Tweaking Your Birthdate

[lucysdad]

If you are going on a birthday trip, but it isn't on your birthday, is it O.K. to ask for the birthday extras anyway? I want to celebrate my 50th at the EPCOT Flower & Garden Show next year, but my birthday is on April 8 and the show won't start until April 20. What to do? If I go for my birthday, I think I will wish I had waited for the flower show. If I just go for the show, I'll feel sad that I didn't get a birthday celebration. I really have been dreaming about this birthday celebration. I just didn't know the Disney calendar wouldn't cooperate!
Lucy's Mom

 

[Allison]

Well, either way, there are no standard birthday extras to ask for. It really is just luck of the draw as to if someone recognizes your birthday or not. So, go and have a great time and create your own birthday fun.

 

[momsgoofy]

Well, either way, there are no standard birthday extras to ask for. It really is just luck of the draw as to if someone recognizes your birthday or not. So, go and have a great time and create your own birthday fun.

Allison is right, unless you special order (and pay for) the birthday perks like a full size cake at a restaurant. (I don't know of any other special perks that WDW offers...except the free birthday buttons in the parks.)

I know this opens up a huge can of worms here on the DIS...almost as big as the refillable mug threads... But, here is my share of thoughts on this...

Our DS has a mid May birthday, which is too close to final exams at the college DH teaches, so a family trip to WDW on DS's actual birthday is not possible for us. We have celebrated his birthday at WDW twice though...just a bit late (at the end of May and the first few days of June). It's not that far past his real birthdate so we see nothing wrong with it...now I don't think we'd go past a couple of weeks and celebrate a birthday, but I know some kids (of all ages) are lucky enough to get a trip to WDW for their birthday...DS's first trip was just this...so in all honesty, isn't that trip a celebration of the birthday despite when the person goes?

Also, there are many times that a person isn't able to celebrate his/her birthday on the exact date of birth even when they just celebrate at home. I mean, my grandma never was able to really celebrate her birthday on the day she was born...December 25. And I don't remember too many birthday parties for anyone ever being on the exact birthday, but rather on the nearest weekend and usually on the Saturday.

So, what I'm saying is...if you want to celebrate your birthday at WDW and it happens to be a little past the exact date of your birth...then go for it! And enjoy! Get the birthday buttons from all the parks and at DTD, and hey, if you are inclined to mention you are celebrating your birthday when you make any ADRs and you get a little treat...say thanks and enjoy! And for anyone celebrating a bithday in WDW, on the exact date or not...if you don't get anything special, well, it's still a magical day.

For pete's sake...when I had to make a special order for the Cinderella's Slipper Dessert at CRT for our Christmas trip, the CM asked if I was celebrating any special occasion. I said..."uh, well, Christmas at WDW isn't that enough?" The CM chuckled. I didn't think anything of it until my slipper arrived a month later during our meal and it said "Merry Christmas Laura" on the plate...guess WDW celebrates about anything.

Now, having said all this, I am prepared to take the flames which I suspect may follow...but to each his own. It's your trip...celebrate and enjoy it as you see fit!

 

[cornflkgrl]

We told the CM at the reservations place on the phone that this is our honeymoon because, IT IS! (just a little late )No one has to know that we got married 2.5 years ago!! It isn't thier business and if they do something nice for us than that would be cool but it really doesn't matter. I don't think they are going to ask to see your birth certificate when you say it's your bday or my wedding certificate when I say it's my honeymoon.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Allison is right, unless you special order (and pay for) the birthday perks like a full size cake at a restaurant. (I don't know of any other special perks that WDW offers...except the free birthday buttons in the parks.)

I know this opens up a huge can of worms here on the DIS...almost as big as the refillable mug threads... But, here is my share of thoughts on this...

Our DS has a mid May birthday, which is too close to final exams at the college DH teaches, so a family trip to WDW on DS's actual birthday is not possible for us. We have celebrated his birthday at WDW twice though...just a bit late (at the end of May and the first few days of June). It's not that far past his real birthdate so we see nothing wrong with it...now I don't think we'd go past a couple of weeks and celebrate a birthday, but I know some kids (of all ages) are lucky enough to get a trip to WDW for their birthday...DS's first trip was just this...so in all honesty, isn't that trip a celebration of the birthday despite when the person goes?

Also, there are many times that a person isn't able to celebrate his/her birthday on the exact date of birth even when they just celebrate at home. I mean, my grandma never was able to really celebrate her birthday on the day she was born...December 25. And I don't remember too many birthday parties for anyone ever being on the exact birthday, but rather on the nearest weekend and usually on the Saturday.

So, what I'm saying is...if you want to celebrate your birthday at WDW and it happens to be a little past the exact date of your birth...then go for it! And enjoy! Get the birthday buttons from all the parks and at DTD, and hey, if you are inclined to mention you are celebrating your birthday when you make any ADRs and you get a little treat...say thanks and enjoy! And for anyone celebrating a bithday in WDW, on the exact date or not...if you don't get anything special, well, it's still a magical day.

For pete's sake...when I had to make a special order for the Cinderella's Slipper Dessert at CRT for our Christmas trip, the CM asked if I was celebrating any special occasion. I said..."uh, well, Christmas at WDW isn't that enough?" The CM chuckled. I didn't think anything of it until my slipper arrived a month later during our meal and it said "Merry Christmas Laura" on the plate...guess WDW celebrates about anything.

Now, having said all this, I am prepared to take the flames which I suspect may follow...but to each his own. It's your trip...celebrate and enjoy it as you see fit!

I agree.
My boyfriend's birthday is Dec 24. He has *never* had a bithday party. His parents haven't even given him gifts or cards in years. And Polish Christmas Eve is Dec 24- which has always been the one really big holiday my family goes all out for. We've been together 4 years and the first year he didn't even come, so he was alone for his Bday and the other years we've tacked on a cake and gifts for him. I really wanted to do something special for him last year, which is why I planned a trip around that time. Now, my parents would absolutely be appalled if we were not home for Dec 24th's all evening celebration and midnight Mass, so I planned our trip to begin Dec. 26.
I still got him a birthday button, Cm's still wished him a happy Bday and he did get a free cupcake, card and "pixie dust" at Crystal Palace. And I've never seen him so happy. He was gushing about the card and cupcake for days. And he really deserved that.
Even when we were on the Cruise which departed Dec 29, there were a few times we got drinks when the bartender looked at his ID and said "Happy Birthday" just after noticing his Dec 24th birthday. A few even asked what it was like being a holiday baby.
Anyway, I think within a week, maybe even 2, it's fine. After that I wouldn't feel comfortable. Use your own best judgment and what makes you feel comfortable.
And remember birthday stuff is never guaranteed, so either plan some of your own magic (like the bday message at the resort) or limit your expectations.