In its effort to create magical moments for guests, WDW, as usual, created a monster. People with birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations could expect special treatment  while at the parks. My nephew, for example, got little birthday cakes, free desserts and other treats, and restaurant staffs made a big fuss over him when we were there on his birthday.  I’ve heard of people that expect all kinds of perks if they declare that it is their special day - fast passes, room upgrades, generally royal treatment from everyone.

Like they say, no good deed goes unpunished.

Eventually it seemed that at least 50% of people you saw were wearing “It’s My Birthday!” buttons or telling the Hoop -dee-do-Revue actors that it was their wedding anniversary. Not to mention all the couples wearing Mickey ears with bridal veils and top hats that are running around the parks all day. Could it be that all these people happened to be at WDW for these special occasions?  Well, maybe...

Or maybe we are just, as a collective culture, a bunch of stinking liars.

So was I surprised when Disney announced their “Free Admission on your Birthday” promotion? Not really, but I am kind of tickled by it. If you are over 3 years old (under three and you are free anyway),  and you register your 2009 birthday HERE  and bring proof of your birthday (proper ID),  you’ll get a free park pass for one of the parks on your birthday. If you are AP holder you can choose another gift like:

•A birthday fun card in an amount equal to the price of a 1-day Magic Your Way base ticket* for you to use on your birthday for merchandise, recreation or fun activities at select participating locations at Walt Disney World® Resort; or

•A special birthday FASTPASS® badge+ for certain attractions at the Theme Park you visit on your birthday; or

•A 1-day Magic Your Way base ticket for you to use any time until your next birthday.

Nice, huh? Some are annoyed though, and complaining that WDW is making them “jump through hoops” to get their special day. But let me go out on a limb here and just guess that most of the complaints are coming from people accustomed to celebrating everyone’s birthday every time they are on vacation regardless of their actual birthday (“Well, it’s my birthday month!” or “It’s my birthday season!”) .

I think everyone who thinks they might be at WDW on his birthday should go to the above link  and register - it’s a present worth $75.00, nothing to sneeze at. I just also think that WDW is doing it to stop that madness. Kind of like, “Here’s your present, now shut up. We’re tired of being your trick pony every time you feel like having an un-birthday”.

A very merry unbirthday - to you! Just not at WDW anymore!