Isn't being at Disney special enough??

[lodgelady]

Just listened to the latest podcast email show today and want to give the team kudos concerning their reply to the email that asked for ways to make a child's birthday trip to Disney really special.
I wanted to stand up and cheer for their answer which expressed (much more nicely) what I was thinking, which was, "Ahem, your child will be at Disney! 'Nuf said?"
I loved their advice: Don't force the magic, just wear the birthday button, enjoy your trip and let it come!

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

Just as an example, it's my son's birthday on the 29th. He told me a couple weeks ago "Daddy, please don't buy me a birthday present. You've spend enough of your money taking us to Disney World for my birthday. That's the best present I can have, being happy in Disney World with my family." Pretty smart kid for a 10 year old.

Today at WDW I saw more than three little girls all dressed up from BBB literally screaming in a store because they didn't get something. For God's sake, that make over cost your parents a tonne, not to mention the trip here, be thankful for what you have.

I think the parents that think that they have to make a Disney birthday "extra special" are the ones creating kids that think they are entitled to everything, and that rules and empathy don't apply to them.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Oh boy...I will probably regret this, but I think maybe we are being a little hard on the email question asker. I absolutely agree that being at Disney is very special all it's own, but her daughter is turning 13 and she just asked about the Dapper Dans because she had heard about them singing happy birthday and she was wondering if it is something you can request. She didn't want to know if her daughter could fly from the castle with Tinkerbell.

I TOTALLY understand how often we hear "What can I do to make our trip special?" and I have thought "Isn't being at Disney special enough?" myself, but, especially early on in finding the DIS, I also remember reading about magical things that happened to someone and thinking "Oh my gosh! That would be so cool! How can I make that happen?" With time and a few trips, you realize/figure out that the best things happen by surprise with no planning at all, but I can remember being awestruck by some of the things I read about it and wondering how to make them happen too.

 

[lodgelady]

Just as an example, it's my son's birthday on the 29th. He told me a couple weeks ago "Daddy, please don't buy me a birthday present. You've spend enough of your money taking us to Disney World for my birthday. That's the best present I can have, being happy in Disney World with my family." Pretty smart kid for a 10 year old.

I would say that gratitude is pretty rare these days. Can I rent him for our next trip?!

 

[lodgelady]

WaltD4Me: I get what you are saying, and she was asking about the Dapper Dans in particular. I suppose that after hearing this question (or ones similar to it) a lot on the boards/podcast, I was glad to hear the team's refreshing and sensible answer.

 

[gojoe]

Oh boy...I will probably regret this, but I think maybe we are being a little hard on the email question asker. I absolutely agree that being at Disney is very special all it's own, but her daughter is turning 13 and she just asked about the Dapper Dans because she had heard about them singing happy birthday and she was wondering if it is something you can request. She didn't want to know if her daughter could fly from the castle with Tinkerbell.

I TOTALLY understand how often we hear "What can I do to make our trip special?" and I have thought "Isn't being at Disney special enough?" myself, but, especially early on in finding the DIS, I also remember reading about magical things that happened to someone and thinking "Oh my gosh! That would be so cool! How can I make that happen?" With time and a few trips, you realize/figure out that the best things happen by surprise with no planning at all, but I can remember being awestruck by some of the things I read about it and wondering how to make them happen too.

I agree. Our family goes every other year. We always do one thing that is special for that trip. Our first trip to Disney World we had a "Prince & Princes" package for extra $ we were able to get special entrance to shows. We were in VIP sections and we were part of a couple of shows. The next time we had a Cindy Breakfast, the time after that we had diner at California Grill for the fireworks. Some special things just happen too. We had a Boardwalk view Villa that our girls just loved. They people watch and talked to people as they went by. They remember that just as fondly as the planned special things.
My point is, yes every moment we spend in Disney World is very special and we don't take a second for granted. But each trip has that one special thing we do. Right now I'm planning our family trip for July of 2012. I'm thinking of renting a couple of those Mouse Boats Sea-racers and letting our kid drive us around the Seven Sea Lagoon. Boy I do go on. Have a Magical Day

 

[lodgelady]

gojoe- I'm with you. I didn't mean to imply that we should never do anything different to vary our experience at Disney and make it special. I was referring to having the expectation that cast members will do special things for your child on their birthday rather than focusing on the fun of celebrating a birthday at Disney for its own sake.

 

[mdvlprof]

Just as an example, it's my son's birthday on the 29th. He told me a couple weeks ago "Daddy, please don't buy me a birthday present. You've spend enough of your money taking us to Disney World for my birthday. That's the best present I can have, being happy in Disney World with my family." Pretty smart kid for a 10 year old.

.

Sounds like a great kid. Hope he has memorable birthday.

 

[BriarRosie]

I have to think that the boards are partially responsible for all the "what extra stuff can I do to make it special?" questions.

Because everyone posts about the extra magic they get during their trips, it has fostered, over the years, a sense of "why didn't I get THAT during MY trip?" Unfortunately, those special moments are random and should never be expected. That would completely take away from what makes things special.

I think a good example would be the personalized signs people have requested for special occasions at the Coral Reef. Some people posted how they had a diver hold a sign against the glass to surprise someone for an engagement or a birthday, and suddenly everyone just had to have a sign for their families. I don't think Coral Reef does those anymore because they were inundated with requests.

But I do think it's nice to wear a birthday button, or any of the other celebration buttons. So many people wear birthday buttons every day, but there will always be a cast member who will say "happy birthday" to you. I've felt special from that. I didn't need someone to offer me a cookie or brownie at lunch for my birthday. If someone went the extra distance to do that, great. But I don't want it to be expected. That would suck the magic out of the experience for me.

 

[OKW Lover]

Once again Lori has spoken what was going through my head.
Yes, that can be scary.

 

[BriarRosie]

Once again Lori has spoken what was going through my head.
Yes, that can be scary.

I apologize for being in your head, Jeff. I'll get out.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I agree. Our family goes every other year. We always do one thing that is special for that trip. Our first trip to Disney World we had a "Prince & Princes" package for extra $ we were able to get special entrance to shows. We were in VIP sections and we were part of a couple of shows. The next time we had a Cindy Breakfast, the time after that we had diner at California Grill for the fireworks. Some special things just happen too. We had a Boardwalk view Villa that our girls just loved. They people watch and talked to people as they went by. They remember that just as fondly as the planned special things.
My point is, yes every moment we spend in Disney World is very special and we don't take a second for granted. But each trip has that one special thing we do. Right now I'm planning our family trip for July of 2012. I'm thinking of renting a couple of those Mouse Boats Sea-racers and letting our kid drive us around the Seven Sea Lagoon. Boy I do go on. Have a Magical Day

gojoe- I'm with you. I didn't mean to imply that we should never do anything different to vary our experience at Disney and make it special. I was referring to having the expectation that cast members will do special things for your child on their birthday rather than focusing on the fun of celebrating a birthday at Disney for its own sake.

I have to think that the boards are partially responsible for all the "what extra stuff can I do to make it special?" questions.

Because everyone posts about the extra magic they get during their trips, it has fostered, over the years, a sense of "why didn't I get THAT during MY trip?" Unfortunately, those special moments are random and should never be expected. That would completely take away from what makes things special.

I think a good example would be the personalized signs people have requested for special occasions at the Coral Reef. Some people posted how they had a diver hold a sign against the glass to surprise someone for an engagement or a birthday, and suddenly everyone just had to have a sign for their families. I don't think Coral Reef does those anymore because they were inundated with requests.

But I do think it's nice to wear a birthday button, or any of the other celebration buttons. So many people wear birthday buttons every day, but there will always be a cast member who will say "happy birthday" to you. I've felt special from that. I didn't need someone to offer me a cookie or brownie at lunch for my birthday. If someone went the extra distance to do that, great. But I don't want it to be expected. That would suck the magic out of the experience for me.

I'm in 100% agreement with these posts.

Anyone that's interested should take advantage of anything WDW has to offer.

 

[cj9200]

gojoe, I totally agree. Yes, just being at Disney is special. No, I don’t believe that just because it is my DD’s birthday that she is ENTITLED to special treatment. I know some people do feel that way. We went many times to the World during her birthday and the only thing she was given was a cookie at the bakery. She also received many, many birthday wishes from CMs and guests. Those were enough for her to make her day. We were not upset that she wasn’t picked to lead the parade down Main Street, star in a show…

I also like to do something different and special on each trip. One of her birthdays, we dove the Living Seas. It was a surprise and she was ecstatic that we did that (she was asked by a Disney Diver to show a family their congratulatory message at the Coral Reef. And no, they don't do it anymore.) For her Sweet 16 I chartered an Illuminations Cruise for her and 6 friends. I know I am lucky I can do those things. I do it for her and for selfish reasons. Those memories are going to be with me forever. And no, she is not a spoiled brat.

When I ask someone for ideas on plusing a trip I do it because they may have tried something that never entered my mind. "Isn't just being at Disney special enough" is not a helpful response.

Your kid will love the Sea Racers gojoe. Lots of fun. Make sure you bring your camera and take lots of pictures. Just don’t drop it. (insert smiley face here)

 

[WaltD4Me]

I have to think that the boards are partially responsible for all the "what extra stuff can I do to make it special?" questions.

Because everyone posts about the extra magic they get during their trips, it has fostered, over the years, a sense of "why didn't I get THAT during MY trip?" Unfortunately, those special moments are random and should never be expected. That would completely take away from what makes things special.

I think a good example would be the personalized signs people have requested for special occasions at the Coral Reef. Some people posted how they had a diver hold a sign against the glass to surprise someone for an engagement or a birthday, and suddenly everyone just had to have a sign for their families. I don't think Coral Reef does those anymore because they were inundated with requests.

But I do think it's nice to wear a birthday button, or any of the other celebration buttons. So many people wear birthday buttons every day, but there will always be a cast member who will say "happy birthday" to you. I've felt special from that. I didn't need someone to offer me a cookie or brownie at lunch for my birthday. If someone went the extra distance to do that, great. But I don't want it to be expected. That would suck the magic out of the experience for me.

Well said Lori.

I've been to WDW for my birthday three times. I wore a birthday button, but I can honestly say I really didn't expect anything. A few special surprise things did happen though and do you know I never posted about them partly because I didn't want other people to expect those things to happen to them?

 

[jcb]

At the opposite extreme is one of my co-workers, who is going in October. He knows about MNSCHP and ToT but did not know about TSM, Star Tours (old or updated) and other attractions "we" take for granted. Just telling him about these, reminded me how special being in WDW is.

Now, I do try to do something "special" for DW. She enjoys WDW enough but doing something that focuses on what she likes (e.g., Behind the Seeds tour) helps keep it interesting for her.

I'm pretty simple. "Special" for me is the goad cheese polenta I had at Narcoosees.

 

[OKW Lover]

I apologize for being in your head, Jeff. I'll get out.

Wait! Leave the cheese!

 

[BriarRosie]

Wait! Leave the cheese!

Someone must have seen my Facebook status.

 

[DisneyKevin]

When I ask someone for ideas on plusing a trip I do it because they may have tried something that never entered my mind. "Isn't just being at Disney special enough" is not a helpful response.

Your kid will love the Sea Racers gojoe. Lots of fun. Make sure you bring your camera and take lots of pictures. Just don’t drop it. (insert smiley face here)

No one is suggesting that you not take advantage of everything WDW offers.

Many, many people have asked our opinion about the different options and when we had an opinion, we shared it and when we didn't....we sent someone out to experience the activity in
question and come back with an opinion.

Will reviewed the Richard Petty Driving experience because a guest asked. A bunch of the podcasters went fishing because a guest asked.

This is not at all what the discussion was about.

The person asking the question wanted to know how (and if) she could schedule The Dapper Dans to sing Happy Birthday to her daughter. She had seen it happen for another guest and wanted to make her daughter feel special.

We explained that The Dapper Dans perform on a schedule and we assumed that someone in the
audience was wearing a birthday button and the Dans spontaneously sang Happy Birthday. it was our opinion that this could not be "scheduled". This led to the discussion of making a visit "special" and it's probably the most frequently asked question.

"We are staying concierge at the GF and have California Grill reserevations during the fire works for my DD's 8th birthday. We have requested the server bring her her diamond pendant during the finale. Can you think of any way we can make this "special"."

Aside from setting the CM on fire......I really can't.

It seems pretty special already.

The response "isn't being at Disney special enough?" is more about enjoying what's already in front of you and readily available, rather then judging you for renting Sea Racers.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I think that the point is that there's a difference between expecting special treatment and finding something new to experience. We rented a boat at BWI last fall, and it was amazing and different and special.

Being at Disney is special, but so is opening your mind up to new experiences.