>Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

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Today is my mother’s Birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom.
 For those of you that are reading and saying that’s nice, I know, but my Mom isn’t the topic of the day, But Birthdays, Weddings and Anniversaries are; Actually any kind of Special Occasion. They all can be Magical Experiences in Walt Disney World. And as a first time visitor and sometimes a repeat guest, you might not know about some of the Unknown Magics that you can have, because of a Special Occasion.

First off, let’s start with Birthdays. Most of us have them every year (although some of us have forgotten how many we have had) In Walt Disney World, cast members know that birthdays happen and they are ready for them. For example, at the check-in desk in the Resorts, if you stop by and tell them about a birthday in your family, they will give you a button saying “It’s My Birthday” this button can lead to some pretty Magical Experiences throughout the day. Everything from fast Pass tickets, to special deserts, and special greetings. If you have a child that is having a Birthday in Disney, make sure you get them a button; it will make them very happy all day long.

On Main Street USA in front of Town Hall, there is a cart with buttons in it. The buttons are for all different kinds of Celebrations. Anniversary, Birthday, First time Visit, Graduation, etc. This is another way for Cast members to make a fuss over you since you were having a special visit. From a Marketing perspective, this is a neat idea. To be able to not only have the Cast Members say Happy Anniversary (or whatever) but to make it so other guests know you are there on a special day provides for non-Disney employees to wish someone a Happy Whatever. I know whenever we see someone with a First Time Visitors button, we always ask how their trip is going, or a Birthday button always gets a Happy Birthday from many people throughout the day.

Honeymooners in Disney are pretty easy to pick out; they are the young couples with the smiles that look like they are stuck on their faces and have the Newlywed mouse ears on. There are a lot of Anniversary visitors to Disney World also, sometimes with kids, sometimes without. I personally know that if we go for an anniversary, our son will have to be out on his own, or he’ll come with us, I can’t see us going without him. Besides Anniversaries, and Honeymoons, Disney is actually a big place to Propose. I have known people that have asked their current spouses to marry them while in the Magic Kingdom. Some of the Most Romantic places to ask someone to marry you would be in the walkway area off to the side of Cinderella Castle, while the fireworks are happening, or on the Unknown Magic of a Carriage Ride, through Port Orleans, or at Fort Wilderness Campground. Of course there are many, many other places that can be just as romantic, but if I was going to do it, I’d say one of those two. Disney Cast members can also help with your planning for the Proposal, they run this program through their own wedding and honeymoon planners. You can get more information at:

Disney Weddings. After the Proposal, Weddings in Disney are a very big thing. On the grounds of the Grand Floridian, Resort, is the Disney Wedding Pavilion. Working with the Disney Wedding Team you can have a Fairy Tale Wedding of your Dreams.

As mentioned in the 5/9 post A Delivery of Magic, for many of these special occasions, Disney Floral & Gifts has a wonderful assortment of gifts. You can also order a special Cakes or PhotoPass products. And of course you can get a Special Occasion

 set of Mouse Ears. You can even have a special party at Goofy’s Candy Company in Downtown Disney.

Besides the Celebrations mentioned above, Disney Cast Members will also help you

celebrate a Family Reunion or even a Personal Triumph. And if you are the type to do it yourself, you can do that too, as Disney is just as Magical if you plan it or if they do. Just Remember, if you want something special like a cake, make sure you order it at least 48 hours in advance of your Celebration, and make sure you have Reservations for the restaurant you want to celebrate in. Other items or reservations may need more advance notice. For more information or ideas on Celebrating in Walt Disney World, go to: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/celebrations/

So, now that you know, Magical Experiences in Disney happen every day, but on your Special Occasions, the days are even more Magical. So, What will you Celebrate?