Birthday Pin

[justhat]

Well, as I posted earlier, I would totally get hte pin since they're really only willing to wear a pin or do things like that for so long. But I also don't think there's any harm in wearing the pin at all and please don't think that there is. I know many people go to WDW to celebrate an event that has already happened or will happen in the future and since it's not like you get any free stuff from Disney, it's not hurting anyone to get the pin and it's not going to ruin it for future people celebrating their birthdays. After all, plenty of people honeymoon in WDW and wear the bride and groom mouse ears, but it might not be right after their wedding. Some people can't take off then and might not take their honeymoon for months or years after the wedding. So technically they're not honeymooning since the real meaning of that is right after the wedding, but I don't think it hurts anyone for them to wear special mouse ears as though they just got married. Disney is a fun place, perfect for celebrations, so I'd definitely take advantage of any opportunity to celebrate something special with my child there. And besides, you can keep the button after he wears it in WDW and let him wear it on his real birthday too. It'll probably be one of his favorite trips to WDW since it was his 'bithday trip'.

 

[TDC Nala]

I do not have a problem with anyone wearing a birthday button on a day when they're just celebrating and it isn't the actual birthday. It just doesn't seem like that big a deal.

However, if you find it a personal ethical problem, the Epcot button I have from last year does not say "Today is my birthday." It says "Happy birthday" in different languages. So if the wording itself bothers you, stop by Epcot for a button.

That won't help you with how to respond when you're asked "Is it your birthday?" Maybe a good response would be "I'm celebrating my birthday today."

 

[KHuntress]

justhat said:

"...since it's not like you get any free stuff from Disney..."

We have thoroughly enjoyed celebrating DS's bday at WDW. However, never assume you don't get free stuff...

On our next trip (no birthday involved) we were leaving MGM on our last day. DS had not seen Woody (we each created a priority list, and this was not on his list -- as he had already met Woody). However, as we were walking back down Hollywood Blvd. this reality set in and he started crying -- not sobbing, just little tears running down his face as we walked. I told DH and DD to go ahead of us, that I wanted to talk to DS.

While we sat, "Stanley and Stella", street performers at MGM were doing their schtick. As they wrapped up, Stella noticed DS and came over. She started a long conversation with DS and said -- well maybe they can come back out. I explained to her that I understood that to be nearly impossible. She told us to wait a moment. She went into a shop, got on a phone and then a few minutes later came back. She explained to DS that Buzz and Woody were gone for the day, and then she gave DS a digital watch with Buzz and WOody on the face -- and told him to remember what a happy place this was and use the watch as a reminder to come back to see Buzz and Woody. This was the sweetest moment. She hugged DS and he smiled. (I have photos of the whole thing.) I have tried to send photos and letters to WDW to make sure this CM gets recognized for turning a sad situation into one of joy.

When people say that Disney is cutting out all the magic (cutting the extras and upping the prices), I remind myself of this moment -- and get a little pixie dust of my own!

 

[justhat]

Yes, we actually did get free stuff for my fiancé's birthday (like a few free cupcakes at meals), but you really shouldn't expect it. What was more fun was that he got to hear "Happy Birthday" for lots of CMs and guests. Also, now when he sees a small child witht he pin on he always says happy birthday to the kid since he knows what the pin is for.