How to Start - Pin Trading

[THERESA522]

I'll be taking ds 5 and dd 4 back to WDW next year and want to start the vacation off with pin trading. Do I buy a lanyard before going or once we get there? Should I buy a starter kit?

 

[mbcary]

I started my pin collection last December when we were there and received lanyards from the Dream Squad. I will tell you that once you start it becomes addicting. I wanted to buy so many. I think I am going to have to get another lanyard next time I go.

I like the idea of the starter kits for the young kids. Some of the lanyards are themed in those kits and kind of neat for kids. Plus it comes with several pins (maybe 4?). Individual pins cost anywhere from $7 to $10 roughly.

Good luck and have fun!!

 

[DaddyBrady]

I'd suggest one of the starter kits with a lanyard, and buy it at the first park you go to. Read the guidelines for pin trading on the Official Pin Trading web site before you go so you understand how your children can trade with cast members. (It has to do with the color of the lanyard, and I can never keep it straight!)

Also, it can be intimidating for many children to ask strangers if they want to trade, but most people wearing lanyards with lots of pins are doing so for precisely that reason! I'm always really impressed by young children who will come up to me (all 6'2" of me!) and ask if I want to trade. I don't care what I get in return, it's just so cool to see the child rise to the challenge!

 

[TinkTwink]

i bought several disney pins from ebay before we went for my DS 13, DS 8, DD 2, i had gotten a laynard from target for them that had pirates on it but it was too thin, the ones from the park are thicker and only cost $5, i let them pick which ones that wanted to trade and any that we bought inthe parks were not to be traded, we put them on the laynards with medallions to hang in their rooms as souviners, the medallions are heavy and hang low, i saw several younger children wearing them and practically kicking them, enjoy your trip

 

[deej696]

There are few things more addictive than Disney pins, but then again I'm sure those things are not near as fun! There are sooo many pins it is easy to break your wallet, but its fun, and I'm sure your kids will enjoy adding to their collection over the years!

 

[momof2cutegirls]

My girls are six and four and have done the autograph thing for a couple of years now. We'll be doing autographs again in a week or so, but are they too young for pins?

What is the "Official Pin Trading" website?

Also, are lanyards available at gift shops outside of the parks? I assume they are, but have never really paid attention. We always go to the Boardwalk prior to checking in our offsite condo, but would like to get them there if possible!

 

[Kristineamb]

I bought our lanyards and pins off ebay and saved $$$ (I never paid more than $2/pin!) Just be sure to take shipping costs into consideration (I always look for sellers who combine shipping!)

 

[Slapster]

We got the starter kit at first and traded with those. After that we got the "fever" and bought some on ebay for our next trip. It's very habit forming!

 

[mommy2aprincess4]

Thanks for the tips on this thread! Was just discussing this w/my hubby last night! Last year when DD was 3 we got her started with a lanyard and a few pins (buzz, a princess or 2) at the park but I told my husband I wanted to get her trading this year (she's very outgoing, so no problem with that I don't think), I'm going to hit ebay to check out some pins and possibly another lanyard before we go in January!

 

[DaddyBrady]

What is the "Official Pin Trading" website?

Also, are lanyards available at gift shops outside of the parks? I assume they are, but have never really paid attention. We always go to the Boardwalk prior to checking in our offsite condo, but would like to get them there if possible!

Official Disney Pin Trading site = http://eventservices.disney.go.com/pintrading/index

Click on "Get Started" for a Q&A.

The starter pin sets with lanyards, and just lanyards, are available pretty much everywhere.

 

[tink576]

My girls are six and four and have done the autograph thing for a couple of years now. We'll be doing autographs again in a week or so, but are they too young for pins?

What is the "Official Pin Trading" website?

Also, are lanyards available at gift shops outside of the parks? I assume they are, but have never really paid attention. We always go to the Boardwalk prior to checking in our offsite condo, but would like to get them there if possible!

They have special "Kid Only" lanyards that cast members wear...which always have amazing pins which have us big kids going nuts....only kids 10 and under are allowed to trade with those cast members

Yes Lanyards and Pins are located at almost any gift shop on Disney property so Boardwalk would definatly have them...DTD too since you are not staying on property...but I would still recomend ordering pins off ebay, because even with the starter kit you are paying about 5$ per pin if I remember correctly and you can get them so much cheeper online allowing you to get more pins for the same price!