Guest of Honor badge from 1980...

[Daniel Johnson]

I got my hands on a guest of honor badge, from 1980s, the year I was born. Its one of the first things I've gotten for my newly begun Disney collection.
Can anyone give me any info on this, who had them, why they had them, and what the wearer was entitled to? Just curious of the history!

 

[Daniel Johnson]

Found an older thread about these (I think, no Pictures).
I can't figure out how to delete this from the mobile site...you can delete.
Thank you!

 

[dreamfinder]

They gave those out by the bucketload. You basically stopped by, told them the year you were born, and the stuck the year on the "badge" and gave it to you. I seem to recall each family being able to get a free print as well as the badges for everyone. Just something they did to help with the celebration that year.

 

[Nemo14]

They gave those out by the bucketload. You basically stopped by, told them the year you were born, and the stuck the year on the "badge" and gave it to you. I seem to recall each family being able to get a free print as well as the badges for everyone. Just something they did to help with the celebration that year.

That was back in the days when they gave things away. I think I have a couple at home without the year on them even.

 

[Tuvalu]

They gave those out by the bucketload. You basically stopped by, told them the year you were born, and the stuck the year on the "badge" and gave it to you. I seem to recall each family being able to get a free print as well as the badges for everyone. Just something they did to help with the celebration that year.

It wasn't the year you were born. It was the year you first visited WDW. The badges were part of the 25th anniversary in 1996-97.

And we still have the framed print hanging on a wall in our home.

 

[dreamfinder]

It wasn't the year you were born. It was the year you first visited WDW. The badges were part of the 25th anniversary in 1996-97.

And we still have the framed print hanging on a wall in our home.

Fair enough. My memory going back 15+ years is a bit hazy.

 

[Daniel Johnson]

Thanks guys. I paid 78 cents for it. Not as good as free, but, I think it's cool! Thanks for the info.
I was told on instagram that the 1980 was the guest number. That didn't make sense because there was a bunch of 1978 badges where I got this one. Pretty sure I got the only 1980 they had, and it took thirty minutes to find it.

 

[Tuvalu]

Thanks guys. I paid 78 cents for it. Not as good as free, but, I think it's cool! Thanks for the info.
I was told on instagram that the 1980 was the guest number. That didn't make sense because there was a bunch of 1978 badges where I got this one. Pretty sure I got the only 1980 they had, and it took thirty minutes to find it.

Just pulled my family's badges out...1972 (me), 1982 (husband), 1986 (son), 1991 (son), 1993 (daughter). The years available to put on your badge were 1971-1997. Again, it was not birth year, but year of first visit.

 

[HRHPrincessAriel]

They gave those out by the bucketload. You basically stopped by, told them the year you were born, and the stuck the year on the "badge" and gave it to you. I seem to recall each family being able to get a free print as well as the badges for everyone. Just something they did to help with the celebration that year.

so like the "celebrating" buttons they give out now?

 

[Daniel Johnson]

@Tuvalu thanks for clearing that up. Well, it will go along with my celebrating, first visit, and happily ever after pins!

 

[Tuvalu]

@Tuvalu thanks for clearing that up. Well, it will go along with my celebrating, first visit, and happily ever after pins!

Just a guess...were you born in 1980?

 

[hth1917]

It wasn't the year you were born. It was the year you first visited WDW. The badges were part of the 25th anniversary in 1996-97.

And we still have the framed print hanging on a wall in our home.

Yep, I still have mine with 1972 on it. My first visit was in January of 1972 (shortly before my 2nd birthday).

 

[Daniel Johnson]

@Tuvalu how did you guess...lol. Yea. November 1980!

My first visit was 1985.

 

[ChubbyK]

I still have from the 25TH anniversary year....Mine in from 1971 as my brother and I drove all night to be there on opening day...was withing the first 500 people in the gate ...so many great memories

 

[dreamfinder]

so like the "celebrating" buttons they give out now?

Yeah. Except these were more of a foam type material with a harder plasticy front instead of a pinback metal button. But they were an advertised part of the promo, instead of something that started out as a neat way to make people feel special and snowballing into a "gimme gimme" some people have.