When wandering around any Disney Park, you will find cast members and guests with colorful lanyards or bags filled with colorful Disney pins.
We began pin trading a few years ago with the kids and have found that scoping out Disney pin trading opportunities in the parks is a fun activity we can all enjoy during our Disney days.
This post will explain what Disney Pin Trading is and how you can get started, even if you are on a small budget.
What Is Disney Pin Trading?
Pin Trading at Disney is a favorite hobby of both first-timers and Disney vacation veterans of all ages. The activity is a great way to enjoy small souvenirs, requires minimal investments and allows for some fun interactions in the parks.
Pin trading allows collectors to trade Disney Pins amongst themselves in the parks. Typically, this is between a cast and a cast member, though guests can certainly trade with another if they wish.
Where To Purchase Disney Pins
To get started with pin trading, you will first need a lanyard and pins. You can purchase starter sets at the Disney Parks or online a ShopDisney or Amazon.
New pins at the parks will vary in price from $9.99 to $12.99. Sometimes, you can find cheaper ‘mystery’ options where the pin inside is a surprise.
Ebay is another affordable option, but you do need to be careful to ensure you get authentic pins.
I like this option, though, because it is usually the most cost-effective way to get pins you actually want to trade. Sometimes, when you buy a shiny full-priced pin…it can be hard to let go.
I have purchased this lot of 25 pins from this seller multiple times and been pleased every time. They ship fast and send a free lanyard.
How Do You Start Disney Pin Trading?
Once you have your pins and lanyard to start, you head to the parks and keep an eye out for cast members with pins to trade. They may be on a lanyard, a bag and sometimes on special pin boards throughout the parks and resorts.
Cast members will not say “no,” but you can’t trade a pin they already have on their lanyard.
Are Some Pins More Valuable Than Others?
Pin trading is a collector’s gig and there are ‘rare’ pins or pin sets that can be sold for a higher value. Personally, we like to just trade and keep pins we like.
That being said, here are some pins you can keep an eye out for while trading:
- Hidden Mickey Pins- These pins will have mickey heads somewhere on the pin and can typically only be found on cast member lanyards as they are not sold in the stores. We have came across some of these pins via ebay, as well.
- Character Pins- Collect your favorite character or types of characters. I love Alice in Wonderland Pins. My daughter goes for the Princesses and my son enjoys anything Star Wars. You can pick a theme and stick to it.
- Series- Many pins come in a series. You either need to know the series when collecting, have a guide or maybe buy them as a set. But, once you start a series, it can be fun to try to find them all and complete it.
No matter how “rare,” you don’t want to lose your Disney pins. Check out this post for my cheap hack to keep you from losing your Disney pins.
Disney Pin Trading Rules
Yes…there are rules. But, they are very few and pretty easy to understand. They are also more like “guidelines” ( as Captain Jack would suggest)… rules of etiquette that keeps Disney pin trading fun for all.
Rule # 1- Trade Only Official Disney Pins
There are some fakes out there that people try to sneak in. It’s important that you trade only official Disney Pins. You’ll know if the pin is official, because it should bear the “©Disney” mark on the back.
Rule # 2- Only 2 Trades Per Cast Member
Guests should trade no more than two times with a single cast member. This is just courteous to others who may be waiting and allows the Cast Member to keep a decent supply of pins that others may want available.
Rule # 3- Look. Don’t Touch
Don’t grab at other people’s lanyards. Many cast members will lift their lanyards out so that you can get a closer look. Point to the pin you want and they will remove it. Getting all touchy-feely is just a little bit creepy and awkward.
Want to learn more about the ins and outs of Disney Pin Trading? Join my Disney Fans and Bloggers Unite Facebook group to ask over 400 other Disney Fans their pin trading tips and secrets!
