Birthday Button "Etiquette"?

[cobright]

I will add, the notion that people celebrating birthdays on days which may not be their birthday is costing the rest of you any significant vacation value is silly.

As one person begrudged "They got a free cupcake at a buffet" (paraphrased). That's my point, it didn't raise the cost of preparing their meal any significant degree. They got a free cupcake and after eating it they ate less of the desserts they paid for.

Does anyone really think that CMs and fellow travelers will be less kinds to birthday-celebrators because the number of them goes up slightly?

That 'your' birthday pin becomes less valuable because someone with a different idea about what constitutes a birthday celebration are allowed on equal footing with you?

Jesus, what are we talking about again?

 

[pearlieq]

Does anyone really think that CMs and fellow travelers will be less kinds to birthday-celebrators because the number of them goes up slightly?

I don't think the number has gone up "slightly". A couple of weeks ago everyone and their brother was wearing one. Which I get. As someone so aptly pointed out, if Disney can train their cast members to make someone feel special, they will want to spend money at Disney. It's a fair financial bargain. But it does dilute the value. When you saw 10 birthday buttons a day you could fuss over them. When you see 250 a day, there's not much you can do other than chirp "Happy Birthday!" like a demented parrot.

If that makes someone happy, I guess it's no skin off my back. I just kind of feel bad for them that they're either so entitled or attention-starved that just being at WDW isn't enough anymore.

And then, of course, comes the whining. "I wore a birthday button all week and all I got was a bunch of people saying 'Happy Birthday!'" If you haven't heard this complaint yet, you haven't been around the DIS long enough.

 

[DisneyDiva8401]

Maybe this September you see a kiddo or two with a birthday pin and you wonder whether to wish them well or maybe they are just trying to get free stuff.

Maybe that little boy or girl (or both) had their birthdays already. Maybe in August and May. Maybe they had to wait that extra month or three for their mommy or daddy to get home from some far away desert they don't understand. Sure, they don't "HAVE" to celebrate their birthdays in Disney... but why shouldn't they?

You know what? ... Maybe they are decked in fraudulent pins so they can get a free muffin or whatever on that $6000 vacation. I have a hard time telling the difference just by looking but either way, if a kid is smiling I don't really give a damn.

Of all the things in this world to spend my precious time worrying about, whether I might inadvertently wish someone a happy Disney birthday on the wrong flipping day in not something I'm willing to do.

The OP asked what other people did. If someone asks an opinion, they are liable to get one they don't like. I never said I wasted time worrying about it, I was giving my OPINION. I see nothing wrong with it if it is relatively near the b-day. But when your birthday is in march and you go to Disney in August, I wouldnt consider that proper "etiquette" as she called it. And if you dont wear the buttons for others to notice, then why wear them at all?

 

[cobright]

Of course, Diva. It's a discussion. And I get where you are coming from. But an opinion can be a personally held belief about oneself, or sometimes it can be a judgement about others. I think a lot of time people seeking opinions fail to specify that they wish for the former.

You might decide that celebrating christmas can only be done honestly on December 25. And if your family were stuck in an airport fir three days because of a blizzard I would hope you donate your kids' presents to a shelter instead of throwing them away. Because I wouldnt want them to cheat the system by giving Jesus a party on December 29.

What Im saying is that without perfect knowledge of each case one simply can not render a fair judgement on who should or should not where a birthday button. Has the number of people doing so gone up 2500% as you suggest? I really doubt it. I suspect that perception is largely confirmation bias. And if it did, I choose to let those souls be judged by the gods and the fine print on the back of their ticket; I choose to enjoy their celebration with them, even if their cake went stale months ago.

 

[Nancyg56]

What Im saying is that without perfect knowledge of each case one simply can not render a fair judgement on who should or should not where a birthday button. Has the number of people doing so gone up 2500% as you suggest? I really doubt it. I suspect that perception is largely confirmation bias. And if it did, I choose to let those souls be judged by the gods and the fine print on the back of their ticket; I choose to enjoy their celebration with them, even if their cake went stale months ago.

Well said. And let us not forget that Disney is perfectly capable of making a judgement call when it comes to how celebrations are handled. Right now, WDW marketing people have determined that a button, a cupcake and some glitter, along with smiles, greetings and once on a while a pin maybe.....= a healthy...(up 32% did I read????) bottom line. I'd say if this company has found a way to generate an increased amount of excitement among families to share their happy times within Disney resorts, parks, restaurants, and gift shops...and they have with this little Birthday Button....they have succeeded in their job.

It is my opinion, and mine alone, that there are people who refuse to believe that Disney knows exactly how to capitalize on their magical moments by insisting that every time a call is placed to book reservations, the CM inquires about celebrations. Those people who had not thought about delayed celebrations, accelerated celebrations, or celebrations in general are expertly guided down that road and next thing you know, an extra meal is booked, or a cake and balloons are ordered, more people join the "party". It adds up and WDW execs know that. Those Disney police who feel the need to pee in birthday button corn flakes might want to think about it, those little buttons add up to big bucks in Disney pockets.

I know this because so far, my family has celebrated 5 birthdays in Disney and let me tell you, cakes, balloon bouquets, wine, special desserts and increased tips for those servers who heard us talking (no buttons for my husband......) and responded with a song and a cupcake that is included on our ddp, well it added up. And was worth every penny.

My birthday falls in September, I will never be in Disney during the timeframe. I can guarantee that if my DH decides to surprise me with an additional trip that is my birthday celebration, I am wearing that darn button, laughing with my family, and I am going to enjoy spending every penny that silly thing cost. In our family, the birthday trip is all about the birthday person, the rest is

 

[robinb]

What Im saying is that without perfect knowledge of each case one simply can not render a fair judgement on who should or should not where a birthday button.

That's a ridiculous statement. People who don't agree with you are not allowed to draw their own conclusions and form their own opinions on something just because they don't have a "perfect knowledge" of each and every possible case and reason why another person does something? Only you are allowed to have an opinion because other people's opinions are actually "unfair judgements" .

 

[robinb]

I know this because so far, my family has celebrated 5 birthdays in Disney and let me tell you, cakes, balloon bouquets, wine, special desserts and increased tips for those servers who heard us talking (no buttons for my husband......) and responded with a song and a cupcake that is included on our ddp, well it added up. And was worth every penny.

Have you celebrated something in the last couple of years? My DD's birthday is in August and our wedding anniversary is less than a week later. We have been to WDW for both many times and over the years we have received a free champagne toast, a balloon bouquet when we checked into SSR for my DD, birthday cards, special desserts, cupcakes and calls from Goofy. However, the enthusiasm was just not there the last couple of times like it had been before. It's like the "celebration" is now by rote. I attribute it to the "What will you celebrate" promotion in 2009 and the continued "are you celebrating anything" questions. I think you are absolutely right that is contributing to Disney's bottom line because "celebrating" something opens up vacationer's purse strings. Disney is not dumb .

 

[Nancyg56]

Have you celebrated something in the last couple of years? My DD's birthday is in August and our wedding anniversary is less than a week later. We have been to WDW for both many times and over the years we have received a free champagne toast, a balloon bouquet when we checked into SSR for my DD, birthday cards, special desserts, cupcakes and calls from Goofy. However, the enthusiasm was just not there the last couple of times like it had been before. It's like the "celebration" is now by rote. I attribute it to the "What will you celebrate" promotion in 2009 and the continued "are you celebrating anything" questions. I think you are absolutely right that is contributing to Disney's bottom line because "celebrating" something opens up vacationer's purse strings. Disney is not dumb .

Yes. I have to admit that we are not those people who expect something, so when there was a little cupcake, or song, we loved it. WE have been celebrating a birthday periodically for 7 years now and never expensive things, but there were cards in the room, etc. I don't think anyone should be "blaming" guests who wear those buttons on a "not appointed date" because Disney is the entity that has been promoting this aspect of their resort. "Come celebrate" "Spend Money". If the special feeling has been diminished, the guests have not diminished it, Disney has.

 

[Disneylover99]

Here is a question.

If they did switch back to the "Today is my Birthday" button from the "Happy Birthday" button, would you wear the button if it was not your birthday?

 

[Nancyg56]

Here is a question.

If they did switch back to the "Today is my Birthday" button from the "Happy Birthday" button, would you wear the button if it was not your birthday?

I would not, but if my child was celebrating a birthday, I don't know. Depends on the reason. I honestly would not think anything of it if anyone else did. I think that if this is an issue, then some folks are truly blessed.
In my family, we rarely get to celebrate anything on that date, so this is nothing for me.

Let me take this one step further. In my DH profession, people typically retire during the off season, but the retirement party seldom takes place until everyone is called back. Parties are generally several months after the fact. If we decide that teh folks who say that those people celebrating special events in WDW on dates that do not coincide with the birthday, anniversary date, are deceptive, then I suppose these men and women are wrong as well.

 

[Disneylover99]

Let me take this one step further. In my DH profession, people typically retire during the off season, but the retirement party seldom takes place until everyone is called back. Parties are generally several months after the fact. If we decide that teh folks who say that those people celebrating special events in WDW on dates that do not coincide with the birthday, anniversary date, are deceptive, then I suppose these men and women are wrong as well.

I don't think anyone would argue that outside the "Disney bubble" birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, etc... are not always celebrated on exact days. So you've given an example of a retirement taking place months after the actual retirement, and I agree, that happens alot. But would they wear a "Today I'm retiring button" if they retired lets say three months earlier?

 

[Nancyg56]

I don't think anyone would argue that outside the "Disney bubble" birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, etc... are not always celebrated on exact days. So you've given an example of a retirement taking place months after the actual retirement, and I agree, that happens alot. But would they wear a "Today I'm retiring button" if they retired lets say three months earlier?

I don't know. But you bring you a good point about that Disney bubble. I think that a lot of people place some sort of higher standard, if you will, on anything at Disney. Right now, Disney uses Happy Birthday Buttons and encourages their guests to celebrate within the confines of their Disney vacation. If they did not want that, you can bet that birthday button would require some sort of verification. In my area there are restaurants that offer free birthday meals but you must bring proof that it is your birthday and you must come on your day. No exceptions.

All of this nonsense that people are lying, cheating, being deceptive is just people applying their own idea of how to celebrate and expecting others to comply. It just does not work that way.

 

[robinb]

All of this nonsense that people are lying, cheating, being deceptive is just people applying their own idea of how to celebrate and expecting others to comply. It just does not work that way.

I think you're reading more into what people are saying than what they actually said. I just scanned the whole thread and not once did someone from the "celebrate on the day only" crowd name call people pejoratives like "liar" or "cheat". One parent who went out of her way to book on her DD's 4th birthday was worried about "fibbers" taking away her DD's pixie dust, but that's about as bad as it got. It's folks in the "celebrate any day" crowd that have been throwing the words "lie" and "liar" around to defend themselves.

 

[Srbright]

The OP asked what other people did. If someone asks an opinion, they are liable to get one they don't like. I never said I wasted time worrying about it, I was giving my OPINION. I see nothing wrong with it if it is relatively near the b-day. But when your birthday is in march and you go to Disney in August, I wouldnt consider that proper "etiquette" as she called it. And if you dont wear the buttons for others to notice, then why wear them at all?

Actually no. The OP asked for an opinion as to whether she should wear it the entire week. She did not ask for an opinion as to whether or not she should be wearing one at all.

My question is, do people normally wear the button the whole trip?

 

[Srbright]

I think you're reading more into what people are saying than what they actually said. I just scanned the whole thread and not once did someone from the "celebrate on the day only" crowd name call people pejoratives like "liar" or "cheat". One parent who went out of her way to book on her DD's 4th birthday was worried about "fibbers" taking away her DD's pixie dust, but that's about as bad as it got. It's folks in the "celebrate any day" crowd that have been throwing the words "lie" and "liar" around to defend themselves.

You're right... how about "wrong", "greedy" and a thesaurus away from "attention grabbing"?

Now it is more "Look, yet another tourist who has decided today is their birthday, so they can get attention and goodies. Yay." All special-ness is gone because people have decided they or their child need attention and maybe a free cupcake or two.

It may be a fact that some people are greedy, but that doesn't mean I will choose to be greedy too.

Claiming it iks your birthday when it is not is wrong imho..

We could never be in the parks on the kid's actal birthday. I would never dream of saying it was their birthday when it wasn't, especially to garner attention or perks. As I said it takes away from it being special.

 

[Nancyg56]

You're right... how about "wrong", "greedy" and a thesaurus away from "attention grabbing"?

I had decided that while I could not find the exact words, and felt that the sentiment was certainly in the posts, I would let it go. People feel what they feel, I just don't get why such a little thing bothers people.

 

[kc2kl115]

In our case both my DD and DS have birthdays in May. My DD birthday is May 4th and my DS is on May 31st. We didn't want to be in WDW on ones birthday and not the other so we decided to go in between and celebrate both while we are there. They both will get birthday pins.

 

[DisneyDiva8401]

In our case both my DD and DS have birthdays in May. My DD birthday is May 4th and my DS is on May 31st. We didn't want to be in WDW on ones birthday and not the other so we decided to go in between and celebrate both while we are there. They both will get birthday pins.

To me, that is understandable since it is still the same month. But 3-6 months removed from said b-day is a little much for me to understand why

 

[robinb]

You're right... how about "wrong", "greedy" and a thesaurus away from "attention grabbing"?

Why would someone even wear a Birthday Button if you did not want the attention and free goodies? Especially when it's worn day-in and day-out throughout a vacation. IMO it the button says "Pay attention to ME! I'm special! I deserve pixie dust and a treat!" And if you did indeed tell Disney that it was your birthday when it was not, that really isn't "right" is it? Technically, you are "celebrating your birthday" from sometime in the last or next 6 months.

Like I said on my first post on this subject there are no "Birthday Button Police". Do what you want. Wear the button all day, every day for your entire trip to garner all the attention and pixie dust and free goodies you can. Disney is a-okay with that . While I won't go as far to call it "greedy" or "attention grabbing", I can't help but feel that wearing the button all vacation is excessive and detracts from the "specialness" of it. It is, after all, a birthday button and not a birthweek button or birthvacation button. That's just my opinion and answers the original question ... speaking of which "etiquette" is such an interesting word. It doesn't ask "Could I do a certain thing?" it asks "Should I do a certain thing?" and while "Could" is pretty cut and dried "Should" is open to individual interpretation.

 

[Jessicalynne]

This almost makes me want to go on my hubby's bday just for fun!