As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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I've heard if its your birthday which it will be my daughters when you go that certain restaurants do birthday cupcakes ect which places is it that do this please
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I've been for my birthday many times in the past and have found it does vary - there are no guarantees that any restaurant will do this. However, if you note the birthday on your reservation and mention it again when you check in, you may luck out. I've had cupcakes at both the Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's in the past.
1900 Park Fare is another where I got a birthday cupcake.
If you are doing many character meals, those may give a better chance of free cupcakes.
I've seen a few people say they got a free dessert but not many at all.
Really, as chezp points out, there's no way to tell where your daughter might get one.
However, I find I'm usually too stuffed after a Disney meal to want a cupcake anyway.
I suggest some "sneaky mom" behavior. Determine your daughter's favorite Disney snack if you haven't already a pretty good idea what she prefers and surprise her during footsaver sit downs or other short breaks while in the parks.
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
When we went for my Gram's birthday she got a tiara at one restaurant and I know she got cupcakes & a signed card from 1900 Park Fare & Cape May breakfast. She also got a signed bday card from the staff at Le Cellier. I do not remember her receiving anything at Crystal Palace though.
I would definitely recommend making sure to note the birthday on you ADRs. And to mention it to the hostess upon checking in. Wear the celebration buttons & perhaps making her a personalized birthday shirt would be ensure her to get some extra birthday wishes. My mom made my Grandma one and put her age on it and it said please wish me Happy Birthday on it using puffy fabric paint. She had the best time ever on that trip - her last unfortunately but we have so many memories. We heard Happy Birthday so much & she was sung Happy Birthday so much I began cringing at the sound of the song. The entire queue of Splash Mountain sang to her as we exited the boat. It is one of my best memories.
I just want to reiterate, that it is never guaranteed that a restaurant will do anything special for a birthday. If you start to expect it I find you are often disappointed. You can order cakes through Disney to be presented at a meal if you want to ensure one restaurant is an extra special birthday meal!
The last few years we've been to Disney on my husbands birthday (not just celebrating it at a different time) and it has varied as mentioned what places do. At Garden Grill we've gotten a signed card with an actual piece of cake. Crytal Palace we've gotten pixie dust (aka party confetti) left on the table with a cupcake given later in the meal. Ohana's (unless I'm remembering wrong) it wasn't acknowledged in any way even though it was noted on our ADR (I read it on the piece of paper the CM's read to seat us). These are all table service restaurants too - it's not done at counter service places. As cautioned, don't expect it every time at every restaurant. If you do, you'll only be disappointed and after all, there is so much at Disney, don't let the lack of a "free" cupcake be the thing that ruins it.
Well, yes, you can order a Disney cake, but we thought the prices outlandish for as small as they are.
Six inches across for FIFTY BUCKS??? Not even a standard-sized round cake which are typically 8"-9" across. And that was a few years ago.
I think you could do better with a custom decorated chocolate chip cookie or krispie treat at Goofy's Candy Company in DSpgs that you choose what goes on it despite that not being delivered.
Just my thinking on the subject, probably not worth even two cents.
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
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Well, yes, you can order a Disney cake, but we thought the prices outlandish for as small as they are.
Six inches across for FIFTY BUCKS??? Not even a standard-sized round cake which are typically 8"-9" across. And that was a few years ago.
When I priced the plain six inch cakes last year - the ones you don't have to order in advance, they were about $22.00 plus tax. To have it delivered to your room costs about $56.00. Here's a link: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/disney...s-by-location/
I did all my ADRs online. Is there a way to note a celebration that way? Or do you need to call and have a CM do it? We are celebrating several occasions (my sister's family's 1st visit to WDW, 2 graduations, 2 anniversaries, my birthday), and while we're not expecting anything, I thought it would be nice to be surprised. (I would only note one celebration per restaurant, not all of them.)
When we went to WDW 5 years ago, I think most places did do something to acknowledge my birthday, whether it was confetti on the table or a special dessert. Even just a CM saying "Happy Birthday" was great!
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Last edited by momtotaryn; 05-19-2016 at 06:51 PM..
You could be correct, yalibrarian. I think the ones DH looked at were fancy since he was wanting a special one for my birthday, not merely a plain cake.
We just didn't think a plain cake Disney enough and decided to forget it.
__________________
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
That is amazing the queue of splash mountain sang to her how lovely
Thank you for your sympathy but she had a wonderful life. Splash Mountain began as a chant of "go Grandma go" as we were having a little trouble explaining to her at 94 & a child's memory on how to climb up on the wet seat and out of the ride vehicle. Then it became happy birthday and a lot of well wishes along with hoots & hollaring for her. She loved every second as did we.
The Splash Mountain memory is one of my best memories from the trip but there were a lot of amazing things & CMs that trip making each moment magical.
I did all my ADRs online. Is there a way to note a celebration that way? Or do you need to call and have a CM do it? We are celebrating several occasions (my sister's family's 1st visit to WDW, 2 graduations, 2 anniversaries, my birthday), and while we're not expecting anything, I thought it would be nice to be surprised. (I would only note one celebration per restaurant, not all of them.)
When we went to WDW 5 years ago, I think most places did do something to acknowledge my birthday, whether it was confetti on the table or a special dessert. Even just a CM saying "Happy Birthday" was great!
Are you staying on site or off? When we stayed on site it was noted within our package and therefore automatically noted on our ADRs. I think either way the easiest thing to do at this point would be to call (during an off time) to the reservation dining and give them your confirmation numbers & have them note it. when you check in to the resort if on site have them confirm the note of your celebrations and make sure everyone gets their celebration buttons and that they were them everywhere. CMs look for them and if nothing else everyone will be wished magical pixies on their celebration sometimes the Disney magic is more but you should never expect it. I also would confirm the celebrations with each hostess when you check in for each ADR.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
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