Pin Lanyards

[Dragonfly0521]

Okay, another question. I have a fondness for pin trading ever since I was a kid in L.A. for the 1984 Summer Olympics! So the idea of Disney pins thrills me.

So.... how do I go about finding pins? Do I buy some, then trade with CMs? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks! 7 days to go!!!!

 

[jimmiej]

http://allearsnet.com/btp/mil_pin.htm

Disney sells starter sets or you can build your own. Pins are for sale all over WDW.

 

[pezpam]

You don't have to trade with CMs at all, though many people find it fun and there are some pins you find on their lanyards that you can't buy - unless someone else gets them and puts them on Ebay. There are pin shops and pin sections of other shops all over the World. Stand somewhere, sneeze, and you'll likely hit a pin-selling shop. You can go as crazy as you want buying pins. If you do want to trade with CMs, you will need to buy pins to trade.

Set yourself a limit ahead of time. It's easy to get sucked in and spend 10 times what you should.

 

[huskies90]

Definitely go to eBay and search Disney pin lot. You can buy a lot of random pins for $1-$2 per pin. Then plop them on a lanyard, hit the parks and let the fun begin!! CM's are great about trading. They will stop in the middle of whatever they are doing to let you look at their pins. Trade for ones you find interesting, cute or whatever. Tried to collect a theme. I saw someone only trading for Chip and Dale pins.

Also, don't be afraid to trade with other guests. That can be fun too and a great way to strike a conversation. It is hard to actually make the trade because the pins you are willing to trade are usually ones they don't want and vice versa but you never know.

Have fun!!!

 

[westcliffemom]

For a while there, they were giving you a certificate for a free pin when you used Magical Express. Also, I've heard you need to make sure the pins say Disney on them for them to be tradable with the CM's. (Not sure about that one, just what I've heard on the boards.)

 

[PinGirl_07]

Man.....The pin trading is alot of fun. It helps you meet new people and make some really good moments. The main things to remember are:

1. If you want to trade with a cashier, wait in line. The Castmembers usally have no trouble with trading but it is rude to jump the line and put everyone on hold
2. (I always tell this one to the Kids) Use your manners. If someone is busy say excuse me. Manners go a long way.
3. If a Castmember has a geen Lanyard, thats for the Kiddies, A yellow is for anyone.
4. Always look for the Hidden Mickeys/Castmember pins. You can't buy those and they are fun to show off.
5. Wake up early. The castmember pins go fast.
6. Anyone wearing a suit and a lanyard , weather in the parks or hotel, has the good pins. Trade with them as soon as possible.
7. You can only trade with a castmember 2 times. After that you have to find another target.

Follow these simple rules and you should be okay

 

[ncbyrne]

My DGDs LOVE to trade pins (me too!) We are not pin collectors per se, but we are pin traders! I started out a few years ago by buying a lot of pins on eBay (I was just looking for the cheapest pins I could find). Once we got the hang of trading with CMs in the park each of my family developed their own favorite theme. For instance, my DD traded all week to fill her lanyard with Wizard Mickey pins. My DGD looked only for Jessica pins (wanna guess what her name is... ) I looked only for red, white and blue pins....each trip we trade for a new theme. Adds so much fun to the trip and like others have said, you strike up some great conversations.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

1. If you want to trade with a cashier, wait in line. The Castmembers usally have no trouble with trading but it is rude to jump the line and put everyone on hold
2. (I always tell this one to the Kids) Use your manners. If someone is busy say excuse me. Manners go a long way.
3. If a Castmember has a geen Lanyard, thats for the Kiddies, A yellow is for anyone.
4. Always look for the Hidden Mickeys/Castmember pins. You can't buy those and they are fun to show off.
5. Wake up early. The castmember pins go fast.
6. Anyone wearing a suit and a lanyard , weather in the parks or hotel, has the good pins. Trade with them as soon as possible.
7. You can only trade with a castmember 2 times. After that you have to find another target.

Follow these simple rules and you should be okay

Most important rule: That lanyard you're looking at is attached to someone's BODY! Please ask before staring, and please don't grab.

 

[InstImpres]

For a while there, they were giving you a certificate for a free pin when you used Magical Express.

They discontinued those coupons in October. I miss it, especially since by the end they gave you a card with 2 pins...1 to keep, 1 to trade.

 

[kim5678]

I buy pins online for my daughter then she trades the ones she does not like in the parks. I usually get them for no more than $3.00 per pin.

 

[Dragonfly0521]

Thanks for all the great advice! And don't worry, we are sticklers for manners in my home! We would never harrass someone for pins. Best Disney behavior for us.

I am so excited about this!!! I didn't even know about the pin trading till I got on these boards so thank you everyone for adding another great layer to our upcoming vacation!

Less than a week to go!!! POR here we come!

 

[MyZoeJane]

I'm not sure how others feel about this.... but for those of you who buy pins outside the park... I think it's only fair to at least be buying high quality pins with the Disney trademark. I've seen someone trying to trade stupid BUTTON (not a pin) and that's just lame!

 

[S.Poppins]

Man.....The pin trading is alot of fun. It helps you meet new people and make some really good moments. The main things to remember are:

1. If you want to trade with a cashier, wait in line. The Castmembers usally have no trouble with trading but it is rude to jump the line and put everyone on hold
2. (I always tell this one to the Kids) Use your manners. If someone is busy say excuse me. Manners go a long way.
3. If a Castmember has a geen Lanyard, thats for the Kiddies, A yellow is for anyone.
4. Always look for the Hidden Mickeys/Castmember pins. You can't buy those and they are fun to show off.
5. Wake up early. The castmember pins go fast.
6. Anyone wearing a suit and a lanyard , weather in the parks or hotel, has the good pins. Trade with them as soon as possible.
7. You can only trade with a castmember 2 times. After that you have to find another target.

Follow these simple rules and you should be okay

When you say suit and lanyard, what kind of suit do you mean?

 

[InstImpres]

When you say suit and lanyard, what kind of suit do you mean?

Those wearing suits (or professional business attire) are part of the management team. They often have more of the cast member pins then anyone.

 

[PinGirl_07]

Yep...(last feburary) I once got a scrump pin from 4 years ago for finding a suit. She was so nice too. Made a moment for me.