A Beginner Guide to Pin Trading

PINS, PINS, PINS…we have all seen them in the lobbies of Disney Resorts, hanging on cast members lanyards  and little children (and some adults) with pin books. “The Art of Pin Trading”, which I like to call it, has grabbed my kids attention from our very first trip to Disney.  Someone started talking to us while in line for Peter Pan’s Flight and gave our kids their very first pin.  It was then, we had our first experience with a little bit of Disney Magic.  It had pulled us in and is one of our favorite things to do in the parks. To this day, our kids always enjoy making Disney magic for other kids like themselves, and always find someone to give a pin to. Here are some great ways to make the most of your own Pin Trading experience at Disney Parks and Resorts!

Pin trading started as buying a small starter pack of pins from any of the Disney gift shops and a lanyard.  These pins can range from $15.00 to $30.00 depending on the set you buy.  The kids quickly caught on and we were adding to the collection by purchasing new pins at EVERY gift shop we passed.  Over the years, we have learned some great tips from many Pin Traders and wanted to share that with you!

PIN TRADING ETIQUETTE 

• To trade a pin with a Disney cast member, the pin must be made of metal and have a representation of a Disney character, park, attraction, icon, or other official affiliation. Additionally, the pin must have a Disney copyright on its back.
• Guests must trade with Cast Members, one pin at a time, with the pin back in place (pins have functional sharp posts). Keep in mind, there is a limit of 2 pin trades per child per Cast Member.
  
• Refrain from touching another person’s pins or lanyard, ask to see the pin so they can bring the pin into closer view.
  
• The pin that is traded to the cast member cannot be a duplicate of any pin they already have on their lanyard.
  
• No money can change hands on Disney property in exchange for a pin.
  
• ALWAYS remember to say PLEASE and THANK YOU!  It is so nice to have conversations with cast members.

Sometime you can purchase a large lot of pins online from sellers on amazon for a much lower per pin cost. Just make sure you are reading the reviews and making sure the pins you are buying are not scrappers.  We give these pins to the kids right before a trip.  They love opening up the pins and seeing which ones they need to complete their series and which ones will be for trade. To help stick to a budget when pin trading, we usually tell the kids “one pin per park”….unless of course it’s a very special pin. 

BEST TIME FOR PIN TRADING

• The best time for pin trading in the parks, so that you get the best picks of pins, is early in the morning.  Most cast members are very happy to stop, talk and trade with you. 
• All of the resorts have a time when they set out pin boards.  This usually takes place in the gift shop areas and anyone can go down to trade pins. You can find specific information about the hours at your resort.
• Should a Cast Member be operating an attraction or assisting with crowd flow they are not permitted to trade as this can be a safety issue for other guests.

So, if you follow these simple ins and outs of Disney pin trading, you will have many enjoyable magical moments for years to come. You will find that in trading is popular for all ages. There a lots of fun ways to display your collection and we find this is also a fun way to remember your magical Disney vacation! 

HAPPY PIN TRADING !!!!

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