How long do you wear the button?

[swisely]

When we were there recently, we were celebrating my son's 8th birthday, and our 10 year anniversary. We wore the buttons all week. Mostly, we received a lot of "Happy Anniversary's" and "Happy Birthday's". My son always got an extra cupcake and sang to at the restaurants, and one evening my husband and I got a glass of champagne. I don't think Disney lost much money on us with a few cupcakes and some champagne. And my son loved the extra attention.

 

[lovegrumpy]

We wear them the whole time we are there

 

[DisneyNic]

I didn't realize that this is a controversial subject, and I'm glad to see the thread hasn't headed that way!

My DD isn't getting a b-day party with the bells and whistles this year, we decided Disney is her b-day celebration (even though her b-day does not fall during the week we will be there). She can wear her button all week (and probably will), and I know she will love the attention. I'm excited for her!

This is what we are doing to, sort of. Neither one of my kids are getting the big b-day bash this year because we are going to WDW. I have picked a day for each of them that we will celebrate their birthday on. But the more I think about it, I may let them wear their b-day buttons for as many days as they want. They will also have first trip buttons.

I thought maybe I'd add her celebration to the princess meal, and ours to Tony's - the whole trip is a surprise to the kids, so this would be another for DD, and I could surprise DH w/other - if they do anything!

That is what I did. DD's b-day was in May and DS's is the end of Aug but we are going in Sept. I added DD's b-day to our CRT breakfast and DS's to our Chef Mickey's breakfast. Although, when I called the other day to ask for a room request, the CM on the phone mentioned their birthdays so who knows what will actually happen when we check in. I put their actual birthdays in the ADR when I added the celebrations, but I guess Disney doesn't care and wants us to celebrate all week.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

DW wore her birthday button the entire trip except for one day when she forgot to put it on. She enjoyed the extra attention the entire week.

 

[PrincessKara22]

My 24th birthday was July 12th but my present is this trip to Disney next week--do you guys think its okay for me to get a happy birthday button? Not to get "extras" or anything but just because I think it's nice and I've had a hard year and I do feel like celebrating? Is that okay even though I'm technically now a grown up?

I wish there was something we could "celebrate" for my mom. Since my dad passed away she doesn't ever really get made a fuss over and I think she deserves to be made a fuss over!

 

[dulluth]

May be redundant, but we actually asked a CM when booking about our DS's birthday, and they told us that they encourage wearing the buttons all week, as it is a birthday trip. Also, at different parks, the CMs giving the buttons would sometimes do something special. One CM wrote happy birthday in Chinese characters. I guess if you feel awkward wearing them all week, don't do it, but we were encouraged to do so.

 

[LilGMom]

I wore my birthday button the whole week.

When I turned 40, I started celebrating my birthday for a week.
When I turned 50, I turned it into a month long celebration.

Celebrate!

I like the way you think!!!

My 24th birthday was July 12th but my present is this trip to Disney next week--do you guys think its okay for me to get a happy birthday button? Not to get "extras" or anything but just because I think it's nice and I've had a hard year and I do feel like celebrating? Is that okay even though I'm technically now a grown up?

I wish there was something we could "celebrate" for my mom. Since my dad passed away she doesn't ever really get made a fuss over and I think she deserves to be made a fuss over!

It is more than technically okay for you to wear your birthday button while there!!! Your mom could celebrate her "Un-Birthday".

I wore my birthday button last year even though it was a few days before my birthday (we checked out and headed home two days prior to my birthday ) and the "Happy Birthday" wishes I got were great. Never got a cupcake or "freebie" other than an extra smile which was more than enough for me!

 

[rumrunnergirl]

.

 

[TheWog]

My thoughts exactly. Especially after I saw a little girl witha button. The bus driver said Happy Birthday to her, and she just gave him a blank stare back. Then she rolled her eyes at mom after. It was just a guess, but I suspected mom made her wear it after her birthday to see if they could get some extra freebies....

Personally, I might wear it for just a birthday/anniversary dinner, maybe ONE whole day, or maybe just skip it. I think anything beyond one day is too long.

What freebies other than some good will from CMs and other park guests are people getting that makes it so valuable that it should only be worn one day? You get free admission or other perks on the day of your birth, but that is controlled by Disney and you need proof for those "gifts". Another poster indicated wearing it more than one day would actually hurt other people. You might have a song sung to you or an extra smile. Some CM may hand a small child a balloon, but you're at Disney. If kids don't want to wear it that's one thing, but I think many do, there are always exceptions.

 

[cleophus12]

When we were at WDW in June, we took the KTTK tour. I booked it in advance and mentioned to the CM taking the ressie that since my DD had finally turned 16, we could take the tour at last. The CM said, "Oh, that's great. Let's put that on your reservation." I told her the birthday was in April, and she said, "Well, you're celebrating aren't you?" and I said, "Sure". When we checked into our hotel, there was a Happy Birthday button waiting on our DD, and she wore it proudly.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Another poster indicated wearing it more than one day would actually hurt other people. You might have a song sung to you or an extra smile. Some CM may hand a small child a balloon, but you're at Disney..

To me, it's sort of like the story of the boy who cryed wolf (Strong analogy perhps,but that's the first well known story I could think of). When just a few folks are wearing buttons then it has meaning. If everyone is wearing buttons to announce something, then it loses all (or most) or it's meaning. It becomes nothing more than noise, and those who are really celebrating thier birthdays or wedding days get treated as if they are just milking it - instead of being treated special.

When buttons were rare, they personally had meaning to ME. I would say good wishes to folks who had honeymoon buttons. Now that everyone has a button, and they are likely wearing it the entire week, it has little meaning to me personally. I'm less inclined say, to encourage (permit) a button wearer go ahead of me in line.

Now, I'll still distinguish if you are on a honeymoon at WDW, that would merit wearing a button all week. I secretly appreciate first timer buttons - cause that lets everyone know they MIGHT need special help (so to speak) navigating around WDW.

but birthdays...well...they just aren't a big deal in my mind. If it's some random anniversay, like 3rd, 12th, or 23rd - one day is plenty. You get up to your 60th anniversary, and yeah - if you are celebrating and both still able to walk around WDW for a week - then you can wear it all week!

Seriously, it's not that big of a deal...but like anything else, the more folks over-use the benefit, the less value it has for everyone. In that sense it does hurt those who actually have a birthday/anniversary/etc. I'm sure the freebie perks have diminished accordingly as well. Instead of real free gifts all you get are a periodic greeting or song.

 

[mariepapa]

When we were at WDW in June, we took the KTTK tour. I booked it in advance and mentioned to the CM taking the ressie that since my DD had finally turned 16, we could take the tour at last. The CM said, "Oh, that's great. Let's put that on your reservation." I told her the birthday was in April, and she said, "Well, you're celebrating aren't you?" and I said, "Sure". When we checked into our hotel, there was a Happy Birthday button waiting on our DD, and she wore it proudly.

The goal of the Celebrations marketing is to make everyone feel special at Disney World and they are succeeding. We all have birthdays! Heck mine was in April, I am still celebrating now...

If you don't feel like wearing the button for more than one day, don't. But they want you to because they want you to feel special while you are there so that you feel more "magic". I will go with that any day!

Maybe I can celebrate finally getting my family to Disney World?

 

[Minnie Melissa]

When my DH and I celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary in 2007 we wore our pins all week long. We received a hand full of free deserts and items! It was very cool to see the CM's celebrate with us! We made lots of memories that trip!

 

[idieh]

I must be weird , but I wouldn't think of wearing my Birthday button on any other day but my B'day. As has been previously noted; you get a lot of attention, not only by CM's, but also from other guests! I know that CM's are encouraged to take notice of your B'day...but lets face it, i'm sure that the enthusiasm wears off as the day goes along. I feel like I would be taking this added fun away from someone else if I wore the button more than 1 day. The "Just Married", "Anniversay", and "1st Trip" buttons can be worn as long as you want!

 

[PatsMom]

I am going to WDW to celebrate my 50th birthday in September. I will wear my button on my actual birthday. We are going in May to celebrate my husband's 65th birthday. He will wear his button on his actual birthday. We are going in January to celebrate my daughter's "un-birthday". Her birthday is in the middle of July and I cannot stand to think of going then. She will not wear a button since it is no where near her real birthday even though we plan a celebration dinner at Narcoosee's for her.

I guess I am of the school of thought that overuse of the buttons has diminished their meaning. Like a prior poster, I don't go out of my way to wish a Happy Birthday any more. Seems that every other person is wearing a button for some reason or other so it just isn't as special as it used to be. YMMV.

 

[ShannonMB]

I guess I am of the school of thought that overuse of the buttons has diminished their meaning. Like a prior poster, I don't go out of my way to wish a Happy Birthday any more. Seems that every other person is wearing a button for some reason or other so it just isn't as special as it used to be. YMMV.

It sounds like you go alot, and that you're fortunate enough to be able to plan without the hassles of school and work schedules, etc. That is wonderful for you, that you get to spend the actual date at WDW. Others aren't as lucky, and as I put in my post, my DD isn't going to get a birthday party this year so we can go just before her bday. That's okay if you don't see the meaning or the special-ness of her bday -- I'm hoping lots of CMs and other guests will!

Sorry to single out your post, but really, if you think about it, they don't have meaning, anyway, except to the person who's wearing one.

 

[kidsrfun]

My husband and I are going to wdw to celebrate our 25th anniversary. I plan to wear my pin everyday of the trip! Disney's marketing this year is about what we're celebrating, so why not? Every time we book something, they ask! They even asked today when I booked a photo session. For us, if it wasn't for our anniversary, we wouldn't be going there this summer. Also, we never had a honeymoon because my husband was in the AF and we moved 3 days after our wedding. So I think that after 25 years, we deserve it! It's just cute. That's all!

 

[Hyonlyf]

I guess I am of the school of thought that overuse of the buttons has diminished their meaning. Like a prior poster, I don't go out of my way to wish a Happy Birthday any more. Seems that every other person is wearing a button for some reason or other so it just isn't as special as it used to be. YMMV.

I agree wholeheartedly!

 

[Ktharee]

Diminished meaning? Not special anymore? People, it's a BUTTON. It means different things to each person who wears it. Honestly, to have any negative feelings toward people or even the notion of wearing a button longer than one day is really a little absurd and wasted angst don't you think? In the grand scheme of things?

Celebration is the whole idea behind the most recent marketing plan. They want you to come down and celebrate-whatever it is. Time stands still at Disney. It's your celebration from the moment you get there until the moment you leave. If wearing a button heightens the celebration for you, sleep with it on!

Uttering a few simple words to someone is hardly going out of your way and I feel anyone who is with that line of thinking, isn't really "getting" Walt's vision. There may be someone (or many someones) who really aren't celebrating anything, but get a button anyway-that's their issue-but I don't let those people harden me. It's all about having fun, remember?

Have a great trip OP and wear the button as long as you wish. Because at Disney, it's as YOU WISH!

 

[Hallowishes]

ive never been fortunate enough to go for my birthday/anniversary/other special occasion. i normally just get to go when i find a good deal. i think it would be awesome to go for a special event and get to wear a pin! it must be fun and im sure you get some very extra magical experiences!