Newbie here - Pin Trading Celebration ?'s

[HayGan]

Can someone please tell me more about the Pin Trading Celebration in September? My mom and I will be there for it and we are really getting into the whole trading thing but $90 a person seems really high. What do you get for that fee? Is it really worth it for newbies like us to go? Does this event sell out quickly or would we be able to decide once we get there if we want to attend?

Thanks

 

[Parkhopper_Vince]

Excellent questions. We have attended most of the pin events that Disney has held over the last 5-6 years and they vary in appeal greatly. We have never missed the September Pin Celebration and they are generally in our opinion worth it. At this time they have not provided information about what you will receive for your $90.00, but in general over the last several years we have decided it is well worth the money. There is usually a welcome gift pin, sometimes an early registration gift pin, usually a Thank You Gift of some sort, plus coupons for playing games in which the prize is usually a pin of some sort (usually get 3 or 4) Also last time was included a meal coupon. I think that it is well worth the admission price and it has in past usually sold out before the event. Sometimes quickly after registration begins, sometimes slowly, but usually before you could get there. Also with registration comes the opportunity for purchasing event merchandise, some of which may not be available any other way. It can be a tough choice, but it is a multi day event with lots of trading opportunity so if you think you might be interested...you might want to register for the event. I know we will be.

 

[HayGan]

Thanks! I'm really on the fence about it. This was supposed to be a real cheap trip for my mom and I but this sounds fun. I'm bringing 100+ pins to trade anyway! I don't know when I will get back at this time of the year again so I might just have to splurge. I'll make my decision once they have disclosed more details!

Thanks again

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

I would also add that the September pin event offers three days of trading, with over 1000 traders from all over the world. Access to the pintrading area is limited to event ticket holders.

 

[pointandshoot]

If the event is like last year, you got two meal tickets for counter service at Epcot, a welcome and exit pin gift (box set and jumbo pin), and early registration pin, coupons to play games for about 5 free pins, and about five free pins from visiting different booths. With the merchandise and food, you will get your money's worth from the event.

If you attend, they have pin games/boards all day long. Basically, you trade a pin for something you find on the board. This is a great chance to finish off a lanyard series or find some older event pins. Even artist proof pins show up on these boards. So find some cheap pins for trading. The lines can be long from time to time but they did a good job last year. If pin games are not your pleasure, plenty of opportunities to trade with guests. Pin artist are available to sign your event pins and merchandise during the day. The only rough spot is the long lines to get your event merchandise. The wait was a few hours the day before the event started.

So if you want to just focus on pins and trading during your trip, this is a great chance to do so.

 

[daber]

Another point of interest is that the past two events saw the debut of some of the new lanyard series. For those outside and not able to get in, these became very hot traders.

 

[HayGan]

Thanks for all the info everyone! I'm still really on the fence about it as this is a short trip for us. We will only have one day in Epcot and this sounds like it would be fairly time consuming. I assume that plenty of pin traders will be walking around outside of the event are for trading - right? The food really is not an incentive because already have the free dining so all of our meals are taken care of.

Oh, the tough decisions in life

Thanks again as the help is truly appreciated!!!

 

[daber]

I would say the biggest reason for going is the RSP (random selection process) to purchase pins that are only available at the event. However, if you are around on the last day (Sunday 9/10), they open it up to the public after 12:00 noon. Anything not sold by then is then offered to the public.

Yes, it can be time consuming (rides? you mean there are rides in the park?)
if you let it. (and it's easy to get sucked in)

Yes, some of us do come up for air and venture outside....even if it is to grab some food and run back in.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

Pintraders outside during the event? You mean in daylight?

Uh, no.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Jumping in on this thread, so for $90 you get a jumbo/box set, an exit pin, a couple of pins for playing games and then a few more for visiting booths plus two meals? That sounds like a good deal then to me... considering the price of the cheaper pins start at $6.95 if you really get 10 or more then you've come close to the price of admit just for the merch. Any other details would be appreciated, DFiance' and I are interested in this as well.

 

[daber]

You forgot the welcome to the event pin, early registration pin, but you've got the idea.


And Eeyore's pal who said anything about coming out during daylight? I might see my shadow and have six more weeks of pin trading (and the downside to that is??????)

 

[HayGan]

Ok, after weighing all my options (and calculating that this event will cost me far more than the $90 registration fee), I've decided to pass this year. It will definately have to be an event for me to attend in the future.

I'll just have to stick to trading with the cast members (and getting all their cast lanyard pins while everyone else is busy trading amongst themselves )

BTW, if any of you diehards do venture out and see me with my Figment backpack, tink lanyard and lime green Mickey, make sure to say and maybe we can trade a pin or two (I promise I have some good ones!!!)

 

[Luv2Roam]

I have gone to pin events, except the Sept one. Before I lived in the midwest. Bad timing.
Now I live AND WORK locally. And I don't want to pay when I can only go one day.
The last two years people seemed pleased with the event. I think the year before that was pretty bad, if I recall.
Last year's Sept event, the pins did nothing for me. And most were in the parks for months afterwards. I must not have been the only one who thought they were not so great (and too plentiful).
This year there appears to be fewer public pin events. I wonder if that will drive up the popularity of this one.
Me personally -- I will take the cast pin parties any day! In and out, free, buy what I want without pre orders, don't stand in long worthless pin trading board lines, and don't suffer from pin burn out.