What are the trading pins?

[luvs2cruz]

What is up with the pin trading and how do you get started??

 

[calmpets]

Pin trading is a Disney phenomenon!!! Seriously, people go crazy over it. The way it works is that you buy yourself a "starter set" for around $30, which includes several pins and a lanyard. On the ship they have tons off additional pins you can buy, as well as offering pin trading gatherings (like giant swap meets for pins). Cast members wear pins all the time, and the story is that if a guest offers to trade they have to agree to the swap. By trading pins you can develop a variety of unique and interesting ones for your collection. I got starter sets for each of my stepkids before we took them on the Magic and they had a great time with it. They were constantly checking out what pins other people were wearing. My stepson was just focused on how many trades he could make, whereas my stepdaughter was very selective about what she kept and what she swapped.

 

[erincon23]

You don't have to buy a $30 starter set -- you can buy groups of Disney pins on Ebay for about $2 per pin, and you can use any kind of lanyard, hat, vest or anything to put your pins on. Go to odpt.com (the official Disney pin site) for an FAQ. There are also MANY threads on this board -- in the collector's area and the theme park area -- with more detailed info. I've been trading pins for several years (and am actually trying to get out of it because of the cost right now, but it keeps sucking me back in) and have found it a fun way to chat with people and make my Disney experience more interactive.

Erin

 

[tjbaggott]

I bought Disney lanyards from the Dollar Store, then ordered my boys Disney pins off of Ebay (I ordered Girly ones so they would WANT to trade them!).
They have them all on their lanyards now, and can't wait to get to Disney world. Almost all CM's wear lanyards With pins, and kids trade with them in both Disney World and on the Disney Cruises.

 

[wdwwishes]

OMG, the poster who said it sucks you in is so right. My DDs are into the pins and it's become their souvenir of choice (so much better than lugging home yet more Disney stuffed animals). You can really get into it. The pins are really cute. Last year at AKL we saw a man with a pin vest on and it was covered!!! He was so nice talking my DDs about how he got started etc. etc. The CMs are really nice when approached about pins and trading. It's a great conversation starter.

 

[dvschem]

My wife and kids are addicted to Disney Pin trading - which is pretty difficult to do from Australia.

I ordered 100 pins from eBay and they nearly fipped when they unwrapped their packages. I made sure I bought from a seller who gauranteed no more than two of each type of pin. Now they can trade amongst themselves and will have a huge stash to take along next time we visit Disneyland and DCL.

 

[TiaMaria]

Our kids love the cocktail party with pin trading with the ships' Officers. They are so great with the kids - not only in trading, but in chatting and getting to know them a bit.

 

[Jessebuggy]

Also onboard they have specific dates that you can receive one of a kind pins that are only available on board. There will be certificates in your room. The only problem is that there is one per stateroom so the kids fight over them. On our Dec. cruise, the free set collected with coupons from stateroom formed the shape of the Disney Magic. Really cool!!

 

[aznaphrodite]

Also onboard they have specific dates that you can receive one of a kind pins that are only available on board. There will be certificates in your room. The only problem is that there is one per stateroom so the kids fight over them. On our Dec. cruise, the free set collected with coupons from stateroom formed the shape of the Disney Magic. Really cool!!

When was this? We just sailed the Magic from 4/25-5/2 and didn't get a free pin certificate.

I just also wanted to chime in that there are tons of opportunities to pin trade onboard. There is a small kiosk shop setup by the pool and there are always pins to trade there. Also, there are evenings where you can trade with the ship officers! Very fun!!

 

[Muskrat]

Pin trading = the single best reason for every Disney Phanatic to wear a lanyard!

My girls started 3 years ago, I won a "Year of the Million Dreams" lanyard with 2 limited pins and gave that to my wife. Luckily, this year I found the same lanyard and pins on ebay and won that auction. (Altough my lanyard and pins are from Disneyland...her's is from DisneyWorld)

 

[bevgray]

For more information, go to the Collectors Forum. One of the top stickies has some guidelines to help you get started. In addition, there are many veteran pin collectors (over ten years experience) over there who will be very happy to answer your questions. Best advice I can give you is to pick a theme and try to stick to it (e.g., princesses, Mickey doing sports activities, resorts, attractions, pirates, etc.). There are so many pins that it can be overwhelming at first.

Keep in mind that each Disney park as well as the Cruise line have pins that are exclusive to that venue. There are a handful of Castaway Cay pins, for example, that you can only purchase at the little "She Sells" store. Every evening a crew member sets up a small pin trading station in the guest services area. A couple of evenings, the officers were lined up there for the express purpose of trading pins. You may also trade with other guests (this is true in the parks as well) although, for beginning collectors, it is easier to stick with cast member trades. Cast Members HAVE to trade with you, other guests do not.

 

[bullsmom7]

When was this? We just sailed the Magic from 4/25-5/2 and didn't get a free pin certificate.

I was told it was only for a few sailings. The were not available on the 4/25 cruise. At least that is what I was told.