Birthday Pin

[buzz2400]

Has anyone worn the birthday pin even though it was not their birthday. Reason I am asking, WDW if my son's favorite place and he will never be able to go there when it is near his birthday since he was born around Labor Day and that is when school starts. We are going 4th of July week so his birthday won't be for another two months. Or should I just forget about it. This will probably be our last trip to WDW for a few years and he is 11.

 

[justhat]

We were there for my fiancé's 21st birthday a few years ago and even though his birthday was March 18th, I made him wear that pine everyday from March 17-March 21. He said he was afraid they'd have him flagged in the system as having a birthday evryday the whole trip, but of course that was not true. I figured that you only turn 21 once so why not make the most of it! And it was definitely worth it in my opinion as many CMs wished him a happy birthday, the CM at Country Bear Jamboree gave us front row seats, the CM checking us in at BWI brought balloons and an autographed photo of Donald Duck up to our room,etc. I only made a birthday note on our PSs on dinner the night before his birthday, the whole day of his birthday, and breakfast the next day. So my suggestion would be to do it and tell your son that since it's not possible to be there for his real birthday, you're going to celebratea few months early. After all, he probably won't be as excited about it in a few years so you might as well take advantage of the oppotrtunity while you can.

 

[Luvinit]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!- Just explain to him that its not really his birthday...that you are just celebrating it. If anyone asks tell them that...you are celebrating his 12th birthday!!!

Disney is about magic...sometimes you have to help make the magic, but don't feel bad about it, especially if it makes your son feel that more special...if it offends somebody they will get over it, but you son will always remember his birthday "celebration" at WDW!!!

 

[jcemom]

Both my DH and DS will be celebrating birthdays while at WDW. What is a birthday pin and where do I get one? Can I get it ahead of time?

 

[Luvinit]

Ask at the front desk of your resort (If you are staying onsite), otherwise I know you can get one at City Hall in the MK.

 

[tater bug]

Epcot is also doing a birthday pin, now. It's very cool with the flags of the countries in WS around the edge. You can pick it up at Guest Services where you make PS's onsite.

 

[buzz2400]

jcemom,
a birthday pin is a free pin that you can get at guest services. When you wear the pin, CM's will wish you a happy birthday and sometimes they give you a little extra, like put you on the best seat of a ride. It is just one another way that WDW makes you feel a little special.

 

[jcemom]

Thank you for the info!
We'll be sure to get some!

 

[strawberryblonde]

This is my two cents, and I realize that not everyone agrees with me. I would feel "funny" wearing a button that says "TODAY is my birthday" on a day other than my birthday. Perhaps they should make a "celebrating my birthday" button . I've been to Disneyland CA quite a few times growing up, but never quite on my birthday. I think that is one of the things that would make it so special, to actually be at Disney on your actual day.

 

[Luvinit]

I would feel "funny" wearing a button that says "TODAY is my birthday" on a day other than my birthday.

I would agree with you strawberry...but...we are talking about a 12 year old little boy ( I am assuming that you are older than 12). I would feel "funny" about wearing one also...but kids are way different...my daughter thinks the whole month of May is her birthday!!! If something so simple makes a child happy than why not...you only get to be a "kid" for so long so I say "let them eat cake" and let everyone else "think" its his birthday!!! JMHO
Tracy

 

[Nasi]

On my DD's 10th birthday we were in MK and got the birthday pin from Guest Services. It was her actual birthday. She wore the pin and no one noticed or said happy birthday to her. Nasi

 

[mom2of2]

We were just there celebrating DS 5th b-day. We went to City Hall and I asked for one, they also gave me stickers. DS5 only wore it that day and he was wished Happy Birthday all day by everyone and one of the CM's in Tink's Treasures had him talk to Goofy who sang Happy Birthday. He didn't wear it the rest of the trip, just his birthday which was in the middle of it. Personally I think that DS5 would have told someone that it wasn't his birthday if he wore it any other day.

 

[jcemom]

mof2of2

LOL!
Kids keep us honest, don't they?!

 

[mom2of2]

oh yes they do!!!!!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Originally posted by Luvinit
I would agree with you strawberry...but...we are talking about a 12 year old little boy

My DS will be 12 in June, and there is NOTHING little about him!

I think if an 11, soon to be 12 y.o. boy is willing to wear a *Birthday Badge* around WDW, it shouldn't matter if it is his ACTUAL birthday, or simply the families celebration of his birthday! Heck, if I thought my DS would do it, I'd celebrate his 1/2 birthday when we are there in December!

 

[madge]

I think I would pass on the pin if it says "Today" is my birthday. IMO, the best thing to do is maybe set up something special for your son and tell him that you are "celebrating" his birthday. Two months is a long time between the trip and the actual day.

Last year we were at Epcot 5 days after our daughter's first birthday. I decided not to purse the birthday pin. I had a small scrapbook and took it around to all of the countries--while my sons were working on their masks at the fun stops, I had the attendants write "Happy Birthday Anna" in their native language. It is a great keepsake from our trip

This year our trip may or may not be on Anna's actual birthday, but I plan on doing the same thing in Epcot. I just can't decide whether I want to be there on her actual birthday (she'll be 2--what will she know? LOL) or wait a week, celebrate the event and do MNSSHP....

 

[tbear]

...and it may not be what some others have posted, but here goes.
I say GO FOR IT!!!
My reason for it is simple....I dont know if your lucky enough to make a yearly trip, but for our family, going to WDW is about as special as it gets...we have been lucky enough to go once every few years, so, when we get down there this year, each of the kids will have a day designated as their "UN-birthday".

What I plan on doing, is go from most recent to furthest away.
Is this ok...of course it is.
I could understand an adult feeling funny about it(mind you, neither my wife nor I will have this marked, but.........

I do plan on getting in an anniversary day for my wife....I dont think she'll mind a little extra magic given her for our day, which is in April(we are going in MAY)

With that said, I dont think that the Disney folks are going to mind anyone celebrating their birthday(or any other special occasion) a week, month, or shoot, 364 days early....its not as if your celebration for your own child is going to put anyone out.

One thing that I MUST add, is please dont expect that anything"extra" WILL happen...its all the call of the CM's...in other words, if you get front of the line, AWESOME..if they(CM's) come out with a few balloons, EXCELLENT..Ive even heard tales of folks almost getting red carpet treatment all day...this would be welcome, but if you get hopes up too high there will be some disappointment.
If getting the pin(which is cool to have)will make your kids day,or visit extra special, then that is on the list.
If you know your kid will be in the "whatever" state of mind, then it may not be as special.

I know my kids will enjoy the little bit of attention they get...and honestly, when you really think about it, I think that all kids deserve to have all the magic they can...they are kids for only so long.
Get the pin, and tell your boy happy birthday from us!!!!!!!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

You could always celebrate *Alice In Wonderland* style.....

have a A VERY MERRY UN-BIRTHDAY TO YOU! day!!!

 

[pouncingpluto]

I think there's a difference in celebrating the birthday within the family on a different day and wearing the button on a different day. The reason I say that is that the button is essentially an invitation for others to celebrate it with you. If enough people start wearing the button on "un-birthdays," the CM's will no longer be in a position of being able to do anything special for people wearing birthday buttons. So in that way, you are hurting someone else by doing this, in the long run at least.

 

[madge]

I think there's a difference in celebrating the birthday within the family on a different day and wearing the button on a different day

I agree--I think the idea of "celebrating" is great--contact Jane and the Pixies or create your own fun for an "unbirthday" celebration.

If the pin didn't say TODAY is my birthday, I might feel otherwise. I also agree with the poster that says not to expect any special treatment if you decide to get the button...too often we read on message boards the treatment others get and come home feeling disappointed when they didn't get the same experience.

Here's an idea--get a button at City Hall and save it for his birthday at home. That would be a way to do something "magical" on his big day!