Pins???

[mmfamily]

Hello! Our first cruise ever is March 19th, Fantasy. I've been doing my research and heard a little bit about Pins. What is the deal with these? Also, does Disney send you lanyards before your cruise or do have to buy those separately? Thanks for the info!!!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hello! Our first cruise ever is March 19th, Fantasy. I've been doing my research and heard a little bit about Pins. What is the deal with these? Also, does Disney send you lanyards before your cruise or do have to buy those separately? Thanks for the info!!!!

Not sure what "pins" you're asking about, but maybe the lapel-type pins that people trade? There is pin-trading onboard.

DCL only give lanyards to returning cruisers, so, no as a first-time cruiser you won't be given one. You can purchase them onboard (once the ship has left port) for around $10. Or you can get them pre-cruise at places like WalMart, Party City, or Target for much less.

 

[erionm]

Also, does Disney send you lanyards before your cruise or do have to buy those separately? Thanks for the info!!!!

DCL only give lanyards to returning cruisers, so, no as a first-time cruiser you won't be given one.

If you are a DVC Member, DVC will have lanyards available (regardless of number of cruises you've done).

 

[mmfamily]

Not sure what "pins" you're asking about, but maybe the lapel-type pins that people trade? There is pin-trading onboard.

DCL only give lanyards to returning cruisers, so, no as a first-time cruiser you won't be given one. You can purchase them onboard (once the ship has left port) for around $10. Or you can get them pre-cruise at places like WalMart, Party City, or Target for much less.

Yes, the lapel pins. Thanks for the info!

 

[TiggerBouncy]

You can also get Lanyards by dropping by the Disney Vacation Club info booth during the first day show. They love to give them out. They want you to wear them. Sometimes they give 'em to you even if you are not DVC.

Pins refer to trading pins. My wife and I love to do this. The long and short is that you buy little pins (they cost from $4-$15 or so). Many people wear them on lanyards or pocket felt pads or even carry them in books. Often people who have pins may be willing to trade one of theirs for one of yours.

Also, almost all the CM's have them. CM's usually HAVE to trade their pin for yours (any pin you want of theirs for any of yours). Note that regular people do NOT have to trade (I have had kids demand that I give up valuable one of a kind pins for their bag pin! I think they mistake me for a CM...).

Pin trading is VERY popular in the Disney Parks as well as DCL. Beware - it can get addicting. Especially if - like me - you have a fondness for certain characters and want all / many of the pins for that character. There are literally thousands of official pins representing almost every aspect of Disney - from characters to parks, to lands in Epcot, to Rides, to Ships and so on.

You can read more about it here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney_pin_trading

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Oh... Also if you want to get into it, the ships (and any Disney property) usually have "Pin Trading Starter Packs" for about $20 or so. They include a lanyard and 5 "starter pins". They are usually of the cheaper quality, so you don't have to feel bad about trading them 'up'. The lanyards usually come with a KTTW holder as well.

CM's get their pins for free, so never feel bad about giving a CM a starter pin in exchange for something you want. They are not attached to them!

Also often Guest Services will have a book / folder of pins (as do many stores or restaurants, etc) they can trade from as long as it's quiet (please don't ask them to pull out the book when they are busy or slammed).

One other useful link for you is the DCL Pin Trading Blog:
http://www.disneyparksmerchandise.com/pins/browse/venue/disney-cruise-line

they are missing a lot though. Not sure how they choose what to blog.

 

[Mullis09]

Great tips! Thanks!

 

[BruinEd03]

There will also usually an Officer's Pin Trading night where they give out good pins (and have tons of them on hand). Basically once a lanyard is used up (e.g. everyone traded for a pin), they will get a fresh lanyard with tons of good pins on it. You can purchase pins at a discount online (avoid eBay where there are tons of counterfeits). One service that I've used that is pretty reliable is: http://mousepinsonline.com