question about birthdays

[sitkamom]

An adult in our group will be celebrating a birthday a week AFTER our trip. I know for the free ticket, perks, etc. as part of the 2009 celebration, you must visit on the specific day. But it seems like I've seen lots of people post in the pst about wearing a birthday button on their entire visit (not on the actual day) and getting lots of fun attention. Can I request a button for someone in this instance?

 

[Disney Dreams]

An adult in our group will be celebrating a birthday a week AFTER our trip. I know for the free ticket, perks, etc. as part of the 2009 celebration, you must visit on the specific day. But it seems like I've seen lots of people post in the pst about wearing a birthday button on their entire visit (not on the actual day) and getting lots of fun attention. Can I request a button for someone in this instance?

You absolutely can! I know there are those that believe you should only wear your button on the "day of," but I believe if you are there to celebrate an occasion - wear that button everyday and enjoy the well wishes!

Tell a CM that your friend / family member is celebrating her/his birthday and they will give you a birthday button. Allow them to enjoy (or not hehe) the wishes that will come throughout the stay!

 

[Disneyadore]

But it seems like I've seen lots of people post in the pst about wearing a birthday button on their entire visit (not on the actual day) and getting lots of fun attention. Can I request a button for someone in this instance?

Read also the post of the people that are furious because they got no special attention,no free cupcakes,no flowers and balloons in their room, no special fast passes , no CM shouting happy birthday ore what so ever.

 

[WDSearcher]

An adult in our group will be celebrating a birthday a week AFTER our trip. I know for the free ticket, perks, etc. as part of the 2009 celebration, you must visit on the specific day. But it seems like I've seen lots of people post in the pst about wearing a birthday button on their entire visit (not on the actual day) and getting lots of fun attention. Can I request a button for someone in this instance?

Yes you can, but realize that the "fun attention" is not a given. Some people report that every time they turned around, someone was wishing them "Happy Birthday" or handing them free stuff. Other people wore their buttons for a week and got absolutely nothing. The button is something your friend needs to wear for the fun of it, not in expectations of gifts or attention. If you think your friend would be upset if they wore the button and got nothing -- no Fastpasses, no cupcakes, no "Happy Birthdays", etc -- then best to not ask for it. If you think they'll just enjoy having the button as a souvenir and think anything else that happens is icing, then by all means ... get the button.

 

[sitkamom]

It wouldn't be a big deal if nothing happened, but fun to see if anything did. Where do you get a button? Can you do that at your resort? Should I have included it with our room reservation?

TIA
C.

 

[WDSearcher]

It wouldn't be a big deal if nothing happened, but fun to see if anything did. Where do you get a button? Can you do that at your resort? Should I have included it with our room reservation?

TIA
C.

Buttons are available at the front desk of any resort or at Guest Relations in the parks. You can include it in your room reservation (and dining reservations) if you like, but again ... there is no "given" package of "stuff" that you get simply by noting a birthday on your reservation. Also ... be sure that your friend WANTS to be told "Happy Birthday" when it's not their birthday. Some people would rather not.

 

[missj1975]

You can get a button when you check in or you can get a button guest services at each park.

I just got back and wore my button everyday even though my birthday was only one day. I didn't wear it with the expectation of getting free stuff but I did enjoy all the Birthday wishes. Actually I loved all the birthday wishes.

The only free item I got was a cupcake. I did get balloons and a birthday card from Snow White but that was only after my boyfriend chatted with someone at Pop Century when I wasn't around. It was a very nice surprise.

Besides wearing the birthday button, I was also very happy and chatty with all the cm's. CM's are more willing to spread the magic with happy people then with grumpy people.

 

[goofy4tink]

And yet another voice for not expecting anything special to happen. Everyone seems to be celebrating something while in WDW. Yes, we have all heard of those who got front of the line access because of their birthday buttons, or free food, or fastpasses, or flowers or whatever. But, I will say that the two times my dd has been in WDW on her actual birthday, other than a few 'happy birthdays' from other guests and some CMs, she got no special notice. Everything that she got I had prearranged.

You know, it's funny but I know a guy who went to WDW, for the first time, with his extended family a year or so ago. He was about 45 at the time. He wore a 'this is my first trip' button. I told him how nice it looked. Know what he told me??? He told me, and I quote..'Wearing this button is going to get me special stuff, like food and prizes!' He truly believed that...not sure who told him that. And, of course, not one single thing happened to him.

The internet has made everyone feel like they are missing out if they don't get the same experience others have gotten. I hope your friend gets some special notice but don't be surprised if it doesn't happen.

 

[Disney Dreams]

No one should wear the buttons in the hopes of getting stuff aside from a "Happy ______" greeting.

If the intention of wearing the button is to get free stuff, forget it.

We wore our anniversary buttons throughout our entire trip and got wishes all week long. That made me smile every time and THAT was enough.

 

[sitkamom]

It sounds like lots of folks expect much too much--that's what I'm hearing! That's a shame. Well, I'll request the button when we go and enjoy whatever does or doesn't come of it. After all--isn't the trip to disney the most important part!
Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts and experiences. I've been lurking on the board ever since we booked our rooms a few weeks ago, and it's amazing how much info. I have gathered here to make our trip even better. Perhaps that and the friendly folks here at the board are better than any button or special birthday treats!

C.

 

[Goofy Guy]

Wearing the button is great fun. If you like warm, genuine smiles and occasional birthday greetings. And who doesn't, right?

Here is what you might expect:
- Several others wearing birthday pins who will also wish you a happy birthday.
- Wonderful CMs who will say, "Happy Birthday!"
- Other guests at the park who will see your button and wish you happy birthday.
- A lot of people noticing the pin and not saying anything. But they are just shy.
- And maybe, just maybe, a ultra nice CM will give you something special. As others have said, that's hit and miss. If you do receive something, be very grateful.
- Being happy all day long in the happiest place on earth. Gotta love that.