first visit pin & start of pin collecting?

[mydisneymoney]

This is all very interesting. While we were waiting to get into the character breakfast at PPH this Monday, my DD7 noticed a woman with a large pin collection and asked if she could have a look. She was very nice and gave her a pin to start her own collection. Afterwards, I bought her a lanyard and a few more pins. I wish I would have known about the starter pack.

I think next time we go my DD7 will be interested in doing some trading. Are cast members with pins to trade throughout the park or only in specific locations. What is the deal with the people with pin collections that gather at the entrance to Frontierland?

CM all over the parks trade. If they have a lanyard or hip pin pouch on they will trade with you.

The people at frontierland a pin collectors who are there to trade with each other. They are not suppose to exchange money for pins. If you were looking for a specific pin you could approach them and ask if any of them had it and were willing to trade for it.

 

[alicia1506]

ok, so my SO has decided he wants to start collecting, and he wants to start out by buying pins at the various locations we visit, kind of as a keepsake for his first disney visit -- then when we go back next year (just got done planning this vacation, and now we're already planning the next ) he wants to buy up some to start trading.

the mystery box thing sounds really great. and the idea of being able to trade with others sounds fabulous, however I think we might stick to CM trading until we get the hang of it. i am aware of the teal lanyard being only for kids (which is a fab idea, btw) and that when you exchange pins, they have to have the back on them, and you never touch someone else's pin without their permission, and you cannot trade pins for $$ in the parks... the etiquette guide is awesome, especially for newbs like us!

That ELP pin in a previous post is to die for

I think we're probably going to get into this in a big way... i'm getting some extra cash ready, as i think the SO is going to get swept up in the magic of it all...

 

[mydisneymoney]

ok, so my SO has decided he wants to start collecting, and he wants to start out by buying pins at the various locations we visit, kind of as a keepsake for his first disney visit -- then when we go back next year (just got done planning this vacation, and now we're already planning the next ) he wants to buy up some to start trading.

the mystery box thing sounds really great. and the idea of being able to trade with others sounds fabulous, however I think we might stick to CM trading until we get the hang of it. i am aware of the teal lanyard being only for kids (which is a fab idea, btw) and that when you exchange pins, they have to have the back on them, and you never touch someone else's pin without their permission, and you cannot trade pins for $$ in the parks... the etiquette guide is awesome, especially for newbs like us!

That ELP pin in a previous post is to die for

I think we're probably going to get into this in a big way... i'm getting some extra cash ready, as i think the SO is going to get swept up in the magic of it all...

You can buy some of the most current pins from Disneystore.com. Make nice xmas gift. Sometimes you see one that you would have bought if they had had it at the Park but didn't at the time you went. When we went in February there were tons of pins available to purchase. This time (two weeks ago) the pin selection had really been picked over by the summer crowd and I think we purchased a total of 3 pins. Did trade a bunch however.

Pin trading is not only addicting but an expensive hobby (if you let it be). We have bought shadow boxes to display our favorite pins.

 

[GenGen22]

I agree the mystery box is a good idea and the started kit which costs about $25 (depending on which one you get) which includes the lanyard and 4-6 pins is great because it has 4-6 of the same pins so, if you like the pin you can save 1 and trade 3-5 of them. Also there is the Disney character warehouse which has Disney souvaniers that are no longer in the park. This place is not far from DLR. We have went there and bought several of the same pins at a discount and traded them all. I have only just recently bought pins from Ebay for my WDW trip coming up and I didnt buy the ones that were like 100 for $10 etc. as I felt they were too good to be true. I bought a started kit worth $25 for 1/2 price. It seemed more realistic. In the picture on ebay they were also in original packaging. When I received my merchandise it was it original Disney packaging. I bought pins that have the year 2010 on them which most people wouldn't want but I don't care because I am going to trade them all.

Here's info on the Disney Character Warehouse: http://anaheimoc.org/partners/5065/disneys-character-warehouse-outlet-store

Happy pin trading.

 

[alicia1506]

GenGen - thanks for the advice... i have a feeling we'll probably get there and see what we see, and then either become hugely addicted (cause that's the kind of maniacs we are) or else we'll just pick up a few for our pin collection (one pin for each place we've visited). i think the idea of buying a few to trade is a really great idea.

i had a look at the website, but the ones i would buy are more ones i would keep myself and never give away (like the clockwork mickey or the gold filligree mickey) etc.

 

[starry_solo]

You can get the starter set of 7 pins for $30 (cheaper if you have an AP) and that makes it to about $4 per pin.

eBay lots - if you're spending less than $2 per pin, chances are it's a scrapper (which means the coloring is off and it should have been destroyed). The sellers in China also make pins - that is, there was never an official release of the pin and they sell them. You will also note that the pins usually have flaws - dips, matted finish (instead of glossy), and rough edges.

 

[disneylover2005]

CM all over the parks trade. If they have a lanyard or hip pin pouch on they will trade with you.

The people at frontierland a pin collectors who are there to trade with each other. They are not suppose to exchange money for pins. If you were looking for a specific pin you could approach them and ask if any of them had it and were willing to trade for it.

I have always wondered about this. So they are just regular pin traders who just sit there and trade with the crowd? I always wanted to go up but it makes my uncomfortable. What happen if you want to trade a certain pin but they don't want that one?

 

[disneylover2005]

 

[Bonniec]

I recently bought some from Starry_Rolls who is a member here. I paid $2 a pin and got 10 of them for my 5 year old.mi just wasn't comfortable buying off eBay. I was too worried about fakes. I think he still has more so feel free to pm him.

Therenare 2 ways to look a pin trading. Trade for the sake of collecting or for the actual trading part.

I bought them for my 5 year old who just loves the idea of trading them with CMs. He is really enjoying it. And it's great because he is a very shy child who often gets overlooked. So this gives him a chance to open up.

 

[alicia1506]

awww, bonniec -- that's just so cute that this has given your little one a way to approach others and break that shyness barrier

sometimes i guess it's hard for adults to approach others too, so i guess this is a really cute way for everyone to be interacting.

i like the idea of purchasing at the parks to start with, so we can see what our options are, and then maybe buying off ebay/disers/trading in the parks etc

everyone on here has been so helpful... talking to my sis who will be coming with, i think she'll try to collect mostly tink ones... i'm more of a classic disney girl but i like all the quirky ones (like the filigree mickey head and the clockwork minnie etc) and i think that my SO will be mostly collecting the ride themed ones... anyway, will see how we go and will do up my trip report as soon as we get back...

 

[KateDrake]

I bought 40 pins on eBay before our trip last year for about $20, and we used those as our starter kit. The best tip I have is to look for "Hidden Mickey" pins. These are the pins the cast members have on their lanyards, and each one has a small "Hidden Mickey" on it. These aren't really hidden, they are right on the pin, but for some reason that is what they are called. I've also heard them called "cast lanyard" pins.
Doing this won't get you a complete set, and isn't really for those who are serious about collecting, but it was great for our group. My little cousins were mostly about trading anyway, and never seemed to keep a pin for long! We bought plain lanyards (with no pins) there, and just used the ones we brought. It was really fun!
Just did a quick check on eBay for "hidden mickey pins" and found 50 for $24.99, so that is a good option!

 

[Tasscrapper]

My husband and I just finished our 3rd and last day in the parks. I found him a Waldorf pin and he was able to match it with a Statler pin and was very excited about it. We seemed to find a lot more Cast Members in DCA with lanyards or pouches but perhaps that was all the extras directing people which way to go. It was a total blast trading. I even did one trade with this nice young man for a pirate pin. He was my only non CM trade.

 

[alicia1506]

Tasscrapper -- thanks for the great info on trading in DCA...

just read your sig/quote and laughed out loud... unicorns, good men and other imaginary things

 

[miss.potatohead]

If you go to the pin trader booth in DTD and buy I think it was $25 worth of pins, you can then buy a starter set of pins for $14-$16 (I can't remember the exact amount sorry). These are nice because you get a basic lanyard and it gives you 8 pins to trade and you don't need to worry about them being counterfit or anything. It also has a little paper that explains pin trading etiquette and the rules around it.

When we went, it was not only the pin trader booth that had this deal, I think we ended up getting ours from one of the general merchandise shops in the parks - have a look around but the pin trading booth would be your best bet

 

[spiderdust]

Lats year was our first visit and we knew nothing about trading pins (still don't). My son has bought a lot of pins at the park without intending to trade because he loves them. What is the etiquette on trading? He likes to wear his lanyard/pins and he couldn't figure out why everyone kept asking him to trade. I just want to do the right thing this year and he may want to start trading?

I was just going to watch for a CM with green/teal lanyard and ask them the ground rules but I wouldn't mind knowing ahead of time. He was really turned off by the trading at the end because he had bought himself a Phineas and Ferb one with his own money and then a CM asked if he could trade for it and he was like, "NO WAY!" and I think the CM might have thought we were a little rude (my son is 7 so hopefully the CM understood).

Should ds8 only be wearing pins he is willing to give up or can he wear ones he likes and doesn't want to trade and just have a few he is willing to let go of if he sees one on a CM he wants? I am just confused and we leave on Saturday.

Here's what my kids do:

The pins they want to keep are worn on one side of the lanyard, the pins they want to trade are worn on the other side. Any pins they want to keep that don't fit on the "keeper" side of the lanyard are left at home or kept in Mom's bag. We actually strip our lanyard when we get home of all the pins we want to keep, and just leave the trading pins on there.

Like a previous poster, I'm not a big trader & buy my pins as souvenirs of specific trips (which is why I scout out dated pins and holiday specific ones).

 

[Bonniec]

awww, bonniec -- that's just so cute that this has given your little one a way to approach others and break that shyness barrier

sometimes i guess it's hard for adults to approach others too, so i guess this is a really cute way for everyone to be interacting.

i like the idea of purchasing at the parks to start with, so we can see what our options are, and then maybe buying off ebay/disers/trading in the parks etc

everyone on here has been so helpful... talking to my sis who will be coming with, i think she'll try to collect mostly tink ones... i'm more of a classic disney girl but i like all the quirky ones (like the filigree mickey head and the clockwork minnie etc) and i think that my SO will be mostly collecting the ride themed ones... anyway, will see how we go and will do up my trip report as soon as we get back...

It's really been great for him. We bought our first pack at the park. It had 2 pins and a lanyard. If you buy these for young kids, be careful of which pack you get. There are only a few lanyards that are adjustable. Anyway, he immediately traded the two pins and got himself a goofy and a stitch. The CMs are awesome with little kids when it comes to this!

We haven't had a chance to trade the pins we got from Starry (thanks again, they are awesome!), but we will on Sunday. Maybe Ill try and get some video.

 

[MND]

Lats year was our first visit and we knew nothing about trading pins (still don't). My son has bought a lot of pins at the park without intending to trade because he loves them. What is the etiquette on trading? He likes to wear his lanyard/pins and he couldn't figure out why everyone kept asking him to trade. I just want to do the right thing this year and he may want to start trading?

I was just going to watch for a CM with green/teal lanyard and ask them the ground rules but I wouldn't mind knowing ahead of time. He was really turned off by the trading at the end because he had bought himself a Phineas and Ferb one with his own money and then a CM asked if he could trade for it and he was like, "NO WAY!" and I think the CM might have thought we were a little rude (my son is 7 so hopefully the CM understood).

Should ds8 only be wearing pins he is willing to give up or can he wear ones he likes and doesn't want to trade and just have a few he is willing to let go of if he sees one on a CM he wants? I am just confused and we leave on Saturday.

I guess I'm surprised that a CM approached your son and asked to trade for a specific pin of your son's. Typically, what I have experienced is that guests will approach CMs and ask to see their pins, which they happily show. Then if the guest finds something they like, they will trade for it and the CM will take what the guest gives them.

Mike

PS, I agree with the other posters that buying lots of Disney pins on ebay is a great way to get started with pin trading.

 

[oumagic]

I guess I'm surprised that a CM approached your son and asked to trade for a specific pin of your son's. Typically, what I have experienced is that guests will approach CMs and ask to see their pins, which they happily show. Then if the guest finds something they like, they will trade for it and the CM will take what the guest gives them.

Mike

PS, I agree with the other posters that buying lots of Disney pins on ebay is a great way to get started with pin trading.

I should have been more clear. No one was ever rude to us when asking if we wanted to trade. If anything, we were the ones that seemed rude because we kept saying "no" and had no idea why we were being asked. We had like $40 worth of pins that we had picked out and paid for in the park just as souvenirs and had no idea that people even traded for them.

The CM wasn't rude or anything and I do not recall if he was wearing a teal lanyard or just was a random CM. I think the CM was just trying to be nice and strike up a conversation with my son and show him that he really liked my boy's Phineas pin. My son just didn't know what to do and thought the CM wanted his Phineas and Ferb pin and that was the "last straw" so to speak since he had used his own money on that one. I tried to assure him it was a compliment but he was pretty shy and decided he'd rather leave it in the room than risk losing his pins, or heaven forbid, have people talk to him at the park

Neither of us knew anything about trading pins. The only thing I wish the CM would have done was maybe explain the etiquette a little so we knew that my boy could trade the CM any of his pins as long as the CM didn't have it. I thought it was going to be bartering where my boy offered his least favorite for a CM's cooler pin and we were going to go back and forth, etc. My boy is pretty excited to try and unload a few of the pins that came with our travel package last year for ones he'd rather have.

I did a search and printed off the guest guideline to pin trading and once he read that he is really excited. He plans on looking for the teal colored CM's to start and this will be kind of a scavenger hunt thing for him that he will enjoy.

Thanks for the help on the matter; I even got a helpful PM on the matter and I appreciate it. We leave tomorrow!!!

 

[mydisneymoney]

Don't limit yourself to just teal CM's because sometimes there are not that many and sometimes they are everywhere. It is perfectly fine for him to approach any CM with a lanyard or hip pin pouch. Also, at the large emporium store that is on the left just as you start down main street, they have a huge pin board that they put out for pin trading just inside the first entrance on main street. It probably has 100+ pins on it.

I have never had a CM approach to trade but we did have a CM say to my DS that he didn't care which pin my DS gave him but that if my DS had any princess pins he was willing to trade he collected pins for his DD at home. Of course we looked to see if we had any princess pins becasue my DS is not into the princess thing (imagine that being a boy). That is as close as we have come to having a CM approach or make a pin trade request.

 

[MND]

Thanks for the update! That makes me feel better. Have a great trip.

Mike