Having your cake and eating it too at Walt Disney World in 2009

Courtney Mills

16 years ago

You
say it’s your birthday? It’s my birthday too …

Are you like me? Are you still kind of blown away by Disney’s promotion for 2009
(Free admission to one of the Parks on your birthday? How cool is that?!) and are you still somewhat
unsure about how to make the most of this “What
Will You Celebrate” offer ?

Not to worry! Courtney is on the case. Because my own birthday is coming up on
February 6th and I don’t miss out on any possible birthday fun, I have been calling friends who work
at the WDW Resort,
as well as quizzing my co-workers here at Orlando
Fun Tickets.
And I now want to share what I’ve learned. So that you too can have a hassle-free B-Day at D-world.

First and foremost, don’t think that you have to wait ’til you get to the Parks in order to register for your free birthday admission. Truth be told, if you were to come — oh, I don’t know, to say, us (Because — let’s remember — it’s only the birthday boy or girl that gets free admission. The rest of the family is still going to need tickets to get into the Parks) — Orlando Fun Tickets can then help set you up. Put some more icing on your birthday cake, get you & your family even more discounts.

Now upon entering the Theme Park of your choice, you’ll undoubtedly come
across a cart that offers a free “I’m Celebrating My Birthday” (or “Wedding” or
“Anniversary” or “Graduation”) button. Feel free to pick one of these up. Just
don’t plan on receiving any extra special treatment in the Parks while you’re
wearing that button.

I know, I know. That runs counter to the whole “Disney
treats all of its Guests special” credo. But you have to understand that – in
2009, anyway – the Parks will be flooded with people who are also wearing these
buttons. Which makes it really difficult for Cast Members to give every
Guest who’s celebrating their birthday / marriage / retirement a free FASTPASS
or a great viewing spot for the 3 o’clock parade. To be honest, the best you
can probably hope for is to have a lot of WDW employees wave at you and say
“Congratulations on your anniversary / graduation / promotion” as you walk through the
Park.

Mind you, you can still get your free birthday cupcake. That
is – of course – if you make sure that your server knows it’s your birthday
when he or she is seating you at a WDW restaurant. But if you want something a
little grander than just a cupcake … Well, Disney can help you out there too.

As part of 2009’s “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign, the
Mouse has really beefed up the birthday options at all of its on-property
buffet-type restaurants (i.e. The Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom,
Hollywood & Dine at Disney’s
Hollywood Studios,
1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa). And if you give
these folks enough advance notice, they can make sure that your table is
festooned with streamers and glitter upon your arrival. They can even provide a
castle-shaped table topper as well as goodie bags for the kids.

Of course, there’ll be an extra fee for additional birthday
touches like these. Take – for example – that 6-inch cake that Disney offers in
either a pirate’s treasure chest or a princess jewelry box. Sure, it’s a bit
pricey at $21 a cake. But did I mention that this confection comes with either
a pirate flag or a plastic hand mirror ?

Now if you don’t think that a 6-inch cake will be enough to
serve you and all
of your birthday Guests … Not to worry. Disney will be happy to provide you with a personalized, custom-made cake
that’ll be big enough to serve everyone in your party. You just have to order
it at least 48 hours in advance through WDW’s Cake Hotline (407-827-2253). Plus
– of course – remind the people at the podium about these special arrangements
as you check in for your lunch or dinner reservation.

Here’s another little known fact: Provided that you actually
let the restaurant know well in advance that you plan on doing this, Disney
will actually let you bring your own birthday cake into the Park. Mind you, you
and your party will be expected to order and then eat a full meal before the
servers will wheel
that cake out to your table. But whatever it takes to make your birthday
celebration seem just that little bit more special this year, Disney’s willing
to do.

And when it comes to that
special birthday meal … You really don’t want to wait ‘til the last minute to try
& set that up either. You see, many of the most popular dining locations at Walt Disney World
require advance reservations (Or – as the Mouse likes to call it these days –
Priority Seating). So if you want to eat your birthday meal at someplace truly
special like Cinderella’s Royal Table, you’ll need to make advance dining
reservations. And you can do this up to 90 days in advance by calling
407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

Of course, if this all still seems a bit too involved &
convoluted for you, you can just drop by the Orlando
Fun Tickets
offices. Where one of our staffers will be happy to help you make the most of
whatever event it is that you’re celebrating at Walt Disney World this year.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go find out if Disney will
serve you a free cupcake at breakfast on your birthday. (Did I mention that I wanted to get my party started really early on the 6th ?)