Guest of Honor Badge vs. Safety?

[momemouse]

I am considering a Guest of Honor Badge for my 3 year old DD (she will delight in the extra attention) but am concerned about having her name on her clothing for any stranger to read. Am I being over-protective? What has been your experience?

 

[ceecee]

I too, am concerned about this. You would like to believe everything is safe at Disney, but there are bad people everywhere I suppose. We got notes from school saying not to personlize backpack, coats etc. if kids are walking to school. We live in what I would consider a safe upper middle class area, I guess no where is immune. We've just about decided not to do the GOH badges with my 5 year old. She knows what strangers are, but fears no one. Maybe in a few years we'll try.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

I had the same thought for my 9yr old. However, I bought 4 of them this year - MIL, husband, 9yr son and myself. I figure he's old enough now. I dont think I would have done them at age 4 when we were last there in 1996.

 

[MGMarco]

What locations have the GOH badges , are they made to order or is there a rack of
names?

 

[i12go2wdw]

I think the GOH badges would be safe as I am sure you will never let your child out of your sight. I think the "no labeled clothes" are more for when your child is away from you ie. walking to school, waiting at a bus stop, etc. where a stranger could come up and say "Sue, I am a friend of your Moms and she asked me to pick you up" If someone in your neighbourhood knows your child's name they figure they are friends. Tell your child you know no one in Florida and keep our eye on them. Have fun and if you ever feel nervous take the badges off.

 

[ABCMom]

I had GOH badges made for my kids (ordered them from Jane at Gifts of a Lifetime) last Christmas. They are ages 2,4 and 6. But they were never out of my (or other family members) sight, so I wasn't worried about security. I DO understand the concearn, however, and would have felt differently had they been able to go off on their own.

 

[pooh2001]

I would not want to use my DS & DD names on the GOH badges.
What about Tigger & Eyore ?
That's about my kids personalities - even though my DS would rather be Alladin or Buzz
than Eyore.

I went to a shop (where they make them ???) - could we get a non-standard name
engraved ?

Thanks !

 

[robinb]

Mommemouse:

I understand how some parents are hesitant to put their kids' names on things, but I do think it's overprotective. My 2 year old has a badge along with my DH and myself. The CMs really like to use your name when speaking to you ... it's fun all around. I think that there is a small safety issue since there are perverts everywhere there are kids , but I assume that your 3 year old will not be out of your sight.

 

[ABCMom]

They are pretty big sticklers on what they will let you put on the tags. Not positive, but I do not believe that you can have character names put on the tags. I have heard people say that there were even some actual names that they wouldn't engrave on them (Gay is the one that comes to mind.)

 

[mktiggerman]

Only proper names and derivatives can be carved.. although I have a tigger GOH badge w/ tigger on it.. but that's cuz It wasn't engraved @ WDW(i bought the blank badge and had my friend engrave it for me). Looks the same though.

 

[sogger1]

You could compromise and just wear them to a character meal or to an activity like the Tea Party.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Im not concerned about my 9yr having his name on his Guest of Honor badge. I am extremely worried about flying on the plane with him in 3 weeks.

 

[robinb]

I am extremely worried about flying on the plane with him in 3 weeks.

So you've said, multiple times on multiple boards. It sounds like you are truly frightened to fly. IIRC, you were frightened before yesterday's attack. There is no reason for you to let this this eat you up anymore than it already has. I believe that airlines are allowing passengers to cancel flights at no penalty. I would suggest that you cancel your flight and possibly your whole vacation. Other modes of transportation will take longer, but you could also drive, take the bus or even the train.

Take a deep breath. You'll be OK. {{hug}}

 

[lindaso]

I'm glad to see this post here as I've been thinking the same exact thing. My kids will be 4 and almost 2 and while we are going to watch them like hawks, you just never know. Park days are long and they won't be willing to sit in a stroller all day long...I've read enough stories here about losing kids. I think wearing it at a character meal is a good compromise but I could see my DD giving me grief over taking it off so I think I'll wait till they're older. Just glad to see I'm not the only one!!

 

[GlennandAnn]

Can someone tell me where and how to get a GOH badge for my DS?!

 

[vicb]

giftsofalifetime.com is where I ordered mine from. I plan to put them in goodie bags I'll give on the airplane in Feb. I am not concerned about the security issue with their names on the badges, my children know not to go with anyone besides us in a place like that nor will they be left alone at any time. But each family should do what they are comfortable with, I can respect people's concerns!

 

[GlennandAnn]

Thanks Vicb. I'm not concerned about my son's safety either. He's only 21/2 ane won't ever be out of our sight.

 

[Pete's Mom]

Paid $ 7.50/EA for them and about $ 8.00 for shipping. They cost $ 5.00 at the park. Would have saved about $ 13.00 if I'd waited but we wanted them now!

So far as worrying about some stanger finding out his name, they only put your first name on it, and let's face it people, all someone would have to do is follow or stand around you for 5 minutes and they would over hear your names several times.

My son is never out of my sight or reach. Would that other parents exercise the same caution. I won't even go into the number of children I see rambling along with little or no parental supervision. Breaks my heart sometimes.

 

[Bryn]

What is the benefit of having these badges? Is it to make the kids feel special and so that CMs will use their names? Or are there other things?

 

[BethR]

Hi Bryn!

There are no benefits that you are ENTITLED to by purchasing and/or wearing the Guest of Honor badges. It just makes you (kids and adults alike) more like the cast members since the badges are very much like their name tags.
It is just a cute, relatively inexpensive keepsake from WDW.
Hope that this helps.