Pin Trading with Kids

[Woodmnky]

On our last visit a CM gave my 5 yo son a pin. He has been very fascinated with this ever since and has decided that it posses all sorts of magical properties (as an imaginative 5 yo is likely to do). He has expressed an interest in getting a few more pins when we go to Disney in Sept, so I orderd him the Mickey Pin & Lanyard starter pack from the Disney Store (woo hoo for 25% off).

My question really is about pin trading at the locations that have the big boards set up. My son is Autistic and does not speak to strangers and he has a lot of social anxiety about approaching others. I want to make sure that I am clear about what usually goes on so that I can help him with this. I saw on the FAQs that you are not supposed to offer a pin that someone already has, but are CMs at the boards going to say that they don't want what he has to offer (as long as it is something different)? Can he walk up, choose a pin from their set and one to trade or does the CM have to like the trade? Obviously, I will be talking to the CM, but I am just wondering what to expect. I don't plan on having him trade outside of the pin trading boards because I know that is likely the only place that he will feel somewhat comfortable.

Also, next question. Is there a way to get a set (5-10) pins at a cheaper price than what you find the individual pins at the parks? I know that my son is not going to care about the individual pins, so I don't want to spend a fortune.

 

[HarleenQ]

On our last visit a CM gave my 5 yo son a pin. He has been very fascinated with this ever since and has decided that it posses all sorts of magical properties (as an imaginative 5 yo is likely to do). He has expressed an interest in getting a few more pins when we go to Disney in Sept, so I orderd him the Mickey Pin & Lanyard starter pack from the Disney Store (woo hoo for 25% off).

My question really is about pin trading at the locations that have the big boards set up. My son is Autistic and does not speak to strangers and he has a lot of social anxiety about approaching others. I want to make sure that I am clear about what usually goes on so that I can help him with this. I saw on the FAQs that you are not supposed to offer a pin that someone already has, but are CMs at the boards going to say that they don't want what he has to offer (as long as it is something different)? Can he walk up, choose a pin from their set and one to trade or does the CM have to like the trade? Obviously, I will be talking to the CM, but I am just wondering what to expect. I don't plan on having him trade outside of the pin trading boards because I know that is likely the only place that he will feel somewhat comfortable.

Also, next question. Is there a way to get a set (5-10) pins at a cheaper price than what you find the individual pins at the parks? I know that my son is not going to care about the individual pins, so I don't want to spend a fortune.

The boards have lots of duplicates. It won't be a big deal. With the boards, it seemed hit or miss on whether they would bring them out when asked. Some places said they were brought out during certain times during the day. Maybe check with the CM before your son just so he doesn't build up his courage only to be disappointed. My oldest is on the spectrum, and honestly, pin trading was awesome in terms of getting her to open up and enjoy interacting with people at the parks. So was SOTMK. She was obsessed with trying to complete certain sets of pins that she liked.

I'm not sure what you mean on pricing? There are packs you can buy with roughly 8 pins for around $30 at the different stores. Definitely better than buying individuals. I'd recommend heading over to Ebay and buying a pin lot from one of the sellers. Check their reviews to make sure they're selling genuine pins, but it's definitely a lot cheaper than anything in the park. He might even want to keep a few for himself You'd also have a bunch of pins in case you get a stickler CM that says there can't be duplicates (but I honestly don't think you'll run into this issue).

 

[Woodmnky]

Thank for the advice. I will check Ebay.

 

[Hezzy04]

My daughters (ages 4 and 5) were never turned away for a trade. I once noticed they were trying to trade a duplicate and I tried to have her pick a different pin to trade, but the CM said it was fine.

They always let me kids pick any pin they wanted for the board/lanyard and then trade any pin they wanted for it. It was super easy and not at all stressful.

 

[Woodmnky]

My daughters (ages 4 and 5) were never turned away for a trade. I once noticed they were trying to trade a duplicate and I tried to have her pick a different pin to trade, but the CM said it was fine.

They always let me kids pick any pin they wanted for the board/lanyard and then trade any pin they wanted for it. It was super easy and not at all stressful.

Great to hear. Thank you. I know that there is serious pin trading that happen with collectors editions and things like that, but kids just like what they like and I didn't want to set him up to really want something and have a CM turn him down. I'm hoping this will be an activity that can help him enjoy the parks a bit more. He doesn't like most of the rides and I had to tell him that Small World is closed during our trip and that one was his favorite. We already have pretty much every pressed penny from the parks, but this will give him something else to look for.

 

[glvsav37]

the CMs can't and won't turn you down. When they are working, they are not "serious collectors" and know that the pins they are wearing are for simple trading and interactions with the guests. Off hours they may be collectors with their own collection, but not while working.

my only suggestion is to be respectful of the CM's job at the time. If it is a retail CM and there is a long line at check out, don't ask to see their lanyard until the line is gone. Or if a CM is trying to direct traffic for a parade, don't interrupt them, etc..... They have to do their job #1 and then trading is somewhere from #2-whatever.

If you want to surprise your son, if you are AK, go to stroller rental at the front of the park and ask to see the "Pin Stroller" It is a stroller they will wheel out that is covered in pins. But as above, try not to do it early in the AM or near closing when they are busy checking in or out rentals. Also, the gift shop across the way has a safari vest at the main counter that is full of pins there too