Disney pin trading is a popular hobby among Disney enthusiasts. It involves collecting and trading Disney pins, which can feature characters, rides, events, and more from Disney parks and movies. Pin trading is a fun way to connect with other fans and add to your collection. Disney even holds special events and releases limited edition pins, making the hobby even more exciting. Whether you’re a casual collector or a serious trader, there’s always something new to discover in the world of Disney pin trading.
Pin trading is a really fun activity that I love doing whenever I visit the Disney parks. Whenever I’m lucky enough to go to Disneyland, I always make sure to bring my pin collection with me to trade with Cast members. You can trade pins with Cast members at the parks, resorts, on the monorail or buses, and even around Downtown Disney. It’s a great way to meet other Disney fans and make new friends while strolling around the parks.
One of my favorite parts of pin trading is trading with kids. I remember when my son was small, he would always ask people to look at their pins and see if he could trade with them. It was so much fun to see his face light up whenever he found a new pin that he really loved and was able to trade for it. Whether it was with a cast member or a fellow Disney guest, the exchange and hunt were things that he really enjoyed.
Disney pins are a great way to commemorate a vacation or special event, or to collect and show off your love of your favorite Disney things! I have pins for different holidays, every Disney place I’ve been, fun sets like video games and love letters, and all of my favorite characters. If you love to collect things or to show off your Disney style, pins are a great way to go!
You can buy LOADS of pins directly from Disney and, depending on what you’re looking for, this may be the best way to get them. The best pins to buy directly from Disney are what Disney calls “Limited Release” pins. These pins are exactly like they sound!
Pin trading can be a safe and easy thing to get involved in as a fun activity. Although there are many people who trade pins more as a hobby/collector and not so much for fun, I personally find it a fun and enjoyable activity. If you’re interested in joining this fun activity, there are plenty of tips and tricks you can learn to make the most of your pin trading experience!
Have you ever noticed people wearing lanyards filled with enamel pins, or Disney cast members carrying pins around? This is because of Disney Pin Trading! Guests can trade pins with cast members. If a cast member is wearing pins or has a pin book or corkboard, you can ask them to trade with you. You can trade up to two pins with a cast member, but you must have a Disney pin to trade for it. Sometimes, cast members will put pins on backward, which means you cannot see what the pin is. You can trade for this “mystery pin” for a surprise! Additionally, cast members may ask you Disney trivia questions to earn the pins, which can be super fun!
If you’re looking to trade pins with Disney cast members, here are a few guidelines to keep in mind:
- Trade one pin at a time, hand to hand, with the backs attached (unless it is on a board).
- You may only trade up to 2 pins per cast member per day.
- You may trade only one pin of the same style with a cast member. For example, if you see 2 hidden Mickey Flag pins, you may only receive one of them.
- If you see that the cast member already has a particular pin, you may not trade that same pin.
- Please don’t touch other people’s pins or lanyards. If you need to see a pin closer, just ask them. Cast members are usually happy to show you their pins and don’t mind if you don’t want to trade.
- Disney name pins cannot be traded, and cast members can’t give you their name tags.
- You cannot buy a pin off a cast member’s lanyard.
- In addition to the 12 pins on cast member lanyards, some cast members may wear a “Showcase” pin. These “Showcase” pins are for demonstrations to guests and are not available for trade.
Pin trading with other guests at Disney can be a fun way to collect and exchange pins. However, it’s important to be aware of the etiquette when trading with other guests. If you’re in the park, it’s easy to find other Disney pin collectors – look for those wearing a pin lanyard or carrying a pin book. There are two types of traders: serious traders who prioritize the authenticity of the pins and won’t accept scrappers, and casual traders who are more interested in the fun of trading. Serious traders may be hesitant to trade with guests because of the prevalence of scrapper pins. When trading with other guests, it’s important to follow the same simple etiquette as when trading with Cast Members – always ask before touching another person’s pins, and typically trade no more than two pins at a time.
Disney produces a limited quantity of pins, with numbers ranging from 300 to 3,000, depending on the pin type. Once these pins are sold out, they are not restocked. Rare pins are often resold online at a higher price than their original price. If you are looking for trading pins, that you want to trade rather than keep, I suggest checking out your local Hot Topic or Box Lunch as they have Disney pins available. Starting small, you can build a good collection to bring along on your next trip. Before my trip, I usually buy a pack or two of these pins, keep the ones I like, and bring the ones I will trade.
I prefer not to purchase pins from Amazon or eBay because I have found that many of the pins sold in bulk are counterfeit. These fake pins may look identical to official Disney trading pins, but they are usually of lower value and can be easily recognized by experienced collectors. Therefore, it is advisable to check the seller’s reviews before making a purchase, as this can help you identify those who sell fake pins for financial gain.
Disney produces a limited quantity of pins, with numbers ranging from 300 to 3,000, depending on the pin type. Once these pins are sold out, they are not restocked. Rare pins are often resold online at a higher price than their original price. If you are looking for trading pins, that you want to trade rather than keep, I suggest checking out your local Hot Topic or Box Lunch as they have Disney pins available. Starting small, you can build a good collection to bring along on your next trip. Before my trip, I usually buy a pack or two of these pins, keep the ones I like, and bring the ones I will trade.
I prefer not to purchase pins from Amazon or eBay because I have found that many of the pins sold in bulk are counterfeit. These fake pins may look identical to official Disney trading pins, but they are usually of lower value and can be easily recognized by experienced collectors. Therefore, it is advisable to check the seller’s reviews before making a purchase, as this can help you identify those who sell fake pins for financial gain.
I understand that some people who buy items from online trading sites may not be concerned about whether the items are authentic or not. This is a contentious issue, so I’ll keep it brief: If you plan to trade items to add them to your collection, please make sure you are knowledgeable about identifying fakes. However, if you are trading simply for enjoyment, please be considerate and avoid trading fake items for genuine ones.
Counterfeit Disney pins, also known as “scrappers,” are being traded in the parks. To identify fake Disney pins, check if it’s a soft enamel pin, which is usually fake, except those purchased from Disney stores with official backings. Other signs of a fake pin include mistakes with colors or discoloration, unclear edges, and cheaply made materials. If you’re buying pins online, beware of big “pin lots” on Amazon and eBay, as they are likely to be scrappers.
To keep your Disney trading pins safe while carrying them around, replace the original backs with more secure ones.
Many people enjoy displaying their trading pins on a lanyard, similar to the ones worn by Disney cast members. While these lanyards don’t necessarily have to feature Disney characters, some may prefer to decorate a plain lanyard with their pins. However, if you or your children are interested in a Disney-themed lanyard, there are several cute options available.
If you plan to wear a lanyard with many pins, keep in mind that it can become very heavy and uncomfortable during long walks, especially in hot weather. Therefore, if you have many pins, it’s a good idea to consider keeping your favorite ones in your hotel room and carrying only the traders in a separate lanyard or in a coin purse. This way, you can wear your favorite pins without the burden of the weight of all the pins you have.
Sadly, eventually, you have to leave the Disney parks and return to your real life in the normal world, where you [probably] won’t walk around with a lanyard covered in Disney pins.
So what do you do with your pins that’s better than just tossing them into a drawer until your next trip?
Well, if you already have your pins on a lanyard, you can simply hang your lanyard up on some sort of hook.
You can buy a shadow box and use it to collect all you tokens for your trips.
Another easy thing to do is buy a corkboard and hang it on the wall. You could use it just for Disney pins, or for more “normal” things as well, like grocery lists and Christmas card photos of your cousin’s family.
Some people create “Disney boards” that have not only pins, but countdown calendars, park tickets, photos, park maps, and other paper souvenirs.
