Celebrating birthdays 3 months later?

[alvernon90]

As a military family, I get so annoyed with the super strict birthday people.

I'm not sure what being from a military family has to do with it. I grew up in a military family and we celebrated birthdays on the day of, and perhaps on the closest weekend if that was the only available time to have a party.

I think I'm going to start calling that crowd the "Disney Birthers" requesting everyone's birth certificates to let them have a little fun, geeze!!

This is an undeniably clever line, but I feel one can reasonably believe that it is possible to have fun at WDW without having to convince everyone around you that today is your special day when it is not. Being at WDW on your actual birthday gives you something up on everyone else there. Being at WDW not on your birthday makes you like 99.73% of the other people there. Celebrate it among your family, sure. But why lie about it and drag others into it? How is that fun?

It's Disney and quite frankly everyone should celebrate that they all get to be there as a complete family!

Being together as a family is worth celebrating, but at WDW that is not extremely special because most people there are doing just that. If you went to the parks on the Fourth of July and starting telling people "Merry Christmas" because you won't have a chance to visit the parks on December 25th, people would think you are a little weird. Why shouldn't the same principle apply to birthdays?

 

[Luvchefmic]

As a military family, I get so annoyed with the super strict birthday people. I think you would probably die if you knew that today is the birthday of the boy who had his 4th birthday in September and this weekend we are going to the 4th birthday of the boy who's actual birthday was in August.

I think I'm going to start calling that crowd the "Disney Birthers" requesting everyone's birth certificates to let them have a little fun, geeze!!

It's Disney and quite frankly everyone should celebrate that they all get to be there as a complete family!

LOVE it !

 

[Angel Ariel]

This is what I was getting at -- imagine how tedious and tiresome it would be for CMs and visitors alike if every single person in the park was being congratulated for having, at some time in the past, had a birthday or an anniversary or graduated from kindergarten or whatever. Celebrating privately is one thing, but expecting public recognition for having experienced in the past something we have all experienced in the past makes it less special.

Again - who is *expecting* public recognition? people are commenting that they've *received* public recognition, but not that they were *expecting* it.

I didn't wear my button on our recent trip with the *expectation* of anything. I wore it because I was celebrating my birthday. I wasn't able to be with my husband on my birthday, so we celebrated it together a little early instead.

You're certainly entitled to think that celebrating early/late makes it less special *for you* and *your family* - that doesn't mean that applies to everyone. If you think it makes it less special, then don't do it yourself. You're totally entitled to that.

That doesn't mean those of us who do celebrate early or late are doing anything *wrong.*. Just that we see it *differently* than you.

 

[loveshak22]

I think I'm going to start calling that crowd the "Disney Birthers" requesting everyone's birth certificates to let them have a little fun, geeze!!

My perspective is Disney encourages people to celebrate whatever they feel like celebrating on their trip! My DH and I went to WDW at the end of January 2013 - which was over his birthday week. However, the trip was my birthday present. My birthday is mid-November but we just like to go at the end of January because of the lower crowds. When I was setting up all the reservations they specifically asked me if we were celebrating anything and I told the lady, as a matter of conversation, that we'd be there over my DH's birthday but that the actual trip was my birthday present. And she cheerily responded that she was going to put that in the notes. I told her I wasn't really considering it my birthday celebration since it would be two months later and she said she would just make a note. I didn't really think much else of it but we both got a couple of "Happy Birthday" surprises we weren't expecting on the trip

So, at least from my experience, Disney is all for celebrating what you want to celebrate when you want to celebrate it.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I'm not sure what being from a military family has to do with it. I grew up in a military family and we celebrated birthdays on the day of, and perhaps on the closest weekend if that was the only available time to have a party.


This is an undeniably clever line, but I feel one can reasonably believe that it is possible to have fun at WDW without having to convince everyone around you that today is your special day when it is not. Being at WDW on your actual birthday gives you something up on everyone else there. Being at WDW not on your birthday makes you like 99.73% of the other people there. Celebrate it among your family, sure. But why lie about it and drag others into it? How is that fun?



Being together as a family is worth celebrating, but at WDW that is not extremely special because most people there are doing just that. If you went to the parks on the Fourth of July and starting telling people "Merry Christmas" because you won't have a chance to visit the parks on December 25th, people would think you are a little weird. Why shouldn't the same principle apply to birthdays?

Perhaps your military family was stateside ? We're talking deployments and arranging life to meet those needs. Not sure why this bothers you so much get a " Happy Unbirthday button " and enjoy life

 

[Angel Ariel]

As a military family, I get so annoyed with the super strict birthday people. I think you would probably die if you knew that today is the birthday of the boy who had his 4th birthday in September and this weekend we are going to the 4th birthday of the boy who's actual birthday was in August.

Exactly! DH was AD for 9 years, and is a Reservist now. Living military life, you don't always get the luxury of being together for special occasions, so sometimes special occasions get delayed until you can be together.

Our Dec 2007 trip to Disney was our anniversary present to ourselves. Our 1st anniversary was in July, but DH was deployed overseas for it. He got back at the end of November, and we left on our trip as soon as he was cleared for leave. Anyone who thinks our celebrating 5 months late "took away" from the specialness of the button doesn't really get what the buttons are all about, IMO.

They aren't about receiving anything. They're an expression of joy and happiness for whatever occasion it is you are celebrating. If people say "Happy Anniversary" or "Happy Birthday" or "Congratulations" - that's great. If a CM does something special for you, that's awesome. But even if no one did anything and there was no recognition whatsoever, it wouldn't have made the buttons we wore on that trip any less special.

 

[alvernon90]

Not sure why this bothers you so much get a " Happy Unbirthday button " and enjoy life

See, the reason such a small percentage of people weary Happy Unbirthday buttons (despite the fact that almost all park visitors are eligible for one) is that nobody cares that today is not your birthday. If an Unbirthday was the same thing, why not wear an Unbirthday button instead of a birthday button.

The OP asked if it is "frowned upon" to wear a button saying today is my birthday when it is not your birthday. Obviously many people on these boards do not frown upon it, and to the contrary thrive upon the attention the little white lie brings them, or their children. Fine, you do you.

My only point is that this is driven by a need to feel special that, in my grumpy opinion, drives other kinds of bad behavior in the parks and in society at large. Is it the same as lying about a disability to skip the lines? Obviously not. Even so, it's not a lesson I would teach my children, but as has been pointed out, not everyone feels that way.

 

[Angel Ariel]

My only point is that this is driven by a need to feel special that, in my grumpy opinion, drives other kinds of bad behavior in the parks and in society at large. Is it the same as lying about a disability to skip the lines? Obviously not. Even so, it's not a lesson I would teach my children, but as has been pointed out, not everyone feels that way.

Re: the bolded - People have responded here saying that it isn't about "needing to feel special" the way you're insinuating, but you don't seem interested in hearing that.

 

[alvernon90]

But even if no one did anything and there was no recognition whatsoever, it wouldn't have made the buttons we wore on that trip any less special.

Exactly. Celebrating privately is special even when circumstances prevent doing so on the actual day that is being celebrated. I cannot imagine that wearing a button announcing that today is a special day and inviting well wishes from other park guests (relatively rare) and the people whose job responsibility is to respond favorably upon seeing such a button (less rare) would add to the specialness of the event.

Having a birthday isn't like winning the Super Bowl. It's more like pooping, in that it is inevitable given enough time. The only thing special about a birthday in the parks is the weird coincidence of being there on the actual day. Without that coincidence, a birthday button is merely a dishonest Unbirthday button.

 

[alvernon90]

Re: the bolded - People have responded here saying that it isn't about "needing to feel special" the way you're insinuating, but you don't seem interested in hearing that.

I am hearing it, but I think it is incorrect. Even if it is true that there is no particular need for explicit verbal recognition (a dubious assumption, but one I will accept) that doesn't change the fact that there is some need driving the desire to announce the celebration to the world in the form of a button.

In fact, it's even weirder if you want to wear a button announcing it is your birthday and you don't expect anyone to react to that. Why wear it at all, especially if it's a lie? I submit it is a need to feel special, which is distinct from a need to be treated as if you are special.

 

[Luvchefmic]

 

[nat8199]

It simply wouldn't occur to me to do this. My birthday is happens on the day I was born, maybe celebrated on the nearest weekend, and that is it. Same for my kids. Our next trip will be within a month of DD's bday, but it simply never crossed my mind to have her wear a pin since we won't be there for her birthday.

I guess that every single person at Disney should wear a birthday or anniversary pin no matter when they go as long as they feel like it?

 

[Angel Ariel]

I am hearing it, but I think it is incorrect.

. So people are telling you this is how they feel, but it's incorrect. Ok.

Even if it is true that there is no particular need for explicit verbal recognition (a dubious assumption, but one I will accept) that doesn't change the fact that there is some need driving the desire to announce the celebration to the world in the form of a button.

Joy. Happiness. Apparently those aren't good enough reasons.

I submit it is a need to feel special, which is distinct from a need to be treated as if you are special.

You can submit all you want. That doesn't make it another person's truth. It may be true *for you*, that doesn't make it true for everyone else.

Every time I've worn a button it's simply been because I'm happy and celebrating something. I don't care at all if anyone acknowledges it verbally or otherwise. You can doubt that all you want, you can analyze it all you want. That doesn't make your analysis accurate for *me*.

 

[BugsDaddy]

I don't quite understand why some people are so interested in what someone else is doing on their trip if it is not affecting them?

Who really cares if it is actually their birthday or not? I would bet dollars to donuts that Disney would happily give him a birthday button even if his birthday was 6 months ago. Why not? It's no skin off their back and it makes the customer feel good. Sounds like a no brainier.

I think people that get so upset about this are just afraid that someone might be getting something they are not.

 

[jahber]

Maybe I shouldn't mention that I forgot to get my son a "1st Visit" button the first time I took him to WDW...we are locals, so I just picked one up the next time we were there (the next month or so). Now I feel bad. What lesson am I sending my newborn son when I am willing to LIE to get a button??? Oh. Right. It's a button. They give them out for FREE. Why would anyone care if it's not someone's actual birthday?

And for the record, I didn't get the button so people would gush over my son. I got it as a memento, as I imagine most people do. But i guess we should only wear the buttons on the actual day they refer to, lest someone accidentally waste their well wishes on us...since apparently kind words and happy sentiments are in such short supply.

 

[tinkerpea]

Sorry, but I don't see it this way. It's one thing if you happen to be at WDW on your actual birthday, but if you are celebrating weeks or months away from that actual date, you are not celebrating your birthday -- you are celebrating the mere fact that you have a birthday, which makes you exactly the same as everyone else in the park. How does that validate wearing a tiara?

If you want to wear a tiara to celebrate being at WDW, I say go for it. But pretending you are having a "special" day so people will treat you in a special way is, in my view, a violation of the social contract. Even when kids do it with the explicit permission and cooperation of their parents. Even an actual birthday isn't really all that special, but at least it is relatively rare (once per year). If every day is everyone's birthday, who cares?

I think the entire WDW experience would be better for everyone if there were fewer people there working hard to convince themselves they are more special than the people around them.

My 30th is In July but we're going in may and I'm coming from the uk especially for my birthday trip,
I can not come in July,as I will be having my 6th life saving head surgery! To remove an infection from next to my brain that has gone into the bones of my skull.
I will also have a picc line in and be having my 2nd lot of life saving treatment through it for 4months.

I was told last yr that I would not live to see my next birthday,I have 3 children,.
You can bet that I'm going to celebrate that fact I'm still alive and still fighting and ill be celebrating my birthday,even if it is 3 months early!!

Your saying birthdays are nothing that special,well as somebody who is living with a time bomb in my head,and who has had to plan what I want for my funeral at 26 I'd say birthdays are bloody special! Mine celebrate that I've been able to be a mum for another yr.

 

[tinkerpea]

As a military family, I get so annoyed with the super strict birthday people. I think you would probably die if you knew that today is the birthday of the boy who had his 4th birthday in September and this weekend we are going to the 4th birthday of the boy who's actual birthday was in August.

I think I'm going to start calling that crowd the "Disney Birthers" requesting everyone's birth certificates to let them have a little fun, geeze!!

It's Disney and quite frankly everyone should celebrate that they all get to be there as a complete family!

Were also a military family! We even celebrate xmas early' or late depending on circumstance lol....how dare we.

Can't tell you the number of times my kids have wanted to celebrate daddy's birthday months after the event due to him being deployed.

 

[buzzrelly]

Maybe the cast members should just say "Happy Birthday" to every guest since everyone there has had one in the past.

I totally understand people celebrating holidays or birthdays at home when they can get together with their loved ones. I am a nurse and have celebrated many Thanksgivings on the Friday or Saturday after, and many Christmases a few days before or after. But to celebrate a birthday and wear a button 3 or 6 months AFTER the actual day is just silly and frankly comes across as needy and desperate for "special" attention. Why not just celebrate being alive? Being in the happiest place on earth? Being with family/friends/loved ones? No pins or buttons necessary

 

[gdrj]

So - we were due to leave for WDW next Friday, but my husband needs unexpected surgery, so we have rescheduled to March. We would have been there on the day of my birthday (and much more importantly), my son's 8th birthday. Is it frowned upon if we celebrate his birthday during our March trip - button, etc.?

As others have said go for it enjoy it, if you want to celebrate by wearing a pin go ahead.

Sorry, but I don't see it this way. It's one thing if you happen to be at WDW on your actual birthday, but if you are celebrating weeks or months away from that actual date, you are not celebrating your birthday -- you are celebrating the mere fact that you have a birthday, which makes you exactly the same as everyone else in the park. How does that validate wearing a tiara?

If you want to wear a tiara to celebrate being at WDW, I say go for it. But pretending you are having a "special" day so people will treat you in a special way is, in my view, a violation of the social contract. Even when kids do it with the explicit permission and cooperation of their parents. Even an actual birthday isn't really all that special, but at least it is relatively rare (once per year). If every day is everyone's birthday, who cares?

I think the entire WDW experience would be better for everyone if there were fewer people there working hard to convince themselves they are more special than the people around them.

I do think respecting the people around you, being courteous, not being offensive and impacting others around you is important. With that said, I do not see this being anything more than just celebrating.

This is what I was getting at -- imagine how tedious and tiresome it would be for CMs and visitors alike if every single person in the park was being congratulated for having, at some time in the past, had a birthday or an anniversary or graduated from kindergarten or whatever. Celebrating privately is one thing, but expecting public recognition for having experienced in the past something we have all experienced in the past makes it less special.

That's all I'm saying: You want to wear a tiara? Go for it! You want to wear a tiara and you feel the only valid reason for doing so is that you are wearing it on your birthday, then wear it on your birthday. But moving your birthday to some other time so you can be treated as if you are special or get public attention for wearing something special (like a tiara or button) takes it too far.

If everyone in the parks wore a button because they have had a birthday in the past six months or will have one in the upcoming six months, the buttons would become utterly meaningless and worthless.

I have never felt offended, or felt that someone was getting over on a cast member because they had a button. I have seen people "light-up" when someone congratulates them. Its nice to see people smile and enjoy themselves. To me that is part of the magic

See, the reason such a small percentage of people weary Happy Unbirthday buttons (despite the fact that almost all park visitors are eligible for one) is that nobody cares that today is not your birthday. If an Unbirthday was the same thing, why not wear an Unbirthday button instead of a birthday button.

The OP asked if it is "frowned upon" to wear a button saying today is my birthday when it is not your birthday. Obviously many people on these boards do not frown upon it, and to the contrary thrive upon the attention the little white lie brings them, or their children. Fine, you do you.

My only point is that this is driven by a need to feel special that, in my grumpy opinion, drives other kinds of bad behavior in the parks and in society at large. Is it the same as lying about a disability to skip the lines? Obviously not. Even so, it's not a lesson I would teach my children, but as has been pointed out, not everyone feels that way.

Drives other bad behavior? I think you are stretching for it there. trying to build some bigger social issue from someone celebrating an event should be left to CNN or Foxnews making things more important than they really are. It may not be their Birthday that day but last I checked WDW doesn't want or ask for ID or a marriage certificate.

I am hearing it, but I think it is incorrect. Even if it is true that there is no particular need for explicit verbal recognition (a dubious assumption, but one I will accept) that doesn't change the fact that there is some need driving the desire to announce the celebration to the world in the form of a button.

In fact, it's even weirder if you want to wear a button announcing it is your birthday and you don't expect anyone to react to that. Why wear it at all, especially if it's a lie? I submit it is a need to feel special, which is distinct from a need to be treated as if you are special.

dubious, lie, "I submit", doesn't sound very "magical".

Exactly. Celebrating privately is special even when circumstances prevent doing so on the actual day that is being celebrated. I cannot imagine that wearing a button announcing that today is a special day and inviting well wishes from other park guests (relatively rare) and the people whose job responsibility is to respond favorably upon seeing such a button (less rare) would add to the specialness of the event.

Having a birthday isn't like winning the Super Bowl. It's more like pooping, in that it is inevitable given enough time. The only thing special about a birthday in the parks is the weird coincidence of being there on the actual day. Without that coincidence, a birthday button is merely a dishonest Unbirthday button.

kind of a sad way to look at it.

If someone is wearing a button, I'm going to congratulate them if I feel like it and not if I don't. It may not be their Birthday but it might be that the trip is part of their Birthday Celebration. Or in the case of the OP a medical issue got in the way to celebrate in a way that fits your criteria.

For my Wife's Birthday one year her gift was a WDW trip. When we got to WDW we celebrated her Brirthday (our work schedules and other factors prevented us from celebrating on her Birthday). We have celebrated our Anniversary at Disney World sometimes on our Anniversary sometimes not. We had a special dinner for our Anniversary. When we made the reservation Disney asked if we would be celebrating a special event, the answer was yes. We weren't looking for nor did we receive a gold watch from Mickey nor a winning Lotto ticket. We did celebrate our Anniversary and shhh it wasn't on the same day we got married. No different that going out to an Anniversary Dinner on a Saturday night even though your Anniversary was on Thursday.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

They aren't about receiving anything. They're an expression of joy and happiness for whatever occasion it is you are celebrating. If people say "Happy Anniversary" or "Happy Birthday" or "Congratulations" - that's great. If a CM does something special for you, that's awesome. But even if no one did anything and there was no recognition whatsoever, it wouldn't have made the buttons we wore on that trip any less special.

Wonderfully stated!