[Suzanne]

Does anyone know why Disney does not allow nicknames on guest of honor badges, mouse ears, etc.??? I don't see the point of this and was just wondering if anyone knew a specific reason.

[DisneyTeacher]

I really don't know the official reason but I think it would be hard for Disney to draw a line on what is appropriate and what might offend others. There will always be someone who has to push it. Names don't offend people.

[Suzanne]

I understand not wanting any inappropriate on there, but really, who is going to get offended from something like "Mom" or "Dad?" I went to DL a little over two years ago and they let you put nicknames on the mouse ears. A friend named Shannon had "Shannanabanana" put on hers, for example. But when we went to WDW about a year later they would not let me put Suz or Suzy (obviously short for Suzanne) on my ears because it wasn't my "proper name" and that they only put proper names on such items. When I asked for an explanation, mind you I simply andcalmly asked why is that, a manager came flying out of a door behind the counter and said, "Because we said so and if you don't understand security will explain it to you as they escort you out of the park!" How crazy is that?!?! To top it off, my friend Shannon was actually working at WDW at the time and was with me when we were buying the ears. Sorry to go on about it, but I would really love to hear an explanation on this one!

Suzanne

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally posted by Suzanne
they would not let me put Suz or Suzy (obviously short for Suzanne) on my ears because it wasn't my "proper name" and that they only put proper names on such items.

That I really don't understand. I was thinking along the lines of nicknames that were not also names. I would think Suzy, Katie, Bob and all the other names people go by would be allowed. Sorry I can't answer your question and I am sorry the CM was very rude when you asked. It sounds like he/she really over reacted.

[iluvwdw]

Originally posted by DisneyTeacher
That I really don't understand. I was thinking along the lines of nicknames that were not also names. I would think Suzy, Katie, Bob and all the other names people go by would be allowed. Sorry I can't answer your question and I am sorry the CM was very rude when you asked. It sounds like he/she really over reacted.

Well then, I would just tell the CM's that SUZY is your proper name. They have no way of telling otherwise. Hey, my name is KIM, which is usually short for Kimberly...almost ALWAYS short for Kimberly! Well, my proper name is just KIM.....everyone questions it, but it's true. So if you go again, I would say SUZY IS MY PROPER NAME!

[Beckmk]

I am surprised, I would have a hard time too because my legal name IS Becky. Not Rebecca at all and I get annoyed when people call me that just assuming it's my name.

I can understand the general nickname thing but not shortened names, etc... Guess my DH would be in big trouble because he goes by Bret but that's not his legal name at all. Not even close but he's a III and so that is the name they used to distinguish between the 3 generations. However, I betcha they wouldn't question it. :p

I was planning on getting guest of honor badges, it should be interesting to see what happens.

[llama]

I find all of this a bit surprising. I can understand not allowing anything rude or suggestive. But just who decides what a "proper" name is? What about people visiting from other countries, where some names wouldn't be familiar? I think this is another case where common sense has to apply. As to that manager who was so rude, I would have reported his attitude to Disney.

[tinkerbell]

several years ago at WDW our Barbie wanted a pink mickey hat .. her real name is Barbara but we have always called her Barbie. The CM that made hers never asked if that was her real name or not. But when Lisa Summer wanted Roo on her hat (thats our nickname for her) they said that only her real name could be put on the hat, they wouldnt put Grandpa on my husbands hat either.
I didnt think at the time to ask why.

[musik07]

it is kinda redicouus cuze i have many friends that go by other names....my freind carissa goes by flex cuze she is really flexable and wanted to get a had taht said flex and she probibaly wont be able to cuze i highly doubt she could convince them that was her real name ;D

[Suzanne]

Just a quick follow-up...I did complain to Disney about the rudeness of the manager, but I did not receive any response to it. I honestly wasn't going to hold my breath to get a response, but I did write a few letters as well as a few emails to no avail. Also, the reason the castmember knew my "proper" name wasn't Suzy was because I was using a credit card to pay for the ears. It's funny that you should bring up the idea of not being familiar with foriegn names because one of the other people in are party had an Egyptian name. The castmember rudely said, "that's not your real name...I have never heard of that name." LUckily she had an ID on her. The funny thing was the castmember was from Mexico and also had an uncommon ethic name. You would think that someone who also has an uncommon name would not be so rude and so quick to question someone else's name. While it wasn't a big deal to have my full name as opposed to my nickname on the ears I am still extremely curious about this stupid rule! Not even Mom, Dad, Grandpa, etc???? What's the deal with that??? Oh well...I figured if anyone knew the answer to this it would be someone on this board!!!

[Suzanne]

Sorry...Just one more thing! Like I said, just shortly before going to WDW we went to DL where they put obvious nicknames on the ears. The one thing they said they couldn't do was copyrighted material. Our firend Carrie wanted "Carebear" on her's but couldn't because of the copyright. The CM actually suggested just simply changing the spelling and happily put that on her ears. Go figure!

[JOANN]

Originally posted by DisneyTeacher
I really don't know the official reason but I think it would be hard for Disney to draw a line on what is appropriate and what might offend others. There will always be someone who has to push it. Names don't offend people.

I agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) JOANN