Everybody's Celebrating Something! No Questions Asked!

[nancipants]

My husband and I wore the "Happily Ever After" buttons and bride/groom Mickey ears on our wedding day and the next few days after we got married. We got one free thing--cake a Pecos Bill--and a lot of congratulations. I didn't wear them for any reason other than the celebrate my marriage with my new husband, but all the well wishes were very much appreciated. We had a lady wish us congratulations during dinner, and she was wearing an Anniversary button, so we returned the favor.

(Also, the entire restaurant congratulating us was way better than the free cake.)

 

[brittsmum1998]

Howsabout Happy Anniversary? My spouse and I wore ours because they were adorable at DL. And our anniversary fell during our trip.

This time around I'm escorting newbies to WDW so I'm celebrating their first trip and they're all getting first trip pins. Someone's going to call us on it because people suck and I will laugh in their face and tell them to f-off in the most vile, sadistic way I can muster.

People who get mad about buttons are morons. See also: People who get mad about people getting mad about buttons

Clearly you haven't read the dis board rules

Buttons at this point are like every team getting a trophy.

 

[Disneylover99]

However, if you're wearing a birthday button and someone wishes you a happy birthday, I'd think the proper response would be "Thank you," not "It was six months ago."

Yup. It took me a while to get to that point too. It happened after I used to wish people "Happy Birthday!" and they would tell me: "Thanks, but it's not my birthday.". My birthday was last week/month/etc. Okie dokie. I kinda took the fun out of it for me and what used to be one of the goofy "Disney magic" moments turned into me feeling like a fool.

This is my beef too. Wear a button or even 100 buttons if it makes you happy. But if someone wishes you a happy birthday, anniversary or whatever..... (and your birthday/anniversary was six months ago) just smile and say thank you.

 

[stephm0188]

I wear my "I'm Celebrating 999,999" pin with pride

 

[wendybeth75]

Wow, this is really a hot button issue! Sorry I had to do it.....

 

[Kellykins1218]

I wear my "I'm Celebrating 999,999" pin with pride

*gasp* I'm a Galactic Hero, too! I should totally celebrate that!!

 

[KCSherri]

I'm here at the parks right now.... My birthday is the 18th - three days from today. When I checked in 2 days ago, the CM handed me a birthday button, and I was surprised, as I had forgotten I'd indicated it on my reservation months ago.

Anyway, I've been wearing my birthday button for the last 2 days, and I've loved the greetings I've been getting from the CM's. For every one I get, I give them a big smile and a genuine "THANK YOU!" - as this is a birthday celebration trip and I really appreciate their greetings.

I'm not out to get "freebies" of any sort - although I did get birthday confetti on my table at Hollywood Brown Derby on Friday…and I got a birthday "hat" today at Mama Melrose's. For me, it's all about celebrating a special day that only comes once a year, and who knows how many more I'll have??!!

 

[Travelgrrl]

This time around I'm escorting newbies to WDW so I'm celebrating their first trip and they're all getting first trip pins. Someone's going to call us on it because people suck and I will laugh in their face and tell them to f-off in the most vile, sadistic way I can muster.

People who get mad about buttons are morons.

Well, this seems a bit worrisome.

 

[smidgy]

well, I get the Op's point.. in the Incredibles, the son puts it well, if everyone is special, it really means, no one is.

hence all the "participation" trophies in sports, etc.

on the other hand, we almost NEVER go when it is MY birthday, so sometimes I feel like I should say (which is true) well this trip is to celebrate my birthday.. we won't be spending nay money on a night out in october, or any money on gifts for me. THIS is my celebration/

so I dont' really care one way or the other.

I did get a kick out of the ONE time we were actually there for nebo's real birthday, and he wore the button all week.. every time a CM sain "happy birthday!" he kind of growled and said "yeah, yeah"

I finally couldn't take it anynmore and said to him "well, if their cheery greetings BOTHER you so much, take the darned button off your jacket!"

 

[wyurm]

I get the point but I disagree. I will be visiting Disney during my son's birthday and he will be wearing the pin on his actual birthday. I however am also born in October and since I was born at the end of October and he was born at the beginning, I will be wearing a pin on a different day but I assure you it won't be my real birthday. The perks are minimal but mean something to those who are actually celebrating. If you have any doubts, go to any favorite local restaurant and mention that it is you birthday when it is not. they wont ask you for ID and they worn't care if you are lying. The cost of the freebie does not compare to the gain of new business.

 

[mummabear]

I wear my "I'm Celebrating 999,999" pin with pride

Snap!

 

[smidgy]

we went to DL for the first time everlast ocotober . FINALLY a diseny trip on my birthday.!!

at guest relations I wanted a birthday button iwht my name SMIDGY.

nope.. they had to put my "real" name

well I was meeting up with a bunch of dissers who only know me by "smidgy". but it is not only my "dis" name, or my screen name, but the nickname my dad gave me as a baby I didnt even know my name was Diane unitl I was about 6 years old.. my family STIL calls me smidge, or smidgy.

I stood there for 10 minutes arguing with the CM button lady, cause she said the HAD to put my "real" name on the button!

 

[TreeSapp]

The buttons aren't meant to get you anything for free, just to let you broadcast your celebration. I make little special decorations for mine and so often am asked about them, but for the most part, people (cast and some guests) will say 'happy birthday/anniversary/congrats' etc and move on with their day. The most 'attention' we've ever gotten was for wearing "I'm celebrating" buttons: cast always ask "what are you celebrating?" And 9 times out of 10 we say "being at Disney!" And they laugh at us.

I didn't even wear a birthday button on my birthday-weekend trip this year, because I thought the celebration one worked better with my decoration.

 

[robinb]

Isn't there a story about that with the "grey stuff" at BoG? At first it was a "special" thing for people celebrating something then people complained because they weren't given free "grey stuff"?

I heard the same story right here on the DIS. It was really a nice little extra for those who were celebrating birthdays but it was abused because there were too many people "celebrating". They now offer it as a dessert and another little piece of Disney magic has come and gone.

I admit that years ago, I wore a birthday button, on my birthday, but it was when they weren't handed out like free candy. I had to make a special trip to City Hall at the MK to get it. I was surprised when I was later comped in some major ways in Epcot. I never disclosed the details online because I know everyone would be like "Well I heard you gave Stinky_Pete free stuff when he had the birthday button and I have it so why don't I get free stuff?"

I think you're right maxiesmom - it's been so overdone that it's not special anymore.

All of the members of my family have worn birthday buttons ... on our birthday only. Before the whole "Celebrate Everything" campaign wearing a birthday button was genuinely special and the buttons used to say "Today in my birthday". We usually go to WDW in mid-late August for my DD's birthday and our wedding anniversary. I don't know if it's because my DD is a teen now or if the celebration has been eroded, but there is a noticeable difference between how the CMs would act and the little extras we would get 10-12 years and and how the buttons are treated today. It's sad that the birthday button pixie dust became diluted when it was spread over more people.

 

[RHONDALEE]

When I go in September I will have been retired for 3 weeks and I intend to wear a button with pride. : It was a long time coming. 47 years of working.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I don't see a problem with "everyone getting a trophy". It's Disney. It is a very happy place. Having a button makes someone feel special! I don't see why someone else feeling extra special should bother you, and if it makes you feel less special then maybe you have some jealousy issues to work out. Many people celebrate the privilege of even being able to go to Disney. Instead of being a grump about people having a good time and having buttons, maybe everyone should focus on giving a nice happy birthday or congratulations to the people who are celebrating and make the day a little more special. I really don't see the big deal in people having fun. It's Disney, it is supposed to be about the fun and the magic, no matter why you are there or how old you are.

 

[sydneysmom]

here's my take on the whole thing.... while it may seem like 'everyone is celebrating something', in their little world, their celebration is important to THEM. No one knows what's going on in someone else's world.... someone might be celebrating their kid graduating kindergarten, another might be celebrating being cancer free, another might have a birthday. the point is, WHO CARES? in a world where there is so much bad news, isn't just nice to see so many people celebrating something good???

For me, I see someone with a button and it makes me a little happier just seeing it..... because someone has something special to be excited about. How cool is that? And maybe their birthday isn't until next month, or their anniversary isn't until the middle of the year..... but maybe they can't plan their trip at that exact time. So they chose the happiest place on Earth to celebrate their wonderful celebration. Good for them.

When we went the first time, it was actually my birthday during the week we were there. I wore a button and as a family, we had a lot of fun. Our second trip, we went during the week of my husband's birthday. Again, it was great. Well, our daughter kind of now felt left out.... her birthday is in November, and there's no way for us to go during her birthday. So I promised her that when we go the next trip, we're celebrating her birthday early. If that bothers anyone, well so be it.... I figure that it's their issue and they just need a little more joy in their life. Me, I'm going to celebrate my kid and make her trip a little more special.

For those who feel that "if everyone does it, it doesn't make anyone special", I disagree. We're all special and we all have little happinesses and victories to celebrate. This isn't a contest, and this isn't a sporting event.... It's DISNEY. Instead of tearing each other down, how about trying to celebrate WITH others and just say "hey, Happy Birthday" or "Happy Kindergarten Graduation!" and genuinely NOT care if it was last week or not for another month.

 

[snoopybabe]

When I first saw your thread it made me chuckle. After my husband died the summer of 2011 we decided to get away before Christmas so we wouldn't be so sad. Of course when we checked in they asked us if we were celebrating anything. My daughter & I just looked at each other & said no just wanted to come to Disney. We've been back since then & have celebrated birthdays & will be celebrating DD having graduated college & got a job!

So I say chill, if you are celebrating something celebrate if not just enjoy being at Disney

 

[Burnedout]

When I was at the MK last week I saw a cast member with a cart near City Hall that was full of the celebrating buttons (1st Visit, Birthday, Anniversary, Just Married, I'm Celebrating generic, etc) I had never seen this before although the CM said it's been there for about 6 months. I asked her if one has to prove it's their birthday, etc and she said no, anyone can come up and grab a button. She said we don't want anyone to feel left out. I just think this is bizarre....it makes the buttons and the whole "I'm celebrating something" meaningless. Maybe people think they're gonna get free stuff if they say they're celebrating something. I've never gotten anything but a greeting when I've worn a button, although I've heard about people getting the grey stuff at BOG or a cupcake at other restaurants. I would assume now since practically everyone's wearing a button Disney is no longer giving anything away unless perhaps something special is noted in the ADR. Just wanted to know what you think about this. Is it fair to offer everyone an "I'm celebrating" button whether they are or not? Or should I just chill?.... I'm really tempted as I book my next visit to tell the Disney rep "No" when they ask me if I'm celebrating anything this trip.

Maybe people expect nothing and just are excited that it is free and that they are on their first visit, etc.

It does no harm to anyone and makes people happy.

Answer however you like. How on earth do you expect the rep to answer? Do you honestly think they care?

 

[Burnedout]

This is my beef too. Wear a button or even 100 buttons if it makes you happy. But if someone wishes you a happy birthday, anniversary or whatever..... (and your birthday/anniversary was six months ago) just smile and say thank you.

Lol true.

I said happy birthday to a few kids who'd look guilty and try to explain. If smile and say we can celebrate whenever we want and got out!!

We will be celebrating my moms 80th a couple months off. I doubt she will get a button but who cards one way or another. We've never received a freebie for a button. But did for my kid vomiting all over our hotel room. Wonder if they have a butting for that!