Does anyone else collect PATCHES?

[Magpie]

I like to buy souvenir patches from various places I visit. I've found them in museums and national parks around the world. I've even got one from the National Security Agency.

For years I've looked for patches in WDW shops and never seen any. But just last month a retired police officer in my husband's home town (in Northern Ontario) gave me a patch from the town's police force. He collects police and security patches, and I noticed that he even had one from a security guard at Walt Disney World! Apparently he traded for it.

So now I'm wondering... if there are no souvenir patches for sale in the shops, is there any way to get one from a cast member? Could I just ask? Would they trade and what would they want in exchange? I really don't care what kind of patch it is, as long as it says "Disney" on it.

Does anyone know anything about this?

 

[vicki_c]

There are (or have been) patches for sale, because we bought some a few years ago for my son's backpack. It's long enough now that I don't remember where specifically, but I would check the larger stores like the Emporium or Mousegears.

 

[FloridaDreaming]

You may also want to check out the Art of Disney at DTD, back by scrapbooking area. They have a customizable Mouse Ears section and we found a lot of patches there that are available to purchase individually, without having to purchase the ears of course.

 

[Magpie]

There are (or have been) patches for sale, because we bought some a few years ago for my son's backpack. It's long enough now that I don't remember where specifically, but I would check the larger stores like the Emporium or Mousegears.

I have... unfortunately the last few years, I've been told by the staff that they don't have any. On the other hand, maybe this year will be my lucky year!

 

[Magpie]

You may also want to check out the Art of Disney at DTD, back by scrapbooking area. They have a customizable Mouse Ears section and we found a lot of patches there that are available to purchase individually, without having to purchase the ears of course.

Really???? Awesome! I never thought of checking out the Mouse Ears, but I'll definitely try that this trip!

Thanks!

 

[FloridaDreaming]

Really???? Awesome! I never thought of checking out the Mouse Ears, but I'll definitely try that this trip!

Thanks!

Here are a couple that we purchased a few years back on DH's first trip to Disney. Some are better quality than others but, still cute.

 

[Magpie]

Here are a couple that we purchased a few years back on DH's first trip to Disney. Some are better quality than others but, still cute.

Thanks for the pics. I really like that one with Mickey in front of the American flag. I hope I can find one like that!

 

[purple figment]

We have many patches from years ago when Disney used to sell a wide variety of them, but I haven't seen any in quite a while. The customizable ears section of the stores had things you could purchase for your ears, but not many patches in the size or style that Florida Dreaming posted. Those remind me more of the earlier patches.

As far as trading with CMs, I doubt that's possible. If they have patches it would be part of their costume, not removable and not meant to be traded. The security guard may have kept his uniform after leaving Disney, but I can't imagine he traded the patch while he was working because it must have been sewn onto his shirt or jacket.

 

[Kathy Jetson]

I have seen a lot of Disney patches on Ebay

 

[Magpie]

I have seen a lot of Disney patches on Ebay

I've been tempted to just buy one on Ebay, but the whole point of collecting patches for me is getting them while I'm travelling. Otherwise it feels like cheating...

 

[gwmort]

I've been tempted to just buy one on Ebay, but the whole point of collecting patches for me is getting them while I'm travelling. Otherwise it feels like cheating...

Try the trading post in the campground, pretty sure I saw some in there as recent as 2006 trip.

 

[purple figment]

Try the trading post in the campground, pretty sure I saw some in there as recent as 2006 trip.

That was 6 years ago. There have been changes in the merchandise.

To the OP - if you weren't planning to go to FW, you could post your question on the Camping board below to see if they still have patches there.

 

[Kathy Jetson]

I've been tempted to just buy one on Ebay, but the whole point of collecting patches for me is getting them while I'm travelling. Otherwise it feels like cheating...

I know what you mean. I'm like that with Ebay its the thrill of the hunt for me. I was thinking about sewing patches all over my suitcase.

 

[minniebeth]

The only patches we saw were in the Expedition Everest ride's gift shop in Animal Kingdom. They had a set that were specific to the ride/theme. We bought the set quite a while ago but I saw that they still had them. (As of this past May.)

 

[CanadianPaco]

The last thing I need is another thing to collect! OY!
But they are neat!

 

[Susieo]

We struck up a conversation with an officer while we were leaving the Magic Kingdom last year and my son told him that my father was a police officer. He told us to wait for him, and ran back to the office. When he came back he gave my son a patch that looked like he just ripped it off a uniform! What an amazing magical moment for all of us....we took photos with him, I've scrapbooked the patch and photo and we still talk about it! ( we laugh that he probably swiped it off his co-worker's shirt...)

So, even though it wasn't a Disney patch, what an amazing experience for us....

 

[Magpie]

I know what you mean. I'm like that with Ebay its the thrill of the hunt for me. I was thinking about sewing patches all over my suitcase.

Do it! I've sewn my favourites all over my handbag. It's a great conversation starter.

The others go on an old blanket I have from my grandfather (he was in the army).

 

[TK-Fett]

I have a canvas messanger bag that I have covered in Star Wars / 501st Legion patches and it gets lots of conversations started in lines.

 

[Cafeen]

I've been tempted to just buy one on Ebay, but the whole point of collecting patches for me is getting them while I'm travelling. Otherwise it feels like cheating...

Well, since Disney has free wifi now in MK and in most (all?) resorts. Just buy one from Ebay while you're down there. Bonus points for getting it shipped to you before you return! (Or even, have it shipped to your resort before you arrive, and pick it up there, that way it counts!)