. I'm not sure if that's because it was a special day or if they always have great service. A poster above mentioned being disappointed in not getting desserts. These are not guarenteed. Just treat them as a nice little surprise if you do get them and don't be disappointed if you don't. We really weren't expecting any sort of special treatment. If you really want to guarentee a surprise, pay for it and arrange it ahead of time. Most restaurants seem to allow you to pre-order cake and table decorations.

I did make sure that it said on all of our reservations that it was my DH's birthday. When you make ADRs online, it asks when the actual day is. So, maybe they make more of a fuss on your actually birthday now at the restaurants?

Be sure to get one of those hats. DH didn't but they look really cool and what a great souvenir. I'd probably wear that the whole week too.

Have a wonderful time! What a great way to celebrate your 30th birthday.