Do resort hotels do anything special for a 'special occasion?'

[RachMac]

Me and my boyfriend will be going on our first trip to WDW next year and I've noticed on my invoice it now says 'celebration - first trip'

I was just wondering is the resort likely to acknowledge this and add in something extra? (We're staying at Port Orleans Riverside)

I'm honestly not fussed if they don't I was just wondering as I've heard sometimes they do but I'm not entirely sure
Thank you!

 

[BobsMom]

There may be "first visit" buttons waiting for you when you check in. If there are, wear them. The CM's are great at acknowledging the buttons.

 

[wdwfan22]

Most likely they will acknowledge your visit upon arrival. You will probably receive first visit buttons to wear as well.

 

[Polydweller]

The buttons and acknowledgement will be about it. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of people checking into Disney resorts almost daily with celebrations. It wouldn't be possible to do something special for all of them, so they pretty much stick to things like the buttons and an acknowledgement.

 

[wdwhoneymooner]

When we honeymooned @ Beach Club we were upgraded to a courtyard view overlooking the Crescent Lake. And were given a small celebration package in our room too. It was a nice touch. Not sure about now, but from what I hear/read the 1st Visit button is almost a certainty and a family acquaintance who made her first trip ever with her young child received a voucher for Beaches and Cream. Her trip was about 6 years ago.

 

[donaldtoo]

I have a resort celebration story that still blows me away to this day.
In July of '07 we were at WDW for our oldest DDs Sweet 16 birthday, and staying at ASMusic. After we checked in, I snuck off to the concierge desk. Her birthday was still a few days away, and we would be starting at MK on her special day, but we would be coming back to the resort for a break in the early afternoon. I asked the CM if there was a little something they could have in the room for her when we got back the afternoon of her birthday. Like a card, or a balloon, etc., and I'd be more than happy to pay for it. She said "Don't worry about it, I'll take care of it!" I thanked her and kinda' wondered what little thing she might leave for her, and then didn't think too much about it.
Waiting for rope drop the morning of her birthday is where the first cool thing happened. We were at the front of a huge crowd at the right hand tunnel waiting, and DD was wearing her birthday button as well as a coupla' other things indicating it was her 16th. An elderly cast member noticed and got the attention of the crowd, announced her birthday, and then led the crowd in singing Happy Birthday to her! It was AWESOME...!!!
Then comes the afternoon surprise when we took that break back at the resort.
When I opened the door I couldn't believe what I was seeing...
There was a balloon, half a dozen red roses already in a vase, a Minnie Mouse plush, a Minnie Mouse t-shirt, a coupla' keychains, and a card from Cinderella...!!!!! It was nuts!!!
And, we didn't pay a dime for any of it.
That Concierge CM was not on shift when I went to see if there was some mistake. When I finally was able to track her down the next day, she said it was no mistake and she wouldn't accept payment of any kind. I definitely put in a good word for her to management.
There is no way this is the norm, but, I guess ya' just never know.
Again, still completely blows me away to this day...!!!

 

[RachMac]

I have a resort celebration story that still blows me away to this day.
In July of '07 we were at WDW for our oldest DDs Sweet 16 birthday, and staying at ASMusic. After we checked in, I snuck off to the concierge desk. Her birthday was still a few days away, and we would be starting at MK on her special day, but we would be coming back to the resort for a break in the early afternoon. I asked the CM if there was a little something they could have in the room for her when we got back the afternoon of her birthday. Like a card, or a balloon, etc., and I'd be more than happy to pay for it. She said "Don't worry about it, I'll take care of it!" I thanked her and kinda' wondered what little thing she might leave for her, and then didn't think too much about it.
Waiting for rope drop the morning of her birthday is where the first cool thing happened. We were at the front of a huge crowd at the right hand tunnel waiting, and DD was wearing her birthday button as well as a coupla' other things indicating it was her 16th. An elderly cast member noticed and got the attention of the crowd, announced her birthday, and then led the crowd in singing Happy Birthday to her! It was AWESOME...!!!
Then comes the afternoon surprise when we took that break back at the resort.
When I opened the door I couldn't believe what I was seeing...
There was a balloon, half a dozen red roses already in a vase, a Minnie Mouse plush, a Minnie Mouse t-shirt, a coupla' keychains, and a card from Cinderella...!!!!! It was nuts!!!
And, we didn't pay a dime for any of it.
That Concierge CM was not on shift when I went to see if there was some mistake. When I finally was able to track her down the next day, she said it was no mistake and she wouldn't accept payment of any kind. I definitely put in a good word for her to management.
There is no way this is the norm, but, I guess ya' just never know.
Again, still completely blows me away to this day...!!!

Awww that sounds so amazing and lovely!

 

[cornandacobb]

I have a resort celebration story that still blows me away to this day.
In July of '07 we were at WDW for our oldest DDs Sweet 16 birthday, and staying at ASMusic. After we checked in, I snuck off to the concierge desk. Her birthday was still a few days away, and we would be starting at MK on her special day, but we would be coming back to the resort for a break in the early afternoon. I asked the CM if there was a little something they could have in the room for her when we got back the afternoon of her birthday. Like a card, or a balloon, etc., and I'd be more than happy to pay for it. She said "Don't worry about it, I'll take care of it!" I thanked her and kinda' wondered what little thing she might leave for her, and then didn't think too much about it.
Waiting for rope drop the morning of her birthday is where the first cool thing happened. We were at the front of a huge crowd at the right hand tunnel waiting, and DD was wearing her birthday button as well as a coupla' other things indicating it was her 16th. An elderly cast member noticed and got the attention of the crowd, announced her birthday, and then led the crowd in singing Happy Birthday to her! It was AWESOME...!!!
Then comes the afternoon surprise when we took that break back at the resort.
When I opened the door I couldn't believe what I was seeing...
There was a balloon, half a dozen red roses already in a vase, a Minnie Mouse plush, a Minnie Mouse t-shirt, a coupla' keychains, and a card from Cinderella...!!!!! It was nuts!!!
And, we didn't pay a dime for any of it.
That Concierge CM was not on shift when I went to see if there was some mistake. When I finally was able to track her down the next day, she said it was no mistake and she wouldn't accept payment of any kind. I definitely put in a good word for her to management.
There is no way this is the norm, but, I guess ya' just never know.
Again, still completely blows me away to this day...!!!

Will be at the Yacht Club next Thursday celebrating my daughter's Sweet 16. The sky is the limit!

 

[donaldtoo]

Awww that sounds so amazing and lovely!

Thanks!
It was pretty darn incredible...!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Will be at the Yacht Club next Thursday celebrating my daughter's Sweet 16. The sky is the limit!

Go for it...!!!!!

 

[bunnyman]

The power of the buttons was greatly diminished several years ago when they started giving out buttons by the box load. It used to be if you had a birthday and went to Town Hall or the equivalent in each park, you’d get the blue and white button and your name would be put on it. One summer when there for our daughter’s birthday, I can’t tell you how many cast members treated her like gold for the day. I remember we were riding Tower of Tower, and just before boarding a cast member wished her a happy birthday; upon exiting another cast member was waiting and asked her if she wanted to ride again…of course she said yes, and we were ushered through a door and put right back in another car for a second ride. Things like this happened all day. Now, everyone is walking around with some type of button, so what once a special thing has become a non-event.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Extra magical things can happen, you never know when or where they can occur. It depends on the moment. Dont go expecting anything extra and you wont be disappointed if nothing happens. Some CM's are struck by your story, something you said or did, or you catch them at the right time when they feel generous and for no reason they want to make your trip more magical. Any CM can do it at any time. Once we were sitting in the food court at POFQ and struck up a conversation with a cleaning woman and she gave us something just because we went out of our way to speak kindly to her as she was cleaning tables.

 

[patch553]

we got married in Disneyworld and vacation there each year for our anniversary, I guess that must flash up on our record because each year upon arrival there is either balloons, chocolates or congratulations cards in our room. exceptional service as always from the Disney staff

 

[Missymoe4]

Wow, all this is neat. I won't expect anything, but this is the first trip we will be celebrating something (completion of my Masters).
All of you are very fortunate to have such special occurrences. I'm sure it makes your trip extra special. Special occasion or not, WDW has my heart.

 

[Sloth_White]

This is all getting me excited for my next trip, which is my birthday trip!

 

[MickeyMomV]

When were there in April a CM in the food court at AS Sports noticed our 15 year Anniversary pins and came over and wished us a Happy Anniversary. We spoke for a few minutes about the anniversary and how we had honeymooned in WDW. She then left and came back a few minutes later with chocolate dipped rice crispy treats for our desert. She was AWESOME!!!

 

[21stamps]

It may sound trivial, but my son got so excited during his first time there- every time we went thru a FP line- each time the CM said - "(Name), how are you enjoying your first visit?" He was shocked every time that they knew his name and asked him about his "first" trip. I loved it!!!