FROM: It's All in a Nametag Published Thursdays

Genesis of a Disney Nametag Collector

Benson Myers on why he collects Disney nametags

- Benson Myers, March 10, 2011

When I started this insane hobby, I never thought I would go as far as I have today, seven years later. How did it all start, you might wonder?

Back in 2004, my friends and I took a vacation to Disneyland. I hadn't been there since 1981, and things had changed quite a bit.

At the end of our trip, we began thinking about which souvenirs we'd like to take home with us. We all bought the required Mickey Ear hats, of course. But for me, something else I had seen during the trip was far more fascinating.

What was it?

It was the Cast Members' ubiquitous nametag. I have no idea what drew me to them.

Benson Buys His First Nametag

The first nametag I bought was issued at Disneyland in 2001 for the opening of the (then) new California Adventure Park. It features Sleeping Beauty Castle to represent Disneyland, and the new Grizzly Peak to represent the California Adventure.

I thought it'd be the only one that I would ever buy: a simple souvenir of my trip.

But, as I looked around a bit more, I saw many more types of nametags. And that's when the madness started. Something inside me said, "You have to get them all."

So, with that first nametag, I was hooked. They called to me. I don't know why, exactly.

I felt like a sailor on the ship of Odysseus lured to my doom by the irresistibly beautiful songs of the Sirens. (I really was hooked.)

Benson the Nametag Hunter

I began my quest to collect and document as many Disney nametags as I could find. You might think that since every Disney employee wears a nametag every day, there would be a complete record of them. There isn't. Not even the Disney Archives has a complete record, or even a complete collection of company nametags.

How many nametags been created ? I have no idea. Disney makes a nametag for every division of the Company, for every theme park around the world, and for special events. Last week, I counted the number of nametags in my collection, and I have reached 450 unique varieties, each representing a unique moment in Disney history.

How many nametags are left to find? I have no idea. It's endless. But I suppose that's what makes this hobby so fascinating. I have spent countless hours searching the Internet for any information about Disney nametags. It seems I find a new variety almost every week.

Just last week I found the nametag that was worn at the Disney Play Store, a concept store that Disney opened to market merchandise to children aged 1-5 years. I had no idea it existed until I was chatting with someone who had worked there.

More often than not, that's how I find many new tags. A great resource is the various Disney blogs and message boards on the Internet. Through those resources, I've emailed many people asking about their experiences with Disney and the things they did. I've asked (and often begged) those people to sell me their nametags. I've met many amazing people and made many lasting friendships.

Benson the Nametag Archaeologist

In a sense I feel exactly like Marcus Brody from the Indiana Jones movies - an amateur archaeologist and historian.

I research and ask questions. I go on expeditions in search of new artifacts (though for me it's merely a visit to Disney collector shows). Like Marcus, I even have a museum to keep track of the collection. However, unlike Marcus, I won't get lost in it. At least not yet.

I always enjoy the many reactions from people when I tell them that I collect Disney nametags. Some say it's a neat hobby. Some say I'm crazy and just shake their heads. Others find it just as fascinating as I do.

And with Disney making new nametags all the time, I will be doing this until I go crazy or just plain drop dead, whichever comes first.

More: IT'S ALL IN A NAMETAG