Too much celebration?

[smiths02]

So DS will turn 3 on the next to last day of our trip. We are staying at AKL. They have noted this on the room ressie.

I was only going to mention it at dinner and the parks on the day of. I know Disney policy has the child stay the age at check in, meaning I won't have to pay park tickets or meals (I will feel funny not paying for his 3 year old b-day dinner though, so I probably will) since he came to Disney at 2 years old.

However, some people mention wearing a button the whole week, noting it on every ADR, etc. So I have a few issues with that:

1. His birthday is one day. I like to celebrate that one day. I was in labor 23 hours, I don't think he gets to celebrate for more than 24

2. It may be too much attention/excitement for him and our family if everyone is telling him happy birthday for 7 days.

2. I am worried at his age that he will be confused and start telling everyone he is 3...then all the CMs will get an attitude that I am lying about him being 2 and trying to get him in the park for free (am I just paranoid about that???)

 

[mhm]

We were in a similar situation for dd's 5th b-day. Even though it was noted on the ressie, no fuss was made unless she was wearing her b-day button, which we only let her wear on her actual birthday.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I agree that it should only be worn on their birthday. And dont worry...Disney doesn't go over board...they will just wish him a happy birthday. I think several days may be too overwhelming.

 

[susykt4]

The 2 yr-old turns 3 thing is sooooo annoying! DON'T worry too much about it!!! The CMs don't ask. I had an insane experience a few years ago booking our trip. I booked in October when DS was still 2 (they had my kids ages in the computer from a previous trip.) He turned 3 in November and our trip was in early February. The person (at the official Disney travel phone number) flat-out refused to add DS as a 3-yr-old because he wasn't yet 3. I tried to convince her, I talked to her manager, on and on. They would NOT add DS as a 3-yr-old even though he would be 3 for 3 months by the time we took our trip. I ended up calling back in November after his birthday and adding him and paying for him, but they had NO PROBLEM with us taking him free. It was sooooooooooo stupid!!!

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

The buttons are totally up to you. My Mom turned 65 when she was with us it was a rough spot in her life at the time, so she wore the pin often. Many days it just meant someone would wish her a happy birthday (which is fine for an adult, but I agree, very confusing for a 2-3yr old)
but they also added a free dessert, if you add it to ADRs, they WILL make a fuss, sing, etc.
I think the whole thing boils down to this- do what is comfortable for you and your family.

 

[JackJack08]

That will be fun!! Make sure to take extra pics!!
Birthdays are HUGE at out house. But I think that if he wore the button the whole trip it would become "old hat". It would seem more special on just that one day.

 

[theatermouse]

I would only do the birthday pin on the actual day. Call me a cynic, but if it's not their actual birthday, I don't see why people should get the credit for it. A lot of people do "un-birthday's" at the parks, and will wear the pin since their birthday isn't over the course of their trip. However, I feel that if the child who isn't actually celebrating on that day gets the "freebie" and the child who is gets passed over because the previous one got it, I don't think it's fair. Like I said, I'm a bit of a cynic, so that could just be me.

Besides, celebrate your child's birthday for a week this year & they may come to expect that kind of treatment every year!!

 

[smiths02]

Ok, thanks for the advice, so if I just have him wear the pin that one day, then we should pretty much be okay...

I hope it didn't get listed on every ADR, I only made a point of it on the ADR that was actually his birthday...

And I hope Disney is really as easy about letting 2 almost 3 year olds be "free" because I specifically planned this trip to basically end on his b-day so I would not be breaking any rules (but still saving money )

 

[Sandi]

When we were there last April, my nephew celebrated his 5th birthday one day during the trip. He wore his button only on that day. It was the right thing to do. When CMs and guests wished him a happy birthday, there was no confusion or explanation needed. It was his true, blue birthday. He was selected to be in the FOTLK (I think he would have been picked anyway, but once the gal who chose him saw his pin, it was an even bigger deal).

I would go with "the day" only, too. Also, you'll have no problem with the 2 turning 3 thing, so don't fret. Back when the tickets were all non-expiring, I found an old "child's" ticket of my daughter's that had 6 days and a few plusses left on it. By then she was about 11. I took her and the ticket to guest relations at Epcot to exchange it for an adult ticket. The CM checked everything out and issued a replacement ticket. I asked "what do I owe for the difference?" The CM smiled at me and said "Ma'am, Disney World doesn't charge children for growing up." I loved that. I'm quite confident Disney World isn't going to charge your 2 year old who has been on his trip for a few days for turning 3. (Good planning btw.)