Pin trading - How to get started?

[daisy1234]

We are going in Feb....I really don't want to start the kids on pin trading but I was thiniking I should be prepared just in case??? DS would absolutely love this idea....but we only have 5 days so I am afraid it will infringe on park time..along with the autograhs! ANy tips or ideas??? Maybe start with just a few??? 3-4 pins each! Where to buy cheap????

 

[AwaitingMagic]

I ordered a grab bag that had 25 pins in it - that gave each of my kids 8 pins and it was perfect. They had more than enough to trade - and they bought a few along the way too. I don't think trading cut into park time at all - lots of times they traded while they were waiting in line and stuff. This was my daughter's favorite part of our whole trip. She just loved it. The boys did too -and it was interesting to see what they ended up trading for. My youngest ended up with all pirate themed pins, my middle one got pins that said stuff, and my girlie changed her theme about five times! I ordered from mousepinsonline (I think that was the name). We got really good pins (CMs told us) and no repeats!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Maybe consider 1 "bunch" from ebay just to start. Don't spend lots of money as the focus for little ones should just be to trade with the Cm's. You can trade at resorts, and you do not have to get "overly involved!
My only suggestion is to get the safety backs so they do not lose their favorite pins, it is heartbreaking to have a child (or adult for that matter) lose a pin, those mickey backs do not really stay on.
I ordered them on ebay too, little metal twist type things that I gave to my own nieces last trip, worked like a charm.
Personally I have many of them and I have them mounted in frames and don't trade at all, I have them of reminders of past trips and special rides for each trip. What fun.
I am sure the "real" traders will give additional advise to you!
Have a fabulous time with your family making memories!

 

[MJAJmom]

I really don't want to start the kids on pin trading but I was thiniking I should be prepared just in case??? DS would absolutely love this idea....but we only have 5 days so I am afraid it will infringe on park time..along with the autograhs! ANy tips or ideas??? Maybe start with just a few??? 3-4 pins each! Where to buy cheap????

I think you first have to decide whether you are pin trading or not BEFORE your visit. Otherwise you'll spend too much time/money while you are there.

For our first visit with DS3 and DS5, we didn't pin trade or do autographs. We weren't clued in about either, but the boys didn't miss anything since they didn't know much about them. For our second visit, DS turned 6, so we decided to try both autographs and pin trading for the first time. He loved both!!!

To get started, you'll want to buy a random cheap grab bag of pins. Try Ebay, mousepinsonline, there's a few places online if you google "disney trading pins". Expect to pay about $1.75 per pin. Then you can buy a lanyard before your trip, or pick one out at the parks. I bought 80 pins to cover me and my 2 sons for 5 days (probably about 20 more than we needed).

The first 2 days of pin trading was slower as the boys got up their nerve to ask CMs and get the hang of it. Then the next 3 days was a blast because they were actively seeking out CMs along our path.

I didn't feel that it took a huge amount of time out of our schedule. As you're walking along, you check to see if there are any CMs along your path. Then politely ask to see their pins, do a quick swap and move along. DS6 really got into it. Plus it felt like they were getting a little gift each time. I managed the lanyard the first 2 days, and then he got to wear one the next few days.

Just know that once you start pin trading, you're hooked for all future trips. There's so much to do and enjoy at WDW, that if you decided to hold off on this trip and try next time, you'll be just fine too.

Have fun!

 

[t_catt11]

Our entire family pin tardes, and it takes very little time out of our days - we simply talk to the cast members that are in our path. We do burn more time in the gift shops while looking at pins, of course, since we allow each person to purchase one pin per day.

Grab bags are definitely the way to go to get started. You can also buy starter sets at the gift shops at WDW - these sets are cheaper than buying singles, but nowhere near as cheap as it is to get a grab bag.

A "quick start" guide to pin trading:

http://www.wdwinsiders.com/view_article.php?articleid=23

If you have any questions, feel free to post them here, or to PM me - I love pin trading!

 

[christa112]

Pin Trading is fun. The only thing is my kids hate wearing the Lanyard all day, especially in the heat. It can be a pain to dig the lanyard out of your bag for pin trading. I wouldn't consider pin trading nearly as time consuming at getting autographs. We have been 3 times and this last time around the lines for the characters were really long and rarely waited for them. If you are doing character dining it is a great way to save time and get characters autographs.

 

[DRS_Are_Best]

What age would you suggest starting this? My kids will be nearly 4 (ds), and 2 year old twins (g/b) when we travel. If things go according to plan, we'll be going to WDW every 2-3 years. DH and I can hold onto the lanyards and pull them out when needed.

I wasn't thinking about doing this, at least not this trip, but maybe we should. Opinions?