Celebrating a birthday a little late

[ConstanceIrene]

What is considered an acceptable window of time around an actual birthday with regard to a little special attention at Disney?

We're bringing my daughter's best friend with us to WDW on August 3. This kid just turned 16 in July, but she didn't have a party and really had a rotten birthday. Due to the recent loss of her grandfather, I think her mom may not be able to celebrate anything yet.

We're having dinner at California Grill and I'm going to order a cake to be brought to the table. As part of her gift, she is also entitled to pick an activity like the backstage tour or a day at Disney Quest.

Is it too far past her birthday to mention it at Hoop De Doo when they ask what people are celebrating?

Is it too far past the actual date to request a birthday button at the front desk when we check in?

What do you think?

 

[elizs77]

It could never hurt, especially if you describe the situation.

 

[mousefan1972]

Heck no, it is not too far past her b-day! Get her a Happy Birthday button when you check in (or at any of the parks' guest relations if you are not staying on site) and have her wear it every day. Mention it at the podium when you check in for your TS ressies. She will be wished Happy Birthday so much she will get tired of saying thank you! :lol: Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Jacks_Wench]

A lot of people celebrate their "Disney" birthday when they are at the parks. You just won't be able to get the free admittance that they are doing this year, but the rest is always aceptable for anyone at any time.

 

[ConstanceIrene]

Thank you, everyone, for the responses. I didn't want to be too pushy, but I do want her to have a great memory of her 16th birthday.

 

[kstella]

She'll have much better memories after the trip! They don't ask for proof at the Hoop Dee Doo, so absolutely tell them you're celebrating her birthday.

 

[justdru]

Yea, I can't imagine anyone at Disney not allowing her some special treatment given the circumstances! She probably won't qualify for the free ticket (or, she might with a big of magic, you should call guest services.. worst that can happen is they say no) but she's definitely entitled to a little special TLC!

 

[ConstanceIrene]

Nah, I'm not even trying to get her a free ticket. Hearing "Happy Birthday" from a bunch of cast members will be great and maybe she'll get a fast pass or something like that as a treat.

I'm thinking that I'll mention it in my reservation (BWV) and maybe they'll have a balloon or something like that in her room.

 

[justdru]

Nah, I'm not even trying to get her a free ticket. Hearing "Happy Birthday" from a bunch of cast members will be great and maybe she'll get a fast pass or something like that as a treat.

I'm thinking that I'll mention it in my reservation (BWV) and maybe they'll have a balloon or something like that in her room.

I don't think you'll have a problem with that. Just make sure you explain the situation with her father. I'm sure there are a lot of people who try to 'pull a fast one,' so it'll be important for them to know you're not just trying to bypass the system.

Given the theme this year I think she deserves a little celebration... even if it is a little late!

 

[happymom52003]

Due to varying circumstances, alot of people do things to celebrate their bday before or after their actual bday, even when they are not at Disney! For example, My husband is tunring 40 in September, but his family can't all get together until October so that is when we are having his big party. It is not uncommon for people to celebrate special occasions days or even weeks before/after the actual day.

So of course it will be fine!

Last year, my husband and I celebrated our 10 year anniverary at Disney World, even though our actual anniversary date was 5 months before our trip. We had always said we'd celebrate our 10 year anniverary there because that is where we got engaged, but we could not take a trip anywhere near our anniversary date.....so we planned the trip for when we could go, which happened to be 5 months later. When we made our resort reservation, they asked if we would be celebrating anything, so I told them. They gave us a card signed by Mickey and some balloons. They also gave us anniversary buttons when we checked in, which I wore all week. We even planned a special meal at Narcooses on a night when my parents could baby sit. They had special keepsake menus printed up for us, and they gave us a special dessert. It did not matter at all that it was not our actual anniversary date....we were still celebrating our 10 years together!

So I say go all out for her! A 16th birthday is very special!!

 

[kirksheppard]

Celebration!

I believe "official" Disney policy is that you can celebrate your birthday for up to 6 months before or after the actual date.

:animwink:

(Free ticket promotion differs from this policy, but the free button and free pixie dust IS permitted within this timeframe.)

 

[ConstanceIrene]

OK, so Disney is used to people celebrating an event somewhere around the date. That's great.

I don't want to go for a "pity angle". This kid's life is, outside of the recent loss of her grandfather, normal and happy.
I just wanted some reassurance that I'm not being too pushy looking for attention for her. Thank you for letting me know that I'm within a reasonable time frame to do so.

I've added the celebration note to my reservation and will ask about a button at the front desk. As I previously posted, she'll have a cake at the California Grill dinner.
We'll raise our hands at Hoop dee Doo when they ask who is having a birthday.

It'll be great!!

Thanks again, everybody:sohappy::sohappy::sohappy:

 

[Tinkyroo]

I believe "official" Disney policy is that you can celebrate your birthday for up to 6 months before or after the actual date.

:animwink:

(Free ticket promotion differs from this policy, but the free button and free pixie dust IS permitted within this timeframe.)

People get a free button and pixie dust on their birthdays? Is the pixie dust in a bottle of something? We go every year on my birthday and I have been given nothing. Maybe it is only for children? I will be taking advantage of the $ for this years promo though. That is for sure!

 

[MissM]

People get a free button and pixie dust on their birthdays? Is the pixie dust in a bottle of something? We go every year on my birthday and I have been given nothing. Maybe it is only for children? I will be taking advantage of the $ for this years promo though. That is for sure!

The button is real and anyone (child or adult) can pick one up free at any Guest Services location but the pixie dust is more virtual - er, well, magical. It's the experience of being there and getting well-wishes and enjoying your birthday at Disney. Closest thing might be the Mickey ear birthday confetti they sometimes put on your table if you tell them in advance you're doing a birthday meal.

For 2009, they're also giving out "I'm Celebrating" buttons sometimes for those in your party who are joining you in celebrating. (For example, on my birthday, the rest of my party received "I'm Celebrating" buttons which the CM wrote "M's Birthday" so they got to join in on the fun.)

 

[foreverbelle]

People get a free button and pixie dust on their birthdays? Is the pixie dust in a bottle of something? We go every year on my birthday and I have been given nothing. Maybe it is only for children? I will be taking advantage of the $ for this years promo though. That is for sure!

Not just for Kids...next trip for your bday I would go to guest relations or the front desk of the hotel and inquire about it....

 

[WDW_Emily]

Not too Late at ALL! My 16th Birthday was on Feb. 29th last year and my parents took me to disney in April because thats when we were out of school. I still got the pin and the CM treated me like it was my birthday that day. It was one of my favorite trips to the world.

 

[mickey7879]

My 30th birthday was July 8th, dh August 10th (33) and ds 17th (2) and we're planning on going to Disney to celebrate my 30th birthday Sept 22-Oct. 3. (No way am I going to Florida in July!) We were going to celebrate my birthday, but all 3 of our birthdays will be before our trip and wanted to celebrate them there. I wanted to get the birthday buttons for us, but wasn't sure if it was too much with all of us celebrating and that it had already passed. It's noted on our reservation, but wasn't planning on mentioning it other places.

What are everyones thoughts on this? Should we mention it at TS reservations when we check in, get the buttons, etc? We don't want overkill either, but we are there to celebrate our birthdays.