Faking Your Birthday??

[cleo]

How about this? Walk into City Hall at Magic Kingdom during your next visit with your own child and ask for a Birthday Button. Tell them it isn't really Johnny or Susie's birthday, but that you want to celebrate anyway and is that ok with Disney.

When they hand over the button with a smile and a birthday salutation and you see the look on your child's face, come back and tell us you think it's 'wrong'.

 

[cleo]

How about this? Walk into City Hall at Magic Kingdom during your next visit with your own child and ask for a Birthday Button. Tell them it isn't really Johnny or Susie's birthday, but that you want to celebrate anyway and is that ok with Disney.

When they hand over the button with a smile and a birthday salutation and you see the look on your child's face, come back and tell us you still think it's 'wrong'.

 

[Poohbear123]

For my Annual Birthday Trip, just was there last Monday. I went into City Hall, tried to show my ID, the CM said: "Thats not necessary, heres your pin." Wrote my name on the Pin, and handed it over. And yes, I got LOTS of HB's from the cast members!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Absolutely agree with Cleo's statements. But.....there have been too many instances, right here on the DIS, that people have come back from WDW and felt like they didn't get that 'pixiedust' filled experience. If someone hears that little Janey Doe got complimentary balloons in her resort room, and a special cake at dinner without paying for it, and head of the line perks, and their child got zip...well, someone's feelings are going to be hurt. I just wish people could just go with the flow...celebrate when you want, just don't expect all sorts of wonderful, complimentary things to happen. You may get some special stuff, but chances are that you'lll get no more than you paid for. But...go, get those buttons and have a terrific time celebrating. What could be better than being in WDW with your loved ones, celebrating a special day!!!!

When you talk about Janey Doe getting balloons & a special cake, isn't that something her parents would have had to pay for ahead of time & not something that might be given by Cast Members?

 

[orangekid13]

when I was there for my graduation present from my mom we ended up at Guest Services in MK to get info about somethingorother-idon'trememberwhat and we were talking to the CM while my mom was filling something out and she gave me a "congradulations" (I think thats what it said) pin and a "happy birthday" pin even though i told her my birthday wasn't until september (this was in june or july)
I didn't wear them though, they were too clunky and annoying

when we were there when i was in 6th grade we actually did check in on my birthday (we weren't there for my birthday, I got on the show "Figure It Out" on nickelodeon, so we figured as long as we were getting 2 free airfares we would pay the other 2 and stay a week at WL) they sent a free cake to our room the next day. The cake was small but very rich and chocolatey.
There was also a really cool birthday card which IIRC was signed by mickey.
Mark McGuire breaking the home run record that night was cool too (Sep 8th)

 

[cleo]

When you talk about Janey Doe getting balloons & a special cake, isn't that something her parents would have had to pay for ahead of time & not something that might be given by Cast Members?

Just to clarify a bit on why this topic irks some people, Disney USED TO do some special little thing for birthdays and anniversaries, such as giving the birthday person a cupcake, some balloons or other festive thing in their room or during a meal, and so on. But it got out somehow (hmmm....the internet, maybe?) and the expectation of something special became a real problem.

When people didn't get what they thought they deserved, they made a huge fuss. Several years ago Disney finally had enough and now they give out the free badge, but there is absolutely no guarantee you'll get anything other than maybe a smile and a Happy Birthday wish. There never was any guarantee, but since it was so common, it became an expected 'service' rather than a nice treat.

So....guests basically got their just dessert, so to speak, when they began demanding desserts. Freebies are a thing of the past, unless some CM decides they're feeling particularly generous.

The point is, you are far less likely to get anything special, other than a nice birthday wish. Disney knows it, most guests know it, and it's pretty petty and pointless to make a fuss over something because you might think someone's getting something MORE than you got. That's what the fuss is really about, isn't it?

Birthday Buttons are free, Disney gives them out happily no matter what day it is, and if you think you're now entitled to something, think again. It's just a nice way for families to enjoy a special day. It shouldn't have to ruin a stranger's day, if the stranger realizes they aren't really suffering because someone gets a Happy Birthday wish when it isn't their 'real' birthday. Who loses? No one. Who wins when people are smiling and happy for you? Everyone.

 

[kribit]

Even if it was my birthday, there is no way you would get me to wear a "Birthday Button."

 

[kelmac284]

I agree if Disney doesn't care then why should anyone else. It is not like you are going to get anything huge out of it. We have been on several of my kids birthdays (or close to) and they usually just get lots of happy birthdays from CM's and occasionally a cupcake or something.

I do think that as long as your birthday is within a month or 2 either direction it is probably ok but I would think if it is more than 3 or 4 months out it would seem weird but to each their own.

We took my dd this year 2 days before her birthday and I thought that was fine. We have also taken them within a week or 2 and celebrated. My kids are little and get a HUGE kick out of it.

My 5 year old was REALLY jealous that her sister got the attention and her brithday is April 27th. We were going to go back the first week of June which was a little over a month AFTER her b-day but the trip was going to be partly in celebration OF her birthday so I was going to let her get a button.

I don't think it is that big of a deal since it is not like you are getting that much out of it and again if Disney doesn't care then why should anyone else.

Just my 2 cents though.

 

[calgarygary]

How about this? Walk into City Hall at Magic Kingdom during your next visit with your own child and ask for a Birthday Button. Tell them it isn't really Johnny or Susie's birthday, but that you want to celebrate anyway and is that ok with Disney.

When they hand over the button with a smile and a birthday salutation and you see the look on your child's face, come back and tell us you still think it's 'wrong'.

Or if you have a problem with this, go in and ask for the "very merry unbirthday" button.

 

[starbox]

Our poor DS has a birthday that falls during the first week of school every year. Two years ago, we had moved and he was switching to a new school and his birthday actually fell on the first day of school!

We decided, in leiu of a party, to take him to Disney for a few nights. Yes, he got a birthday button! It does not get you anything free except smiles and "Happy Birthday" wishes. Push the trashcan did sing "Happy Birthday" to him.

I think the whole thing with the birthday police is a bit silly. How many families actually celebrate ON actual birthdates? We've always thrown parties on the weekend around that time. DD shares a birthday with a major holiday - so we always have to do her parties on a weekend a few weeks in advance or a few weeks late so her friends can actually attend.

I think that if it's a birthday or anniversary trip, it's fine to celebrate it as such. If it's not, getting a button is just silly because all it does is let the CMs know to say "Congratulations" or "Happy Birthday".

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Our poor DS has a birthday that falls during the first week of school every year. Two years ago, we had moved and he was switching to a new school and his birthday actually fell on the first day of school!

We decided, in leiu of a party, to take him to Disney for a few nights. Yes, he got a birthday button! It does not get you anything free except smiles and "Happy Birthday" wishes. Push the trashcan did sing "Happy Birthday" to him.

I think the whole thing with the birthday police is a bit silly. How many families actually celebrate ON actual birthdates? We've always thrown parties on the weekend around that time. DD shares a birthday with a major holiday - so we always have to do her parties on a weekend a few weeks in advance or a few weeks late so her friends can actually attend.

I think that if it's a birthday or anniversary trip, it's fine to celebrate it as such. If it's not, getting a button is just silly because all it does is let the CMs know to say "Congratulations" or "Happy Birthday".

I just wanted to say I found the term "birthday police" to be very funny.

 

[girlieeee]

I went for my birthday in 2005 (and will be there for it this May) and I got lots of attention. My son was a little envious! I did get a free cupcake at a restaurant, but it wasn't the cupcake I liked, it was everyone enjoying the attention our group was getting! I think it is the "thought that counts" not the reward.

 

[kribit]

Some people use a Disney trip as their birthday present, even if their birthday is not "officially" during the trip. Why is it such a big deal to people that others do this? It's just a button for crying out loud.

We were married in the winter and honemooned at Disney in the spring. Is this a big deal to complete strangers? I highly doubt it.

 

[december]

I'm so glad I read this thread. We celebrated my son's 9th birthday during our first trip to WDW last July. His birthday was on our Epcot day. We had been to all of the parks by then, and I collected the birthday buttons at each park. He wore all 4 that day, and got lots of Happy Birthdays. Our dinner at Garden Grill was great, and we got a cake in place of the regular dessert, and a card from all the characters (cake and card delivered by Dale). When we got back to the room that night, he had a card and balloons from Mickey and Minnie. It was just magical-though nothing that cost WDW much money.

My daughter wasn't thrilled about all the attention (she even thought Illuminations was just for him!). Her birthday is Nov. 8. I teach, so a WDW trip on her birthday just isn't possible. We are going Nov. 15-24 this year, and I decided to celebrate her 8th birthday on Nov. 21. When I call to make ADRs on May 19, I'll let them know that we are "celebrating" her birthday on that day. We are going to BBBoutique that morning, dinner at 1900 Park Fare, then MK for fireworks and parade. It will be her day. I don't need any freebies, just everyone making her feel special.

Surely no one would be upset over a child getting a special day in Disney!

 

[Kruuzin]

We have gone at the end of April and my daugher's birthday is the very beginning of May. We have celebrated it while there.

We are going down in 2 weeks and when I called for a reservation, the girl asked if I was celebrating anything. I told her not that day but 2 days before is our anniversary. She said that she would make a note of that on our reservation. I am not expecting anything, but if it happens it will be a "magically moment".

 

[LizAgna]

To me faking your birthday is almost as bad as something faking that they are disabled and must have a wheelchair. What is this teaching their children?

When we were at AK in 2001 I was standing in line to rent a stroller when I heard one of 2 early teenage boys ask his mom which one of them got to ride in the wheelchair they were about to rent that day. I couldn't believe my ears!!

 

[Mischa]

Disney should just eliminate the whole button "thing". Most people who get the buttons are only wearing them to see what they can get out of it. How about you got a trip to WDW, isn't that enough for the celebratee?

Maybe some people wear the buttons to see what they can get for free, but to eliminate the button thing is unfair to those that enjoy the button and being recognized by a CM and other guests. And by "recognized" I don't mean getting "something".

When my dh & I went down to celebrate our anniversary last year and wore the buttons it was nice to hear CMs and other guests say "happy anniversary", likewise when DH wore a birthday button when we went down around Christmas. Even though his birthday wasn't for another month, his wish for his birthday was to spend it at Disney. Unfortunately we knew we wouldn't be able to be there for his birthday in January so we booked a December trip. He wasn't expecting anything just by wearing the button, but it was nice to hear CMs and guests say "happy birthday".

just my 2 cents.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

We are going down in 2 weeks and when I called for a reservation, the girl asked if I was celebrating anything. I told her not that day but 2 days before is our anniversary. She said that she would make a note of that on our reservation. I am not expecting anything, but if it happens it will be a "magically moment".

They asked us the same question when we were booking our CSR reservations last year and said they would make a note of it on our reservation when we told them it was our anniversary trip. We didn't expect anything and nothing special was done by any of the CMs at the resort. When we went to Boma for dinner though we got a nice card and a little cookie platter which was really nice.

I think what really bothered us the most about the original post on this thread wasn't so much that the kid faked his birthday to try and get something for free but that the mother thought it was a good idea. What message is she sending to her kid by supporting that? We'll be the first to admit that idea would have crossed our minds when we were kids but our folks would have smacked us upside the head for wanting to be so dishonest and marched us right out of the park.

 

[YEKCIM]

The other day I was at the mall when I heard these two women talking about how one of the women's son faked his birthday...

It's not called "faking"; it's called lying, and IMO, it is reprehensible that a parent would consider that to be clever and to condone it.

We will be there the *week* of our daughter's birthday, and plan to be very up front with Guest Services, that her birthday is that week, but that we will actually not be at WDW on her actual birthday. If GS gives her a button, fine; if not, fine, as well. She is not genuinely entitled to it, as we have explained, but we'll let Disney decide if the rules can be bent a little.

~YEKCIM

 

[goofy4tink]

Just to clarify a bit on why this topic irks some people, Disney USED TO do some special little thing for birthdays and anniversaries, such as giving the birthday person a cupcake, some balloons or other festive thing in their room or during a meal, and so on. But it got out somehow (hmmm....the internet, maybe?) and the expectation of something special became a real problem.

When people didn't get what they thought they deserved, they made a huge fuss. Several years ago Disney finally had enough and now they give out the free badge, but there is absolutely no guarantee you'll get anything other than maybe a smile and a Happy Birthday wish. There never was any guarantee, but since it was so common, it became an expected 'service' rather than a nice treat.

So....guests basically got their just dessert, so to speak, when they began demanding desserts. Freebies are a thing of the past, unless some CM decides they're feeling particularly generous.

The point is, you are far less likely to get anything special, other than a nice birthday wish. Disney knows it, most guests know it, and it's pretty petty and pointless to make a fuss over something because you might think someone's getting something MORE than you got. That's what the fuss is really about, isn't it?

Birthday Buttons are free, Disney gives them out happily no matter what day it is, and if you think you're now entitled to something, think again. It's just a nice way for families to enjoy a special day. It shouldn't have to ruin a stranger's day, if the stranger realizes they aren't really suffering because someone gets a Happy Birthday wish when it isn't their 'real' birthday. Who loses? No one. Who wins when people are smiling and happy for you? Everyone.

Yep, that would be the point I was trying to make. I couldn't care less if people wear a birthday button and it's 5 months early/late. Just don't care. I just hate to see people believe something is commonplace and go in expecting it, and then be disappointed. No birthday police here..keep moving, nothing to see.