Trading Pins

[TSMRunnels]

I have read that several people have bought trading pins from ebay before they leave for Disney. I have also read that you have to make sure that the ones you buy are ones that can be traded. I want to buy some of these pins for both my daughters (I think they would enjoy trading with others) but do not know how to tell which ones can be traded. Is there a list somewhere? Also, does trading occur in all the parks or just Magic Kingdom. Any info about this activity would be great - especially since I have never been to DisneyWorld.
Thanks,
tam

 

[TheDizMom]

The pins should have "official trading pin" and the year it was made on the back in mouse ears. If it has this then you should be able to trade it. You can trade with CM's, other Disney guests and at places like DTD there are usually people around with binders full of pins to trade. If you see a pin you like on someone (they're usually wearing them on lanyards around their necks)you can see if the person would be willing to trade for one of yours. The rarer you pin is the more people will want to trade with you, just make sure you are getting a rare one in return or several. My kids just like to collect them so far. They aren't intersted in giving up the ones they have.

 

[meandtheguys2]

There is a thread on the collecters board where they will help you look up pin sets.
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1267432

You can also see many of the pins on pinpics.com

 

[TSMRunnels]

Thanks so much for that Thread -- sooooo much info, I am a little overwhelmed.
Tam

 

[makinorlando]

My DD loves trading pins, and for the most part she sticks with trading with the CMs. They must trade with the child, and will accept any pin (that is a legitimate trading pin with the Disney logo) the child chooses to give them and the child can pick whichever pin they want on the lanyard. DD loves trading with and talking to the CMs about her collection. She is the one who is choosy - she stops just about every CM she sees with pins to see if they have any Chip & Dale that she does not! Every now and then, she will trade for something she knows I like too!

If this is your first time at Disney World, I would totally stick to trading with CMS - you will be able to tell the ones with pins - they either have lanyards around their necks or some have one that is attached to a belt. You can trade with CMS in all the parks, stores, DTD, resorts, etc.

If you go on EBAY - search for Disney Pins, etc. You can sometimes find "lots" of pins with 10 or so pins - you may or may not know what you are getting as far as the actual design. I have gotten some lots that in the end the pins were around 2.50 per after adding shipping - which is still a good deal with the cheapest in the parks being $6.95. I have found some at a Target near Disney that were at the time $5.95 - that was in the fall.

We find that the folks at DTD who are the serious collectors/traders are much more selective and do not have to trade if you do not have something that they want. This can be disappointing for children who don't totally get it. I make sure DD does not get her hopes up too much if she looks at these collections!

We went to DTD on Easter to get an Easter pin and DD took a peak at one of the binders and saw a Chip & Dale pin she really liked, (she mainly collect Chip and Dale now) - but the woman did not need or want anything DD had brought for trading. So she offered for us to buy one a pin in the Pin Trader store - she kept it to one that was at the minimum price - in trade. She and I went into the store, she picked out the pin she wanted, and then we made the trade. I was fine with this since DD really wanted the pin and it was not one I could purchase in a store. Yes, I may have found it on EBAY, but for us it was a good deal for that day!

You can see our collection by clicking on the pinpic links below!

Have fun!

 

[Oceana]

spin off?

On our next trip my oldest son will be 4... I was wondering if he was old enough to do pin trading and enjoy it? any experianced parent know?

I assumed he would stick to just trading for what he likes rather than rare

thanks
julie

 

[meandtheguys2]

My kids love trading, and the youngest began at that age. Be prepared, though to keep your mouth shut when he trades one of your favorites for a sedesma heyena... We came home with 4 of them.

 

[zoemurr]

I was overwhelmed too. If you send me a PM I will tell you what sellers I used.

I bought each child a starter set with a lanyard for MUCH cheaper than they had them in the parks from ebay. Also do a search on "booster" or "cutie" sets. You can trade a tiny pooh for any pin they have. We came home with some beautiful ones (and a lot of pirate ones I could do without.)

My kids are 5/8 and LOVED doing this.. but I agree it was very hard for me to keep my mouth shut when they made a trade I didn't like.

My 5 year old learned quickly that if you are very excited about a pin but don't have one you would like to trade they will just give it to you. (He scored 3 this way.. and his sister got one.) I was not thrilled with it, but the CMs apparently think a little blonde kid with his front tooth knocked out is cute. It's nice, but not teaching much about the real world. CM's told me "That's why it's Disney!"

HTH

 

[MiniGirl]

My 5 year old learned quickly that if you are very excited about a pin but don't have one you would like to trade they will just give it to you. (He scored 3 this way.. and his sister got one.) I was not thrilled with it, but the CMs apparently think a little blonde kid with his front tooth knocked out is cute. It's nice, but not teaching much about the real world. CM's told me "That's why it's Disney!"

HTH

This is not always the case. CMs have to sign out a lanyard with 12 pins on it. They have to return it with 12 pins on it. Now, yes, sometimes pins do fall off or a manager understands giving a child a pin and "making some magic" for that guest. However, if it happens too often, the CM will have to replace that pin out of their own pocket. Now, as a CM, I can get pins a little cheaper than most, but I can't afford to give every child a pin off my lanyard without getting one in return. <sigh> I wish I could though, but I just can't.

I just wanted to point this out so others don't get dissappointed when their child isn't just given a pin.

 

[makinorlando]

spin off?

On our next trip my oldest son will be 4... I was wondering if he was old enough to do pin trading and enjoy it? any experianced parent know?

I assumed he would stick to just trading for what he likes rather than rare

thanks
julie

DD has always traded for what she liked - not for something rare or hard to find - most times I don't have a clue -

The CMs do have sets of pins that are released that you can only get by trading (or EBAY), but that can't be purchased, and sometimes we will be in search of those pins to finish out a set - we had fun finding a set that were chip and dale with Disney treats and Disney buses.

I was glad when she decided she would concentrate on Chip and Dale pins -that makes it a little more of a challenge!

 

[tacomaranch]

This is not always the case. CMs have to sign out a lanyard with 12 pins on it. They have to return it with 12 pins on it. Now, yes, sometimes pins do fall off or a manager understands giving a child a pin and "making some magic" for that guest. However, if it happens too often, the CM will have to replace that pin out of their own pocket. Now, as a CM, I can get pins a little cheaper than most, but I can't afford to give every child a pin off my lanyard without getting one in return. <sigh> I wish I could though, but I just can't.

I just wanted to point this out so others don't get dissappointed when their child isn't just given a pin.

A wonderful handler of Stitch took the time to let my DS, then 3, look at her pins. He talked to her and was so engaged. I was standing there in tears because he has autism and was not very verbal at the time but this wonderful CM really was very kind to him and treated him like he was the only person in her universe. He could tell! He didn't even care about stitch and they had just came out and no one else was around yet. He picked out a pirate pin and then wanted another. I tried to explain one pin, but she was so moved and we were by her that she gave DS the other pin. When he went to see stitch he just showed off his pins and walked away...no words.

Thank God for the that wonderful CM who made our day!!!

 

[tacomaranch]

Now for the pin trading part.

I have made an extra long and thick lanyard from the strapping material and used velcro to close the ends and attached a holder for our passes and GAC.

I buy pins to collect on ebay from few select sellers. Watch out the shipping is outrageous lately!!! Use a seller who offers extra pins for .50 shipping or free. Buy with caution and check to make sure it is a real pin. Dizpins.com

I just let DS use pin trading to help with social situations but I also trade pins when I see something I want. CM's can trade two pins at a time. Do look for the little mickey head so you know it is a CM exclusive pin and hard to get.

I also seem to give away a few pins a day to little ones who like a pin or even to upset little ones to bribe them to be good. Or course I ask Mom or Dad first to see if it is ok.

I keep a binder at home with the complete sets I have collected to leave to DS. Put carry thumbnail pictures of the pins I need to finish the sets.

I love to pin trade and so does the entire family now. Enjoy and have fun.