Celebrating birthdays 3 months later?

[silenttuba]

My wife and I were married in October 2012. We were unable to take a honeymoon. We took a trip to visit her family in February 2013 (4 months later), who live in CA. On our trip, we went to Disneyland. We bought Bride and Groom ears, and wore "just married" pins, even though we had been married four months. We didn't because WE wanted to, and it was (at the time) the first opportunity we had to go away and celebrate. It was also the day before my Wife's birthday, and she wore a birthday button, too. I guess we're just a pair of liars and deceives.

 

[Jennasis]

Meh. Don't care what anyone thinks. Wearing it made me happy. End of story.

And I SUBMIT that unless one were to start snatching button wearers up by the collar and demanding to see their papers, nobody has any way of knowing if their birthday is actually THAT day or not.

 

[Networth]

You asked so.

Nope find very tacky. 3 days? Of course 3 weeks? Yeah ok. 3 Months, yeah no, not even close.

 

[Networth]

Meh. Don't care what anyone thinks. Wearing it made me happy. End of story. And I SUBMIT that unless one were to start snatching button wearers up by the collar and demanding to see their papers, nobody has any way of knowing if their birthday is actually THAT day or not.

Many restaurants will ask for ID. Particularly Hibachi restaurants in my experience.

 

[alvernon90]

Meh. Don't care what anyone thinks. Wearing it made me happy. End of story.

This is exactly my point.

 

[ladyjubilee]

On our last trip we celebrated my son's adoption.... about five months after finalization. Was it Adoption Day, no, we were there to celebrate.

Let's be honest, how much more effort does it take for a CM to say 'happy birthday' than have a nice day.

In our case, instead of getting congratulations, we made two cast members cry. Sweet, but kind of unexpected.

 

[Angel Ariel]

This is exactly my point.

Actually, no. Your point was that it made people feel like they were "special."

Feeling happy because of something and feeling like something is making you special are not the same thing.

 

[famy27]

I find that Disney really wants you to be celebrating something. Whenever I've made a phone reservation, they want to note my celebration in their records. I feel like I am disappointing them when I say we aren't celebrating anything particular. On one trip a few years back, the CM at check-in gave us "I'm celebrating!" buttons and told us it was because we should celebrate being at Disney. So, I don't think the Disney celebration police will care if it's really your actual birthday. When we stayed at OKW for DD's 6th b-day, the CM explicitly told us to make sure DD wore her pin every day.

I also doubt that CMs feel burdened by having to tell people congrats or Happy Birthday. With all the fun they've dealt with over the past year with the MM+ rollout, I imagine that wishing people well is probably a highlight of the day. I've never seen a CM looked bummed that they had to tell someone Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary. I've seen them wishing people Happy Unbirthdays, too. Didn't really seem to be stressing them out.

I'll also note that I love seeing people celebrating. I like it when adults embrace their inner child, and a button is a good icebreaker for striking up conversation while waiting in line at Soarin'. We met a super-nice retired school principal who was turning 65 (but looked 45). He kept DD laughing while we waited. It all started because he was wearing a "Happy Birthday" button and I commented on it.

 

[alvernon90]

Actually, no. Your point was that it made people feel like they were "special."

Feeling happy because of something and feeling like something is making you special are not the same thing.

When a key portion of that happiness is announcing the occasion (whether or not it is actually the occasion) to literally everybody who sees you because of the big colorful button, then feeling special is a key part of that "something."

It's not just that someone had a birthday in the relatively distant past. It's not just that they somebody knows that a celebratory feeling was somehow deferred in order to enjoy that feeling at WDW. It's that someone wants to walk around wearing a colorful button, or tiara, or just married Mickey ears or whatever.

The indicator means you want to show off. The indicator means you want everyone who sees you to know that today is your birthday +/- three months. The indicator means you want people to notice you and understand that today you stand out from the crowd because unlike everyone else you have had and/or will have a birthday. And by golly, if people feel moved by community spirit or corporate policy to congratulate you, why that would be a nice little bonus. But obviously not expected. You don't walk around wearing a button that says IT'S MY BIRTHDAY when it's not even your birthday because you want people to say happy birthday! That would be ridiculous! #NotAllBirthdayButtonWearers

Wear whatever you want. The OP asked if it was frowned on, and I'm over here frowning, and I'm not the only one. But it doesn't matter to me because the proliferation of randomly delayed "birthdays" means I can follow a simple policy: I will never say happy birthday to someone wearing a birthday pin because I am pretty damn certain it is not that person's birthday.

 

[alvernon90]

We met a super-nice retired school principal who was turning 65 (but looked 45). He kept DD laughing while we waited. It all started because he was wearing a "Happy Birthday" button and I commented on it.

Let me guess how you broke the ice: "Is today REALLY your birthday?"

 

[Angel Ariel]

When a key portion of that happiness is announcing the occasion (whether or not it is actually the occasion) to literally everybody who sees you because of the big colorful button, then feeling special is a key part of that "something."

It's not just that someone had a birthday in the relatively distant past. It's not just that they somebody knows that a celebratory feeling was somehow deferred in order to enjoy that feeling at WDW. It's that someone wants to walk around wearing a colorful button, or tiara, or just married Mickey ears or whatever.

The indicator means you want to show off. The indicator means you want everyone who sees you to know that today is your birthday +/- three months. The indicator means you want people to notice you and understand that today you stand out from the crowd because unlike everyone else you have had and/or will have a birthday. And by golly, if people feel moved by community spirit or corporate policy to congratulate you, why that would be a nice little bonus. But obviously not expected. You don't walk around wearing a button that says IT'S MY BIRTHDAY when it's not even your birthday because you want people to say happy birthday! That would be ridiculous! #NotAllBirthdayButtonWearers

Wear whatever you want. The OP asked if it was frowned on, and I'm over here frowning, and I'm not the only one. But it doesn't matter to me because the proliferation of randomly delayed "birthdays" means I can follow a simple policy: I will never say happy birthday to someone wearing a birthday pin because I am pretty damn certain it is not that person's birthday.

Wow. All I can say is that, for me, your analysis couldnt be more wrong. You can say I'm "incorrect" all you like...but you don't know me well enough to make that judgment.

It's a sad day when we get scroogey about wishing people happy things (whatever they may be.)

 

[chelseabun76]

The only reason I wouldn't do it is because my dd would probably correct every CM and say 'well it was actually a few months ago'.... because that's just who she is. LOL!!!

 

[tinkerpea]

Maybe the cast members should just say "Happy Birthday" to every guest since everyone there has had one in the past.

I totally understand people celebrating holidays or birthdays at home when they can get together with their loved ones. I am a nurse and have celebrated many Thanksgivings on the Friday or Saturday after, and many Christmases a few days before or after. But to celebrate a birthday and wear a button 3 or 6 months AFTER the actual day is just silly and frankly comes across as needy and desperate for "special" attention. Why not just celebrate being alive? Being in the happiest place on earth? Being with family/friends/loved ones? No pins or buttons necessary

I'll celebrate being alive alright! But I will also celebrate my birthday as it may be the last one I get! And it's a milestone...
I can't just pop over to disney on my actual birthday,
Truly don't see the big deal,in people wanting to celebrate.

 

[Nancyg56]

This is what I was getting at -- imagine how tedious and tiresome it would be for CMs and visitors alike if every single person in the park was being congratulated for having, at some time in the past, had a birthday or an anniversary or graduated from kindergarten or whatever. Celebrating privately is one thing, but expecting public recognition for having experienced in the past something we have all experienced in the past makes it less special. That's all I'm saying: You want to wear a tiara? Go for it! You want to wear a tiara and you feel the only valid reason for doing so is that you are wearing it on your birthday, then wear it on your birthday. But moving your birthday to some other time so you can be treated as if you are special or get public attention for wearing something special (like a tiara or button) takes it too far. If everyone in the parks wore a button because they have had a birthday in the past six months or will have one in the upcoming six months, the buttons would become utterly meaningless and worthless.

Oh pishtush! Disney actually encourages celebrations, and will give I'm celebrating buttons for just about everything. What you perceive to be an annoying tedious chore for the CM's may in fact be one of the little details that enhances WDW bottom line. Folks may not be able to skip to Disney on their actual birthday, but I can assure you that when I got to celebrate my own birthday (finally my turn!!!), we were about one month past, and yet our spending was increased as we celebrated. On our birthday celebrations, we typically stay in a Deluxe Resort, eat at more signature restaurants, and of course, add more wine with dinner. It is pretty disrespectful to disparage those people who, for whatever reason they have, must move a celebration because you would not do so. What may be meaningless to you may mean a great deal to someone else.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm not sure what being from a military family has to do with it. I grew up in a military family and we celebrated birthdays on the day of, and perhaps on the closest weekend if that was the only available time to have a party. This is an undeniably clever line, but I feel one can reasonably believe that it is possible to have fun at WDW without having to convince everyone around you that today is your special day when it is not. Being at WDW on your actual birthday gives you something up on everyone else there. Being at WDW not on your birthday makes you like 99.73% of the other people there. Celebrate it among your family, sure. But why lie about it and drag others into it? How is that fun? Being together as a family is worth celebrating, but at WDW that is not extremely special because most people there are doing just that. If you went to the parks on the Fourth of July and starting telling people "Merry Christmas" because you won't have a chance to visit the parks on December 25th, people would think you are a little weird. Why shouldn't the same principle apply to birthdays?

Welcome to the World of the Deployed. My nephews were int eh Marines for a total of 15 years, and we celebrated many belated special occasions. I can assure you that if a family member is deployed for a birthday, most families will celebrate the occasion upon their loved ones return. A birthday trip will wait until everyone can come.

 

[Nancyg56]

Many restaurants will ask for ID. Particularly Hibachi restaurants in my experience.

Yes, because they offer a free meal on your birthday. A Birthday Button will not get you anything but a "Happy Birthday" at WDW, Maybe a free dry cupcake in a restaurant, but with d=so many on the DDP, that is just a gesture. The Buttons are not front of the line passes, they are not free dinner buttons, and they do not get you any special discounts. They get you smiles, well wishes, and very often are conversation starters with the folks around you.

It is pretty sad when strangers will tell you that your celebrations are not valid, and then try to confirm the opinion by pointing out with an Apples to Oranges example.

 

[maxiesmom]

This is why almost everyone is celebrating something every day. And it is why CM's and WDW in general have had to limit celebration acknowledgement to mainly verbal "Happy Birthdays" or "Congratulations" etc. They used to be able to do more for folks, but now there are thousands of folks "celebrating" every day.
No judgment intended, just a statement of the facts as I see them.

I agree with you. To me, your birthday is your birthday. Not months later. If something comes up and a trip is cancelled, you still celebrate your birthday on the actual day, even though it may not be the place you were hoping to celebrate it. You don't hold off the cake and ice cream until months later.

This question always makes me think of Alice in Wonderland, and how they celebrate Un-birthdays. And how it makes true birthdays less special. Now is anyone going to ask for ID or stop a guest from getting a button? No. But I do feel it makes the actual Birth Day less special. And it makes it less special for the people who are in the parks on their true birthday.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The OP asked if it is "frowned upon" to wear a button saying today is my birthday when it is not your birthday. Obviously many people on these boards do not frown upon it, and to the contrary thrive upon the attention the little white lie brings them, or their children. Fine, you do you.

I think the only relevant question is "does Disney frown upon it." No, they don't. They encourage it, in fact. If you end up meeting a grumpy guest who lectures you about it not really being your birthday and "expecting explicit verbal recognition," and that would bother you, then it will bother you. But Disney does not care in the least when your birthday actually was. The ones I don't get are the ones that are expecting that they will get more than the "explicit verbal recognition." I did see a post on here from a honeymooner who said they were just now sitting in their first restaurant and they hadn't been offered anything free, so he was thinking of docking the server's tip. Assuming that was not a troll...good grief.

 

[ilovemk76]

If you are expecting freebies, that seems silly

If you want to get a cake you pay for delivered to your room, go for it.

I would not even bother.

 

[Reddog1134]

There's nothing wrong with wanting to feel special. Feeling special doesn't mean you think you are better than any one else and it doesn't mean you have some unhealthy need to be appreciated.

I would feel differently if someone went to WDW every week wearing a Birthday button so they could get attention or maybe a cupcake at dinner, but I see nothing wrong with someone celebrating a Birthday on a day that is not their actual birthday. Especially if their actual birthday falls on a date that they couldn't possibly visit WDW.

A few years ago, our WDW vacation ended a week before my actual birthday. So, I chose a single day during my vacation that I wore a button and we celebrated my birthday.