Girls are new to pin trading - should they use lanyards, or bags, or something else?

[starshine514]

My girls have acquired a few pins and I read the thread about trusted sellers and bought them a few more off of eBay. I tried to pick ones that I thought they would like, though I'm sure they might want to trade some of them (we'll see). Anyway, what I'm trying to figure out now is the best way for them to take them with them into the parks. Are lanyards the best thing? I really don't want them to lose any (do those backs stay on well)? Would some sort of pouches be better? I come to the experts for advice.

Thanks!

 

[pixiewings71]

Pin bags get very heavy, we use lanyards and carry extra pins in our park bags. Pin backs can fall off, we just check ours regularly to make sure they are still on securely. When going on thrill rides we take our lanyards off. Have fun!

 

[Mickey527]

I never liked lanyards because I lost more pins than I traded. I had a small pin bag that I used to carry but even that got too heavy to carry everywhere
I found a small zippered pencil case that was the length of a pencil but about 4 inches wide. I bought a few pieces of felt and put the pins on the felt and folded it to fit in the pencil case. It was small enough to fit in my fanny pack but light enough not to get in the way.
I would trade during the day and in the evening put all the pins I wanted to keep into my suitcase so I only carried my traders and the new ones I aquired for that day.
Any small bag will do, along with a piece of felt to put them on.

 

[dbs1228]

We are a family of 5 who likes to trade also, we started out with lanyards and after losing a few and not liking the feel of the lanyards around our neck (even DD's did not like wearing them after a while) we use little clothe pouches that zip and we can put in our pocket or bag that we bring into the park. Have fun

 

[pixiewings71]

I've been trading for about 5 years now, I've probably lost about 5 pins.....but maybe I'm unique.

OP they do sell hip lanyards at the parks, they go across your shoulder and dangle by your hip, perhaps something like that would work for you? You can do an eBay search to see if any are currently listed.

 

[brytorlyn]

We used to carry lanyards, but we found we lost pins too often. My daughters also found that after a long, hot day walking in the parks, those lanyards can feel pretty heavy and even irritating to their necks.

This year the girls put 5 or 6 in their fanny packs and that seemed to work quite well. If we went back to the hotel or car they would re-stock their pin supply. We traded 50 pins over our 8 days at the parks.

It was a tough decision. We felt that we collect all these pins and we really wanted to proudly wear our favorite treasured ones....but on the other hand ...the lanyards were annoying and last year DD lost her favourite pin.

 

[starshine514]

Thanks for the replies. I really don't want them to lose any because I think it would be upsetting for them. They don't have too many. I think like 7 or 8 each at this point. As I started reading the posts, it got my thinking about more utilitarian lanyards, like the ones used for name badges and such, and wondering if maybe some of those might display and secure a small collection. A small purse with a clear plastic pocket might do the trick as well. Hmmm... I think I need to go shopping! If I can't find something to securely display them, I think we'll put them on felt in a small bag to keep in my backpack.
I'll do a search for the hip lanyard as well and see if I can get a good idea about what that is. It sounds like it might work (my girls and I like the crossbody bags).
Thanks again

 

[pixiewings71]

For those who say they have pins they are keeping and want to display on their lanyards, I always recommend the locking backs that Disney sells, they are metal and attach with an allen wrench. I have my keepers locked onto my lanyard that way and I never worry about losing them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Disney-Pin-Locking-Backs-lot-12-Bag-Wrench-Dont-Loose-Your-Pins-/120849810196?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2335c314

OP, here's a link to a Tinkerbell hip lanyard on eBay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-DISNEY-TINKERBELL-HIP-LANYARD-and-PIN-SET-/200705768591?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ebafefc8f, they are cute and practical. Also, here are some locking backs that others prefer to use over the Mickey heads, I don't like these but DD12 does.....I have longer fingernails tho and these are basically impossible to get off with nails.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-25-Locking-Trading-Pin-Backs-Clutch-Brass-Goldtone-Great-Disney-Pins-/170773887018?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c2eab82a

I hope that helps.

 

[starshine514]

For those who say they have pins they are keeping and want to display on their lanyards, I always recommend the locking backs that Disney sells, they are metal and attach with an allen wrench. I have my keepers locked onto my lanyard that way and I never worry about losing them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Disney-Pin-Locking-Backs-lot-12-Bag-Wrench-Dont-Loose-Your-Pins-/120849810196?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2335c314

OP, here's a link to a Tinkerbell hip lanyard on eBay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-DISNEY-TINKERBELL-HIP-LANYARD-and-PIN-SET-/200705768591?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ebafefc8f, they are cute and practical. Also, here are some locking backs that others prefer to use over the Mickey heads, I don't like these but DD12 does.....I have longer fingernails tho and these are basically impossible to get off with nails.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-25-Locking-Trading-Pin-Backs-Clutch-Brass-Goldtone-Great-Disney-Pins-/170773887018?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c2eab82a

I hope that helps.

Thanks for the links! I think we'll definitely go the locking pin back route! We could even secure some to their purses with those.

 

[joncorr3]

Put the traders on the lanyards and the keepers in the bag.

 

[PrincessKendall]

Ive used lanyards 7 trips, and have never lost a pin!
just make sure to take them off before a thrill ride

 

[pixiewings71]

Thanks for the links! I think we'll definitely go the locking pin back route! We could even secure some to their purses with those.

I have a few keepers on my park bag, ones that I won't trade but maybe aren't in the best of condition. When trading don't use the locking backs that use the allen wrench to remove them, it takes up a lot of time to do that. I suggest using the other style of "locking" backs if you want to trade the pins, also when you give your pin to the CM tell them to keep the Mickey back because you want to keep your metal back.

 

[Scribble Kitty]

I've had pins fall off my lanyard but thankfully never lost one. I always heard it fall and was able to find it.

I've become a paranoid pin checker and every hour or so will check my pins and backs.

 

[starshine514]

I ended up getting the girls ones similar to these (without the logo tag): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OEN4U0/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00
They allow them to display 8-10 pins and I don't worry about them losing them because of backs falling off because they are behind plastic.

As they acquire more pins, I see us getting those locking backs that you recommended pixiewings, and securing their keepers onto the non-plastic-covered areas.

 

[figment_jii]

For those who say they have pins they are keeping and want to display on their lanyards, I always recommend the locking backs that Disney sells, they are metal and attach with an allen wrench.

I like the locking backs as well to keep the pins secure, but they can be painful. They're little metal cylinders (about a 1/4" long), so they stick out. If they jam into you, it hurts. Technically, even they aren't completely "fall-off proof". If you do use them, make sure to tighten the bolts each night. I've noticed that sometimes they do come loose.

Personally, I carry my traders in a little pouch (I used one about the size of a coin purse).

 

[pixiewings71]

I ended up getting the girls ones similar to these (without the logo tag): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OEN4U0/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00
They allow them to display 8-10 pins and I don't worry about them losing them because of backs falling off because they are behind plastic.

As they acquire more pins, I see us getting those locking backs that you recommended pixiewings, and securing their keepers onto the non-plastic-covered areas.

Looks like a great solution for you! Have a great time pin trading!!

I like the locking backs as well to keep the pins secure, but they can be painful. They're little metal cylinders (about a 1/4" long), so they stick out. If they jam into you, it hurts. Technically, even they aren't completely "fall-off proof". If you do use them, make sure to tighten the bolts each night. I've noticed that sometimes they do come loose.

Personally, I carry my traders in a little pouch (I used one about the size of a coin purse).

Well I wear mine lower on my lanyard so that's never happened to me. I have traders on the top of the lanyard and keepers towards the bottom, I guess my "chest area" keeps them from being pushed into me. LOL And I take my lanyard off for just about every ride I go on. It's a good point tho.