Think they will end the "freebies" with all the new celebration buttons???

[eagillinois]

I thought the number of birthday buttons would go down with this promotion because now you have to prove it is your birthday, I think many people "faked" a birthday to see if they would get special treatment for themselves or a child.

 

[mrs_noopie]

Last Feb while we were finishing lunch at The Plaza Restaurant, the whole restaurant starting singing happy birthday to my daughter, and they brought over a small cake to her... I was quite surprised and embarrassed by this, since my daughter's birthday was over a month away. Turns out my MIL told them we were celebrating her birthday.

I felt horrible that they made so much fuss, and that they gave us a free little cake, since we weren't actually celebrating her birthday (well, not until they started singing).

BUT, I know MIL was just trying to do something nice for her granddaughter.

 

[samefay]

If Disney didn't want people to celebrate special occasions, why would they spend all the money on advertising their new promotion.

I've never worn one of the celebration buttons but I have always told the CM when making my ADR's what we are celebrating.

Thanks Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina for the well wishes. This will be number 13.

 

[somethingblue]

I have to say that I think suggesting that "not that many people are celebrating things" is not really true.

My mom, sister, boyfriend and I are making a trip to Disney, the only time my mom and sister have ever been, and quite possibly the only time they will go, celebrating many things:
Curtis' 18th birthday just days before the trip
Curtis and I's anniversary, which is the day before his birthday
Spring break
My mom and sister's first trip
My high school graduation, which is months away, but this is the present I get, and I'm happy for it.

Will we be wearing buttons?
You bet!
Will we be pouty when the server doesn't give us a free cupcake?
Hell no!

We will be happy enough to just BE IN DISNEY, any extra on top of that is just a perk! Last trip, it had just been the boy and I's one year anniversary together, and we wore Anniversary buttons in the park on our backbacks. I loved how whenever we turned around someone would yell "Happy Anniversary!"

Honestly, that's enough for me. =D

 

[teacup princess]

We just got back and I saw TONS of people wearing buttons and yes, some abuse of the buttons. It seemed like everyone there was having a birthday, or just got married, or something else. I say good for Disney if this increases their attendence during this time of economic crisis.

I didn't see alot of monetary gifts being doled out to these people by Disney other than maybe a cupcake or some table decorations. They weren't letting these people move their way up to be first in line, ect... although some people seemed to feel like they should. One lady felt she was so special because it was her daughter's birthday that she pushed herself right to the front of the line while we were waiting for a photopass photographer, letting everybody know that she needed a special picture to "celebrate" her daughter's birthday.

It did seem like the CM's were going out of their way to recognize the buttons and acnowledge these people on their special day by making announcements to the entire restaurant, theater, people in line, ect... That's nice if you're that kind of person that you need that kind of special attention drawn to yourself. This doesn't cost Disney a dime.

However, be very careful what button you choose if you decide you need to celebrate a "special event" while at Disney because they will call you out on it. We got on the raft to go to Tom Sawyer Island and these 2 girls got on wearing "Happily Ever After" buttons. The CM saw this and made an announcement to the entire boat that there were newlyweds on board , pointed them out and made us clap for them and wish them Congrats. The 2 girls got really horrified looking and started exclaiming "we're just friends, we're not gay, we thought these buttons meant something else." I don't know what they thought they were celebrating but I bet they took those buttons off pretty quickly after that. It was SOOO funny.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

That's nice if you're that kind of person that you need that kind of special attention drawn to yourself.

Wow...really? Is that honestly how people think?

All the people we saw wearing buttons, we wished them happy birthday (or anniversary, or gave them our congratulations) just to help make their day more special (whether it was the actual day of their birthday, or if it fell on the weekend, or if they were celebrating a week later because they couldn't get the time off work for the actual event.....what does it matter? ).

Shame on them.....we'd have never done so if we'd known they were all just a bunch of attention-hungry saps who were looking for "monetary gifts".

Does this mean you think the newlywed mouse ears should be abolished too? Now they draw some special attention to yourself. And all the little girls in the princess outfits from the BBB? Geez, they're not really princesses, you know. How dare they dress up as such, and draw all the attention ("aw, doesn't she look darling?") from other Disney guests!

 

[teacup princess]

Wow...really? Is that honestly how people think?

All the people we saw wearing buttons, we wished them happy birthday (or anniversary, or gave them our congratulations) just to help make their day more special (whether it was the actual day of their birthday, or if it fell on the weekend, or if they were celebrating a week later because they couldn't get the time off work for the actual event.....what does it matter? ).

Shame on them.....we'd have never done so if we'd known they were all just a bunch of attention-hungry saps who were looking for "monetary gifts".

Does this mean you think the newlywed mouse ears should be abolished too? Now they draw some special attention to yourself. And all the little girls in the princess outfits from the BBB? Geez, they're not really princesses, you know. How dare they dress up as such, and draw all the attention ("aw, doesn't she look darling?") from other Disney guests!

Wow, you read ALOT into that ONE sentence and took it for quite a stretch.

I had a birthday just one day before we arrived at Disney. My husband's birthday was 3 days prior. Neither of us chose to wear buttons "celebrating" our big days. Just going to Disney was enough for us. I'm 37 years old and personally don't need or want alot of attention drawn to myself for my birthday. I outgrew that years ago. Some people might and I never said that was a bad thing.

Now, if it was my child I'd love for them to receive alot of attention to make them feel special for their birthday. If they had a birthday when we went I probable would have sought out buttons for them to make them feel special. Would I have expected gifts, cakes, ect... NO. I would have provided them for my own child.

If you want to do BBB or wear newlywed ears go for it. Go for it. How did you come to that conclusion?

 

[AutumnKlassic]

We are going on a last minute trip after finding out my mom is now cancer free. I was going to get her one of the buttons (not sure yet) so she can celebrate that. The way this discussion is going it looks like other people would turn their noses up at this. I may want to rethink the button now.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We are going on a last minute trip after finding out my mom is now cancer free. I was going to get her one of the buttons (not sure yet) so she can celebrate that. The way this discussion is going it looks like other people would turn their noses up at this. I may want to rethink the button now.

Get your mom that button and celebrate!! Yay for your mom, congrats on her new lease on life!!!

Don't let the negative attitude of some of the people on these boards deter you from having your mom wear the button. Disney has them because they want their guests to use them. Their whole theme this year is about celebration, so go ahead, and feel no guilt.

I am quite sure that all the people who won Fastpasses/Mickey ears/lanyards/etc. during the Year Of A Million Dreams didn't mind taking their prizes and putting them to use.

Again....congratulations to your mom!! I am a brain tumor survivor, so I can totally relate to what an amazing feeling it is!!

 

[shadowryter]

We are going on a last minute trip after finding out my mom is now cancer free. I was going to get her one of the buttons (not sure yet) so she can celebrate that. The way this discussion is going it looks like other people would turn their noses up at this. I may want to rethink the button now.

Your mom is cancer free and that is fantastic! That's a celebration in itself. Lasy August my dd and I "celebrated" our birthdays together. We are 2 weeks apart and planned our vacation around it. My dd was just turning 18. A milestone for her in my book. I pre-ordered special cakes, had balloons sent to the room. We both wore our birthday buttons and got dozens upon dozens of well wishes from CM's and guests alike. We got a free dessert and cupcakes but we also got paid desserts which our servers placed a candle or a little chocolate sign onto them. We had a fantastic stay despite the downpours from tropical storm Fay and we are returning this December so dh and I can celebrate our 20th anniversary and yes dh and I will be wearing our buttons so we can proudly show the years we have spent together and dh's real birthday will actually happen on our Disney cruise.
Your mom has survived cancer. Don't let what people say on these boards ruin your plans. Everybody has an opinion, you just don't have to listen to all of them. Have a great time, and wear those buttons proudly.

 

[goofy4tink]

DD was there for his 5th birthday and his 16th birthday. 5th the tables were set with special placemats, the cards were signed by characters and the glittery Mickey heads were on the table. A birthday cupcake was presented and he was sang to--this was in 1996. In 2007 he was wished a happy birthday from a few CM's but nothing fancy, no dessert for his birthday, nothing. Did I care, not really I had made arrangements for a cake and family dinner on my own. I had taken care of his birthday gift and card. It was a disappointement to the 16 yo only because he remembered what a big deal was made of his birthday when he was 5 and he felt a little like the magic does disappear when you get older!
One thing I always say is don't count on anything. If you want something take care if it ahead fo time yourself. DH and I were there on our anniversary a few years ago and nothing. We didn't care it was our anniversary so it really only had meaning for the two of us. We still enjoyed our dinner at the Cali Grill and we enjoyed the champagne we ordered for our room,etc.
Take care of your details and don't put the responsibility for it on others and you won't be disappointed! Magic is just the luck of the draw, so enjoy if you get some.

Sounds exactly like our experience. I have no problem with folks wearing their special buttons. Disney hands them out, guests should feel free to wear them. BUT...I do get upset when I hear guests complaining that nothing 'special' happened to them....no free Mickey bars, no balloons, no cards in the room, no FP handed out to all..nothing other than a few well wishes. And that's sad. These message boards are wonderful things, but they can create unrealistic expectations. We hear all the time of those who get upgraded at their resort, or those who get all sorts of birthday stuff left in their room, or that get free food in the parks. Then, people expect that they too, will get those types things. And that just doesn't happen.
I have some friends that had a big family get-together in WDW a year or so ago. One guy went with them, his first time there. He's about 40 y/o. Well, we just happened to be there at the same time, so met up with them for an hour or so. This guy had on the 'First visit to WDW' button. I told him how great it looked. You know what he said to me??? He said, and I quote verbatim...'This button is going to get me all sorts of free stuff and prizes. That's what our travel agent told me.' Really, that's what he thought. I'm sure he was mightily disappointed at the end of his stay. To the best of my knowledge he got no special attention that whole trip.
And that's what I object to ......those who are going to be disappointed because they got nada from wearing one of those buttons. If Disney does something special for every person wearing a special button, they'll be paying out a ton. Look at how many guests have some kind of button on. Then, multiply that by the number of opportunities that person would have to get something special through just a day. Nope, Disney has figured out a way around this....they are having birthday celebrations each day....and if you want something special in your room or in a park? Well, now you get to pay top dollar for it, through Disney.

 

[RMulieri]

Sounds exactly like our experience. I have no problem with folks wearing their special buttons. Disney hands them out, guests should feel free to wear them. BUT...I do get upset when I hear guests complaining that nothing 'special' happened to them....no free Mickey bars, no balloons, no cards in the room, no FP handed out to all..nothing other than a few well wishes. And that's sad. These message boards are wonderful things, but they can create unrealistic expectations. We hear all the time of those who get upgraded at their resort, or those who get all sorts of birthday stuff left in their room, or that get free food in the parks. Then, people expect that they too, will get those types things. And that just doesn't happen.
I have some friends that had a big family get-together in WDW a year or so ago. One guy went with them, his first time there. He's about 40 y/o. Well, we just happened to be there at the same time, so met up with them for an hour or so. This guy had on the 'First visit to WDW' button. I told him how great it looked. You know what he said to me??? He said, and I quote verbatim...'This button is going to get me all sorts of free stuff and prizes. That's what our travel agent told me.' Really, that's what he thought. I'm sure he was mightily disappointed at the end of his stay. To the best of my knowledge he got no special attention that whole trip.
And that's what I object to ......those who are going to be disappointed because they got nada from wearing one of those buttons. If Disney does something special for every person wearing a special button, they'll be paying out a ton. Look at how many guests have some kind of button on. Then, multiply that by the number of opportunities that person would have to get something special through just a day. Nope, Disney has figured out a way around this....they are having birthday celebrations each day....and if you want something special in your room or in a park? Well, now you get to pay top dollar for it, through Disney.

well said and ITA.

 

[Tricia1972]

This is a sensitive topic on both sides of the issue. Expressing your viewpoint is fine. Being rude isn't cool and will end up with this thread closing.

Please let's remember to express our points of view without tearing down others for seeing things differently than we do.

Thanks!

 

[MyMuse]

I am going visiting in March for my first on-site-immersed-in-everything-Disney celebration for my birthday.

My birthday is in February. For emotional reasons, I have do not celebrate my birthday on its legal day. I celebrate it in March. Now, I have no intention of getting a button and obviously, cannot redeem a birthday funcard.

However, when I booked my Segway tour, I was asked if there was a reason for my trip and I responded to celebrate my birthday. The CM, commendably, was excited and I explained it was not my legal birthday. She promptly responded that when I celebrate it, is when Disney celebrates it.

It warmed my heart.

I did respond to that I am too old (at 37) and it should be for the kids. She further won my respect, by saying that there is no age limit in Disney. She went on to tell me that her grandmother had a button and she loved it.

So, even though I will not be wearing a button during my trip, I got some early pixie dust from Disney.

 

[disneyjunkie]

OK. I'll be the stick in the sacred WDW mud.
I think that "some" people who frequent WDW message boards have so abused the special occasion button/ reservation memo/ check-in blurb, about BDs, anniversaries, toe-nail clippings, bowel movements, etc., that the whole idea of "specialness" has become tacky, tacky, tacky.
Anytime anyone can afford to go to WDW is a special occasion. If you're there, then, "Yeah for you"! Be happy with your situation.
Now, pretty please, go to the back of this line. If you want to give your loved one balloons, a special dessert/cake, BD picture, etc., then pay for it or apply for the new BD giftcard/ticket. That way, if it's *really* your BD, then you can still get it for free. Every single day of your trip cannot possibly be your BD, however.

Add me to the mud pit.

We're celebrating my son's graduation during our next trip. I'll get a button if they have one for graduations, but I'm sure my son won't wear it. I'm happy to pay for all the extras I want

I don't expect/want CMs to do anything to make the trip "special.” The fact that he's there should be special enough. If it isn't, then we've got a huge problem.

 

[NMAmy]

Soon.... they will have to start giving away the cupcake to the only person at Disney without a celebration button

Hey, that would mean I'd finally get one as the only person with an unbirthday. Because there is absolutely no way I'm going to WDW at the end of June.

 

[Tammil]

The day I came upon this thread I had called Disney to try and adjust some ADRs. I decided to ask a CM about the buttons/celebrations because we are going during a celebration period for my family. My Dh's bday is 3/6, mine 3/7 and my oldest dd 3/11. We wanted to go for all 3 bdays but couldn't get the right flight until 3/10. This is our bday vacation.

Anyway, I asked the CM what Disney's take on it is. She said we should all get buttons. She even pulled up my previous ADRS and saw that on some of them it mentioned 3 bdays and on others it just mentioned my dds (I've called a few times to adjust ADRs). The only time I requested it be added to the ADR was for for my dds actual bday. I know on one of my calls I mentioned we had 3 bdays that week so I guess they noted it somewhere. Never expected anything special for us "old folks". The CM on this call did say that we should live it up and enjoy it. Her bday is around a holiday and she can never go on it so she celebrates around it too.

I was glad I called to get clarification. I didn't want to have my dd wear the button all week if it's considered tacky but according to the CM I spoke with, they expect it to be worn. She even said that when my dds at BBB to make sure they know (and she's going 2 days after her bday). That's great. And if they choose to do something extra for her, I'll be thrilled and if they don't - she'll still be thrilled to be there. And if they do something for my DH and myself - great. We have 2 other young dds and I'd love to pass an extra treat their way!

Every moment in life is magical - lets make the most of them!

 

[buffettgirl]

in 2003 we were in MK on my son's actual 3rd birthday. We picked up our button and during the day we had lots of "happy birthday" wishes said to him. We didn't get any freebies and we weren't looking for them. But the one thing he did get - we were shopping in one of the stores and the CM asked if anyone had called "the characters" to tell them it was my son's birthday. I looked puzzled and she picked up the phone and dialed a number and said "Yes, yes, I have (son's name) here and did you know it was his birthday today? NO? you didn't? Well, let me put him on the phone." and my son picked up the phone and heard a message from the characters wishing him a happy birthday. He was little so he thought he really really was talking to Mickey etal. He LOVED it.

freebie scmeebie. We got the goods.

On the other hand when dh and I celebrated our honeymoon in 1991 we told EVERYONE we were celebrating (they didn't have buttons back then AFAIK) and we got lots of free deserts, a whole restaurant singing type celebration (back when Chef Mickey's was in DTD) and many many many free drinks Every day at our resort pool bar the bartender would say "here are the honeymooners, what will you have today?" lol. ahh to be young again.

 

[sherabby]

We got confetti on our table at Crystal Palace and a few happy Anniversaries but other than that nothing. My son got a few high 5's for his first trip button.
We didn't really expect anything though.

 

[Miz Diz]

We are going on a last minute trip after finding out my mom is now cancer free. I was going to get her one of the buttons (not sure yet) so she can celebrate that. The way this discussion is going it looks like other people would turn their noses up at this. I may want to rethink the button now.

They have buttons that says "I'm Celebrating...." (fill in the blank). Get one and fill in the blank with Life or cancer free. I saw one that said "I'm Celebrating I'm Here."

We just got back. Sunday was my kids' birthday (4 years apart, but same bday). When we checked in they gave each child 2 buttons - I'm Celebrating.... and Happy Birthday (fill in name). They also gave my dd a "happily ever after" button.

dd wore her "I'm celebrating my 4th birthday" button on Saturday. Not one person commented on her button or told her Happy Birthday. Sunday (actual birthday for both kids), they wore their Happy Birthday buttons and several people told them Happy Birthday.

They both were really excited to get their $63 gift card on their birthday.