Best place to buy over 100 pins from World Showcase for wedding?

[luvavacation]

My DD is getting married. She met her fiance when she was a tour guide at The Land during her college internship, and he was a guest. They would like to incorporate the important part that Disney World played in their courtship, and have decided to have themed tables for guests, each table being one of the countries in Epcot. As a party favour, each guest would have a pin at their seat from that country in Epcot. I thought this would be a great idea, as the venue for the reception wants an arm and a leg for the candy table, which was the other idea for a party favour.

We will have about 12 tables, about 100 guests plus bridal party and family. That's alot of pins!

Any idea where, besides Disneystore.com, I could buy all these pins?

I would be more than happy to go to the source and just buy them at Disney with my Disney Visa discount, as that way I could peruse the selection, but I think I have just negated any cost savings that I was hoping for!

Any ideas? Or perhaps a different idea on incorporating Epcot into the wedding? We welcome any suggestion. My daughter and her fiance have already chosen the theme for the wedding cake, and it will be decorated with Epcot icons, but I am told it is a surprise, so I haven't seen the final drawing of the cake. So we can't change the theme, but somehow have to find an economical way to incorporate Disney and Epcot!

 

[j2thomason]

If you are close to Orlando you should go to Theme Park Connection. It's kind of like a huge Disney garage sale! We went there before the start of our trip a couple of years ago and bought a bunch of stuff for less than half the cost of the parks. They have tons of pins and most are less than $5 each. They have a website (themeparkconnection.com) and sale items on eBay. You should really go there if you can, it's really amazing! The address is:
2160 Perimeter Row
Orlando, Fl 32809

 

[stsomewhere]

Here is some pins

http://www.disneystore.com/epcot-world-showcase-pin-set/mp/1341915/1000286/

 

[MickeyP]

I'm not sure if this is worth mentioning, or maybe you are aware, but CMs are not required to trade pins with adults, only kids.

 

[tzeitel]

I would check ebay. Some sellers list a bunch of random pins but others try to do themes - Princesses, Fab 5, Pooh etc.

This one looks like a good set that you can split up, they have several available -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Disney-Park...743?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27dcc448bf

They would come out to about $2.18 per pin.

edit - found it cheaper
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Disney-Epco...905?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2587c114e1

I'm not sure if this is worth mentioning, or maybe you are aware, but CMs are not required to trade pins with adults, only kids.

Not sure what that has to do with anything the OP said

 

[Canooknic]

The only other thoughts were - shot glasses, pens, key rings or pressed pennies (like 'lucky pennies'?). Maybe candy from each country???

 

[luvavacation]

Ebay, of course! I don't ever buy anything there, so it completely slipped my mind!

Unfortunately, I live a 19 hour drive from WDW, so that just won't be economical. Too bad there aren't any Disney outlet stores near the Chicago area!

Pressed pennies are neat idea, too. I will see if those are on Ebay also.

MickeyP, my daughter is no longer a Professional Intern there, that was 3 years ago. I don't see her doing any pin trading at her wedding, but that might be a fun idea for the guests, if we have an assortment of Epcot pins!

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Darcy03231]

I'm not sure if this is worth mentioning, or maybe you are aware, but CMs are not required to trade pins with adults, only kids.

I've never had an issue trading pins with a cast member, other than the ones who only trade with children. They have a different color lanyard (green I believe).

 

[MaleficentRN]

The problem with eBay is that there are counterfeit pins being sold. I would go to the collector's forum here and see what the pin traders suggest.

 

[Sandy321]

We use to get the grab bags and split them with other Dis'ers going at the same time -

http://www.mousepinsonline.com/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=18152&c=Grab+Bag

I think 100 pins are $160

ETA - this is a grab bag and may not meet your EPCOT theme, however, you may look at the FAQ and realize its a true "mom and pop" place and might email or call them and see if they have epcot pins

 

[akcire]

Ebay, of course! I don't ever buy anything there, so it completely slipped my mind!

Unfortunately, I live a 19 hour drive from WDW, so that just won't be economical. Too bad there aren't any Disney outlet stores near the Chicago area!

Pressed pennies are neat idea, too. I will see if those are on Ebay also.

MickeyP, my daughter is no longer a Professional Intern there, that was 3 years ago. I don't see her doing any pin trading at her wedding, but that might be a fun idea for the guests, if we have an assortment of Epcot pins!

Thanks for the suggestions!

There is an outlet near Wisconsin Dells. They are hit or miss on merchandise. That said the true Disney Store outlet will ship. You could call around for some pins if you wanted.

Now heres another thought and it would require a trip to Disney or if you daughter has friends in Orlando still. You could give the "Duffy on a Stick" and some crayons as favors. They are free. Of course a bit young, but something to consider as an "extra".

Online you can buy short country flags.

Another option outside of the pin idea. How about candy from around Epcot. A couple large grocery store chains have excellent international sections. For example Woodmans, would have a bunch of non asian options. For Asian foods I recommend Super H Mart in Naperville (I think there are others up north).

Good luck

I personally wouldn't spend a ton on pins. I love Disney, but I'm definitely not a pin person.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

We use to get the grab bags and split them with other Dis'ers going at the same time -

http://www.mousepinsonline.com/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=18152&c=Grab+Bag

I think 100 pins are $160

ETA - this is a grab bag and may not meet your EPCOT theme, however, you may look at the FAQ and realize its a true "mom and pop" place and might email or call them and see if they have epcot pins

my thoughts exactly - I think the folks at mousepinsonline are great - we've ordered from them many times. I bet they would help you out. If you can't find just epcot pins I think any Disney pin would be a fun party favor!

Also I thought there were just 11 countries in Epcot or are you counting the African outpost too? Just curious!

Sounds like a great wedding!!

 

[MickeyP]

I apologize for not reading it more thoroughly. For some reason I thought the guests would be trading the pins they didn't like.

I love your idea. Good luck.

 

[ready2cmickeymouse]

I don't know if you are near Gurnee but the outlet mall does have a Disney outlet. They do have pins from time to time. It's been a long time since I've been so I don't know what they have now. They get a shipment from Disneyland monthly. They seem to carry alot of Disneyland stuff. They may also have Epcot stuff but I'm not sure. Hope that helps.

 

[luvavacation]

Thank you all so much!

I have contacted mousepinsonline, hopefully they will have what I am looking for. DD also wanted a table for The Land, so there is a specific pin from there that she is trying to hunt down.

Tzeitel, thanks for that Ebay links! I was not relishing paying the Disney Store price for that pack of pins.

Akcire, I have a Woodman's just a few minutes from me, and yes, they do have a good foreign section! DD is still not sure about the candy from each country, but she is considering having a little paper box or mesh bag with candy and the pin holding it closed. Perhaps she will "see" it better once we have the pins. Just need those pins!

Now here's hoping not every single person that is invited is going to reply in the affirmative! Going to need more pins for more tables! Or we don't have too many non-attenders! I will be stuck with pins! Wedding stuff, all the planning months ahead of time, but you don't actually know anything for sure until a month or two before the date!

Thanks again for the help!

 

[Crystal824]

I'm not sure if this is worth mentioning, or maybe you are aware, but CMs are not required to trade pins with adults, only kids.

This is not true. CMs are required to trade with anyone as long as the pin is a Disney acceptable pin (at least those were the rules when I was a CM). I think there are now a few CMs who wear certain lanyards that are there to predominately trade with kids.

 

[mousey]

How about the outlet stores in Lake Buena Vista and Orlando. It seems like hit and miss with seeing pins there. What a great idea for a favor. Hope the wedding is fabulous!

 

[TCB in FLA]

Great story and ideas for the wedding!

Have you considered posting on the Collectors board here on the DIS? Might have some resources for you.

 

[tzeitel]

OP - you're welcome! I check Ebay for everything I think the candy idea is a good one. Especially if a pin holds the little bag together - that would be really cute