Pin Trading in the Parks and Disney Springs?

[Kanan Lives]

How is the pin trading doing with Cast Members at the parks and Disney Springs? I'm hearing that there are a lot of CMs with lanyards on now, is that the case? Have not been in awhile and the last time it was just a few of the Mickey-shaped boards here and there.

 

[LisaDKG]

I had a great pin trading time during my trip in May. It was so nice to see some legitimate, new, non-scrapper pins on boards and on CM's lanyards. The CMs also seemed happy to have the lanyards back - since this is recent, I'm not too sure how long this enthusiasm will last. When pin trading in the past with CMs with lanyards, when there were also very few pin boards, many times it would seem to be an inconvenience to ask one to trade.
I completely understand this perspective as these are people being asked to engage in trading IN ADDITION to performing their normal jobs (although I'm always respectful to only ask those CMs who seem available to trade and not in the middle of a job-related task).
I much prefer the pin boards where I can be only slightly annoying in asking to access it (if it's behind a desk) and make my 2 trades without bothering anyone. I know that the reason to engage the CMs in the process is probably Disney's way of enhancing the guest experience (and maybe policing people who can't play nice and follow pin-trading rules) but I can't help but feel I'm in the way of them doing their actual job and I always feel the need to make small talk, despite being an introverted person.
I had an amazing trading experience with a CM near Space Ship Earth who had a lanyard with amazing pins to trade but made everyone answer Disney trivia to earn the best pins. I made sure to send in a note saying he really went above and beyond to make our interaction special!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I much prefer the pin boards where I can be only slightly annoying in asking to access it (if it's behind a desk) and make my 2 trades without bothering anyone.

I feel the same way. Plus I'm terrible with making decisions-it tends to take me so long, and meanwhile the poor CM is just standing there, along with all these people that I feel are just thinking "Hurry up, already". So I hope that even though CMs now have lanyards, there are still pin boards around-especially the big one in "Sid C-" in DHS.

 

[Donald Duck Family]

We found on our recent trip that many cast had lanyards and pin boards were plentiful as well.

 

[Kanan Lives]

I had a great pin trading time during my trip in May. It was so nice to see some legitimate, new, non-scrapper pins on boards and on CM's lanyards. The CMs also seemed happy to have the lanyards back - since this is recent, I'm not too sure how long this enthusiasm will last. When pin trading in the past with CMs with lanyards, when there were also very few pin boards, many times it would seem to be an inconvenience to ask one to trade.
I completely understand this perspective as these are people being asked to engage in trading IN ADDITION to performing their normal jobs (although I'm always respectful to only ask those CMs who seem available to trade and not in the middle of a job-related task).
I much prefer the pin boards where I can be only slightly annoying in asking to access it (if it's behind a desk) and make my 2 trades without bothering anyone. I know that the reason to engage the CMs in the process is probably Disney's way of enhancing the guest experience (and maybe policing people who can't play nice and follow pin-trading rules) but I can't help but feel I'm in the way of them doing their actual job and I always feel the need to make small talk, despite being an introverted person.
I had an amazing trading experience with a CM near Space Ship Earth who had a lanyard with amazing pins to trade but made everyone answer Disney trivia to earn the best pins. I made sure to send in a note saying he really went above and beyond to make our interaction special!

That's great to hear. I've seen some YouTube videos that show CMs with lanyards, so it's exciting to hear that they are out there. Hoping to go down in a few months, and it will be great to pack my traders and stuff this time.

I'm sure some CMs are not very keen on the trading, but I know a number of them who love the interaction as much as the guests. And it does make for some magical interactions and memories. I think a combination of lanyards and boards is a great way to go. Getting excited to see comments from several of you that trading is back!

 

[Travelgrrl]

I had a CM ooh and aah over a Lion King Broadway poster pin I had, and I could not have cared less about it, so I gave it to him and he was so pleased!

 

[BingandNelsonFan]

I had a CM ooh and aah over a Lion King Broadway poster pin I had, and I could not have cared less about it, so I gave it to him and he was so pleased!

That's great and what pin trading is about sometimes! Last time we were in Disney Springs, we were chatting with a CM in the Star Wars store. I had a Tron car pin on my lanyard and was going to use it to trade on her board, and she went so crazy about it that I had to give it to her, too. Trading is fun, but I love sharing pins!!