Can anyone explain the different types of pins?

[ReneeQ]

I know this must be posted somewhere, but couldn't find it. If there is a thread already, could someone please point me in the right direction?

I have read about pins, lanyard pins and cast member pins. I'm assuming cast member pins are pins only CMs can get, and that regular pins are just that, regular pins. But what are lanyard pins? And I seem to remember seeing some pins for sale, specifically in the pin store at Downtown Disney, that were HUGE, compared to all the other pins. What are those? I want to say they were called auction pins, but I'm not sure.

Thanks for any help!

 

[mstutler31]

Hi a cast lanyard is a pin that CM's get to trade with guests. you can find all the info at the pintrading website at Disney but I don't think it does a very good job explaining Globals, Just click on the "get started" button at the top and that will give you info, I'm new too!!

 

[pezpam]

A cast member, cast lanyard, or hidden Mickey pin (all basically the same thing) are the pins that you can only find on lanyards of the CMs who are trading. If you see one, you just trade for it like any other pin.

There are also cast member exclusive pins, which only CMs can buy or be given at CM events.

The big pins you saw are very creatively called Jumbo pins. They're several times more expensive than the regular pins, but some of them are gorgeous. I can't afford to collect these, but I do have one that was just singing to me.....

Oh, there are also Limited Edition pins. These are marked as such when you buy them. If you get them second-hand, like on Ebay, these will be the ones that say LE500 or LE1000 or LE(whatever number were made) on the back of the pin.

Hope that helps! Enjoy the addiction! I've heard people joke that they must put a thin film of crack on the back of the pins because once you start, you just can't stop.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

I would be careful with the description "Hidden Mickey" pins. While newer cast lanyard pins do have hidden Mickeys on them, there is a new series of rack pins also called the Hidden Mickey Series. They look like the lanyard pins, but are larger.

 

[pezpam]

I knew there was a new series of Hidden Disney rack pins, but didn't realize there was also a Hidden Mickey rack series. Maybe that's one reason they're getting away from using that name.......

 

[EpcotMatt]

I like the Hidden Mickey rack series, if they’re the ones I’m thinking about.. They portray different characters at different locations where hidden Mickeys can actually be found. For instance, the one I can recall off the top of my head is Lilo & Stitch standing by the hidden Mickey on the floor of the Polynesian. Looks just like the picture I have of myself by that same hidden Mickey. Well, ok, maybe not JUST like, but you get the idea.

 

[pezpam]

That series is the Hidden Disney, not Hidden Mickey....

http://www.pinpics.com/cgi-bin/group.cgi?group=3476

 

[EpcotMatt]

Ok. Thanks. I knew there were some Hidden Mickeys in that series.

 

[pezpam]

There are. I'm hoping to find some on my next trip, they're pretty cool. Gotta love the whole hidden-Mickey thing!

 

[pezpam]

Well, I stand corrected! I just got back from WDW and found plenty of the Hidden Disney pins we were talking about.... but also found a few Hidden Mickey open-release pins! They are on a light card. Most are the license plates, but I also found one of the recent cauldron designs. All are larger than the real Hidden Mickey pins you get from cast lanyards. The cards say something like "Start your Hidden mickey collection with this pin. Find more on cast lanyards" (totally wrong words, but you get the idea, lol)

I'm caught between "How cool!" and "Well, that takes something away from it" but they are out there now.