Future of Pin Sales/Trading in the Parks ??

[anne930]

We visited our local disney store today to see if they had any pins on sale. They had sold out of all their pins, having recently put them on clearance. The store employee told us she had heard that they wouldn't be getting any more since the parks were discontinuing the sale of their pins. Has anyone else heard this? Please tell me this is a bad rumor!!

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Not to contradict the employee TOO much, but pins are alive and well in the parks. Just visit dizpins.com or odpt.com to see what is coming out soon.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Pins are a very large PROFIT CENTER! They will not stop selling them.

 

[anne930]

I agree. I can believe they will make some cuts, maybe release fewer pins, etc or change the focus in some way, but can not even begin to imagine why they would get rid of them! It made no sense to me!!

 

[World Bouncer]

What happens is that the Disney Stores try and get into the pin scene and have trouble selling them, then put them all on clearance, then don't have any for a while, then get them again.

I cannot imagine that pin trading is something that will end in the parks anytime soon. It may eventually happen, but not for years to come if ever, if you ask me.

 

[SandraVB79]

Seeing how much money they generate with their pins, I don't think they'll stop selling them soon in the parks.

 

[anne930]

It made no sense to me, but Disney does some crazy things sometimes!!

 

[cowza]

As a CM who worked in one of the largest pin trading locations I can safely say that is utter nonsense about pins being discontinued from the park. It's not just about profit... Guests LOVE them and it is a huge part of the vacation for a lot of guests. As long as they are making guests happy they will be staying.

It's possible they are being discontinued from the US Disney Stores if they are not very popular but I don't really know about that.

Ironically they have just launched them for the first time in Disney Stores in the UK. They are on a trial basis at the moment but if they prove successful the Disney Stores may get official pin trading status in the UK.

 

[heathrow42]

As a CM who worked in one of the largest pin trading locations ...

Ironically they have just launched them for the first time in Disney Stores in the UK. They are on a trial basis at the moment but if they prove successful the Disney Stores may get official pin trading status in the UK.

They have had pins in the UK Disney Stores on and off for years -- just like the US Disney stores.

A few examples from pinpics:
Pin 1439: UK - Cinderella Boxed Set (2000 Logo)
Pin 9553: UK Disney Store - Glitter Series (Tinker Bell)
Pin 9555: UK Disney Store - Pooh & Eeyore
Pin 6344: European Disney Store - Bobble Head Minnie w/Paint Brushes
Pin 29861: UK Disney Store - Toy Story - Woody in Red Star

There are tons others - just search for origin = Europe and multiple, and put UK in the search box or just put UK in the search box and weed through the list.

What exactly is "official pin trading status"?

--heather

 

[cowza]

They have never launched them properly though as a permanent range with the option of getting official pin trading status. They are on a trial basis at the moment at select stores in the UK and Europe

Official pin trading status will mean the pins would have the pin trading symbol on the back of them and cast members would wear lanyards and trade with guests.

 

[2princesscuties]

I am a CM at the Disney Store and we just got a whole new batch in