Disneyana: Guide to Pin Trading
(UK Customers)

Pin trading is the new craze sweeping through Disney World. It started for the Millennium celebrations back in October 99, but has been so successful that it was continued after the Millennium celebrations finished.

You will see a lot of cast members wearing pin lanyards around their necks, on which they have 12 Disney pins. These cast members will trade one of their pins for one of your pins, just ask them! The cast member must trade a pin if asked, one pin for one pin, and they must be the cloisonné type metal Disney pins.

You can also trade with other guests, but there aren't any strict rules like with cast member trading. A pin trading guest may have a limited edition pin you want to trade, they may ask you for, say, 5 of your normal pins for their one limited edition pin. It's a good way to meet other guests, so don't be shy! At the main pin trading station in Epcot, there are sometimes tables at the front where guests can trade their pins with other guests. When I was there in September I saw guests with huge numbers of pins, all displayed in pin trading bags, doing deals with other guests for those hard-to-find pins.

Pin trading stations are located at each of the four theme parks, the Downtown Disney shopping and entertainment complex and Walt Disney World Resort hotels. The pin stations sell pins, along with pin lanyards, books, bags, and vests. The pin stations also hold pin trdaing seminars, where Disney pin traders will give a talk on pin trading, explaining limited edition pins, and giving hints on pin trading. Times will be displayed at the pin stations.

Anyone can trade pins at WDW, you only need one pin to start trading! Pin trading 'starter kits' are available at pin stations, whoch consist of a pin lanyard, and a set of pins.

Pins are available featuring Disney characters, some characters feature on more than one pin, as you can imagine there are lots of different Mickey & Minnie pins. Resort pins are also available, although the Dixie Landings pin has sold out across the resort.

There are also limited edition pins - pin of the month, Mickey through the years pins, e-ticket pins, special event pins - a limited number are made & can be very hard to get hold of.

When a limited edition pin goes on sale, there is often a long line of people waiting to purchase the pin, so arrive early & be prepared to wait.

 

Limited edition 'Artist Choice' pin.

The resort offers a huge collection of "core pins" featuring attractions, resorts and favorite Disney characters, priced between $6.50 and $8.50, limited editions can cost from $10 upwards.

There are so many pins available, it's hard to know which to buy. You could limit yourself to certain types of pins, such as limited editions. Or you could just collect your favourite characters, maybe the princesses, or villains. Here are a few suggestions-
- limited editions
- resorts
- Mickeys
- villains
- princesses
- animals
- holidays and special events
- parks

Pin trader weekends - these are special weekend events held that feature pin auctions & artist choice pins.
- Special Disney "Artist choice" pins will be introduced each weekend, and the pins can be signed by the artist. I was at Epcot one Saturday in September during the pin trader weekend, and saw a line of people queueing for an artist choice pin. As had just started collecting pins I decided to get in line. I was lucky enough to get one of the last remaining pins - Goofy stood in front of Spaceship Earth - for $10. Sadly I didn't get the pin signed by the artist as they had closed the queue because it was so long.
- Exclusive "Epcot Pin Trading" logo event pin available only during pin weekends.

- Special pin trading area for guests to meet and trade with other guests in the Odyssey Center.
- Bid on your favourite pins at the exciting auction in the Odyssey Center, tickets are $10 per bidder and include one guest.
- Fascinating, interactive seminars that will immerse you into the wonderful world of pins, including presentations on development, design, production and trading.
For more information on Pin Weekends and auction reservations, call 407-560-5725.

 

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