The Beginner’s Guide to Disney Pin Trading

Disney Pin Trading is a great, interactive experience where guests can trade Disney pins with other guests or cast members in all parks throughout the world. It gives you a chance to demonstrate your own personal Disney style and to interact with fellow traders through a fun hobby. Pins have always been available at Disney parks, but it wasn’t until the Millennium Celebration at Walt Disney World where pin trading was first introduced. These pins feature Disney characters, attractions, icons, and events.

Pin collecting and trading can be a little overwhelming at first, but not to worry, I have some tips to get you started:

1. The best way to get started is to purchase a starter kit that includes a collection of pins and a lanyard. Choose a kit with pins you’d like to keep or even start trading with.

2. Pins may be purchased throughout the parks and at Downtown Disney.

Disneyland

20th Century Music Company on Main St.

Disneyland Emporium on Main. St.

Little Green Men Store Command in Tomorrowland

Westward Ho Trading Co. in Frontierland

Disney California Adventure Park

Los Feliz Five & Dime on Buena Vista Street

Gone Hollywood in Hollywood Land

Laod Bhang’s (near the World of Color viewing area)

Downtown Disney

World of Disney

Pin Traders (across from The Lego Store)

1. Trade your pins with cast members and guests throughout the parks! Cast members are given lanyards and are allowed to trade their pins with guests. Use your lanyard or cardholder to place extra pins you don’t mind trading. Keep in mind that you are only allowed two trades per cast member per day so choose wisely.

2. Please follow Disneyland Resorts Pin Trading Etiquette.

3. Look for pin boards located near cash registers inside the shops at Disneyland. Just ask a cashier to see the board when they are done with their transaction. These boards are found throughout certain gift shops and aren’t always displayed. You have to ask a cast member to see them.

4. Buy extra backings! You’d be surprised how much they come in handy. Your lanyard may get caught on a ride or one of your pins may fall unexpectedly. Typically, I replace my backing if one is too loose for my pin and offer one if someone else needs it. You can keep a couple in your lanyard cardholder too.

5. Keep on the lookout for new pins each month, especially limited edition (LE) ones displayed at the parks. There are also different mystery bags/box sets of various collections. Some collections may be limited edition or limited time only.

6. Disney Store has a Park Pack from Disney Parks available online each month. The set includes a collector’s set of two open edition pins and one limited edition pin. If you’re interested, it’s best to order right away at the beginning of the month because they sell out fast.Pin Park Pack courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

7. There are other special pins you may purchase that are not sold at the parks. The most popular place to get pins from is at the Disney Studio Store and Ghirardelli Soda Fountain, which releases different limited edition pins throughout the month.Disney Studio Store in HollywoodMost recent Pin Trader Delight courtesy of Disney Studio Store Hollywood Facebook

8. Don’t like some of the pins available at the parks or other locations? Or looking for a specific pin? You can buy pins from vendors online through eBay or even social media accounts like Twitter or Instagram.  Just beware of scrappers and counterfeits when purchasing from third parties and when trading with others, which you can learn more about HERE.

Now you’re ready to trade pins!

Pin collecting can be such a fun a hobby (and an addicting one, too). The most exciting thing about pin trading is that you can have any pin you want on your lanyard (or multiple if you like wearing more) whether it be comprised of a certain theme or a random assortment of pins. It’s one of the best ways for anyone to express their love for Disney.

* * *

Are you going to start your own collection or have already started one? Share your collections with us! Comment below or share them on our Twitter, Instagram or Facebook @DisneyExaminer.