Since the Millennium Celebration at Walt Disney World in October 1999, pin trading has been, and continues to be, a tradition for both kids and adults alike. Heck, I've purchased my share of Disney-themed pins and love to showcase them in The Kid's room.
Disney pins have thousands of topics including characters, locations, attractions, rides, and park features. It's a blast looking for new pins on each trip and I always hunt for Haunted Mansion pins, The Kid loves finding new Oswald the Lucky Rabbit ones (it's a good thing he's becoming popular again!), and Mr. Locke loves finding new Donald Duck pins to wear.
Since my family's first visit to WDW, we've fallen in love with the pin trading concept. Being able to purchase pins and then trade the ones you're no longer crazy over with Disney cast members is a fun, easy way to interact with folks in the parks.
Want the scoop on pin trading at Walt Disney World? Here's what you need to know.
What is Pin Trading, Exactly?
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| Photo Credit: flickr.com/Sam Howzit |
Pin trading is as simple as finding a cast member on Walt Disney World property and swapping pins with them. Many will have lanyards, pin holders, or even cork boards filled with pins to select from. By asking to see a cast member's pins in no way means that you have to swap with them. They're happy to let you browse.
You also don't need to purchase a lanyard for pin trading, although there are some really cute themed Disney sets that can be purchased together with them. The Kid has a lanyard but still likes to carry around loose pins in a backpack.
General Guidelines for Disney Pin Trading
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| Photo Credit: flickr.com/sylvar |
Pin Trading is super easy, but Disney does have a few general guidelines to ensure fair and safe practices:
- A tradable pin is one that is made of cloisonné, semi-cloisonné, or hard enamel metal. The pin must represent a Disney place, location, character, icon, or event.
- Counterfeit pins or pins that are made from lower quality materials will not be allowed for pin trading.
- Pins must be traded one at a time and traded from hand to hand.
- Pins should be traded with backs on, but in all of the cases that we've ever encountered (especially on the cork boards), the cast members ask for the pin only.
- Pins cannot be traded for money or gifts.
So You Know
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| Photo Credit: flickr.com/kevin slavin |
When purchasing large lots of Disney pins online, especially on eBay, please make sure that the pins are original and authentic Disney pins if you are buying them to trade. You can buy dozens of pins for low cost but you're risking purchasing forged pins that may not be tradable. Please do your homework.
If you have really special pins that you don't want to lose, consider buying locking pin backs. They truly avoid the heartbreak of losing a beloved pin in a the park or anywhere else. Trust me.
Do you like pin trading at Disney? Have a favorite Disney pin? Please let me know in the comment section below!
Happy Travels!
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