Over the past few months, we’ve been doing a ton of spring cleaning, home renovations and planning for our next Disney vacation (in just 3 months and 2 days … not that we’re counting or anything!). In the midst of all that, we stumbled across a box that we had in the closet that held some keepsake items that have sentimental value to Sean and me. Included in that box were all the Walt Disney World® buttons we’ve collected over the years, and it dawned on us that we could see a timeline of our relationship through these buttons. As we held each button, we couldn’t help but think of all the special memories associated each trip.
There’s the “My First Trip” button, which, although, collectively, we’ve been to WDW over 30 times, my first time there was with Sean in 2007, just six months into our relationship. Sean always says that his favorite memory of that trip was of me, looking out the Disney’s Magical Express bus on our way to the Magic Kingdom® Park, looking for the castle, and crying when I first saw it. My favorite memory was going to Chef Mickey’s and seeing Minnie Mouse for the first time as she was making her rounds, and squealing with delight in seeing her. The host turned to Sean and said, “It’s her first trip, isn’t it?”
Then there’s my favorite button, “Just Engaged.” This one means the most to me, for obvious reasons, but also because, for some reason, I only have one. I got doubles of every other one but that. So, this is really a treasure for me. It was 2010, and possibly the COLDEST trip we’ve ever taken. We packed for 80 degree weather, and it was in the 40s all week. We’ll never forget going to City Hall in the Magic Kingdom after Sean “put a ring on it” and getting this button. The person behind the desk handed me some tissues – because the water works were still flowing – and he took one look at my ring and asked Sean, “Do you have an older brother?” That still makes me laugh and smile.
Fast-forward two years to 2012, and it’s our honeymoon! You always hear of people going to exotic places or foreign countries on their honeymoon. For us, when we were deciding on where to go for our honeymoon, we looked at each other, and in unison said, “WDW?” There was no other place we would rather spend our first few days as husband and wife than the place that has meant so much to us over the years. And, you can kind of say we traveled the world on that trip, being that we spent a lot of time in Epcot®’s World Showcase for the International Food and Wine Festival Presented by Chase®.
But, here’s the best part, not only do I have two “Just Married” buttons, but two different ones! Part of our honeymoon was spent on the Disney Cruise Line’s Dream, and – wouldn’t you know? – they have their own unique “Just Married” button! The cruise pin is special, too, because of its uniqueness. The whole trip was magical, but we both will never forget two things: one, going to a kiosk in Disney’s Hollywood Studios® one afternoon to share a Mickey pretzel (the wonderful lady serving us saw our buttons, and gave us the pretzel, plus some waters “on Mickey”), and two, meeting Lou on our way into the Magic Kingdom on one of our last days there. I heard Sean yell out, “It’s Lou Mongello!” and I turned around and sure enough, there he was! He was so nice and gracious to take a few minutes out, speak to us and give us “a handshake and a hug.” Truly awesome!
This year, we’ll be getting “Happy Birthday” and “Happy Anniversary” buttons. While, technically, we’re going to WDW two weeks before our birthdays – Sean’s birthday is the day before mine – and our anniversary (four days after my birthday), it’s close enough. A Disney marathon made us think about going earlier to beat the crowds. Plus, in show #358, Lou said mid-September was not only his favorite time to go, but one of the best times to go because of the low crowd volume.
So, now that we’ve taken you through our little journey, we’re curious: Do you collect buttons on your Disney World vacations? If so, what button means the most to you and why? Do you have any photos of vintage buttons that you can share?
“New Yorkas” Felicia and Sean are avid Disney fans. Their first vacation as a couple was in Walt Disney World®. They were engaged there, and also honeymooned there. After a combined 30 trips to the World, they are self-professed Disney travel agents and enjoy helping family and friends plan magical Disney vacations.