Have you seen how beautiful the Disney pins are? I have been admiring them, and I have a couple. I felt it was somewhat not right to exchange amazing pins around, and so while I admired the pins, I never really considered bartering them. That all changed two weeks ago when I took a plunge. It is Disney Pin Trading Tips time for all of us to enjoy the fun of exchanging around parks, hotels and even stores!
Disney Pin Trading Tips and Guide
You have decided on pin trading, now what? I for one have my sights set on a mickey Mouse ears with the Star Wars rebel sign on it. That is a good start, but before that, I need these pins:
Before hitting the parks
- Get your pins to trade before getting to the parks, and don’t forget your lanyard!
- You can order your pins online and make sure they have the Mickey Mouse backing and the lettering is legible on the reverse side of the pin. That helps you stay away from fake pins (scrappers)
- You won’t be able to get every pin. Instead choose to collect the villains, the Star Wars ones or the princesses. Have a plan for your fun.
Pin trading Guide
- Cast members have to trade.
- You can trade 2 pins per cast member and your pins must be in good condition, and make sure you trade with them something they don’t already have.
- Cast members with green lanyards only trade with kids 3-12 years old
photo credit: Tania Lamb www.lolalambchops.com
Pin Trading Tips
- Make sure everyone understands the rules of trading. Like that there are no disappointments.
- Sometimes pins are not on a cast member’s lanyard but instead on a board. Ask for them for those behind desks at hotels for pin boards or at places like the Rockin’ Roller Coaster where there is a cool pin drum to trade from.
- Even if you are not renting a stroller, you might find a treasure of pins there, don’t bypass it!
- Another place with boards are the Magic Kingdom bus stops. Ask cast members about them if you don’t see them.
- You can trade beyond the parks. The resorts and shops at Disney Springs are great trading places too.
- There is a mystery pin for the adventurous! If a cast member has a pin on backward you may trade for it, but you can’t see it before “goods” are exchanged.
- Before you head to the hotel or back home stop over at the EARport and Magic of Disney at the airport for some pins.
I can’t wait for my little shy one to come out of the shell asking to trade pins!
My Disney Pin Trading Inspiration
For as many years as we have been visiting Walt Disney World resorts on a regular basis, I had never considered pin trading. Nevertheless, during our Disney Social Media Moms conference, Hanes had in store a fabulous surprise for us: out from the vault they brought out a set of unique pins for all of us. Lanyard and all, these pins are amazing!
They are t-shirts that feature Disney characters. A great way to celebrate the Disney Magic and the partnership for “Design a tee” store at Disney Springs. How much fun to customize a tee with your choice of character art—over 400 images—and your own words. Plus. the opportunity to watch as it’s made on the spot!
While I won’t be trading my Hanes- Disney pins, I sure am trading away! Are you ready to put the Disney Pin Trading Tips to use? What types of pins will you on the hunt for?
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My kids love pin trading. I always get a bunch before we go so they have lots to trade. Your tips are on point and very clear. Thanks
If you don’t have a lot of pins that you’re necessarily willing to trade away, you can go the route my friends go and get bulk lots on Amazon for fairly cheap. They always find a few they want to keep and then trade the rest away for more desirable pins when they visit the park 🙂 Beware though because they have to be official Disney brand pins to trade though 🙂
It is amazing all the pins that you can collect. My daughter had a blast collecting pins many years ago on our trip
I never knew that people traded those. Thank you for new knowledge!
I’ve never heard of this before. I’m sure a lot of people will be looking forward to this one though. It sounds like a lot of fun too.
Wow I had no idea that Disney Pin Trading was a thing! It sounds like a fun thing to do in the park. I can imagine kids really enjoying the challenge of completing their collections.
Why did I know it just now? I love to collect pins and willing to trade. Now I need to plan a trip to Disney! That looks so fun!
This looks like so much fun! Didn’t know you could do this at Disney! I am so ready to trade pins!
I never knew this was a thing! That’s pretty awesome. Love the different characters available.
Awesome! I once collected those things. Time to start again, thanks for the inspiration
This is pretty cool! Great characters! Thanks for the information.
I din’t knew people trade those…. Thats really cool
Those are some good tips. I’ve never really known about this. I have never been to Disney World either. I’d like to go sometime!
I just bought a bunch from Amazon and Ebay for trading. We have not done it yet but I think the kids will love it.