Everybody's Celebrating Something! No Questions Asked!

[robinb]

Seriously? My daughter's birthday is July 28th. I'm having her party the weekend before on July 26th. Does that somehow impact my integrity because I would rather have her party on a Saturday instead of a Monday?

By the way, I'm pregnant with my second daughter due any day now. At some point, when the girls are a little older, I plan to take them to Disney in early July to celebrate both their birthdays. I think that would be a fun trip as I have been to WDW several times for my actual birthday and the week before or after. Yes, I have worn pins on the actual day and other days as well. I'll probably let them each choose a special dinner and *gasp* get them each a cake on days that aren't their actual birthdays.

As for getting a pin, yes, that is fun and we wear them. If Disney didn't offer pins, that wouldn't be a big deal either. We would still go and celebrate their birthdays. If Disney gives us something free (cupcake, etc) great but it isn't expected. I generally order a specialty made cake anyway if we are celebrating a birthday or anniversary at WDW and we have a special dinner.

I think that it's perfectly OK if you have a birthday party on a different day. I also think it's perfectly OK to celebrate a couple weeks before or after at WDW or celebrate your combined July birthdays together at WDW. But what makes me actively roll my eyes is when someone upthread "celebrates" a full FOUR MONTHS after the birthday and/or anniversary. I won't pass moral judgement on this poster as Disney allows everyone to "celebrate" a birthday or anniversary as long as it happened in the last or next 365 days. But I will say that I think that "celebrating" your birthday or anniversary months after the actual date is ridiculous and just another way for people to try to make their Disney vacation even more extra-supercalifrimagical with special attention and free goodies. FWIW, this does not apply for small children who get a special pass from me. There is nothing cuter than a CM wishing a little girl in a costume "Happy Birthday Princess!" no matter how many months ago it was.

Frankly, I am starting to actually like the "I'm Celebrating" button because we can always find something to celebrate at WDW ... even if it's just being at WDW . Of course, they don't get the same freebies as the birthday and anniversary buttons .

 

[Burnedout]

I think that it's perfectly OK if you have a birthday party on a different day. I also think it's perfectly OK to celebrate a couple weeks before or after at WDW or celebrate your combined July birthdays together at WDW. But what makes me actively roll my eyes is when someone upthread "celebrates" a full FOUR MONTHS after the birthday and/or anniversary. I won't pass moral judgement on this poster as Disney allows everyone to "celebrate" a birthday or anniversary as long as it happened in the last or next 365 days. But I will say that I think that "celebrating" your birthday or anniversary months after the actual date is ridiculous and just another way for people to try to make their Disney vacation even more extra-supercalifrimagical with special attention and free goodies. FWIW, this does not apply for small children who get a special pass from me. There is nothing cuter than a CM wishing a little girl in a costume "Happy Birthday Princess!" no matter how many months ago it was.

Frankly, I am starting to actually like the "I'm Celebrating" button because we can always find something to celebrate at WDW ... even if it's just being at WDW . Of course, they don't get the same freebies as the birthday and anniversary buttons .

Do people still get freebies? I suspect that the numbers aren't that high. But that is just a wag. I don't believe that all the people running around with buttons are getting freebies.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

They really do not get that many freebies. A cupcake, some confetti.

I remember reading a post on a board somewhere from a recent groom who was upset that he and his wife had been to 2 WDW restaurants already on their honeymoon trip and hadn't gotten even one freebie.

 

[robinb]

Do people still get freebies? I suspect that the numbers aren't that high. But that is just a wag. I don't believe that all the people running around with buttons are getting freebies.

My DD got the grey stuff at BOG when we were there for her birthday last year. We received a free special dessert at Narcoossee's and Mickey head confetti on our table on our anniversary the year before. My DD had a special dessert at California Grill. FWIW, we only wear the buttons for the single day ( and we put the date on the buttons) so my experience with the freebies is limited. I wouldn't be surprised if Disney has cut back on such things especially when people wear the buttons and 'celebrate' every single day of the trip.

 

[pbrim]

The button does not say "Today is my Birthday!", it says "I'm Celebrating my Birthday!" There is a big difference. I would not wear the first on any day but Oct 21, but I gladly wear the second on any trip in Sept thru Dec, Because I chose to go in the fall specifically so I could celebrate my birthday.

You can celebrate your birthday (anniversary, whatever) anytime. That's why so many birthday parties are on the weekend, even though the actual birthday is during the week. My mother has been celebrating her 29th birthday in Nov for the last 54 years. (She chooses to ignore the ones after that.)

More to the point -- you're at WDW, and the best use of your time that you can come up with is to police other peoples celebrations? Really? Why don't you just enjoy your own trip and let other people enjoy theirs.

 

[Burnedout]

My DD got the grey stuff at BOG when we were there for her birthday last year. We received a free special dessert at Narcoossee's and Mickey head confetti on our table on our anniversary the year before. My DD had a special dessert at California Grill. FWIW, we only wear the buttons for the single day ( and we put the date on the buttons) so my experience with the freebies is limited. I wouldn't be surprised if Disney has cut back on such things especially when people wear the buttons and 'celebrate' every single day of the trip.

That is a lot. We've celebrated some things that were noted on our reservations like our anniversary and a birthday and didn't receive any freebies. Son was wished happy birthday but wasn't given anything. Lol but he'd shoot himself in the foot before he'd wear a button too

This particular son is exceedingly good looking. Always has been. He's always received more freebies etc than my two freckled kids. It has been interesting to note. Pulled out of audiences and glaring at me the whole time.

 

[sydneysmom]

They really do not get that many freebies. A cupcake, some confetti.

I remember reading a post on a board somewhere from a recent groom who was upset that he and his wife had been to 2 WDW restaurants already on their honeymoon trip and hadn't gotten even one freebie.

They were probably just lying and it was really their 2 year 2 month and 6 day anniversary.......

 

[ajwolfe]

I think this is hilarious because I actually pointed out to our traveling group on our last trip how many extra birthday buttons there were everywhere...We would see huge groups of people all with happy birthday buttons and my kids would be like wow all 10 of them have a birthday today...Um, no, they are they do not...If you want to celebrate any random thing I'm fine with that, get a celebrating button..You want to celebrate your birthday on a day that's not your birthday, get a celebrating button..But leave the Happy Birthday button for people that it's actually their birthday. My sister and her dh celebrated their anniversary while there on the actual date. Only one CM said anything to them (which they were fine with) and the CM actually made a comment that he rarely comments on the buttons anymore because there are so many of them. So I kinda of have to agree with the previous posters ideas that no one is special if everyone is trying to be special.

 

[Burnedout]

So I kinda of have to agree with the previous posters ideas that no one is special if everyone is trying to be special.

You know, I get this concept when one is discussing something that actually is an accomplishment. Grades, sports, superpowers. Having a birthday isn't an accomplishment for most people. Disney allowing everyone to feel special is a whole different animal. It takes no effort for a cm to wish everyone a happy whatever. Being friendly and kind is what they should be all about. And disney company is not required to provide freebies and such.

I think that the people complaining must be the people who think they deserved a freebie but didn't get one because of the immoral fakers. Because it isn't a bad thing to celebrate whatever one wants to celebrate whenever they wish to celebrate. As the aforementioned military families demonstrate so well.

 

[AmyB2006]

Wow. Thanks for the laugh on this one.

OP yes I think you need to chillax a little on this one. And so do a lot of people in this thread.

It's a button.

And the last time I was there with my daughter on her birthday, all they give you is a little cupcake with sprinkles. At least for kids. I don't know if they give adults anything unless they ask. But still....

I can't believe the uproar over a button.

 

[NinaBella]

Disney has never required any "proof" to get a button for any celebration. You can get a birthday button even if your birthday anytime. Not everyone can travel on their specific celebration date, but the trip is special to them for various reasons. Just go with it... it's not like it has any monetary value or taking anything away from you.

 

[Satchmo128]

We are always celebrating something when we are at the Disney parks - even if it isn't on the exact day. I love wearing a button

 

[dayvewc]

I think that it's perfectly OK if you have a birthday party on a different day. I also think it's perfectly OK to celebrate a couple weeks before or after at WDW or celebrate your combined July birthdays together at WDW. But what makes me actively roll my eyes is when someone upthread "celebrates" a full FOUR MONTHS after the birthday and/or anniversary. I won't pass moral judgement on this poster as Disney allows everyone to "celebrate" a birthday or anniversary as long as it happened in the last or next 365 days. But I will say that I think that "celebrating" your birthday or anniversary months after the actual date is ridiculous and just another way for people to try to make their Disney vacation even more extra-supercalifrimagical with special attention and free goodies. FWIW, this does not apply for small children who get a special pass from me. There is nothing cuter than a CM wishing a little girl in a costume "Happy Birthday Princess!" no matter how many months ago it was.

Frankly, I am starting to actually like the "I'm Celebrating" button because we can always find something to celebrate at WDW ... even if it's just being at WDW . Of course, they don't get the same freebies as the birthday and anniversary buttons .

I'm just curious as to how "far away" from the actual birthday you think is acceptable? My significant other and I make it a plan to go to Disney every summer. That is the only time we can both go, as I am a teacher and SO only gets 1 week vacation each year. While there, we each pick a day to wear a "Celebrating my birthday" button, as well as a day that we both wear a "Celebrating our Anniversary" button. We don't do it to try to get "freebies" - although last year we were offered the grey stuff at BoG for our anniversary (and it WAS actually on our anniversary)(Side note, SO was offered the grey stuff, but the waitress apologized to me that she wasn't allowed to offer me any because I have food allergies). But we don't "get" things for each other for birthdays or other milestones so we can save the money for our Disney trips. So, the fact that SO's birthday is usually 3 months before we travel, and mine is usually 6 weeks after, and our anniversary may or may not be while we are there (this year it is the week after we get back) does not matter TO ME as we are still "celebrating" the event. We are just celebrating the event when and where we love to be.

 

[agavegirl1]

Wow. 11 pages and counting. My last trip was November of 2010 for my birthday. My birthday fell within the days of my trip but not on a Disney Day. I really thought I had to "prove" my birthday to get a button so I didn't get one. I was at Universal for my birthday. This time, I am going to celebrate five years with my "significant other". We plan to get married at some time but no rush and no pressure. We will be together 5 years right during our Disney days. How do I prove that? Anyway, I thought this thread would have resolved itself by page 5 but can see it is more contentious than I thought. Seeing it from both sides I guess.

 

[L&Lfan]

This is the longest (11 pages and counting) thread I've ever had the pleasure to start at disboards. I'm gonna celebrate THAT when I go back to WDW in September! Seriously, thanks for all the input which has opened my mind somewhat to expanding the idea of celebrating at WDW. But I still think taking a button just to take a button is tacky and has spoiled the specialness of celebrating something for real at WDW. And I have noticed the CMs being less inclined to congratulate a guest when practically everyone they see is wearing a button.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I'm just curious as to how "far away" from the actual birthday you think is acceptable?

Why should it matter what another poster on a message board, whom you don't even know, thinks is acceptable? Disney is good with it, get your button and have your celebration.

Oh and by the way BoG now SELLS the gray stuff because I think there were too many people complaining that they weren't offered any.

 

[Burnedout]

Why should it matter what another poster on a message board, whom you don't even know, thinks is acceptable? Disney is good with it, get your button and have your celebration. Oh and by the way BoG now SELLS the gray stuff because I think there were too many people complaining that they weren't offered any.

Lol just read the recipe. Not understanding the allure. .

Disney sells everything needed to make a celebration lovely. We've purchased cakes and arrangements and special desserts. All have been delightful. . Maybe they need to stop offering some people the extras.

 

[Iowajes]

I'm just curious as to how "far away" from the actual birthday you think is acceptable?

Well a CM posted they pixie dusted people with buttons if they had or will have a birthday that year, so that sounds like a good guideline.


I'm with you. My birthday is in January, when I often can't travel- but I often plan a trip later in the year specifically as my birthday trip. It's how I justify the expense "I'm going to Europe to CELEBRATE my 30th birthday" or whatever. There are some people who go to Disney just because, but many many people go to honor an occasion, even if they don't go during that occasion.

Not understanding the allure. .

It's because the dishes say it is delicious. Otherwise, it wouldn't get near the excitement.

 

[Redmic]

This threads reminds me of the Dr. Seuss characters, The Sneetches. The Sneetches with the stars were special, so the others built a "star on" machine so everyone could be special. In response, those Sneetches who originally had stars built a "star off" machine, so they could remove the stars, and once again be special.

Since everyone at Disney now wears a button, my strategy for being special is not to wear a button!

 

[It's A Happy Day]

I find it funny that people are getting up in arms over when the actual event being celebrated may or may not be on the day they are wearing the pin.... if your bent out of shape over something so trivial, I think you need more chores It's really nobody's business other than the business that may or may not acknowledge the event being celebrated.

Sure some people may be doing it just because they want a freebie or like the attention they get from CM's or other patrons but I'm sure it's more than likely that many just could not coordinate the trip to take place at the same time of the actual event due to life's circumstances. DH & I are celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary this year in October. Due to my sons sports schedule (he plays football), I decided to postpone our trip till mid-November so he doesn't lose his starter spot and gets to play in all the games for his final year at this school - usually we go the beginning of October when our actual anniversary is. I was reluctant to add a comment to our reservation because I knew our anniversary wasn't actually in November. I finally said the heck with it and added it to our res. due to the fact that we ARE celebrating it then due to other factors. To each their own, and if it bothers you then MYOB IMO.