Disney Birthday Magic

[Sailor Mouse]

Has any one had any sort of special celebration or event happen at WDW for a birthday? Cast members being extra nice, special treatment, or the like? I'm just curious about different experiences people have had.

:wave:

 

[LSUxStitch]

When I was a CM, if I noticed the birthday buttons (which can be recieved from Guest Relations) I would always go out of my way to either sing Happy Bday or just tell them Happy Bday. If it was a child, I would go to the nearest Merch area to get a Bday Phonecall from Goofy for the child.

 

[DONALDisMYhero]

We went to Wilderness Lodge (the Whispering Canyon Cafe to be specific) and they over heard our little group discussing 2 birthdays at our table (it was my birthday 2 days before that, and a friends birthday that day), they brought us free dessert (boy oh boy was that good:slurp and they had like the whole resturaunt sing to us! A bit embarassing, but alot of fun!

 

[DisneyMarg]

We celebrated my son's 18th birthday for the whole week when we were there in March. He is just one of those people who CANNOT be embarrassed and eats up all the attention. He got birthday pins at every park and wore them all week. He bought the big ole light up hat and wore that too. My daughter gave him an autograph book and pen and he got all sorts of folks to sign. Whenever anyone asked about his birthday, he got them to sign the book. At every meal they celebrated his birthday. All day, every day folks asked him about his birthday

Other than the fact that our 15 year-old got pretty sick of it, it was really fun. And of course, she now wants to go on her 16th. The only thing better than getting exactly the same thing your sibling got is getting it two years earlier, right??

 

[Master Yoda]

This is a copy of a letter I just sent to Disney a few minuets ago.

I would just like to inform you that my family and I had an absolutely fantastic day at EPCOT on 5-7-05 much of it due to two incredible cast members named Amy and Matt. We arrived at EPCOT about 9:15 AM and made our way to guest services to get my youngest daughter Riley her birthday pin. We were greeted by a very cheerful young lady named Amy. I asked if I could get a birthday pin for Riley. Amy got a pin and made her way around the counter and got down on one knee to greet my little four year old. She asked all the normal questions, “What is your name? How old are you?” which Riley eagerly responded to. Riley gave Amy a hug and then we were off to Mouse Gear to get autograph books for our 9:50 Princess Breakfast. Matt spotted Riley wearing her birthday button and wished her a happy birthday and asked her what her name was. After she told Matt her name he responded with “Riley, Goofy called here looking for you! Would you like to call him back?” Riley followed Matt over to the check out counter where a phone with Goofy on the other end was waiting for her. Riley put the receiver to her ear and her eyes just lit up and the grin went from ear to ear when Goofy started talking to her. We began to pay for out items when Matt said that he had something he had been saving for a long time for a special birthday girl. He returned with and Ariel birthday pin, coincidentally Ariel is Riley’s favorite princess, so needless to say she was thrilled. I asked Riley if she would like it if Matt was the first person to sign her new autograph book and she replied with a very gleeful “uh huh!” Matt of course happily signed Riley’s book and at my request let me take a picture of him and Riley together. On our way out I heard Matt say to one of his fellow cast members “That is why I come to work every day.”
My family and I have been Annual Passholders For about 5 years now and the reason we come back ten or twelve times a year is because of cast members like Amy and Matt. They are where the true Disney magic lies, not in the rides or the shows but in those individuals that take such pride in their work and go way out of their way just to make a little girl smile. I have attached a picture of Riley and Matt (sadly I did not get one of Amy and Riley). Please let them know that they made a little girl’s birthday unforgettable.



Richard Tingley,
Annual Passholder and life long Disney fan

Matt-Riley's new favorite Disney personality.

 

[CaptainMichael]

We're going a few days after my 18th birthday. I plan on getting the 3 available buttons.

 

[LSUxStitch]

Master Yoda, thank you for being a guest that recognizes a CM's good intentions. Many times we see too many guests so eager to complain, but hardly ever notice them congratulated us. I've always enjoyed when guests would write back with my name or leave a little comment for me at guest relations...You are why I enjoyed my job so much at Epcot

 

[Master Yoda]

Master Yoda, thank you for being a guest that recognizes a CM's good intentions. Many times we see too many guests so eager to complain, but hardly ever notice them congratulated us. I've always enjoyed when guests would write back with my name or leave a little comment for me at guest relations...You are why I enjoyed my job so much at Epcot

It is me that should be thanking you. Thank you for helping in creating the best place in the world.

 

[Nansafan]

My brother celebrated his 40th birthday at WDW. He got his pin at the MK. That day happened to be an E-ride night so after dinner at the GF, we were back at MK til it's late closing. We all had matching t-shirts celebrating his birthday so if you missed the pin, you were sure able to see the shirt that said, "Hi I'm John. Today is my 40th Birthday!" All the CM's were wonderful especially those at Space Mountain that E-Ride night, all calling him by name as they directed us to our rockets.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

We've been to Crystal Palace twice for breakfast on my daughters birthday. Just a quick mention as we were being seated and the staff came from the kitchens with a small cake and everyone singing / clapping - Memorable

 

[MR. DISNEY]

We went for my wife’s 35 in Feb. My dad got her the birthday light-up hat. Well, that time of the year is a little slower so we got so much interaction with everybody. We were walking down by the magic carpets and Genie left his spot to run after my wife and (taste) the cake hat. My daughter thought it was the greatest. We laughed all day.

 

[MissM]

Last year we went for a weekend (which we hope to do next weekend but things look booked!) birthday trip for me. My birthday's May 16th and it was on the Sunday last year. Anyway, we got reservations for Cinderella's Royal Table for a 4pm "dinner." I'd never eaten in the Castle before. We get seated and at my table is Mickey-ear confetti and streamers. They also brought me a Mickey ear bundt cake with sprinkles and a candle after I ate.

Later on, when we were heading out for the day, we stopped back by the reservation desk. We complimented them on how lovely a meal and experience we had and asked if we could buy one of the mugs still. We had meant to during dinner but got distracted and forgot. The man (who appeared to be a manager of sorts) told us to wait one moment and disappeared. He came back almost instantly with a bag. Inside the bag were TWO of the collectable glass mugs. Happy Birthday he told me. No charge.

It just made my day. He said he was happy to hear I had a nice meal and hoped I had a great birthday. It still makes me smile to think about it.
-m

 

[Iakona]

Has any one had any sort of special celebration or event happen at WDW for a birthday? Cast members being extra nice, special treatment, or the like? I'm just curious about different experiences people have had.

:wave:

Some excerpts from my January trip report:

We picked up Birthday pins at each park and the reaction of the Cast Members was awesome. Some of the special things that were done for him were:

A Cast Member at MK stopped us on Main office and sang him happy b-day.

An off duty CM visiting the park for her own enjoyment approached us as we waited for MK to open and wished him happy b-day and gave us some great tips.


A CM at Mission Space gave us 2 Switch Passes (for Test Track) after wishing him happy b-day.

A CM at Dinosaur at AK gave him a pin (by the way that was my son’s 1<SUP>st</SUP> pin and it ended up costing me when we ended up building his collection!!)

The CM at Chef Mickey’s for his B-day dinner was phenomenal in her attention to him.
<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 /><ST1< class=inlineimg title="stick out tongue" smilieid="34" alt="" border="0" src="images/smilies/tongue2.gif" ST1<img></ST1<> Chef Mickey’s on the other hand was amazing, as was the CM bringing us our drinks. She also let us know ahead of time when Mickey was coming out for my son’s B-day celebration so we would be ready with the cameras. She also corralled Mickey after he went by us by mistake and gently removed some children who were trying to hug Mickey during our pictures with hi (the parents were oblivious to what was going on).



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One unplanned event was extra special. Thanks to the info on the WDWMAGIC we knew about the Sword in the Stone Ceremony. We got there a little early and Keith was able to get Merlin’s autograph and a picture. I then made sure my son was up front. Merlin had noticed my son’s B-day pins and after his “bodyguard” was picked Keith was picked by Merlin. The smile on Keith’s face during the “processional” around the stone was priceless. Merlin did an awesome job!



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The other big impression was AKL. AKL was beautiful and the extras they offer kept us busy on our slow days and nights. During one story time by the fireplace the cultural ambassador telling the story was faced with 12 adults and 1 child (my son). She told us two stories and even had everyone sing happy b-day to my son (after she sung it in Afrikaans).

 

[DisneySam]

This is a copy of a letter I just sent to Disney a few minuets ago.

That was such a sweet story! I hope the CM's see a copy and get the credit they deserve. LSUxStitch you are right, I can only imagine about the complaints that CM's get.

I did my 18th Birthday at Disney in 2001 and did not really do anything too special since it was my first trip ever [trust me that in itself was special enough!] but at the Whispering Canyon Cafe they made me stand on a chair at the front of the restaurant, and everyone in the restaurant and lobby sang happy birthday to me. Eventhough I was super embarassed it was so nice. Everyone was singing, just seems very special now that I think back on it.

Have a great trip!

 

[LSUxStitch]

LSUxStitch you are right, I can only imagine about the complaints that CM's get.

:zipit: I think I will keep my mouth shut on some complaints I've heard in my lifetime lol

Master Yoda, I think it goes both ways...CM's definitely react to the guests...I've encountered some guests that would rather not be recognized and aren't into the whole MAGIC thing ....BUT its ok, we can THANK each other

 

[linkinparknumb0]

All these sound great....when i leave for Disney in late june and ealry july i will be celebrating my 15 B-Day..i just cant wait for our trip

 

[jsfra209]

This is a copy of a letter I just sent to Disney a few minuets ago.

I would just like to inform you that my family and I had an absolutely fantastic day at EPCOT on 5-7-05 much of it due to two incredible cast members named Amy and Matt. We arrived at EPCOT about 9:15 AM and made our way to guest services to get my youngest daughter Riley her birthday pin. We were greeted by a very cheerful young lady named Amy. I asked if I could get a birthday pin for Riley. Amy got a pin and made her way around the counter and got down on one knee to greet my little four year old. She asked all the normal questions, “What is your name? How old are you?” which Riley eagerly responded to. Riley gave Amy a hug and then we were off to Mouse Gear to get autograph books for our 9:50 Princess Breakfast. Matt spotted Riley wearing her birthday button and wished her a happy birthday and asked her what her name was. After she told Matt her name he responded with “Riley, Goofy called here looking for you! Would you like to call him back?” Riley followed Matt over to the check out counter where a phone with Goofy on the other end was waiting for her. Riley put the receiver to her ear and her eyes just lit up and the grin went from ear to ear when Goofy started talking to her. We began to pay for out items when Matt said that he had something he had been saving for a long time for a special birthday girl. He returned with and Ariel birthday pin, coincidentally Ariel is Riley’s favorite princess, so needless to say she was thrilled. I asked Riley if she would like it if Matt was the first person to sign her new autograph book and she replied with a very gleeful “uh huh!” Matt of course happily signed Riley’s book and at my request let me take a picture of him and Riley together. On our way out I heard Matt say to one of his fellow cast members “That is why I come to work every day.”
My family and I have been Annual Passholders For about 5 years now and the reason we come back ten or twelve times a year is because of cast members like Amy and Matt. They are where the true Disney magic lies, not in the rides or the shows but in those individuals that take such pride in their work and go way out of their way just to make a little girl smile. I have attached a picture of Riley and Matt (sadly I did not get one of Amy and Riley). Please let them know that they made a little girl’s birthday unforgettable.



Richard Tingley,
Annual Passholder and life long Disney fan

Matt-Riley's new favorite Disney personality.

It is so great of you to send that letter... That CM really deserves a round of applause..and a bonus.. Thank you for sharing that awesome story..

"You see..That's why I spend my hard earned dollars at WDW every year!!" Where else in the world can you experience hospitality like that!

 

[MommytoMJM]

My husband's 40th b-day is the first Satr Wars Weekend. We are doing 4 parks in 3 days! I can't wait fo it...we know quite a few CM's and they know his bday is coming so I expect a large level of embarrassment.....

Turn about is fair play!

 

[ctwhalerman]

I remember a few years ago, we were at Old Key West for my mother's birthday, and after we came back from dinner that night there was a huge surprise waiting on our table. They had brought in a huge (and very good) cake shaped as Minnie Mouse, and had given my mother a framed autographed picture of Minnie with a happy birthday greeting. I had never seen my mother so surprised and happy, and it really made her trip.

That said, I don't know if that is something special Disney does for DVC members, whether they are just really nice, or whether they were just kissing up to us, as earlier in the trip my grandmother tripped on a curb getting off a badly-parked bus, breaking her nose in the process. Maybe this was just a way of them thanking us for promising to not sue them! :drevil:

 

[Tinkrbell]

We've done my sister's 5th & 13th bdays in the park. However, we didnt know about the bday pins, so she didnt really get any special attention. I found out about the pins right after we got back from our most recent trip in April 2004.