Celebration Recognition Buttons

[Raegansmommy]

I think you took my question out of context. I actually didn't realize they were free, I thought you had to buy them, until I read it online. In the past there have been people that were wearing numerous ones. I just didn't know why they would be wearing all these buttons. In response to asking if there is any special perks, I just didn't know if my 5 year old would wear the button, and didn't know if they would recognize her for wearing it. I was thinking more of getting it for her scrapbook. We have been to Disney; nothing is free!

 

[DisAl]

My wife and I got anniversary buttons when we went to WDW for our 40th anniversary. It was a lot of fun being wished "happy anniversary" all week long. We also got "first visit" buttons for each of our two grandchildren's first visits. In all three cases there were no extras other than happy anniversary decorations on deserts already covered on the dining plan but the greetings were a lot of fun. Even Alice on top of her mushroom during the Electrical Parade called out happy anniversary to us. There will always be creeps who will try to cheat the system, but yes, if you are legitimately celebrating something get a button!

 

[Weather_Lady]

My children were given "First Visit" buttons on their first WDW visit (and my daughter was given a "Happy Birthday" button during a later visit that happened to fall on her birthday) when we checked into our resort hotel. (The celebrations were noted on our reservation - and yes, the buttons are free.) My daughter was given a special cupcake with a candle at Cinderella's Royal Table on her birthday (whether because she was wearing a button or because it was noted on our ADR, I can't say), but that was it. The real charm of the buttons was the lovely greetings the kids got from cast members all over the parks, who congratulated them and said hello. It was a lovely treat, and both children kept those buttons as souvenirs and still have them.

I wouldn't advise anyone to get a button with the expectation of special treatment, or with dishonest intentions (e.g., it's not your birthday but you wear a birthday button anyway -- this isn't directed toward you, OP, but sadly people on these forums have crowed about doing such things in the past) -- but do get any applicable buttons as a souvenir (at your hotel's front desk, or from guest services) and take any positives that come from it (sweet greetings or sweet treats) as an unexpected blessing.

 

[cinderellafan6]

I go to Disney every year for my birthday. I always get the pins as I just like wearing them and collecting them. One year I was serenaded. And another year I was given 2 cupcakes. Then other years nothing happened at all. So it all depends but its still fun wearing them.

 

[prfctlyximprct]

I hope I get a birthday button when I go!

 

[The_Jobu]

I hope I get a birthday button when I go!

Just make sure to ask for one from a CM (I usually head to City Hall), you'll definitely get one!

 

[MissM]

I get a birthday one every year. We always tend to go on the weekend either before or after my birthday. This year, we had Be Our Guest reservations too and they gave me a Belle & Beast signed birthday card which I thought was super nice. You get a TON of well-wishes and it's just fun being celebrated. Some years, I've gotten a dessert at QS location; some years not. Some years, I've had a CM tell me I have a phone call - Goofy wishing me Happy Birthday - and some not. It's random. And it should be. Definitely don't do it just for freebies. That's so against the spirit of Disney. But if it's honestly your birthday, anniversary, or celebration - get a button and enjoy you day, freebies or not.

 

[Johnguelff]

All the buttons have there own traits
Birthday=Free Dessert at dining (even some quick service)
First visit=Nothing
happily ever after=Nothing
celebrating=Nothing

Just got married in WDW last month. We got free dessert so many times that we had to refuse it more than once. It was just too much. Even just asking for FREE water we were given two of those red velvet mini cakes. lol. Thanks happily ever after button!

 

[Raegansmommy]

My children were given "First Visit" buttons on their first WDW visit (and my daughter was given a "Happy Birthday" button during a later visit that happened to fall on her birthday) when we checked into our resort hotel. (The celebrations were noted on our reservation - and yes, the buttons are free.) My daughter was given a special cupcake with a candle at Cinderella's Royal Table on her birthday (whether because she was wearing a button or because it was noted on our ADR, I can't say), but that was it. The real charm of the buttons was the lovely greetings the kids got from cast members all over the parks, who congratulated them and said hello. It was a lovely treat, and both children kept those buttons as souvenirs and still have them.

I wouldn't advise anyone to get a button with the expectation of special treatment, or with dishonest intentions (e.g., it's not your birthday but you wear a birthday button anyway -- this isn't directed toward you, OP, but sadly people on these forums have crowed about doing such things in the past) -- but do get any applicable buttons as a souvenir (at your hotel's front desk, or from guest services) and take any positives that come from it (sweet greetings or sweet treats) as an unexpected blessing.

There will always be some that ruin it for others. How fun that would be to be there on your child's birthday!

 

[carriebeth]

It seemed this year cast members noted buttons and commented more than I have ever heard in previous years. I heard lots of b-day congratulations and wedding well wishes given to people everyday. Seemed like much more than before.

My recently turned 3 year old was really looking forward to riding the big rides this year and it was really iffy if she would reach the 40" requirement before our trip. She would have us measure her several times a week for about 6 months leading up to the trip. Her main goal was to be able to ride TOT. Its all we heard about for months. She did clear the height in time. She did not chicken out for anything even TOT. She was so excited and I was scared to death that she was going to absolutely hate it. Nope. At the end she asked if we could go again. On our way out a cast member noticed how young she was and pulled her aside and gave her a celebrating button with "conquering Tower of Terror" on it. She proudly wore it all day and loved when people would read it and be so shocked such a young child wanted to go on and loved it.

 

[Beacon Joe]

How exactly do you request them?

I remember that at some point in the booking process every time I made a reservation, I was asked if we were celebrating anything special. Aside from the "first visit" for my kids a few years ago, I always replied, "No." Now that we are actually going for a celebration (booked a surprise trip for our kids' birthday), I didn't get asked about special celebrations at any point in my booking process. Go figure.

 

[Scrungo]

One time on a "Celebrating" button I wrote "My anxiety and depression" and got some extended hugs from Goofy and a whisper from a custodial work on Tom Sawyer's Island who told me "it gets better".

 

[dreamfinder]

How exactly do you request them?

I remember that at some point in the booking process every time I made a reservation, I was asked if we were celebrating anything special. Aside from the "first visit" for my kids a few years ago, I always replied, "No." Now that we are actually going for a celebration (booked a surprise trip for our kids' birthday), I didn't get asked about special celebrations at any point in my booking process. Go figure.

If you add it during the booking process, they just stick a note on your reservation. The CM at checkin may see the note, give you birthday wishes, give you the birthday button, etc. Same time for dining. If you note it was your anniversary, some restaurants will have cards they will give you signed by CMs or Mickey saying happy anniversary. Really no different that wearing the button, just puts notice in a different place that CMs may see who would otherwise miss the button. Most couples wouldn't wear Anniversary buttons to a fancy meal like Jiko or California Grill, but the reservation note would be seen.

Getting the button is easy. Most of the hotel desks have them, guest services, some ticket counters, etc. Plenty of places to get them, simply walk up and request one. If they don't have them they should be able to point you to the closest location who does.