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Category Archives: Pin Trading
Disney Quick Tips: Rules and Etiquette for Pin Trading
I started trading pins at Walt Disney World, and then at Disneyland, a few years ago as an excuse to talk to Disney Cast Members and other guests. Because I’m not much of a shopper while visiting Disney theme parks, I also liked the idea of collecting small (thus portable) and inexpensive souvenirs during my trips that would become part of a larger collection at home – one that would be ever evolving.
Trading Disney pins is easy, with just a few rules to follow. And building a collection can be as simple or extensive as each individual pin trader decides to make it. But one of the real joys in Disney pin trading is the interaction.
Disney Pin Trading – The Basics
To get started with pin trading, purchase a starter set and a lanyard (either a neck or hip style worn at the waist). Pins and lanyards are available at various Disney locations in the parks, resorts, at Downtown Disney. Pins and starter sets are even on eBay.
Trading with Cast Members. Just approach a Cast Member who wears a lanyard and offer to trade. Choose one of the available pins, and offer one of your pins for one the one you’ve selected. It’s a one-for-one trade.
It’s as simple as that. Cast Members cannot refuse a trade, so long as it fits within Disney Pin Trading rules (below).
Trading with other Guests. Approach a guest wearing a lanyard and ask them if they are open to trading. If that person agrees, any pin that faces outward on the lanyard – as opposed to other places (e.g. hat, shirt) is generally available for a trade. With Guest-to-Guest trades, there’s a bit more room for negotiation – “You’d like this one? I’m interested in that one.” The flexibility adds to the fun and the conversation.
Disney Pin Trading – The Rules
Pin Trading with a Disney Cast Member. Photo: D.K. Peterson
Disney Pin Trading rules and guidelines for have evolved since trading at the Disney theme parks began in 1999 as part of the Millennial Celebration.
Eligible Disney trading pins should be metal, with a ©Disney mark on the back and in good condition.
Pins that may be traded include the following:
• Disney theme park pin from a place or location, event, character or icon;
• Pins from other divisions of the Walt Disney Company (i.e. ESPN, ABC, DVC); and
• Participating partner pins, so long as they have a Disney affiliation showing.
Some Disney pins can’t be traded:
• Non-metal pins (e.g. plastic or rubber pins,);
• Brooch-style or clasp pins;
• Personalized pins (whether ones with your name or Cast Member Name Tags); and
• Special Disney Cast Member pin (e.g. Service Awards, Spirit of Disneyland Awards, Disney Cast Member costume pins, or Partners in Excellence pins)
For fun, not profit. Disney pins may not be traded for monies, gifts or receipts, nor may these things be included as part of the trade. This applies to both Cast Member and Guest-to-Guest trades.
Make the Trade an Original. Don’t offer Disney Cast Members a duplicate of a pin currently on their lanyards.
One is fun, and twice is nice. Guests may trade up to two (2) pins per Cast Member per day. Trades between Guests don’t have the same restriction.
Disney Pin Trading – Etiquette
Most Disney Pin Trading falls under the “Golden Rule” and common sense – do what you can to make it a safe, fun, enjoyable experience for everyone.
Just for kids. Some Cast Members have lanyards just for trade with children (ages 3 – 12). At Walt Disney World, it’s Cast Members wearing green lanyards. At Disneyland, it’s those with teal lanyards.
Honor the spirit of the trade. Trading pins should be a fun, enjoyable experience for both parties.
• Be sensitive to new Disney Pin traders of all ages, particularly young children who may not understand all the rules.
• Some pins are designed as sets. Don’t break up a good relationship. If a single pin doesn’t create a complete image, trade the pins as a set.
• If a lanyard pin is turned backwards, with the pin back facing out, that pin is unavailable to trade.
Respect personal space. Look, but don’t touch, another person’s lanyard or pins. Oohing and ahhing is acceptable. If you need a closer look at a pin, as the person to show it to you – don’t get grabby.
Safety First. When trading pins, carefully remove them from a lanyard and replace the pin backs to avoid the Sleeping Beauty pinprick. Trade pins one at a time.
Disney Pin Trading – Some Unofficial Suggestions
A set of Disney trading pins. Photo: D.K. Peterson
Collect what you love. For some people, this will mean collecting limited edition pins and only those pins. For others, collecting favorite characters – I’ve seen lanyard dedicated to Tinker Bell or Disney Villains – or color are the focus. For yet other, focusing on Disney attraction pins or Disney movies. Others will focus on finding a set. There’s no “perfect” collection, except the one that makes you happy.
Each pin tells a story. For many people, it’s not the pins that are the primary attraction of the trade. It’s the opportunity to chat with other people. Help make each trade a memorable experience. Offer a story about your trip, about the pins, about you.
Rules are sometimes mean to be broken. On our last trip to Walt Disney World, a young child approached my husband. Fascinated by the pins on his lanyard, but without one of her own, she offered to trade her birthday button for one of his pins. He couldn’t take her button, of course, not on her special day. But he gave her a Princess Minnie pin that complemented her birthday sash and outfit. He didn’t get a pin in return, but a big smile. And we got a story that was in the very spirit of Disney Pin Trading.
For more information in Disney Pin Trading at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Resorts and Disney Cruise Line, see the official Disney F.A.Q.
Kungaloosh! Debra Peterson enjoys seeking out for the interactive, immersive and innovative at Disney theme parks. When not writing for Chip and Company, Debra is the National Disney Travel Examiner. Put on your set of ears and join her in stalking the Mouse.
Related articles
- Disney Pin Trading 101 – The Basics (livinginagrownupworld.wordpress.com)
- Beginners Guide to Disney Pin Trading (chipandco.com)
Top 5 Places Disney World to shop for Disney Pins
If you have been to Disney World in the past ten years or so, you will know that Disney Pins are everywhere! Disney Pins feature characters, parks, attractions, restaurants, resorts, and much more so they make great souvenirs. Also, many of the pins are considered collectibles and trading with Cast Members and other collectors is serious business. Regardless of whether you’re just a fan of Disney pins or a avid collector, Disney pins make for a lot of fun at Disney World. So check out my Top 5 Places for Disney Pins at Walt Disney World!
1. Downtown Disney-At the Marketplace in Downtown Disney, you can find a huge covered pavilion selling nothing but Disney pins! This is the ultimate destination for Disney pins. In addition to the standard Disney pins you can find throughout the parks and resorts, you can find limited edition, special event, and resort pins, along with books and cases, and I have even seen a few Disney Cruise Line pins here. Also, just outside the pavilion, major pin traders often have their pins on display and some are willing to trade.
2. Frontierland Trading Post-In Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom, there’s a store called the Trading Post that sells mostly pins. Almost every wall of this shop displays all kinds of Disney pins making it easy to see the variety that’s for sale. This is also a great place to trade with Cast Members.
3. Sorcerer Mickey Hat-Underneath Hollywood Studios’ massive icon is an area where nothing but pins are for sale. This is a great spot because you get to see a large variety of pins at one location!
4. Special Events-Special Disney World events like Star Wars Weekends, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the Grand Floridian’s Gingerbread House, Mickey’s not-so-scary Halloween party, the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, and Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival, often have their special pins released only during the time of these events. Some events have pins that are relatively easy to find; but I noticed that at the Christmas events, Disney won’t sell them until right before it starts.
5. Epcot-I have found some different pins at Epcot that are hard to find anywhere else at Disney; and at World Showcase, the Cast Members who tucked back near the pavilions can have some great pins since not many people venture back there. You may also get to learn about their culture while you trade! Also don’t forget to stop at World of Disney in Epcot!
Are you a big fan of Disney pins and pin trading? What’s your favorite place to find Disney pins?
Related articles
- Disney Pin Trading 101 – The Basics (livinginagrownupworld.wordpress.com)
- Disney World Quick Tips – Pin Trading (chipandco.com)
Disney Souvenirs & Collectibles – Anniversary Pin
What is it?
These were a special series of pins that Disney gave a try about two or three years ago. You could mix and match up to two names or titles on each pin. There was also a variety of pins to use as a base. The purple oblongs are magnetic and can be swapped out for other names and titles. I believe you could also get pink oblongs with purple letters.
Why is it so special?
It was my wedding anniversary at the time and I impulsively decided to get this pin for my wife. The challenge was getting it without her seeing me so that I could surprise her later! She did catch me buying ‘something’, but didn’t know what until I gave it to her later.
My wife and I really enjoy visiting Walt Disney World together, and this pin helps us to remember a time when we shared a special moment at that magical place.
Where did you get it?
I purchased mine at the Polynesian Resort in the Boutiki gift shop. But they were available at most Resorts and Pin Trading locations.
How much did it cost?
I think the base pin was at least $8.95 and each name/title addition were $2.95 each. This made it slightly more expensive than most other large pins at the time.
Related articles
- Disney Souvenirs & Collectibles – Princess Wedding Dance Snowglobe (chipandco.com)
- From the Attic: WDW’s 25th Anniversary (disneyatdisleelandiablog.blogspot.com)
Man Plotting to Sell Fake Disney Pins Receives One Year Jail Sentence
A man from Anaheim will be spending some time in jail after pleading guilty to importing $2 million worth of fake Disney pins from China that he had planned to sell online.
Robert Edward Smyrak, 52, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to the sale of counterfeit goods and felony manufacturing. Smyrak was also given three years probation and was ordered to pay restitution. The amount Smyrak must pay Disney will be determined during a scheduled hearing for November 16.
The co-defendant, Larry James Allred, 57, still faces trademark counterfeit charges, including felony manufacturing and sale of counterfeit goods. Allred is also facing sentencing enhancements for two prior convictions — one conviction of rape in 1975 and multiple kidnapping and rape convictions in 1978. Allred remains in custody under $1 million bail, and has his next court date on October 12.
Stages of Disney Addiction: What stage are you?
Did you know there are actually stages of Disney Addiction we progress through? Linds Pierce, fellow Chip & Co. blogger (and Disney travel agent) and the Disney Diva decided to (virtually) sit down and define these stages so that you could test yourself and see what level of Disney Addiction you, or your family members, are in.
Stage 1: Newbie (majority of park attendees)
# of Disney trips: 0 as adult, may have visited as children but don’t remember much about their trip(s)
Symptoms: Don’t know how much planning Disney vacations require. Are likely to only eat Quick Service the entire time and don’t know to take mid-day breaks. Choose parks based on interest on that day and don’t know about crowd flux. Relatively clueless about fast-passes and aren’t sure if they are free or not. May return to Disney, but no immediate plans to do so.
Identifying them in the park: Have a slightly glazed look as Disney is still overwhelming to them. Have a map they stop and check often and can be found looking exhausted while waiting in long stand-by lines. Will have bought at least one silly looking Disney theme hat (“Sorcerer Mickey” or Goofy buck-teeth”). Wears their Mickey Ears around the park. Will buy an autograph book for their kids, but have no idea what they’re going to do with the autographs when they get home. Alternates between huge smiles and grumpiness throughout the day.
Stage 2: Advanced.
# of Disney Trips: At least 1 as an adult, or many as children. They have developed a love of Disney growing up, but with all the changes that have occurred in the parks they’re practically starting over.
Symptoms: After having one successful trip, the Advanced visitor is feeling better about their ability to plan, and are likely reading planning books and the occasional Disney blog. Have a plan for most of the day, can navigate most parks on their own with occasional help from the map, knows to avoid certain parks in the morning and the best times of year to travel. They’re better with their fast-passes, but haven’t figured out that they shouldn’t cross the park so often. Have at least 3-4 Disney clothing items, most likely bought on their last trip, however they’ve now shifted to the Disney ball-cap or visor instead of the novelty hats.
Identifying them in the park: Have started doing the “matching family” outfits for the purpose of easily spotting each other if someone gets lost. Pay for cutesy Mickey-themed outfits for their little girls. Know what ADR stands for and have a few character meals scheduled. If they have older children/pre-teens they have likely bought a pin-trading starter kit. They’ve started an autograph/ rare character photos collection.
Stage 3 Pros
# of Disney Trips: At least 2 as an adult, at least one really successful as a “family”or with a group of friends where they were the primary planner.
Symptoms: Pros begin making plans for their next trip relatively close to departing their current one. Checks with travel agents frequently hoping to discover a good deal. Pros read blogs and books frequently because they love Disney or because they’re planning their next trip. They have 10+ items of Disney clothing and have begun collecting “something” exclusive to Disney Parks (house-ware items, ornaments, figurines, snow-globes, pins). Have debated becoming annual pass-holders so they could make an extra trip that year (or two). No longer get irritated when a Cast Member moves their stroller (because they knew to mark it.) Would never go to Magic Kingdom without buying a Dole Whip. Understands the value of staying on the monorail loop. No longer feels the pressure to ride every single ride or see every parade. At least one piece of Disney art is in their home now. Sport their Disney scarf, purse, totebag, or crocs with pride even in the “real world”. Gets a little misty eyed when watching Disney commercials. Has gone on, or has at least seriously considered going on, a Disney cruise. Has taken at least one set of grandparents or friends on a trip with them.
Identifying them in the park: These are lanyard-wearing, pin-trading types. They don’t rush back and use their FastPass once their time is up, but grab another FP instead. Pros are at the front of every rope-drop line and have their spreadsheet with park hours, ADRs and parades/showtimes. They pre-paid for their Photopass. They have albums of pictures and autographs and show everyone that comes in their home!
Stage 4: Ultimate
# of park trips: They have a hard time remembering because they’ve been so many times.
Symptoms: Ultimates would be content if every vacation was at a Disney park or a Disney Cruise. Read blogs daily, and likely HAVE their own Disney blog. Knows who is a knowledgeable source and who is an idiot on Disney open forums. Often ask for Disney books and travel guides for Holiday gifts. Ultimates no longer need a park-map. Almost every t-shirt they own has something Disney on it. They laugh at people who wait in long stand-by lines and are experts in the art of fast-pass. Know the importance of running at a dead sprint at rope drop to Soarin, Toy Story Mania, and Expedition Everest. Get nervous if they don’t have their ADR’s secured exactly 180 days before their trip. Are in, or have seriously considered, the Disney Vacation Club (or have a time-share that allows frequent trips). Have bought at least one high-end camera just to take better pictures at Disney Parks. Ultimates know short-cuts to get around the masses on Main-Street and the importance of mid-day breaks. They likely have the ringtone for Wishes!, Spectromagic, or Main Street Electrical Parade on their cell-phone. Not only know, but can repeat, the monorail spiel in Spanish (“¡Por favor manténgase alejado de las puertas!”). Ultimates have been to at least one “holiday party” and know what MNSSHP is. They know who the Sherman Brothers and Ub Iwerks are.They have attempted to “Drink around the world” at least one time. They have gone on (or want to go on) a Backstage tour.
Identifying them in the parks: Can you miss these people? Special pouches for their Keys, ID and FastPasses,they jump from one attraction to the next with minimal wait times. Likely have their own Disney nametag, and can give a newbie directions in the park. Uses the “Disney point” even in the outside world! Look for the person who looks the most relaxed at Disney, and they are likely an Ultimate.
Can you think of other things that define the stages? Free to comment them here and tell us what stage YOU are in! Stay tuned this week to discover which stage some of your favorite Chip & Co writers are in and “proof” of their addiction!!
Linds & the Disney Diva