How to secure Disney pins

[elaine amj]

How do you secure your Disney pins in the parks? I find ours keeps dropping and I worry about my kids losing their pins. On our last trip, one of my son's pins was lose and we actually lost it for a few minutes at DHS.

 

[MoonFaerie]

Locking pin backs.

 

[kaligal]

Locking pin backs.

Yup!

These are sold in all the bigger pin spots and some of the smaller ones.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We only wear a couple of pins for trading each day. If we get a pin that is a keeper, it goes in a bag instead of on a lanyard so we don't lose it. Pins do tend to fall off lanyards easily.

 

[joncorr3]

Stick them though an ear instead of the hole.

 

[baler31]

Locking backs, we buy ours on ebay.

 

[elaine amj]

I took a look at the locking back - but really don;t like the idea of having to use a key. The only reason I bought the pins was for the kids to trade as they're not collectors - but they LOVE trading. They also really want to be able to wear them on a lanyard and show them off.

was hoping someone had come up with a better idea. I just wish Disney had used a normal pin back which is completely secure vs the ultra cool Mickey rubber back.

 

[elaine amj]

i did some more in-depth searching and found this thread with lots of great suggestions - as well as warnings that some locking backs do not work.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1711416&page=2

They suggest "butterfly clutches" - the kind typically used on lapel pins. One DISer suggested pencil eraser tops - a perfect quick solution. I tried it and it seemed secure. I prefer the butterfly clutches though - and had no clue where to buy them. Apparently Michales/Joann has them in the jewellery section. I'm off shopping! If I cannot find them in the stores, I'll likely end up with pencil eraser tops.

 

[arcurioa]

I took a look at the locking back - but really don;t like the idea of having to use a key. The only reason I bought the pins was for the kids to trade as they're not collectors - but they LOVE trading. They also really want to be able to wear them on a lanyard and show them off.

was hoping someone had come up with a better idea. I just wish Disney had used a normal pin back which is completely secure vs the ultra cool Mickey rubber back.

If you check out eBay there are a few sellers that have locking pin backs that don't need a key. They have a stopper that you have to pull up to release. We have not used them at the parks yet, but DH uses them on his work lanyard and so far so good. They do seen to have a really tight grip.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

My kids are really big into pin trading! Over the last few trips we've lost atleast a dozen pins...mighty expensive to just have them fall off!

We tried the butterfly backs and that didn't really help much either.

But FINALLY after this past trip over 4th of July we've found the secret! Instead of putting the pin through the hole on the mickey mouse pin back...stick it in a little away from the hole ( so essentially making a new hole). We did this and we didn't lose a single pin the entire trip!

My kids love to fill up their lanyard and wear it around the parks all day. Now I don't have to worry about them losing them anymore!!

 

[redheadx3]

We purchase the locking pin backs that don't require a key. You have to pull the top of the pin back to unlock/release. They work very well. At times are a bit hard to pull with big fingers. I just bought some on ebay for our upcoming trip. We used up all our supply last trip.
Remember to keep your back if you trade with someone, tell them to keep their pinback. They may look at you confused, just explain you want to keep your back because it locks in place.

 

[Magick29]

We lost several pins one trip, especially the larger ones, some of which take two backs to hold on. I don't know how many times I looked down and saw pins on the ground that had fallen off of our daughter's lanyard. The locking backs that they sell in the park are inconvenient, since you have to have a tool to remove them, and the cast members don't seem to understand why you aren't giving them a back on the pin you are trading. Also, they are a brass tube that locks on, so they poke you when you wear the lanyard, too.

So, we started buying our backs on eBay, and will never use anything else. It is about $20 for 50 backs, which is about .40 cents per back. Not exactly cheap, but considering what pins cost nowadays I think they are worth every penny. Also, to alleviate confusion when trading with a cast member, I always carry a few rubber mickey head backs in my pocket, and when the kids want to make a trade, I have them remove the pin they are wanting to trade from their lanyard and put a rubber back on it. After they get the new pin from the cast member, the kids put their locking back on it and away we go.

There are several sellers on eBay, but here is the one we have used for years: http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-Locking-...=743007910157612663&pid=100015&prg=1006&rk=1& . Super nice seller, easy to deal with, and when we did get shorted a back one year, they sent us extras with no questions asked. They sell them in larger and smaller quantities, too. Hope this helps someone!

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Locking backs are the way to go.

 

[Suellen]

I've actually find that if you buy pin backs at the park (not the black mickey ears... but the colored ones you buy separate) those don't fall off at all.

The black mickey ear ones are awful!

 

[ErinsMommy]

Did anyone have trouble getting them through the airport metal detectors? DD would LOVE to bring her lanyard with the pins from her first trip, but I told her it'll just be a hassle at the airport (figuring it'll set off the detectors) and at 5:00 a.m. I don't want to be digging through bags and give TSA something to get all up in arms about.

 

[jennabcassell]

I buy the butterfly pin backs at Michael's which is a local craft store. They actually come with the entire pin in them, but I just throw them away. There are 10 in a pack at about $3 for the pack. Michael's always has coupons for 40% an item. I try to use them when I can. I have had a few fall off, probably from running, but not nearly as many as the black mickey backs. So worth the investment!!!!

 

[torinsmom]

I use the locking backs someone else posted from ebay. We tried the ones you need a key for, but they were a hassle, especially if you like to trade.

 

[charabby]

Did anyone have trouble getting them through the airport metal detectors? DD would LOVE to bring her lanyard with the pins from her first trip, but I told her it'll just be a hassle at the airport (figuring it'll set off the detectors) and at 5:00 a.m. I don't want to be digging through bags and give TSA something to get all up in arms about.

Put the lanyard in a carry on and send it through the xray machine. As long as she's not wearing it, she'll be fine.

 

[elaine amj]

I buy the butterfly pin backs at Michael's which is a local craft store. They actually come with the entire pin in them, but I just throw them away. There are 10 in a pack at about $3 for the pack. Michael's always has coupons for 40% an item. I try to use them when I can. I have had a few fall off, probably from running, but not nearly as many as the black mickey backs. So worth the investment!!!!

Thanks - i was wondering how much Michael's charged for them.

 

[Pirate Me]

I like the locking backs but you could buy those anywhere..not necessarily from Disney. When making a new hole in the black mickey ear back it works the first few times but gets loose just like the original one.