Pin trading is big news at the Disney resorts. While the simple act of trading pins with a Cast Member is easy to grasp, the finer points leave a lot to be explored. Check out these tricks used by expert pin traders.
1. Look beyond the lanyards
Cast lanyards are the most obvious place to look for Disney pins, but they’re far from the only option. You’ll find pins on all manner of items around the Disney theme parks. In some areas, pin boards and books are sitting out nearly all the time. At others, you need to ask to see these extra pins, but they’re nearly always available.
Every Walt Disney World resort (with the exception of the Swan and Dolphin) has pin trading somewhere. Just ask at the front desk or concierge and they can direct you to the resort’s pin board or other pin trading paraphernalia. If you’re at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, inquire about King Pin in the gift shop. This African King is a particularly fun character who comes out from time to time. He wears pins all over his costume and has traders step up on the red carpet to do their trading.
Some other pin trading items to look for include:
- Pin strollers at park stroller rental locations
- The Pin Drum at the photo purchase area of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
- Pin Oven Mitt at Main Street Confectionary in Magic Kingdom
- The D-Street Vinylmation pin book at Downtown Disney
- The Frontier Trading Post board at Magic Kingdom
- Popcorn Display pins at Big Top Store in Magic Kingdom
- Pin boards at the Magic Kingdom bus area (occasionally found out on benches)
- Pin trading book at African Outpost in Epcot
- Pin vest at The Outpost outside Disney’s Animal Kingdom
You’ll also see pin boards behind many merchandise registers. Pin boards at restaurants are more rare, but it never hurts to ask, particularly if you spot Cast Members standing outside the restaurant working as greeters. When there’s a rush and everyone’s busy, there won’t be time to pull out rare pin books and boards, but a Cast Member with free time may be able to let you in on secret pins available in their location.
2. Know where the best lanyards are
You’ll find pin lanyards on all types of Cast Members throughout the parks. Merchandise Cast Members wear lanyards the most regularly, but you’ll spot custodial and attractions CMs with them as well. Don’t forget Guest Relations. Not only can you find lanyards, they also have boards or books for you to browse.
Pins are refreshed most often for merchandise lanyards because these get the most trading action. This is great if you’re lucky enough to spot a lanyard just after it’s gotten fresh pins. However, merchandise Cast Members often have a poor pin collection simply because people trade with them so often.
Custodial and attractions Cast Members get fewer trades, so it’s always worth taking a good look at these lanyards. If you spot a manager or coordinator with pins, you’ll want to get a look at those, too. You may come across some spectacular finds.
3. Hit Disney Pin Traders at Downtown Disney
Disney Pin Traders at Downtown Disney is a small circular pin store that has one of the most spectacular trading opportunities on property. When their pin wall is open, you have the chance to check out dozens of pins. The wall is refreshed often, too, so this is a good place to find rare pins. Unfortunately, the pin wall isn’t always open. Ask a Cast Member for information on the next trading time. If you’re parked near this end of Downtown Disney, hit the pin store first so you can plan to come back later if you find out the pin wall will be open.
4. Know your pins
Expert pin traders know the value of a rare pin when they see it. If you’re serious about pin trading, do some research before you arrive to identify collections or pins that you’re particularly interested in. Many pins come in sets. If you’re after a set, it’s good to know how many pins are in it and what they look like.
When you can tell a CM something specific about what you’re looking for, they’re better equipped to help you. They may be able to point you toward a coworker with your coveted pin, or tell you about another location where they’ve seen what you’re looking for.
Pin web sites can also clue you in to the characteristics of fakes. If you’re serious about getting authentic pins, you’ll want to know when to look for discolored paints or other small details that will clue you in to pins that aren’t authentic.
5. Approach guest trades well-prepared
Not all guests who wear pins in the park are looking to trade with other guests. Many just want to show off their goods. There are tables outside the pin kiosk behind Spaceship Earth at Epcot and outside the pin store at Downtown Disney where guests occasionally set up specifically to trade. Here you may spot avid pin traders with their books or boards, looking to trade with other guests.
Cast Members will accept any pin trade so long as you’re offering another authentic Disney pin. Other guests, however, may reject your trade. It’s important to offer a pin of equal value when you trade with a guest. Those who set up to trade usually know the worth of everything in their collection and won’t want to trade for something that diminishes its value.
6. Observe proper etiquette
Expert pin traders know how to approach Cast Members correctly and conduct a polite trade. Always ask to see a CMs pins rather than leering at them from a distance. Cast Members wearing pins are always happy to show them to you, but it can get uncomfortable when guests are staring at your lanyard without saying anything. You can trade two pins per Cast Member per day.
Backward pins are mystery pins that you must trade for without knowing what they are. You can’t trade a mystery pin right back to the Cast Member even if you don’t like it. Keep some pins on hand that you don’t care about to trade for mystery pins and keep in mind that you can always trade them away to the next CM you see.
7. Keep an eye out for exclusive sets
Many pin sets are limited editions. If you spot a limited edition pin or collection, you’ll want to grab them while you can. Some pins can only be purchased at special events like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. You want to keep a keen eye on lanyards at these events, too. Some of the exclusive sets are mystery pins, so guests will trade away their duplicates.
Pin trading is a popular hobby for good reason, and you can easily fill the better part of your day looking for pins if you’re interested in searching down the very best choices in the park.
