Pin Trading Guide

Disney trading pins can be a fun collecting experience for anyone, young or old. Getting started is easy, and this hobby makes a great family tradition, too. You'll get these collectible pins in Disney resorts and parks worldwide, with some parks offering special pins found only there. Disney pin trading has only been going on since the Millennium Celebration in 1999, but it's going strong.

Thousands of people today trade Disney pins with cast members in parks and with other park guests and Disney fans. As with any kind of collecting hobby, you just need to find pins that are important to you. After all, there's a huge variety out there. Find the pins that you like most and build a collection that's meaningful for you and your family. Just remember to have fun!

How To Get Started

If you're new to trading these fun character pins, you might feel a little overwhelmed to start. After all, these pins are everywhere, and there are lots to choose from. Fortunately, it's easy to get started. There are even starter sets sold in Disney stores and theme park kiosks. Including a lanyard and four to eight pins, these sets will help you find a few to start collecting and trading. You can also buy boosters to get pins for trading. While these don't come with a lanyard, you can buy those separately from Disney, or even use a bag.

There are areas in most Disney parks dedicated to trading. There are traders and collectors there every day, and most have been trading for a while. Some may have books you can look through, and other Disney pin traders will usually be happy to answer your questions.

How To Trade

Most of the time, the first time you actually trade one of these pins, you'll do it with a cast member who works in Disney theme park. You might see them at a kiosk, in a store, or even walking around on their own with a lanyard of pins. Any Disney trading pin a cast member has on his or her lanyard is available to trade, since the pins themselves belong to the company. Ask and they're sure to be willing to make a trade with you for a pin you already have.

Trading Etiquette - How To Do It Politely

If you're not sure how to trade, there are some basic rules available wherever you can buy pins. These change from time to time, but there are a few basics. For instance, to tell whether a pin is tradable, look at the material and subject. It should be made from metal, and represent an event, location, icon or character from Disney. A pin should be in good condition, and pins should always be traded from hand to hand, one at a time. Don't trade pins in bulk.

To make sure that no one gets hurt, make sure you trade with the backs of the pins on. You can trade only one pin of the same style with a given cast member, and a maximum of two trading pins. Don't offer a pin that the cast member already has on his or her lanyard, and never reach out and touch the lanyard or the pins. If you want to look closer, ask the cast member to bring the lanyard closer.

Cast members don't trade name pins, and gifts and money can't be involved. The only thing you can trade for a pin is another pin. Remember that pins not on lanyards, such as a Showcase pin, aren't available for trade.

What Pins Should I Trade?

When you start out, you'll probably be looking for whatever pin you like best. However, many people narrow things down a lot choosing specific categories, resorts, and characters. Some Disney trading pins go up in value, such as Limited Edition pins. If you see a pin selling online for a high price, this is why. Some traders just want the most recent Limited Edition pins, and will usually be willing to trade one they have for pins you've purchased. This can be an excellent way to get pins you'd like but which can't be purchased elsewhere.

Cast lanyard pins are another popular type. They're given to cast members at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and aren't for sale. You can only get them by trading with a cast member. Not sure if you have one? They'll have a Mickey head shape on the front, plus a stamp on the back that says "cast lanyard collection". These are highly desirable pins, and are great for collectors to keep.