Is this lying? Birthday.

[rangebob]

I was at Disneyland for my son's birthday. It was the day before his birthday and he said something to the VMK tour guide and when we got to the first attraction that we rode she said something to the attraction host. He said hold on a minute and came back with a birthday sticker and he said it wasn't until tomorrow. The host said "We don't care that it is tomorrow", you can celebrate it here all month long or whenever you want.

 

[NCRedding]

We travelled to WDW 2 weeks after my DD's birthday. We were making a PS for lunch, and the CM asked for DD's age. I said 11, but then said, "No, she just turned 12 two weeks ago". The CM said "In that case, she needs a birthday button" and handed me one for DD to wear. Other than a few CMs wishing her happy birthday, I don't remember any other perks she received. It was a nice momento for her scrapbook.

 

[lucincia]

Are we talking about a birthday celebration or stealing/cheating something from Disney? I'm confused. I'm always amazed and shocked at how these "Birthday at Disney" threads always turn ugly.

Isn't asking for opinions on various Disney subjects what these boards are for? It's not like she wants to sneak in a 3 year old for free, or use an old resort mug, or pool hop.

I'm so sorry OP. Just do what you want for your family. If you get the buttons, all you have to do is tell the truth. We are celebrating our DD's birthday today as this is her birthday trip. I promise you Disney doesn't care in the least. After all they want people to make birthday/anniversary/engagement/marriage memories with them! It means even more future business and they are the kings at dragging out a birthday/anniversary celebration for goodness sake.

Just egnore those who are practically calling you a liar and a cheat and a bad mother. They need to lighten up, big time!

Yeah, I was just posting to see what people's opinions are. This is all subjective so it was interesting to see what people think/feel. No bad feelings on my part, I just find it all humourous

And I am not a mother - I am a guy!

 

[beattyfamily]

And I am not a mother - I am a guy!

oops, sorry!!

 

[cleo]

You aren't asking Disney to give you something for nothing when you celebrate your birthday, you're just acknowledging it as a family and maybe getting some smiles and good wishes from CM's in the process. It's entirely possible all that will happen is the Cast Members will say 'Happy Birthday!" and that's the end of it. It's possible some will make some small gesture beyond that. But they certainly aren't going to give out some big-deal item, so you're not ripping them off by recognizing a special day when it's not actually that special day.

 

[TammyJ]

Are we talking about a birthday celebration or stealing/cheating something from Disney? I'm confused. I'm always amazed and shocked at how these "Birthday at Disney" threads always turn ugly.

Isn't asking for opinions on various Disney subjects what these boards are for? It's not like she wants to sneak in a 3 year old for free, or use an old resort mug, or pool hop.

I'm so sorry OP. Just do what you want for your family. If you get the buttons, all you have to do is tell the truth. We are celebrating our DD's birthday today as this is her birthday trip. I promise you Disney doesn't care in the least. After all they want people to make birthday/anniversary/engagement/marriage memories with them! It means even more future business and they are the kings at dragging out a birthday/anniversary celebration for goodness sake.

Just egnore those who are practically calling you a liar and a cheat and a bad mother. They need to lighten up, big time!

The OP asked for opinions and I believe he got them. I didn't read anyone being terribly disrespectful, just sharing their opinion. It is a lie to say it's your birthday when it's not. That's a fact. Is it a "little white lie" that's harmless, that's an opinion. I think a couple posters warned the OP that it might be confusing and uncomfortable for his DD but isn't that part of the question. If not, why ask? As I stated earlier, I personally don't approve of it but it's not that big of a deal either. I certainly wouldn't think someone a bad person or bad parent for doing it. I happen to have lots of ideas about parenting that are different than my friends and family...who I think are still good parents. I might ask their opinion if I really wanted to know. And then I'd weigh what they said and do what I thought was right.

If after reading the opinons OP sought out he decides to do it, that is his choice. I think it's good to ask for input if you really want it. We can all use some help.

OP, have a great time whatever you decide to do and I hope your DD has a happy birthday.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

This thread sure is a hoot. Personally, I see nothing wrong with getting a button and celebrating. Sure, go right ahead.

But, you know what? It is lying. Period. The button doesn't say, "I'm celebrating my birthday". It says it is my birthday. Either wear it or don't - whatever seems right to you. But don't come up with some sort of tortuous logic to try and think it isn't a lie.

Ummm, the button my dh got from Epcot on his ACTUAL birthday last week (no flames, please, lol ) only read, "Happy Birthday," in a bunch of different languages. Nothing about "today" being his birthday, although it was.

 

[beattyfamily]

The OP asked for opinions and I believe he got them. I didn't read anyone being terribly disrespectful, just sharing their opinion. It is a lie to say it's your birthday when it's not. That's a fact. Is it a "little white lie" that's harmless, that's an opinion. I think a couple posters warned the OP that it might be confusing and uncomfortable for his DD but isn't that part of the question. If not, why ask? As I stated earlier, I personally don't approve of it but it's not that big of a deal either. I certainly wouldn't think someone a bad person or bad parent for doing it. I happen to have lots of ideas about parenting that are different than my friends and family...who I think are still good parents. I might ask their opinion if I really wanted to know. And then I'd weigh what they said and do what I thought was right.

If after reading the opinons OP sought out he decides to do it, that is his choice. I think it's good to ask for input if you really want it. We can all use some help.

OP, have a great time whatever you decide to do and I hope your DD has a happy birthday.

Yep, the OP got opinions, and that's what the boards are for but some are also being judgemental and jumping to conclusions that the OP will lie about the actual birthday of their child.

I was also giving my opinion, and I was replying specifically to this: "Whatever--why would the opinions of 30 random people from a message board affect your decision of what is right and what is wrong?". What's wrong with the OP's question and why should they have to justify asking it?

I think it's so silly and absolutely rediculous that some get so worked up about celebrating their birthdays at Disney not on the actual day, the horror!

Have fun!

 

[umaangel00]

I do not consider it lying. DH and I will have been married for 5 years by the time we go in March. We will be on our honeymoon since we really didn't get one when we got married in 2001. We will be wearing the Mickey ears and everything. So I wouldn't consider it lying. No one will know. It will also by DH's birthday when we leave Michigan so I plan on getting him the buttons as we for that!

 

[CamColt]

If you dont feel funny about it, go ahead and celebrate. No one will check.

We were going to do this when we arrived in WDW 2 days after DS's 7th birthday. When the day came we all just felt silly having him wear a "Todays my birthday" button and getting a cake and singing at dinner, so we skipped it. Yes we do sometimes "celebrate" by having a party or going out to eat on a date thats more convenient, but thats done between us as a family. I wouldn't advertise if it wasnt the date. But thats just because Id feel funny (not that I think its lying, just silly). If you are ok with it, then go for it!

 

[lucincia]

Well, at least I didn't start another thread about using child dining credit to buy adult meals ....

 

[TammyJ]

So I wouldn't consider it lying. No one will know.

I think this may be why some have gotten worked up over this topic. It's not that what the OP is asking is that big of a deal. It's the idea that if "no one knows" it's not a lie. That's not what I'm teaching my children and I hope others aren't either (and this is not directed at anyone who has not asked their children to lie but are "celebrating" at Disney). People are concerned about the message we are sending our children.

 

[umaangel00]

IF the OP wants to celebrate at Disney then I think he should be able to. Yes technically it's lying but again NO ONE will know so who really cares? I plan on wearing my buttons and mickey ears with pride regardless of what anyone else says.

 

[beattyfamily]

So I wouldn't consider it lying. No one will know.

I think this may be why some have gotten worked up over this topic. It's not that what the OP is asking is that big of a deal. It's the idea that if "no one knows" it's not a lie. That's not what I'm teaching my children and I hope others aren't either (and this is not directed at anyone who has not asked their children to lie but are "celebrating" at Disney). People are concerned about the message we are sending our children.

Maybe so but that's NOT what the OP said...just wanted to make that clear.

 

[lucincia]

So I wouldn't consider it lying. No one will know.

I think this may be why some have gotten worked up over this topic. It's not that what the OP is asking is that big of a deal. It's the idea that if "no one knows" it's not a lie. That's not what I'm teaching my children and I hope others aren't either (and this is not directed at anyone who has not asked their children to lie but are "celebrating" at Disney). People are concerned about the message we are sending our children.

I hope we can agree on two distinctions here -

Saying today is your birthday - lying.

Saying today I am celebrating my birthday - lying or ok?

I think that's the original intent of my post. Maybe should have worded it better rather than making it such a hot button issue

The problem with my family is that my and DDs birthdays are all in November/December, all within couple weeks of each other. So we're used to combining birthdays so that we don't have to eat cakes for weeks on end! So they're used to "celebrating" their birthdays on different days (out of convenience).

Original post was just a fun exercise to see what people think. And I hope it is still fun for you guys as it is for me

 

[TammyJ]

I hope we can agree on two distinctions here -

Saying today is your birthday - lying.

Saying today I am celebrating my birthday - lying or ok?

Yep, I agree. Saying it's your birthday lying. Saying you are "celebrating your birthday," not lying....stretching

Again and again...not a huge deal. An exercise in semantics!

But what if every child "celebrated" their birthday when they went. We will go this year and not again for several years. So for those with scheduling issues, is it OK if all four of us celebrate our birthdays???

That's a rhetorical question by the way. I can already guess what pretty much every poster here would say already. Just a thought.

Have a great time and Happy Birthday to your daughter whenever!

 

[colonels cruisers]

We are planning to be at WDW the week before ds birthday. Extended family party of 11. We plan to celebrate his 'family' birthday at the park. Disney is very aware (as is DS) that this is not his true birthday but a chance for him to do something with Grandparents, Aunts, Uncle and cousins which he has never been able to do (and think how important it might be to grandparents to get to be their for a grandchilds 'birthday'). Sure we are paying for the gathering (safari) but Disney seems to see the focus on a chance for a family to have a great special time together. Disney actually suggested the button to me.

With the focus on whether or not it is lying... Look at how Disney handles this when you just tell them the truth. I have no problems with the decision I made, you just have to make your own decision and be able to sleep with it.

 

[salmoneous]

Ummm, the button my dh got from Epcot on his ACTUAL birthday last week (no flames, please, lol ) only read, "Happy Birthday," in a bunch of different languages.

Well then, that is a *completely* different matter altogether. The buttons I have seen present a bit of information - it's my birthday. Similar to those "my name is" tags you get at conventions. Now either it is your birthday, or it isn't your birthday. Truth/Lie. Black/White.

But these Happy Birthday buttons raise all sorts of psychological issues. Exactly what message is the kid sending by wearing one? Is he wishing other people a happy birthday? No. Or is he telling (demanding?) other people to wish him a Happy Birthday? Instead of Fred wearing a button that says, "My name is Fred", he's now wearing a button that says, "Hi Fred, nice to meet you." Bizarre. I think it could lead to psychological damage for the child. Best not to wear one, whether it is his birthday or not.

 

[adrien32]

My daughter (age 8) was very worried about this and was concerned about wearing a birthday pin a month before her birthday. We were taking pictures with the "Mayor" of Disney World on Main Street. She explained her dillema to him and he said that it was perfectly OK and he gave her a birthday pin himself! After that she was quite satisfied that she wasn't breaking any rules!

 

[In a hurry]

But these Happy Birthday buttons raise all sorts of psychological issues. Exactly what message is the kid sending by wearing one? Is he wishing other people a happy birthday? No. Or is he telling (demanding?) other people to wish him a Happy Birthday? Instead of Fred wearing a button that says, "My name is Fred", he's now wearing a button that says, "Hi Fred, nice to meet you." Bizarre. I think it could lead to psychological damage for the child. Best not to wear one, whether it is his birthday or not.

Now, there is some logic!