Birthday a week before trip--any suggestions?

[Keara'sMom]

Hi all,
My DH and I will be coming to WDW Jan. 8-12 with our DD who will turn 8 on Jan. 2. I know WDW has all kinds of fun perks for birthday kids, and I'd love for my daughter to celebrate there, but I feel strange about having her wear an "It's my Birthday" button, since her birthday really was the week before. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[hezreck]

Go ahead and wear it, and wear it everyday. My DD birthday was in the middle of our trip and she wore here buttons everyday. All the CM's said Happy Birthday and lots of characters signed it in her book. They don't care if it's not your exact date. I told one lady working that my DD birthday was Wed. (this was on Sat.) She just said "Everyday is your birthday at Disney!" And your DD birthday was just the week before, I see no problem with it. If her birthday was in June, that would be a different story. Go and have a great time!!

 

[tjmw2727]

If your dd will wear the button then by all means celebrate and enjoy. Just remember that esp during a busy time you may or may not get "perks", so if you want a cake or to do something special be sure and plan for it yourself.

The park buttons say "Today Is My Birthday" and my dd who at 5 was very literal would only wear it on her actual birthday. A few of the other days in the trip she wore a button I brought from home with "Happy Birthday To Me". I got it at a party store. Maybe you could pick one day ahead of time to be her WDW Birthday and wear the button that day!

My oldest celebrated her 6th b'day and got lots of fun things and attention during that trip. My youngest celebrated her 5th b'day at WDW the next year and not to many CM's made that big a deal of it. It seems to depend on the mood, the day etc so don't set your dd up for dissapointment. Let whatever may happen be a surprise.

I don't want to sound grumpy but lots of people (one I know IRL) went with the idea of re-rides, fotl passes and cake and balloons and consequently when this didn't happen the ds was very dissapointed and the parents were mad. Not saying you are doing this - just want to put some perspective on things for you.

TJ

 

[Keara'sMom]

Thanks for the great advice! Actually, my daughter doesn't know we're going to WDW (a Christmas surprise), and I definitely will not tell her to expect anything for her b-day! When I was making my resort reservation, I mentioned something about my daughter turning 8 the week before the trip (when the CM asked how old my DD was), and she then said something to the effect of, "Well, we'll have to make sure she has another celebration here!" That's what put the idea in my head.

I love the suggestion to get a birthday button before our trip, 'cause "Today is My Birthday" just doesn't sit right with me...

Thanks again!!

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks for the great advice! Actually, my daughter doesn't know we're going to WDW (a Christmas surprise), and I definitely will not tell her to expect anything for her b-day! When I was making my resort reservation, I mentioned something about my daughter turning 8 the week before the trip (when the CM asked how old my DD was), and she then said something to the effect of, "Well, we'll have to make sure she has another celebration here!" That's what put the idea in my head.

I love the suggestion to get a birthday button before our trip, 'cause "Today is My Birthday" just doesn't sit right with me...

Thanks again!!

My youngest just turned 8 on Tuesday - I can't beleive it. We have a trip planned for the 26th - 1st and it was a supposed to be a surprise as well. Until yesterday that is, when dh did a big ole blooper LOL. He is sooooo disapointed but I am a bit releived as is my 10yo who LOVES to help me plan is helping me plan! I can also pack now and have the kids help with that, I am already sneaking around enough these days!

My DH will celebrate his actual birthday while we are at the parks and he dosen't want to wear a button at all. My 10yo is teasing him that she is going to wear a "Today Is My Dad's Birthday" button- we shall see.

Honestly, I do think you should consider picking one day during the trip to re-celebrate. Let her wear the button (if she is comfortable with that) and maybe even do a character meal, Chef Mickeys is great for a birthday and see what happens.

Have a wonderfult trip!
TJ

 

[Keara'sMom]

Thanks again, TJ, for the great advice--and happy birthday to your youngest and to your husband!! I hope he wears the button! I think your idea of picking one day to celebrate is a great one, and we'll plan to do that. You know, we're going to Orlando primarily because my husband has a conference there, not especially because of the birthday. It was just good timing! So...our daughter will not think this trip is for her but for all of us. Giving her the surprise of a "birthday day" will certainly bring a smile to her face!

Have a great trip!!

 

[tiggercrazy]

I have been debating this same issue. We are going on a "Christmas present" surprise trip at the end of Jan. (Actually, I will be thankful on Christmas day that we don't have to keep the secret anymore.) We will be there until the 29th of Jan. and my dd will turn 7 on Feb. 4th. I was thinking of celebrating her birthday the last day that we are there. Especially since I won't be planning a party for her when we get back. Just too much at one time.

Have a great trip!