For "Newbies"...This is a fun thing to do at WDW for adults and kids of all ages.

[RaySharpton]

Scott suggested that I post this over here. I know I should have posted this over here instead of the "DIS Meet" forum.

It is about buying Disney pins ahead of time and trading themwith castmembers at WDW.

But I wanted the new people that were going to the DIS meets this December at Walt Disney World to think about this fun thing to do.

Here is a link.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=466730

And why don't if you would like to visit some fellow DISers over there. That is also a fun thing to do. Getting together with other people that you have only talked to on the internet with the same interest of Disney.

If you don't want to use the link, here is the same copy and paste quote :

Originally posted by RaySharpton
**Disclaimer** This thread is not meant for regular pin traders. It's for newbies.

It's almost two and a half weeks until most of us are going to WDW.

I just received my $2.00 Disney trading pins in the mail.

I don't collect pins. But since I discovered trading Disney pins with WDW Castmembers, it has enhanced my Disney magical experience.

At first, I bought WDW pins at the WDW parks for $6.00 or more to put on my DIS lanyard. It became very addictive and expensive.

Then someone told me that all the WDW Castmembers that were wearing these lanyards around there necks with pins on them at the parks and resorts and restaurants... were wearing them specifically to trade them with guests such as ourselves.

I used to think that they were their own private pins. Nope...WDW assigns so many pins to each WDW Castmember to trade with any guest with very few restrictions. And no pressure. Just a simple trade.

You can find out more about pin trading with WDW Castmembers on the DIS Pin Trading forum.

At first I bought pins that I liked at the WDW parks. For instance, I bought the Disney USA Flag pin for $6.00, only to find out later that I could have traded for one with A WDW Castmember.

Now, I may trade the a pin over and over again if I see something that strikes my fancy. That's what's fun. I'm always seeing something new.

And you don't have to haggle. Just trade.

I'm not a pin collector. I don't know if what I like is worth $6.00 or $20.00 or 50 cents. I just like asking to look at any WDW Castmember with a pin lanyard, ask if I could look at their pins.

It's a great way to start up several conversations.

Plus...you could also give one of your pins to someone else, and teach them how to trade for what they like, too.

Disney Store used to sell them. Some of the Disney Outlets in Orlando sell them. And there are several internet sites that sell them.

I just bought 13 for $1.99 each. I didn't care what they looked like, because I was going to trade them for something that I really like at WDW.

If you want to order them on the internet, and you are going in a couple of weeks, check out this site.

http://www.cheappins.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=02

If you have never tried this, try it. And if you have kids, buy the pins ahead of time and hand them out to them to trade for something that they may like.

 

[Big V]

Great post Ray!

 

[bjakmom]

My sister is taking my 6 yo nephew next summer for his first trip and that's just what I did for his birthday - I filled up a lanyard with pins that I bought at the DisneyStore at 75% off - I explained to him how he can wear it in the parks and trade with the CMs - I know he'll love this and will have fun learning to approach CMs and make a trade for a pin he loves (and it won't cost my sis a thing!)

 

[perpetualplanner]

Does the Disney Store still sell them after Christmas on sale? Last year that's when we bought my son his "starter" pins and I wanted to do the same this year as we are going back in Feb. If not I guess I'll have to get them from cheappins.

 

[jdads2]

We got our kids into trading on their second trip when we stayed at AKL. What a great experience. My kids would head down to the shops first thing in the morning to see what they could trade. They also wore their name tags and that just made the experience that much more enjoyable when the CM's new my kid's names.

We ordered 100 tradable pins for this trip and I can't wait. We all have a great time talking to the CM's when we are pin trading!

 

[WhispyPixie]

perpetualplanner - I am sorry to say , most of the Disney Stores have stopped carrying them. We bought over a 100 of them when they were clearing them out, got some pins for less than 60 cents a peice. You might have better luck at cheapins now. Good Luck!

Pixie

 

[xlstacey]

What a wonderful idea! My girls are 12, 10 and 7 and they would love trading pins when we go the first part of January. Where do you all buy your lanyards .. from Disney or ? I guess we could get Oregon Duck lanyards as we are big fans. I think I'll head over to cheappins and get some to start with.

Thank you all so very much and Happy Thanksgiving

 

[xlstacey]

jdads2 - did you order nametags for your kids?

Hey look everyone I have been TAGGED!! YIPPEE!

Thank you thank you thank you Tag Fairy

 

[WhispyPixie]

I ordered a dozen laynards (royal blue ones, breakaway) just like the ones they sell at the parks for 6 bucks on Ebay..Our entire family loves this!! WE have a blast talking to people and have even made some new friends doing it! BE FOREWARNED ....it is highly addictive!

Pixie