I have a problem with

[susy]

Too bad. My son's b-day is Nov. 30th. He was born Thanksgiving weekend in 97.

This year we are staying concierge at the BWI for Thanksgiving, which this year falls on the 24th. I will be telling the concierge that we are celebrating DS's birthday at Disney a week early and I will be having it noted on our Ps's. If someone wants to do something for him, fine. I don't expect anything, but he knows that it's his birthday trip-just like every year.

 

[goofy4tink]

We have celebrated my dd's actual b-day in WDW. She turned 6 on our first visit there. What kinds of special, magical things did she get? Well, a big cupcake, a song from a few CM's at Crystal Palace, and a nice card signed by Pooh and friends. Nothing else. It is not that big a deal. We will be celebrating her 13th at HDDR. We are traveling with another mom and her dd. That dd will turn 13 the day after we get home from WDW. So....we will be celebrating both 13th b-days while at HDDR. Yes, it is already noted on our PS for HDDR. Do I expect some big ole thing to happen? No, just a b-day mention in the usual announcements they have there. I will be supplying my own b-day cake. (just have to figure out where I can order it to get it to HDDR!).

So, go and celebrate what and when you wish. If you choose to tell your child to 'stretch the truth' that's your business. I would prefer to say that we are celebrating dd's turning '? age' this year. And not try to have everyone make the assumption that today is the actual b-day. I also think that the special b-day buttons should be reserved for those celebrating the actual date of birth...that particular day. It would just make it a little more special for those with actual b-days that day. You can get GoH badges for anyone if you want.

I really don't think that Disney makes a big enough deal of b-days, anniversaries, whatever, to get all in a twist if you miss some 'magic'. If you want something really special, make arrangements before you go and pay for it beforehand.

 

[JMCDAD]

I just want to clarify,although its been mentioned a few times, I know sometimes things get lost in all the posts, for those of you who responded about celebrating special days at different times. That has nothing to do with my original post, like I said you can choose to celebrate whatever you want whenever you want, I have 3 kids, I know all about having numerous parties around their days. I am talking about going into a restaurant or a park and saying its my child's bday today, when your childs bday is x months away.

 

[pyrxtc]

I will be celebrating my DS's 2nd birthday when I go this year. I don't expect anything, but I am getting him the birthday buttons for the whole week. The only thing I am hoping for is maybe a happy birthday when they sign his autograph book. I will be ordering a cake for our only PS lunch. My DH and I are also celebrating our anniversary but only on the actual day. I don't see how this hurts anybody.

I could celebrate my DD's birthday too (actual is dec. 20th) ansd if I did, I('m sure that someone who's birthday is in Oct would be at WDW celebrating in Dec because that's when her family wanted to go. Give it up, let the kids celebrate.

It's not like someone goes every month and say it's their birthday every time. Let other's have their fun.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I definetly see both sides of this but let me give you my take. Not celebrating on the actual day is the same as having a birthday party for your kids on a Saturday instead of the weekday that the actual birthday is on. Also- it is possible that the trip might be a birthdya present for the kid. My grandmother took me to California for my 16th birthday. I didn't tell everyone at every restraunt but I was older. I certainly would have celebrated if it was my kids present and they were young. Now on the other end- our last trip to Disney was about 6 months ago and I was sitting with my son who was 2.5 at the time while my dh and dd where washing up. A CM came over to my son and told him "today is your birthday!" He put a special birthday pin on him and everywhere we went CM's wished him happy birthday. Now maybe the heat affected my brain but I told the CM "oh- it's not his birthday" DUH!!! Stating the obvious! The CM was so nice. He said "that's okay- we won't make you come back on your actual birthday!" I thanked him profusely and he smiled, wished us a good time and walked away. Now my ds is pretty smart so we explained that everyone at Mickey Mouse's house just wanted to wish him a happy birthday because they couldn't be there for his party. He thought this was great and it made him feel special. He also told every CM thank you and explained that it wasn't his actual birthday! So you never know if a CM is just spreading pixie dust. I am sure there are people that take advantage but I don't think Disney ever even gives anything away free. So short of a little attention I see no harm. I can understand how annoying it must seem but you never really knwo what someone is really celebrating. Besides- isn't it wonderful to see people celebrating rather being unhappy? Just my thoughts.

 

[lillygator]

original post...

Its not a big deal and I an not trying to start an argument, but............
It kind of annoys me when people say its their kids birthday at disney restaurants and its not.
We go away roughly the same time every year, so we usually will be on vacation on my middle daughters bday.
I feel it kind of takes away from her special day when almost every other table happens to be celebrating a birthday.
And its got to annoy the CM's
My other 2 children are both within 2 weeks of this so we certainly could do it. Yet we only do my middle daughters on her birthday, we don't even do it multiple times that week.
I know people do this alot I have friends of ours that do it, and tell us all the time just tell them its one of you kids birthdays at every restaurant.
I just don't think its right.
Maybe I am more sensitive to it since, it actually is my daughters birthday when we are there and my other 2 children's birthdays are within 2 weeks.
Although I am proud that my kids never asked us and even asked me why do people do that when its not ther bday?

I just want to clarify,although its been mentioned a few times, I know sometimes things get lost in all the posts, for those of you who responded about celebrating special days at different times. That has nothing to do with my original post, like I said you can choose to celebrate whatever you want whenever you want, I have 3 kids, I know all about having numerous parties around their days. I am talking about going into a restaurant or a park and saying its my child's bday today, when your childs bday is x months away.

so you are actually overhearing all these other families telling the CM's at the restaurants that "Today is ____'s birthday" or are you simply basing your opinion on "your friends that do it all the time"?

I think many people note it on their reservations, PS, AR's whatever, but I don't see people marching in and saying HEY it's time to celebrate someone in my party's occasion.

and how do your children know that it isn't these other guests birthday's?


and I mean what is the big deal, these celebrations aren't taking away from your daughter's celebration is it? I mean, come on...I really don't think the majority of people are teaching their children to lie (now if it's months away, I see an issue there)....if you can celebrate everyone in your family's birthday on their exact day then more power to you...I find it hard to hold a birthday party on a weeknight or Sunday....

 

[JMCDAD]

I give up
The point of my original posts keeps getting morphed into other things
Thanks to those who understood my point
I appreciate everyone's responses.

 

[mom2cinderella]

I have 3 kids, I know all about having numerous parties around their days. I am talking about going into a restaurant or a park and saying its my child's bday today, when your childs bday is x months away.

Exactly. Of course most people have their child's party on the weekend - that is when it is most convenient for all involved. That has absolutely nothing to do with going to WDW and pimping your child's birthday all week long when it is months away. People can celebrate whatever they want to on their vacation and make their own magic; I disagree with the idea that it is okay to take advantage of all Disney has to offer when the actual birthday or whatever is months away.

Michele

 

[lillygator]

I give up
The point of my original posts keeps getting morphed into other things
Thanks to those who understood my point
I appreciate everyone's responses.

I don't think your OP is getting morphed....I understand what you are saying I am simply asking you HOW DO YOU KNOW that all the people celebrating birthday's or special occasion's aren't on their ACTUAL day? from your OP it sounds like you know this from "your friends that do it all the time"...

it is not possible to celebrate on the ACTUAL day for many many families/people....and I guess what your saying/implying in your OP is that the parks should only celebrate people's birthday's/occasion's on the ACTUAL day....since it takes away from your daughter's special day...

 

[lillygator]

and again, JMO but I do think the majority of people celebrating are legitimely celebrating in a reasonable timeframe....sure you get the bad apples that take advantage but I don't think that most people do that.

 

[JMCDAD]

moncindy


gator
All you have to do is read the forums on this site, heck, just read the posts in this thread to know that it is happening constantly.

 

[lillygator]

still, in the grand scheme of things it really doesn't matter.....unless there is some sort of physical harm coming to a person I don't see why everyone feels the need to worry about what the Johnson's are doing...and I really don't see how it can take away from another families celebration unless they are afraid of being lumped into the category of *gasp* celebrating on a day other than the actual day!

 

[bobcat]

Well since my daughters birthday usually falls on the day I need to head back to work (I'm a teacher and her birthday is in late August) there is no posible way we can celebrate her birthday at WDW on her birthday. I don't think it is a major crime if we celebrate a few days early. I have had her pick a day that she wants to celebrate and we get a birthday button and tell our server at out restaurant. I plan on doing the same for my niece this year since she will be leaving before her official birthday.

 

[rt2dz]

I'm finding this thread very interesting. On our last trip, it was my DH's actual birthday one day. I stopped in with DS#1 at guest relations and picked him up a button. I arranged then PS, now ADR at his favorite restruant, noted it was his birthday and I ordered a cake (and paid for it--those cupcakes are not that good, probably why they are free). They had the table decorated, it happened to be a character meal and he got a card signed by all the characters, there was a group of singers to sing him happy birthday and the characters were all around dancing and clapping. Our boys loved it. It meant very little to my DH, being an adult, but it was very important to our sons. And that was the extent of it. Really, not that much.

Now, as far as celebrating months off...We choose to do that for DS#2 ALWAYS. We only celebrate his birthday on his half birthday. His birthday is right after Christmas, and as a child who also had her birthday right after Christmas, I think it is a cheat to put both together so close. Not to mention, it means we don't have to buy all those summer toys for no reason. So, if we choose to celebrate his birthday at WDW, it WILL be months off. BUT the day of (or weekend closest to) his half birthday is the only day he gets a party/presents/cake/etc. We make a big deal about "celebration day". Not hard to do since DS#1's birthday is Valentine's Day and we have never wanted his birthday to get lost in the greeting card holiday celebrations--not to mention, again, a little close to Christmas still, so we postpone celebrations for a few weeks to a couple of months. I just don't see how celebrating months off is such a big deal?

Heck, when we were entering MK on my DH's birthday, the guy behind us had a birthday pin on. My DH asked him if it was his birthday, and he said no. When he purchased his AP, the CM noticed his birthday was close (6 weeks) and gave him the pin to celebrate early. So, no, I don't believe CMs get tired or fed up with celebrations--THEY PROMOTE IT!! I've even heard them tell people to celebrate their birthday that day as long as it is coming up in the next 6 months or was just in the last 6 months. For those of you who might not get it, that's ANYTIME that year. THAT is part of the Disney magic. Making everyday the special day. My neighbor has quads. In order to make each of their days special, especially since they have different friends, they each choose a different day to celebrate their birthdays on. Different parties, different cakes, different everything!

Celebrating on a different day, no matter how off, isn't lying or promoting lying. It's the CELEBRATION that is important, not the day of the event. Heck, I went from my wedding reception to the ER I was so sick and didn't get to go on my honeymoon. And it seems that everytime we try and re-plan our honeymoon, something comes up and we have to cancel. When I finally do get to go on my honeymoon, it is still going to be my honeymoon even though we (currently) have (almost--I'm pregnant) three kids and have been married for years. It's still that special trip in celebration of our marriage.

I understand what the OP is saying, I really do--and he is welcome to that pet peeve. Personally, I have the pet peeve when you wear your engament ring on the inside when it is supposed to be worn on the outside (your wedding ring is supposed to be closer to your heart). However, I just don't think he gets what others are saying. It's a celebration of others and the day they celebrate is irrelevant to the day of the event. And, why does it bother him? Who cares? It won't rain on my parade, or DS#2's birthday. Rather it won't diminish our celebrations. And I can't see how mine will ruin his.

 

[BBGirl]

I can't believe people would actually do this! What is that teaching the kids?

Oh yeah they do not just in WDW too. I have heard at resturants all over and telling their childern remember your only 5 not 6 because at 6 they have to pay more as in the subway in DC. It is pathic IMO. I am celebrating my son's birthday in WDW I ordered the cake, paid for the cake, we (my family) will sing Happy Birthday. When I told the cm at dining we wanted to do this at CM so she would allow extra time for our table seating. The cm told me "go the next day to Town Hall (I think) and tell them it was DS's birthday get the free have table done up get everything you can" I wasn't really listening because celebrating isn't his birthday and I don't want to teach my child to lie for free stuff or any other reason. The lesson IMO isn't worth whatever I (he) would get.
It's same when a place does give away free stuff to kids. 1 per person please. How many times have you noticed parents telling their kids you can go again for what free stuff that costs next to nothing. I see this all the time. Boo at the Zoo, holloween parties everywhere it seems.

 

[taximomfor4]

What about the cultures that celebrate existence, not birth? In a class I recently took, we learned that some celebrate from conception, not from day of birth. Could be a cultural difference some (certainly not most) of the time.

I think I get what the OP was saying, and can agree to an extent. I have friends who say its SOMEONE in their party's birthday at most every restaurant all year long. So the WDW regulars who say its their birthday on every visit many times per year. And yes, sometimes there are little freebies for the birthday kid. But we should not fool ourselves into thinking ANYTHING is really free. If the freebies begin costing WDW too much, they will raise a price elsewhere or stop giving the freebies totally.

Of course, if a family picks a day to celebrate that is not an actual birthdate, I don't particularly care...and would only think it is somewhat wrong if they do it more than once per year. Like, it's little Joey's 4th birthday in May, July, September, December, and February. Really, what does that teach the kids?! Doesn't bother me PERSONALLY, but I would see that as not quite right.

About not getting the Birthday Button from the park, if it was my child's celebration day, I would get the button. I would not make the child miss out on it just because I couldn't schedule a trip on the correct exact day. If WDW offered a button that said anything other than "Today is my birthday" then I would get that...but I have never seen one. So my kids, on their birthday celebration day, will wear the "Today is my birthday" button. Just like they wear a "Today is my birthday" button at their birthday parties anywhere, on whatever day we schedule that party for.

OP, I get you! When we were at CP over Easter (celebrating NO birthdays, even though 2 kids would have bdays in the next 3 months) we were just about the only table at breakfast that was NOT having a birthday, in our section. But like I said, as long as those people are not each having 7 WDW bdays per year, it doesn't seem morally wrong to say they are CELEBRATING a birthday that day.

 

[lillygator]

I totally understand what the OP is saying but what got me the most was the "it's taking away from my kid" comment.

 

[grlpwrd]

Good grief... we have birthday police here at the DIS boards, too.

You don't even know those people and are making such assumptions...

 

[JMCDAD]

Thanks for all the replies I appreciate each of them

Grlpwrd, funny you say I am assuming this happens, did you read the thread ?
Its obviously not an assumption

 

[Stitch Inside]

Thanks for all the replies I appreciate each of them

Grlpwrd, funny you say I am assuming this happens, did you read the thread ?
Its obviously not an assumption

I thought you gave up already.