Can they be 'collectors'

[MelessaG]

Because I have a Disney VISA and belong to their movie club I have acquired just a few Disney pins. My kids have been too young to care about them until recently, but have now split my small collection between the two of them and want lanyards for this trip. However, I'm not sure how either one of them will do at trading (they are 6 and 4), so can they just wear their lanyards and show off their pins or will people expect them to trade just because they have them? I know the question sounds silly, but I can just see my four year-old have a meltdown if he's expected to part with any of his beloved Stitch pins. I'm new to the Disney pin world and just thought I would ask some "experts."

 

[GEM]

People might ask if they want to trade, but it's always ok to say no.

 

[MelessaG]

Thanks and that picture of Paul is priceless!

 

[oogieboogie]

You can certainly wear your lanyard just for show. I have a Nightmare Before Christmas lanyard full of Nightmare pins that I wouldn't think of trading but I love to wear it because it can strike up a good conversation with the CMs.

Remember, a lot of CMs also personally collect pins, so if they see your kids with pins, they'll probably strike up a conversation with your kids. A great way to get the kids to open up and it's fun!

 

[BevS97]

My dd won't give up any of her pins either, but I try and carry a few spares in my pocket in case she sees a pin on a CMs lanyard, as the only way to get those is to trade (CMs will take any pin) - I have also been known to dash into a shop and buy the first pin I see in order to make a trade , and I'm not really into pin trading (but my dd is really into Pocahontas and those pins are very very hard to find, so when we saw Meeko the other day, we had to have it)

 

[MelessaG]

oogieboogie- My BIL would love to see a Nightmare Before Christmas lanyard full of pins. He's a huge fan. There are two out of the 5 pins that each kid has that I can picture them trading willingly, but kids' behavior is so unpredictable that I can't make any guarantees.

BevS97-I think IF my kids trade, trying it out for the first few days with only CM's is our best bet. I was excited to get five Lilo and Stitch pins on Ebay for $10 including shipping, but I haven't been able to find another deal like that one since then. I'm thinking my Disney Visa and movie club pins would be easier for my kids to part with, but you just never know...I'm glad to know hanging onto their pins is an option for them too. I planned to get more on Ebay as spares, but once you get 5 for $10, it's hard to bid more for them. My daughter is a huge fan of Return to Neverland, but I doubt we will find many pins with that theme. I'm sure she would gladly give up something for that.

 

[tjmw2727]

My girls trade and at 7 and 9 I still only allow them to trade with CM's. They each have a couple "rare" pins that they picked up unknowingly and have been approached by adults (non cm)wanting to trade for them. Since the CM's must trade with children for any pin on the lanyard and accept anything the child wants to give up (Disney of course) its much easier, safer and fun.

My girls always have a couple they wear just for trading.

If you see a green lanyard that means its only for trading with kids. Sometimes they have some nice pins on them for the kids so the "professional" traders don't get all the good pins first thing in the am.

Last trip some of the CM's had a pin or two turned backward and called them mystery pins. My dd's always traded for them as the suspense was just to much. They both did well and were happy with what they got - extra magic. I am sure not all mystery pins are rare or anthing just fun to find out.

So look for CM's, look for green lanyards and look for the mystery pins.

Have fun
TJ

 

[MelessaG]

Thanks TJ!