Disneyland Tinker Bell Guide Badge with Guide Vest (Size 36/M)

I have been collecting Disney memorabilia for more than twenty-seven years, but my greatest passion has always been preserving the history behind the objects themselves. While I enjoy all facets of Disney collecting, my primary focus has become the pins created for the Cast Members, Imagineers, Cruise Line crew members, Disney Store employees, Adventures by Disney participants, and countless others who helped shape The Walt Disney Company from behind the scenes. Many of these pieces were never intended to become collectibles. They were presented in recognition of service, achievement, training, anniversaries, special events, or internal company initiatives. Because they were created for a specific purpose rather than for retail sale, they often preserve chapters of Disney history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whenever possible, I research the story behind each piece and include that history within my listings. I hope to document the significance of these artifacts and place them with collectors who appreciate not only their rarity, but the people, places, and moments they represent. Every pin tells a story, and preserving those stories has become just as important to me as preserving the pins themselves. Walt Disney built a company whose greatest achievement was never simply its attractions or merchandise, but the culture created by the people who brought his vision to life each day. Although Walt passed away in 1966, the company continued to evolve through the creativity and dedication of generations of Cast Members around the world. Many of the pieces I offer serve as tangible reminders of that continuing legacy. If your collection is guided not only by characters or edition sizes, but by an appreciation for Disney’s history, its Cast Members, and the remarkable stories behind these artifacts, I hope you’ll find something here worthy of becoming part of your own collection. Description: This exceptional Disneyland cast member ensemble brings together two pieces associated with one of the parks most visible and prestigious guest-facing roles: the Disneyland Tour Guide. The centerpiece is an authentic Disneyland Tour Guide uniform vest in the familiar red, green and dark tartan plaid. Tailored in the traditional fitted style, the vest features five gold-tone buttons, front pockets and a pointed hem. This distinctive plaid became closely associated with Disneylands guides and Guest Relations cast members, whose polished appearance was part of the experience of being personally escorted through Walt Disneys original park. Disneyland Guides occupied a particularly important role within the park. More than simply leading visitors from attraction to attraction, Guides served as knowledgeable hosts and representatives of Disneyland. Their responsibilities could include personally escorting guests, helping organize and manage their day, coordinating attractions and entertainment, answering questions, solving logistical problems, and sharing the history, stories and details of Disneyland. The role demanded both extensive park knowledge and the ability to provide the highly personalized guest service for which Disney became famous. Included with the vest is the wonderful vintage Disneyland Guide D badge, dating to approximately the 1990s. The gold-tone badge incorporates Disneyland imagery within the elaborate Old English-style D, with GUIDE prominently displayed across the banner at its base. It has a traditional horizontal pin clasp on the reverse. This Guide badge represents an earlier chapter of Disneyland Guest Relations history. The design was eventually retired as Disney moved toward a standardized Guest Relations identity and the company-wide Disney D Guest Relations badge. As a result, surviving examples provide a tangible connection to the period when Disneyland Guides wore identification specifically associated with their role at the California park. The vest is a size 36, approximately equivalent to a womens Medium, and has just been professionally dry cleaned. A Disneyland name badge is also included and has been added to complete the presentation of the uniform. The name badge is not represented as being original to the vest or as dating to the same period as the Guide badge. It is included simply to give the ensemble the finished appearance it would have had when worn by a Disneyland cast member. Together, the plaid vest and retired Guide badge make an unusually evocative piece of Disneyland cast member history. Rather than merely commemorating an attraction or character, this ensemble represents the people entrusted with introducing guests to Disneyland itself, combining Disney storytelling, hospitality and park history in one of the Resorts signature guest-service roles. Year of Release: 1990’s. Traders Having This Pin: 1. Traders Wanting This Pin: 11. Pin Central # 21113. Edition Type/Size: Unknown Edition Size. Every item is carefully packed with the same attention I would expect when adding a piece to my own collection.