Storyteller: the end to the premature (or late) birthday celebrations?

[Princess Jes]

Now, I try not to let the things that others do that doesn't affect me get under my skin, but one trend that I've noticed that is particularly strange and something I'd never consider doing myself is people celebrating their birthday/anniversary/graduation etc in the parks with the birthday/I'm celebrating button (and let's be completely honest, the hope of some pixie dust that comes along with that button) months before or after the fact.

I'm not talking about those that celebrate within a week or so (looking at you Ryno) but those that say "it's our birthday in October but we could only travel in July, so we are celebrating it now"

Do you think that in some circumstances (talking Mickey, swiping your MB at a dining res) will see the pixie dust settle a bit even if Mickey or the host sees the button, but their MB tells a different story?

Or do you think it won't even be a factor in all of this?

No judgement, just a healthy discussion.

 

[samsteele]

So much of this has always been in the discretion of the CM & server that its hard to say. I've worn my birthday button on my actual birthday to an Epcot restaurant & had no comment at all or reaction at all from my waiter. I did get lots of nice Happy Birthday wishes from other guests on the bus that day so there you go. But no CM attention. However, I've heard of some children being acknowledged by CMs for birthdays & certainly couples celebrating anniversaries. I hate to say it but I suspect the abuse of the button plays a huge role in this & many CMs have become jaded. If they are tired and busy, some may still make an effort for a child or a young couple celebrating an anniversary esp if they hope an increased tip is in play. For the rest of us, no dice even if we have a legit reason to celebrate. Whether they will take the time to match up the new info on the band with the button, I doubt it. Time is money & I don't think the CMs are all that interested in whether a guest is legitimately sporting a button or not. CMs will continue to choose on the spur of the moment to wish you a happy birthday or comp a slice of cake or a glass of wine. Just out of our control.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Unfortunately, it's not just WDW where birthdays (or other occasions) get "abused". EVERY SINGLE TIME I'm out at some chain place (TGI Friday's, Chili's, etc., etc), it's always SOMEBODY'S birthday - really? EVERY SINGLE TIME??!!!! I've always been extremely skeptical of this, and friends know I REFUSE to go to a chain on my birthday, or if I do, to have my birthday announced, and "call attention to myself", or just be here for a free dessert. I can pay for my own dessert, and don't need attention, thank you - and it really IS my birthday. Don't mean to be a "meanie or downer" but this is a pet peeve, and I think I'm pretty right about it NOT always being somebody's birthday. LOL. I had even heard it was so bad that some chain (can't remember which one) started requiring shows of ID to get a free dessert. Sad, ain't it?

 

[Kimberle]

If someone chooses to celebrate a birthday (etc) on a different, who the heck cares? It's really none of my business. Life is to short to worry whether someone is getting a "free" cupcake and I'm not.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

If someone chooses to celebrate a birthday (etc) on a different, who the heck cares? It's really none of my business. Life is to short to worry whether someone is getting a "free" cupcake and I'm not.

Those free cupcakes taste nasty.

 

[disneysteve]

I can tell you that my wife and I are already talking about what to do to celebrate our 25th anniversary next year. Our anniversary is in July but we likely won't celebrate it until DD is back at college in September, so I guess we're going to be those people you're complaining about.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I don't mind any of it as long as people don't go in with expectations of special treatment. If they happen to acknowledge the bday, anniversary, etc. on your ADR- great...if they don't-so be it and don't get down over it.

We have had trips where we've celebrated right on somebody's bday, trips where we've celebrated a few weeks before or after, and a couple of trips where it's been a few months. The one thing I do happen to do is plan a custom cake and other goodies, regardless of when we're celebrating. i.e. if I really want it to be special, I go the extra mile and cover the expenses to have it be more. Mind you, we've had our fair share of special...from the basic cupcakes, the nicer cupcakes (Cape May's old bday cupcakes were actually good), cards signed by characters, character place mats, and complimentary champagne. I feel lucky to have gotten all of those things, but it's the custom cakes, special goodies/outfits, etc. and time with loved ones that makes the celebration.

If we can make it to the 10th in July, we will be celebrating my bday as well as DD9's bday, as we are both August bdays.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

Every tom, dick and Harry has an "I'm celebrating...." Button on these days.

 

[Princess Jes]

I can tell you that my wife and I are already talking about what to do to celebrate our 25th anniversary next year. Our anniversary is in July but we likely won't celebrate it until DD is back at college in September, so I guess we're going to be those people you're complaining about.

I'm not necessarily complaining. It doesn't bother me, I just personally wouldn't do it.
It feels disingenuous to me and takes away the "special" from the actual day.
I couldn't give a toss if others do it, it's just not for me

 

[SarahDisney]

I think Disney knows that for some people this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and this might be their only opportunity to celebrate something that happened months ago. So I think they'd still trust buttons over information from your MDE account.

I understand the argument against it, but I think Disney is still going to try to make some magic for people who say they are celebrating, whether they (or we) feel that the celebration is legitimate or not.

But that's just my opinion.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I can tell you that my wife and I are already talking about what to do to celebrate our 25th anniversary next year. Our anniversary is in July but we likely won't celebrate it until DD is back at college in September, so I guess we're going to be those people you're complaining about.

25 years, amazing I hope I can say the same one day!

 

[disneysteve]

Every tom, dick and Harry has an "I'm celebrating...." Button on these days.

I totally agree. I think the buttons are way overused. You shouldn't just be able to walk up and take a handful of them. You should need to do something, actually interact with a CM, to get one like you used to. I think that would reduce the number of people slapping them on.

It feels disingenuous to me and takes away the "special" from the actual day.

I agree that it always feels a little off to be celebrating something anytime other than the actual day, even going out to dinner on Saturday to celebrate a birthday on Tuesday isn't quite right. Whenever possible, we do our best to celebrate on the actual day.

Since our anniversary is in July, we often do something special but it is with our daughter. For our 25th, we'd like to do something just the two of us, but we can't really leave her home alone for a week to go off to some exotic locale. That's why we're talking about waiting until September instead.

 

[disneysteve]

25 years, amazing I hope I can say the same one day!

Well, she has to put up with me for another 16 months at least.

 

[Alicenwonderment]

Unfortunately, it's not just WDW where birthdays (or other occasions) get "abused". EVERY SINGLE TIME I'm out at some chain place (TGI Friday's, Chili's, etc., etc), it's always SOMEBODY'S birthday - really? EVERY SINGLE TIME??!!!! I've always been extremely skeptical of this, and friends know I REFUSE to go to a chain on my birthday, or if I do, to have my birthday announced, and "call attention to myself", or just be here for a free dessert. I can pay for my own dessert, and don't need attention, thank you - and it really IS my birthday. Don't mean to be a "meanie or downer" but this is a pet peeve, and I think I'm pretty right about it NOT always being somebody's birthday. LOL. I had even heard it was so bad that some chain (can't remember which one) started requiring shows of ID to get a free dessert. Sad, ain't it?

Heidi: I'm with you I will not let people know it is my birthday at restaurants. This last year I happened to be at the Disney Store and these grandparents came in with their granddaughter and told the CM that her grand daughter was now a big sister and her sister's name was Sarah. I was asking the child how she liked being a big sister (always direct attention at the older siblings) and I told her my birthday was also that day and my name is Sarah. The CM heard me and started singing and giving me a button. I got so red in the face since I don't like standing out. I almost regretted telling the child but I wanted her to feel special. That was the only time something like that was done for me.

I do get the idea of celebrating the big dates like maybe a 50th Anniversary or 50th Birthday but I wouldn't announce it I would just plan something special but not everyone has to know about it.

 

[GAN]

I can tell you that my wife and I are already talking about what to do to celebrate our 25th anniversary next year. Our anniversary is in July but we likely won't celebrate it until DD is back at college in September, so I guess we're going to be those people you're complaining about.

That's something you should celebrate all year anyway! I'd say you're covered....

Regarding Jes' original post -I'd agree, celebrating 4-months before a birthday is a little ridiculous. But then again, maybe I say that because I've been 50 for a couple years! I have been to Disney at least 3 times on my birthday and honestly, I never got anything free at a restaurant that I recall ...I did get plenty of wishes from CM's though.

 

[pjweaver]

I have to give some leniency here. Ten years ago we had our honeymoon in Disney, but we had to wait about a month after our wedding to go. Still counts as a honeymoon to me.
We often go over my birthday in July. A few years ago we did BOG on my birthday, and I did get the Grey Stuff (before it came to the dessert menu). I have received other perks on my birthdays since then, but nothing as special as that time. Strangers were asking to take pictures of it, but abuse of the system has killed that. We are pushing our trip back a week this year for the Dis anniversary, but I still plan on getting a button. My magic band is also stamped with 10 yrs instead of my name, not for the Dis, but for our 10 year anniversary which won't be until November.

For all the CMs care everyone attending the Dis event in July could get buttons that say 10th anniversary.

 

[disneysteve]

everyone attending the Dis event in July could get buttons that say 10th anniversary.

That's actually a good idea. We should do that. Write in "DIS 10th".

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I think it probably comes down to the intent. I am sure for some people the trip is their birthday present/anniversary celebration, etc. - and you can't always travel right on the actual event.

I know for our 10th wedding anniversary we didn't do anything really on the anniversary b/c we planned to eat at Victoria and Albert's when we went to WDW a few months later and that was our "anniversary dinner"

Now if there really is no connection and you wear the button just in hopes of getting something for free and "scamming the system" - then, well, you have to look yourself in the mirror at the end of the day

 

[disneysteve]

I think it probably comes down to the intent. I am sure for some people the trip is their birthday present/anniversary celebration, etc.

Now if there really is no connection and you wear the button just in hopes of getting something for free and "scamming the system" - then, well, you have to look yourself in the mirror at the end of the day

I think that's a good way of putting it.

 

[MommaOfTwoMice]

We are headed to WDW next month to celebrate my 40th! I can't wait to don my button and wear it proudly for the week. It was hubby's suggestion to head back to WDW for my big 4-0. Never thought I would be this excited to turn 40. LOL.