How to Start Pin Trading at Disney With Kids
My Kids Pin Collections
Welcome to the magical world of Disney Pin Trading! This book is your all-in-one guide to understanding, starting, and fully immersing yourself in this beloved Disney tradition. Pin trading isn’t just about collecting pins—it’s a way to meet fellow Disney lovers, create family memories, and bring home a little piece of the Disney magic with every pin you find or trade. Whether you’re a casual collector, a seasoned trader, or a parent watching your kids fall in love with this enchanting activity, this guide will help you make the most of your Disney pin trading adventures!
For our family, pin trading has become an essential part of our Disney vacations. The kids absolutely adore it; even our toddler has joined in! Watching them light up when they find a new pin or make a successful trade is a special kind of Disney magic. They’re thrilled by the experience, and I love that it adds a layer of fun and excitement to each trip. We often find that other families see my kids trading and can’t help but want to join in! That's why we love helping newcomers start their own collections, sharing tips and advice to make sure they’re all set to begin their trading adventures.
Disney Pin Trading truly adds an extra sprinkle of joy to every Disney vacation. As we dive into this guide, you’ll learn everything from the history of pin trading to tips for building your collection, pin-trading etiquette, and fun ways to store your favorite pins. Whether you’re already a fan or brand new to the world of pin trading, this book will help you enhance your Disney experience with each magical pin.
A Brief History of Disney Pin Trading
Pin Trading at Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Disney has been creating pins as keepsakes for decades, dating all the way back to the early days of Disneyland in the 1950s. Back then, pins were simple souvenirs you’d buy to remember a special event or occasion. But the concept of actually trading pins? That came along much later.
Disney Pin Trading officially launched in October 1999 at Walt Disney World during the Millennium Celebration. It started as a way for fans to connect and share a piece of the Disney magic, and the idea took off immediately. Guests were encouraged to purchase and trade pins with Cast Members and each other, turning collecting into a whole new interactive experience. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about the pin itself, but about the fun of meeting new people and making memories.
Over the years, pin trading has evolved and expanded to Disney parks all around the world, from Disneyland Paris to Tokyo Disney Resort. Disney has rolled out tons of special collections, limited-edition releases, and themed pins that connect with new movies, attractions, and seasonal events. From Halloween and Christmas to ride anniversaries, there’s a pin for everything, and it makes each trip feel a little different.
Today, pin trading is still going strong, and it’s created a whole community of fans who love to trade, collect, and talk pins! Disney even hosts special pin trading events, like Pin Trading Nights and Pin Celebrations, where people can come together and share their collections. It’s amazing how something that started as a little souvenir has become such a big part of the Disney experience.
Getting Started with Disney Pin Trading
If there’s even a chance that pin trading might interest your child, I definitely recommend preparing ahead of time before you get to the park. Pins at Disney can be pricey—typically ranging from $10 to $20 each, with certain special edition pins even more expensive. For that reason, I don’t let my kids trade any of the pins we’ve bought at the parks. There are some pins we consider priceless, like the ones we got on the Halcyon Galactic Starcruiser.
To start on a budget, it’s best to put together a starter kit before your trip. You can buy a small collection of pins online, which costs much less than buying in the parks. That way, your kids can have fun trading without the pressure of losing an expensive pin. Setting them up with a few inexpensive pins lets them jump right in and enjoy the excitement of pin trading with other guests and Cast Members.
Getting into pin trading is as simple or elaborate as you want it to be. In this chapter, we’ll cover all the basics—from where to buy pins and how to trade with Cast Members and guests, to the best trading spots in each park.
Trading Pins in Our Family
Video of my family preparing for. trip to Walt Disney World and organizing pins.
As a family of Disney lovers, we have our own approach to pin trading that makes it easy, fun, and kid-friendly. For those just starting out, buying a bulk lot of pins off eBay is an affordable way to grow a collection quickly. However, serious traders refer to many of these bulk pins as "scrappers" or “fake pins” because they might not be official or are produced outside of Disney's quality standards.
For younger children, I believe the thrill of the trade matters more than the pins’ authenticity. It gives kids a way to practice trading, learn the process, and feel included. Occasionally, we buy new pins from the Disney parks, and those tend to be the ones we hold on to and don’t trade away.
Before we head to the park, I gather all the kids and we sit down to choose pins. Starting with the oldest, each child picks one pin from the pile. This process not only builds excitement but sometimes inspires them to start collecting new sets they hadn’t considered. My kids have this unspoken rule: once someone claims a set, it’s theirs to build, and no one else starts collecting it—unless we happen to have a ton of duplicates. If you have multiple kids like me, I’d definitely recommend encouraging them to choose unique sets. It helps avoid any friction between siblings over their collections!
Once everyone has chosen their pins, we finish up our pre-park preparations, knowing they’re ready to trade.Our family has a simple system that helps streamline the trading experience. Each family member has a Ziploc bag with their name on it, where we store pins intended for trading. We also keep our favorite “keeper” pins on our lanyards to avoid accidentally trading them. This way, when it’s time to trade, we just grab the Ziploc bag and start our search for new treasures!
Rules of Pin Trading
Since the pandemic, most Cast Members no longer wear pin lanyards, but you’ll find plenty of pin trading boards throughout the Disney parks and resorts. These boards are placed in shops, kiosks, and other key spots, so keep an eye out! Every Disney resort also has a pin trading board, and if you don’t see one, just ask at the front desk. For example, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge even has the special “King Pin” Trader that comes a couple of times a week, a favorite stop for dedicated pin traders.
Like any beloved Disney tradition, pin trading has its own set of rules and etiquette to keep the experience magical for everyone. When using a Cast Member board, you can approach freely, and any official Disney pin (even the scrappers) is fair game for a trade—perfect if you’re just getting started or trading with young kids.
When it comes to trading with other guests, courtesy is key. If you spot someone with a pin you’d love to trade, approach them politely, and ask if they’re interested in trading. Remember, other guests have the right to decline a trade, and it’s perfectly okay to respectfully say “no” if you’re not interested in a pin they’re offering. A simple “thank you anyway” keeps things positive and friendly.
If you’re trading with your children, teaching them to respect other traders’ collections and pins is important. Sometimes, a pin may be special to someone else—even if it’s common or easy to find—so it’s best not to insist on trading for a specific pin if the other person seems hesitant.
Finally, keep in mind that there are some general trading guidelines in the parks: only trade official Disney pins (scrappers too!), limit trades with Cast Members to two per person (they will tell you that is the limit), and avoid trading damaged or broken pins. By following these tips, you’ll help keep the experience magical for everyone involved, and you’ll build wonderful connections with fellow Disney fans along the way.
The Perspective of Serious Pin Traders
Disney pin trading is serious business for many collectors who search tirelessly for rare and limited-edition pins. Dedicated traders avoid trading “scrappers” (unofficial pins) because it affects the authenticity and value of their collections. But with my kids, we focus on just having fun with it—so we mainly use scrappers for trading.
To keep things simple, I don’t let them trade any pins we’ve purchased from Disney directly, as those can be pricey. For added security, I use locking pin backs on their purchased pins to make sure they don’t accidentally fall off. This way, they can enjoy the thrill of trading without worrying about losing their special keepsakes!
Pin trading at the Parks
Pin Storage and Organization
As your pin collection grows, keeping it organized becomes essential. In this section, we’ll explore various ways to store and display your pins, from pin bags and boards to custom frames, lanyards, and even creative binder setups. There are also pin booklets available, and some collectors get inventive with different storage solutions as their collections expand.
If you plan to keep some pins while trading others on your Disney trips, we’ve included tips on how to separate them for easy access. Storage methods often change as kids grow, but pin trading is a hobby that many enjoy well into adulthood—so finding a system that works for you is key to making the most of your collection for years to come.
Creating Disney Pin Trading Memories
Pin trading is about more than just collecting—it’s about creating memories. This chapter will share ideas on ways to document your pin trading adventures, whether through photos, journaling, or displaying your favorite pins as keepsakes.
Disney Pin Trading offers something for everyone, from serious collectors to young beginners. I hope sharing out family’s journey and our approach to making the most of the pin-trading experience, reminding you that there’s no right or wrong way to trade as long as you’re having fun. So grab your pins, hit the parks, and trade with magic in your heart!
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As a therapist by trade and a mom of four, I use my expertise in understanding personalities to help you discover your "Disney Enneagram"—a fun way to tailor your Disney vacation planning to suit your family's needs or large group dynamics, ensuring everyone enjoys the magic in their own unique way. With my firsthand experience navigating Disney with babies and toddlers, I'll share all my best tips to make your trip smooth and fun for everyone. Plus, check out some of our family’s favorite rides at Magic Kingdom—there's something for everyone to enjoy!
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