What are these pins everyone is talking about?

[cgcruz]

A lot of you are talking about pins and how you trade them. Where do you get these pins? How much do they cost? Who are you trading them with? I need the 4-1-1 people!

 

[crow11ad]

The pins are so cool. They come in different styles, themes, different charcters, different rides..resorts..etc...you can get them anywhere on disney property. Maybe this article will help you...Remember you can trade with anyone or any CM....

How did something that started out so simply turn into an obsession? You may very well be asking yourself that same question if you're also married to a pin trader!

It started during our first trip to WDW in 2000. We bought a few souvenir pins. They were unique mementos of our trip, inexpensive, and easy to transport home. We got one for each park, and one for the Boardwalk (where we stayed). We also purchased a special Donald and Daisy bride and groom pin because the trip was a much-delayed honeymoon for us.

Those pins are still proudly displayed in our curio cabinet. But today there are also the albums stacked high on the shelf, and the lanyards draped over the mirror, and how could I forget the pin bags -- two, no three -- tucked in the cabinet. Wow! How did we get so many pins in only two years?

Maybe we should blame it all on Jiminy Cricket or the Blue Fairy. After all, she gave Jiminy his "Official Conscience" pin, which was the very first Disney pin. But aside from Jiminy's pin, it is a fact that Disney always sold collectible pins at the parks. However it was in October 1999 at the start of the Millennium Celebration that a new tradition, Disney Pin Trading, officially began, And the quest was on.

WHAT IS PIN TRADING?

In case you've never heard the phrase before, here's a bit of an explanation. Pin trading is the activity of making a mutually agreeable exchange of one Disney pin for another. Disney "pin etiquette" says that a "tradable" pin is one that is "a cloisonn�, semi-cloisonn� or hard-enamel metal Disney pin," that trades are basically on a one-for-one basis, and "certain pin sets must be traded as sets."

WHO ARE THE TRADERS?

Traders are as unique as their reasons for trading. They're all ages, from children to seniors. They come from all parts of the world bringing unique pins from their local Disney parks and stores.

Some traders start out with those few souvenirs and suddenly find they're trading for others they like better. Others traders, like ALL EARS subscriber Jason Diffendal, "knew about pin trading, but I consciously attempted to not get involved because I knew how much money I would be spending. But on an October 1999 trip, we stopped at the Belz Outlet and found some Disney pins for 99 cents in the Character Premier store, so I bought some. Later that day we were at Epcot, so I began to trade pins with cast members. The first pin I traded for was a FedEx Space Mountain pin with a Cast Member at Norway. That was such a cool pin. It was at that the moment I was hooked."

WHY DO THEY TRADE?

Any pin trader will tell you, once you've started it's hard to stop. But why? Well, one explanation can be found in the description of pin trading as an "interactive experience." This has a lot to do with its appeal. Trading is a great way to meet others. You can meet other guests and Cast Members, and you'll never be at a loss for conversation.

According to MaryAnn Chin, another ALL EARS subscriber, "I love Disney pin trading. The pins are generally beautiful, well made and very collectible. I like the camaraderie, the people I meet, and the chase is fun!"

My husband, Tom, definitely agrees. "A group of us met outside a local Disney Store on Saturday mornings during the release of the 100 Years of Magic Pins. We started out as strangers but, over time, we've become friends. Now we meet regularly to show our latest pins and to trade. It's lots of fun."

WHERE DO YOU TRADE?

Official trading occurs at all the Disney parks (Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, etc.) and at the Disney Stores. Additionally, you'll find trades occurring through various online groups, through the mail, and in countless other locations.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO TRADE?

This is the tough part. Disney releases a phenomenal number of pins in their different venues. So pin trading can be an expensive hobby and, as I said before, it can become an obsession.

You will find those who trade based on monetary value. They're always looking for something of greater value. There are also those who are willing to pay more than face value for a pin they really want. They tend to inflate prices and demand for certain pins.

So how do you decide? First, remember that there are just too many pins to collect them all. You have to set your own limits. Consider starting a collection on a particular theme or character and then trading for pins within that theme. You'll enjoy the fun of collecting and trading without over-extending yourself. Now if only my husband could complete his 100 Years of Dreams state pin collection, maybe he'd slow down a bit. Then again, maybe not!

And, as for all those new pins being produced, Jennifer Chin has some advice for Disney: "There are too many types and too little quantity of limited editions. The only people making out are the people who live closest to WDW and those on eBay. Disney needs to realize that some people collect for the joy of collecting."


Try this link as well... http://psc.disney.go.com/eventservices

 

[DeterminedOne]

You can buy trading pins at the parks, resorts, shops, people sell them on e-Bay. I got the 50th anniversary pin recently through Disney Visa. Most people buy them at the parks but as you can see there are many ways to obtain them. The goal is to sport your pins on a lanyard worn around the neck. The Disney CM's all where lanyards too. If you spot a pin on them you like they will trade it with you for one of your pins. You don't have to trade the pins you buy. The CM's won't approach you about it or anything. I'm one of those who buys pins just for fun. I have never traded one. They range in cost-different prices depending on size and design. I've paid anywhere from $4.50 to $8.50. HTH

 

[Leota]

Warning - Pin Trading can become a VERY expensive hobby! DS has literally thousands tied up in his pin collection, which now, for the most part, just sits there......

 

[Idroveallnight]

Two of my three children are pin traders. They love it! We generally only trade with the CMs. They are fantastic! They let the child choose which pin they want and which they want to give away. I like this system because then it's stress free. No tears!! They have some special pins they will not trade. It really is fun. One of the lanyard starter kits is a good way to start with kids - one to trade one to keep!

 

[Catrin]

I think the best thing to do... is get a "Starter Set" on Ebay. You can get 10 misc. pins for around 30.00. Once you have these 10, you can trade with all the CMs at the parks and DTD.
If you enjoy doing this, then you can ad on to your collection by buying a few that you like to keep!

It is SO fun, and just to meet and interact with the CM's.
Catrin

 

[JoannaOhio]

A lot of you are talking about pins and how you trade them. Where do you get these pins? How much do they cost?

If you go to the Budget Board, you'll find a number of threads about buying the pins. Check out this link and scroll down till you find my post about buying pins from MousePinsOnline for $1.75 each (their June special).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=840311

 

[ciera321]

Warning: Once you start, you may not be able to stop - or it that just me???

 

[kona-kraft]

Warning: Once you start, you may not be able to stop - or it that just me???

No, it's not just you. My two vacations this year were (and are) DISNEY PIN-related. I did DL in February (Chip & Dale pin event) and DH and I are doing our Sept vacation around the Epcot Pin Celebration event.

Believe it or not, it was much WORSE when I lived in Orlando......I spent almost every day at Disney, either after work or my days off.