Do Kids Ever Do Pin Events?

[DiznEeyore]

I've never gone to an official Disney pin event, but have read the reports and looked at pictures, and can't recall seeing many (if any?) kids. My 10 yo ds loves to trade pins and I noticed that there is an event coming up later in the year at Epcot. I wondered if he would enjoy it? The one in June at the MK would probably be even better, but it's the day after he gets out of school and I don't think we could swing that.

I'd love any opinions on this!

 

[n2mm]

My grandson has done several. He did the very first pin celebration at EPCOT in August 2001. Then last year he did the Star Spangle Banner pin event. He loved it. He traded off the trade board and loved doing the scanvager hunt. He will be 9 next week, but has been trading since August 2000. He has over 200 Plutos now! And he trades on dizpins under the name GUPPY via me taking care of the email and packaging (and mailing, and paying....)

 

[DiznEeyore]

Oh, good! I wouldn't want ds to feel "out of place" -- tho' I guess it would take a lot for a kiddo to feel out of place at WDW!!

I'm going to see how he feels about trading Halloween at WDW for a big ol' pin weekend. I'm thinking he might be interested ....

 

[Parkhopper]

Our 8 year old son Tony loves to pin trade and has participated in several pin trading events. While he doesn't always have the stamina for marathon sessions, he loves the events and is always eager to attend. Disney is starting to implement more kid sections to the events and we certainly plan on taking Tony to a couple of events this year including June and the November Pin Cruise.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

Our <b>little</b> guys are now 15 and 16.5 and have to shave! Both have been avid pin collectors from the start.

Our real little one, is 7.5 and loves the pin events. She looks forward to spending time with her special pintrading buddies, even though she only gets to see them a few times per year.

Disney usually a special area for the younger traders, and sometimes some extras like character greetings too.

 

[FredS]

My son absolutely adores pin collecting. He is not a cut throat trader by any means, and would give you his favorite pin if you asked him -- okay, he is a soft touch! He's not a pain by any stretch, in that he gets to the point, telling people which pin or pins he is interested in, and what pins on his lanyard that he doesn't want to trade. (He has a few unusual ones which he really likes.)

What absolutely infuriates me are how many adults have tried to take advantage of him and he is only seven years old!!!!!! Each and every time it has been a "professional" pin trader and they hit him with a sob story, trying to get one he specifically doesn't want to trade and they invariably want to give him a junk pin for it. Fortunately I am never far away and while I say little (I don't want this to be a negative experience for my son) I feel sure that the sharks are glad looks can't kill.

He enjoys pin trading a great deal, but it is sad that I have to supervise so closely regarding something which should just be a fun hobby. I expect we will get more involved in our later trips, and I just hope I can continue to keep my thoughts to myself and not express them where my son can overhear!

 

[abeyst]

It's great to hear others stories when it comes to our children trading. My DS is 4 now (on Feb. 11) and we both started our pin trading on the 5th of Feb. when we made a "mother/son" trip to WDW. After seeing the DS pins and how people had posed that they were trading them at the parks, I thought it would be a great way to get some souveniers without spending alot for them. Once I was there, it dawned on me that this could be a great opportunity for my son to "come out of his shell". He's a little shy, and won't talk to strangers at all. So when we started trading I was doing most of the talking, and by the time we left he was sitting in his stroller, riding along and I'd hear "Mom, pins mom. MOM! PINS!" That was for every CM I'd pass, not paying attention to what they had around their necks because I was dodging people and strollers trying to get to the next attraction.

We had a great time trading with the CM, but we didn't do any trading with other guests. Maybe in September when we go back it may happen, and I hope we don't encounter any sharks trying to take advantage of my son. It's sad that there are those in such a magical place that would try and do that, especially to a child, but I appreciate the "heads up" to watch out for the sharks.

Good luck on your next trip, and I hope it brings better meetings with other guests.