Pin Trading newbie

[lakefairy]

I think I would like to try pin trading on my next trip to DW (Dec 07), but I have no idea how to go about it. Do they sell a kit or something I can purchase there? Or can I buy one at the Disney store or online? How many pins should I buy? I don't want to look foolish walking around with one pin on my lanyard!
It looks like alot of fun and a neat way to talk to people. Any advice for me from other pin traders? Thanks!

 

[nurse.darcy]

I think I would like to try pin trading on my next trip to DW (Dec 07), but I have no idea how to go about it. Do they sell a kit or something I can purchase there? Or can I buy one at the Disney store or online? How many pins should I buy? I don't want to look foolish walking around with one pin on my lanyard!
It looks like alot of fun and a neat way to talk to people. Any advice for me from other pin traders? Thanks!

Me too, and I am from the Los Angeles area and an AP holder at DL. Should I pick up a bunch of DL pins to trade at WDW?

 

[lovemy4kids]

They sell starter kids in most of the gift shops!

 

[byoung]

Save a little check out pins on EBAY.

 

[pickles]

ebay for lots..you can get them like $2.00 each, just be sure and check ebay rating and ask if they are suitabe for WDW trading
I bought our lanyards at Disney
any special pins I get the special locking backings for to prevent losing and so the kids couldn't trade them if I didn't see what they were doing
It is as easy as that. Don't spend a ton at first until you get a feel for it
Anytime you see folks wearing lanyards you can strike up a conversation

 

[maddiesmommy2005]

I was wondering if they still did the pin trading.

We got a bunch when we went back in 2002. Should I take those to trade when we go next year?

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

I was wondering if they still did the pin trading.

We got a bunch when we went back in 2002. Should I take those to trade when we go next year?

You bet! Pin Trading is stronger than ever at Disney, with new pins released every month.

My best advice is to not worry about how "collectible" a pin is -- just trade for what you like and what you enjoy.

Now would also, perhaps, be a good time to repost the official Disney Pin Trading Guidelines:

• Have Fun! Disney Pin Trading can be a great way to interact with and meet Cast Members and other Guests.
• The main criteria to judge whether a pin is tradable or not is that it must be a metal pin that represents a Disney Event, Location, Character or Icon. Some pins from our Operating Participants are also tradable, but must represent the Operating Participant in a way that has a specific Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort affiliation.
• Pins should be in good, undamaged, tradable condition.
• Guests may trade a maximum of two (2) pins per Cast Member, per day.
• No monies, gifts, or receipts may be exchanged for a Disney pin, for either a pin on the Cast Member's lanyard or for a personal pin that belongs to the Cast Member.
• Guests should refrain from touching a Cast Member's pins or lanyard.
• When trading with a Cast Member, Guests should offer a pin that is not already displayed on the Cast Member's lanyard.
• For a safe trading experience, please trade one pin at a time, hand to hand with backs attached.
• Lower quality pins (i.e., plastic pins, rubber pins, other non-metal pins, etc.) will not be accepted for trading.
• "Personalized Name" pins may not be traded with Cast Members.
• "Broche style" or "clasp pins" are not accepted for trade.
• Disney Service Award pins, Spirit of Disneyland® Resort pins, Partners in Excellence pins, Disney language pins, Cast Member costume pins (i.e. Host/Hostess Badges, Disney Trainer) or Cast Nametags are not tradable.
• Certain pin sets must be traded as sets. If a single pin from the set does not complete the intended picture or statement alone, all pins in the set must be traded as one pin.
• In addition to the tradable pins on Cast lanyards, some Cast Members may wear a "Showcase" pin. These "Showcase" pins are for demonstration only to our Guests and are not available for trade.

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

I noticed the Pin Trading when I was at Disneyland last month. I have since started buying pins on eBay and have 9 now! I just look for the cheapest ones since I plan to trade them anyway.

 

[dsnymomof4]

I don't want to look foolish walking around with one pin on my lanyard!

Yes, that would look a little silly. Seriously though, they sell pins and lanyards all over Disney - in the resorts, all over the parks, etc. Ideally, you should maybe get at least 10 pins to trade. Definitely look for deals on ebay - they are much cheaper than paying $7-10 at the parks! Remember, CMs with green lanyards can only trade with kids. DH and Dkids love pin trading. It took DD6 a few years to really get into it, but now she has no problem walking up to a CM and pointing out the pin she wants. You can pick any of their pins and you give them any of your pins. Have fun!

 

[Aimerskoeh]

I am going on my first trip to WDW ever for my 21st birthday in June. I was also very curious about the pin trading. I think I am going to look on ebay for cheaper pins to trade and do some pin trading this trip.
Thanks for the advice, and any more is welcome.

 

[hollyk]

the best advice is to get them off of ebay. The pins at disney are great, but they run at least $6.99-$14.99. you can find them off of ebay for $2.25 the other thing is when getting them off of ebay, make sure they are disney tradeable and get ones you don't really want. we had a hard time with pins we really liked but traded, so if you get pins you don't care for, that works the best. Also there is a place in DTD that has TONS of pins to buy and a trading wall where you can trade up to 2 a day.

 

[mousehouselover]

Me too, and I am from the Los Angeles area and an AP holder at DL. Should I pick up a bunch of DL pins to trade at WDW?

The cast members LOVE pins that are different from the WDW pins. They see so many of the same things that it gets boring for them and for other guests that are trading.

I was wondering if they still did the pin trading.

We got a bunch when we went back in 2002. Should I take those to trade when we go next year?

Since many of these pins are no longer in production, they will probably be very popular. You can trade with cast members and other guests. If you are concerned about the value of the pins, you can get pin info @ PinPics.com and DizPins.com.

We got started on a whim in Jan when DH and I went alone and had a ton of fun. One word of advice, most of the stores have the same pins, there are a few specialty pins for each park and in select areas, mainly near attractions. You can get villian pins at the cart next to HM in MK. Almost all the pins can be found at the pin store in DTD. Don't forget to ask to see the pin board at your resort gift shop.

We also got pins from ebay. We boght a lot of 100 pins and about half of them were park issued pins and the rest were from The Disney Store. We paid about $2 per pins so it was still about half of what we would've paid in the parks and got several hidden Mickey pins. Have fun!!!!

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

I paln to buy a "lot" of pins from eBay before I go to Disneyland on December 1st. I would just ask the seller before you buy if they are official Disney trading Pins. Some people sell Sedesma pins (I don't know what these are but I know they are not Official Disney Pins) and I've heard that they are frowned apon when trading.

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

Some people sell Sedesma pins (I don't know what these are but I know they are not Official Disney Pins) and I've heard that they are frowned apon when trading.

"Sedesma" pins are pins that were manufactured in Europe (I'm told Spain) by the Sedesma Company. They are vastly inferior in quality to "standard" Disney Pins. However, regardless of the quality, Disney's official policy is to accept them for trade if they conform to the guidelines for acceptible pins (it must be a metal pin that represents a Disney Event, Location, Character or Icon, and have © Disney on the back -- see my earlier post).

 

[Owee24]

I am going to start trading when we go in may. I purchased my pins from the disney store and ebay also. The ones I got from ebay were castmember pins and they have lots of hidden mickeys in them. I paid $2 pin. I am really excited about trying it!