Celebration dinner bonus/freebie?

[basmal8]

We will be celebrating our anniversary on one of the dinners during our upcoming May trip. I have read that some restaurants give a free cupcake or do something special when they know you are celebrating a special occasion. Is this true? Anyone have some examples of what they do - and are any of them really nice/cool/special/fun/entertaining?

Our actual anniversary date is our travel day home, so we wanted to pick a date during the trip to actually celebrate, based on the restaurant. Based on our ADRs below, any suggestions where we should celebrate it? (FYI, party of 6, 3 adults, 3 kids under age 9). We will have DDP, so the free cupcake is NOT the point here.

Crystal Palace
Whispering Canyon
Mama Melrose
Backyard BBQ
Hollywood & Vine (Star Wars)
Chef Mickey

Any advice is appreciated.
THX!

 

[belledream]

We've gotten a cupcake/card at Crystal Palace for a birthday. But I'm sure there are various factors for every place, such as date and your specific server. Rule of thumb is don't count on anything more than a 'congratulations' and enjoy your meal!

 

[Minthorne]

Rose and Crown: dessert menu signed by all the staff and a special dessert for free.
Olivia's at OKW: mimosa with breakfast
I

 

[RiceCrispyMickey]

These were my birthday cupcakes from Kona Cafe (can't beat cupcakes for breakfast lol)

I also had birthday 'grey stuff' from be our guest in the evening along with a card signed by our waitress, the beast and belle.

I'm 25, but it never gets old!!!

 

[MissingDisney]

We've noted several different 'celebrations' on our ADR over the course of many years. The most memorable in experience was at Whispering Canyon. The entire restaraunt was involved in the celebration of my son's "DECADE DEBACLE DEBUTE!" a/k/a 10th birthday. However, I ordred a special-order caked from Disney Cakes/Bakery in advance and had it waiting for us. We noted our anniversary celebration during another trip, received the standard cupcakes at just about every ADR (the 'celebration' was during the the "What will you Celebrate?" promo so it was attached to EVERYTHING) but Mama Melrose did send out a different chocolate/raspberry dessert thing....more syrup writing on a place than anything else. Pretty to take pics of and totaled about 2 bites but was a beautiful gesture.

 

[Wildflower]

Hollywood and Vine for Star Wars is a madhouse (did it last year)...and runs pretty behind so would say not that one. Also think you'll have better luck with it being made more special with a true sit-down as opposed to a buffet...servers aren't rushing around quite as much and typically have less tables than buffet. Plus YOU are stationary at the table too.

 

[whitney37354]

DD's birthday was recognized at many of our ADRs. She got many cupcakes, a couple of cards signed by characters, birthday buttons, & signed placemats.

 

[LaceyLC]

So, how do you let them know? Is it just the special button or do you add it somehow to your reservation (either ADR or entire stay reservation?) Just wondering because we are celebrating our 10 year while we are there. Thank you!

 

[sissa216]

You can note your celebration to both your dining reservation and resort reservation, and can also ask for the free celebration buttons at check in or concierge (if they're not automatically given to you after you note it ahead of time). Or go guest relations in any park to ask for buttons!

We often visit near birthdays and our anniversary- and have gotten cupcakes, champagne, signed cards, cookies. We actually stopped wearing celebration buttons and notating our reservations a while ago because it can be so much attention But it's nice to sometimes also get unexpected pixie dust! Over the years, we've occasionally had some extra magical moments compliments of Mickey.

 

[WDW 3]

"Ohana recognized out buttons with a cupcake

 

[Disneydreamer23]

Hollywood and vine give chocOlate covered strawberries

 

[popcenturylover]

DD got a free cupcake at Akershus for her birthday when we were there in 12'.

 

[Pax]

We received a couple of glasses of champagne and a special dessert for us and one for each kidlet when we celebrated our 15th anniversary at the Wave in September. It was our actual anniversary date and the server was one we have gotten to know over the past couple of years and always request her if she is working, so that may have more to do with the special treatment than just a button or notation on the reservation.

 

[bee]

My gf and I have been at WDW on our respective birthdays. On mine the DVC cast member was out of buttons so he made me a crown and sash out of DVC stickers (!) and other CMs took notice and said "happy birthday." One gave me a cookie. My gf got an extra cupcake at the Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party and lots of "happy birthday"s.

 

[loveglobe]

Some years ago my DH and I had a celebration dinner at Cali grill and our table was sprinkled with Mickey confetti. It was a really nice touch. I hope they still do that!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

A lot of places, especially the character meals, will give you a cupcake and a signed card. A handful of them will also sprinkle your table with confetti. Some of the signatures MAY do special things. We've celebrated bdays at Cali Grill and nothing was done, but DH and I celebrated our anniversary there in Nov and we had confetti sprinkled on our table, were given a window table, even though we were done eating- they told us to stay put for Wishes, the managers came by to meet us and wish us happy anniversary, and we were given complimentary champagne before Wishes started.

 

[Fizban]

Narcoossee's gave us glasses of champagne and a white "Happy Anniversary" chocolate for our anniversary meal.

 

[mavlax20]

My wife is lucky because her birthday is a week after our wedding anniversary....so we can celebrate both while in Disney. My birthday is in the middle of December and working in education, that makes it pretty much impossible to visit Disney...maybe one day I'll have a job that makes traveling easier. We did go shortly after we were engaged and her birthday was on the trip, and we got the grey stuff at Be Our Guest before they offered it to others. But because we both had Just Engaged buttons (she had her birthday button), I was able to get the grey stuff also!