How have you celebrated children's birthdays at WDW?

[tallym]

I agree Lisa....Thats the point I was trying to make

I took my dd to Disneyland Paris for her 5th birthday and we celebrated on the actual day..it was a very special memory I cannot imagine at all celebrating her 5th birthday a couple of months later??

My Ds will be 14 next September dutring our trip so again we will be celebrating on the actual day.

A trip to disney should be special enough without pretending its your birthday as well, it belittles those whose actual real birthday is that day and Iam in no way suggesting anyone here does this but I have known people say its there birthday to "get " things...like room upgrades special seats in restaurants etc.

It just seems so unfaif to those whoose birthday it is.
But Iam obviously in the minority here so I'll just slope off now

I,ve surprised myself as to how strongly I feel about this...Iam usually really easy going, honest

 

[alleghator]

Not all of us can plan trips to go when we want to go. I'm a school teacher and I have to go when school is out. Even if we were staying home during our Spring Break, I would most likely be planning my daughter's birthday party that week (so she could have a non-school-night sleepover party). Are you suggesting that no matter what I should always have her birthday party on her birthday?

I don't expect anyone to give us anything we're not entitled to. I plan to make T-shirts for my daughter for our trip that specifically say "celebrating my birthday" or "about to turn 7" .. not "it's my birthday." Subtle? Maybe. But, I'm not trying to be sneaky or cheat anyone, and I don't appreciate the implication.

My son's birthday is in June ... I am not smooshing his birthday a few months later into our March trip. But, my daughter will be celebrating her birthday 1 week earlier in 2006. I hardly think this makes me a bad person or a bad parent.

--Heidi

 

[tallym]

Heidi ...No where in my posts have I said you are a bad parent or implied it???

In fact I did say Iam absolutely not suggersting anyone who has posted here is trying to get a freebie but that I personally know of people who have done this.


I cant see why you think iam talking about You???

of course we cant all have parties on the actual day but most people i think you agree have parties within days of the the actual day....not months or even weeks...thats just silly

 

[skiwee1]

As othes have said as long as you are actually going to pay for the cake or whatever then there really isn't a problem. I really do not see a reason to even tell a CM that it one is celebrating a birthday unless one is hoping to get a freebie. Too many go to WDW and have to tell every CM in site that they are celebrating a birthday and really are expecting some "magic" to happen. Of course we all know that "magic" is just another word for freebie. I don't need some stranger handing me a free cupcake to make me feel special. To me, having my loved one go the extra mile and order me a cake means so much more.

 

[beattyfamily]

Before I left for the trip, I didn't know having a birthday shirt or a birthday button meant you'd get free stuff. That wasn't why I had my DD wear one. She wore one to feel like the trip was her birthday celebration and also her birthday present, which it was. She wore one to feel special with the "Happy Birthdays" she got from total strangers.

We got nothing for free the whole trip except at Tony's, they put confetti on our table and asked if she wanted a birthday sundae and we said no thank because she's such a picky eater.

At Le Cellier, they were going to bring her a free moose dessert (not the one that looks like a moose) but I said no thank you, she'd like the chocolate moose on the menu and I paid for it.

At Sci fi they put a candle on her older DD's dessert that I paid for and took our picture. Nothing free and I didn't expect anything free. She wore the shirt and button because this was her birthday trip and present. Period.

I just wanted my DD to feel special and I didn't think about 'free stuff'. She did feel special and had a great time and we got exactly what we wanted out of it.

I can't understand why this bothers some people. It's nobody's business but the family celebrating. To each their own. Someone celebrating their birthday a day, a week or even a month early or late doesn't affect me/you. It doesn't take away from me/you. I am always amazed that these "birthday at Disney" threads become such a debate; something SO minor in the grand scheme of things.

 

[skiwee1]

Beattyfamily, I think it just gets a little old when you go to WDW and everyone around you happens to be celebrating a birthday. Every table around us at LTT last trip were celebrating birthdays! It was ridiculous. LOL! Really looks a little over the top. Judging by this thread it obviously is over the top. I can only speak for myself but I see no reason why anyone has to show off their birthday to perfect strangers. If you get enough fulfillment from your own family then you don't need to seek it out from strangers. To each his own.

 

[beattyfamily]

Beattyfamily, I think it just gets a little old when you go to WDW and everyone around you happens to be celebrating a birthday. Every table around us at LTT last trip were celebrating birthdays! It was ridiculous. LOL! Really looks a little over the top. Judging by this thread it obviously is over the top. I can only speak for myself but I see no reason why anyone has to show off their birthday to perfect strangers. If you get enough fulfillment from your own family then you don't need to seek it out from strangers. To each his own.

I actually agree with you on two counts...

I did also see a lot of people with the birthday buttons on; I was more aware since my DD had one I think because I never really noticed it on all my other trips. I know what you mean (overkill) but my Dd had a great, special and memorable birthday trip regardless. One that will stand out to her for years to come. And it was a one time thing.

And I also agree with to each his own.

I was only trying to say we didn't celebrate her birthday at WDW for 'free things' not by a long shot. We didn't get the free things some are talking about.

 

[tallym]

Hmmmm!! I think I will make a t-shirt for my DS next Sept. It will read.

TOday is my actual real birthday!!!

Only joking! Like another poster said I can't see the point in advertising it. I actually have a Birthday wishes cruise planned and no way would ds wear a t shirt or even a birthday button ...not v cool to a 14 yr old!

 

[alleghator]

Sorry about my tone in my above post. I'm just grumpy this morning.

Also, I'm so psyched that I got CRT for breakfast and that we'll be able to celebrate Emily's birthday with her favorite princess. And, now I feel like people are going to be looking at me funny when we sing "Happy Birthday" to her.

--Heidi

 

[beattyfamily]

Sorry about my tone in my above post. I'm just grumpy this morning.

Also, I'm so psyched that I got CRT for breakfast and that we'll be able to celebrate Emily's birthday with her favorite princess. And, now I feel like people are going to be looking at me funny when we sing "Happy Birthday" to her.

--Heidi

Hey, no appologies necessary! Please have a wonderful trip and meal at CRT and please don't feel badly singing Happy Birthday to your DD!!!

 

[sltwinmom]

Just started reading this post, but the other day, when I was making my reservations, the CM asked me how old my 2 DS were and when I told her they would be turning three a few weeks after our trip in January, she said that she would make a note of it on our reservations because after all, we are taking the trip in Celebration of their birthday. So I guess Disney doesn't have a problem with people celebrating events on days other than the actual day. She also told me to be sure to tell them at Chef Mickey's so that the boys can be in the "Birthday Parade". Don't know that we will do this because a friend's DD-4 will be with us and don't think that would be very magical for her not to be included as well.

 

[virgojmk]

Our problem is we are planning a first ever WDW trip in Jan and it's a surprise. The problem...we will be there for my actual birthday, my dd's actual birthday and our 16 year anniversary(just so happens they are all in a row). Our dd is autistic and is bugging us for a birthday party. Any suggestions on how to stall her? She will find out about the trip on Xmas, 2 weeks before, but that still leaves us with 7 weeks of stalling.

 

[Blondiex46]

I wish I could take my grandaughters but my son and the mother want to be the first ones to take them, so I can't until they do and I have been 3 times since they said that.

The twins will be 12 on 12/9 so I just called and told DW and everyone I could and hopefully we will get a dance of the characters.

 

[pooh2001]

Birthdays - yes, try to be honest.
Our DD always celebrates her birthday our first night at WDW in late June.
It's her actual birthday. She has a party either a few weeks before we go to WDW with her friends or a few weeks after we return from WDW.
Because of our WDW vacation plans - she always has her birthday dinner at WDW. My DD friends like the bithday party after we return from WDW because the 'goody bags' always have something WDW in it.

We once went Memorial Day week. My DS birthday is that week. He turned 10 and had to trade his child AP pass for an adult AP pass (this was a few years back). They CM helped my DS celebrate his birthday and his new adult pass. She gave us walk on passes to my son's favorite ride - Buzz Lightyear. She also gave my DS a coupon for a Mickey ice cream.
My DS did not mind his adult pass after that day. (we did not mind paying the extra $$'s either for being honest). Our kids do not lie about their age.

My DD now has an adult pass for 2006. (she hates the finger scans )
But she'll still get her birthday dinner at Whispering Canyon or 1900 Park Fair.
I like 1900 Park Fair - I can order a small castle cake for her there. I get my DS the 'dog bones' - to celebrate another year of school well done.
Whispering Canyon is fun - but it's very loud - and no specialty cakes.

 

[disneymouse]

well my daughter turned 2 oct 27th. we had planned a party for her with a clown coming to our house. hurricane wilma came and her party was cancelled due to no power anywhere it was a bummer. we did have alitlle party with the neighbors (thank God for generators!)
so on november 28 -a month later- you bet we will celebrating her birthday again complete with birthday pin and cake!

 

[abk96]

DisneyMouse, that sounds great! I hope your little one has a magical day.

That picture is so adorable!

 

[bopper]

That is the thing...you say you are Celebrating his/her birthday today. Not that it IS their birthday today. But only do it for one day.