How to Become a Disney Pin Trader
If you want to know how to get into pin trading at Disney World, keep reading because we're giving you the low down on becoming a disney pin trader.
What Is a Disney Pin Trader?
Trading Disney pins allows fans to interact with guests and cast members and acquire unique collectibles featuring their favorite characters.
Originally, these pins were meant to be collectible souvenirs. It wasn't until the Millennium Celebration in 1999 that pin trading was officially introduced.
Most pin trading events happen at Disneyland Resort, but pin trading happens all over the world. You can find events in Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, Aulani, and Disney Cruise Lines. Plus, each location has its own unique pin designs.
Pin trading is now a craze among fans, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. More pins are being created each year, including limited-release designs that have people clamoring to get their hands on one. Of course, there are so many out there that it's impossible to collect them all, but collectors strive to grab their favorite designs.
It's always exciting to find a rare pin and add it to your collection.
So, a Disney pin trader is simply someone that collects and trades these pins either in person, at events, or online. You can keep them for yourself and simply enjoy trading them as a hobby or make money with them.
By the way, some of the rarest and most valuable pins are worth thousands of dollars. It's the dream of many collectors to acquire one of these highly sought-after pins.
How Much Do Pins Cost?
The average cost of pins is between $9.99 to $15.99. However, limited edition pins sell for more. You can buy them at the parks or online at ShopDisney.
These options are great for beginning collectors. You might want to consider getting a lanyard or starter pack that contains a few pins for around $15 - $25. This is an affordable way to begin your trading journey, and it's not too overwhelming.
There are a ton of options in stores and online, and it can be easy to wind up wanting all of them. Starting with a few that you enjoy is the first step in the collecting journey. You can add more as you go along or trade with others to enrich your collection.
How to Choose a Theme
Not sure where to start with your pin collection? If you're planning on displaying them on a pin bag or board, you might have a specific look or feel you want to convey.
One way you can make all the pins group cohesively is to decide on a theme. Maybe you start with pins from your favorite Disney movie, or you collect all the princesses. You might even go with a specific color theme, such as purple or blue.
Having a theme or idea in mind can help you focus on which section to shop or what you want to find in a trade. For instance, if you're planning on creating a board full of Disney princesses, you might want to create a list or start with your favorites. (There are twelve official princesses, by the way, or soon to be thirteen with Raya.)
Each time you trade for a new pin that you need, you can cross someone off the list. This gives you a goal to work toward and a place to start when attending trading events or shopping in the parks.
Pin Trading in Disney Parks
Anyone that has been to Disney parks has likely seen the Disney pin cards and displays throughout the stores and along the property. However, you can also trade pins that you have with other guests. It's a great idea for all those times you're waiting in line for an attraction, and you could make a new friend.
Many park guests prominently display their pins on lanyards or in pin backpacks, which we'll discuss more later. These are a cute and convenient way to show off your pins and find other traders.
Whether you love Mickey Mouse or Elsa, trading with other fans is the perfect way to shape your collection and fill it with all your favs.
So, how do you start pin trading in the parks? There are generally a few ways. You can go to an event, trade with park guests, or trade with Disney cast members.
Trading With Cast Members
You'll find pin boards or lanyards throughout the property filled with pins specifically for trading. You can trade up to two with the same cast member, but make sure you have official Disney pins. Cast members won't accept knockoffs.
Cast members wear specifically colored lanyards. A green lanyard, for instance, indicates the pins are for traders 12 years and younger.
Some pins are only given to cast members. Since a cast member can't say no to a trade, aside from the eligibility rules, this is an excellent way to acquire some rarer pins.
If you have any questions about trading or pin rarity, feel free to ask them! Cast members have tons of knowledge about the park, and they want to ensure all guests have a great time.
Pin Trading Boxes
Recently, Disney announced a new way to trade pins called pin trading boxes. The boxes have 24 different numbered compartments. Traders can offer up an official pin and then pick a number on the box.
Cast members then present you with a mystery pin or whatever pin the box contains. It's Disney's take on the mystery grab bag.
If you want to know what you're getting, this option might not be for you. But if you like an element of mystery and surprise, you might want to give trading boxes a shot.
Trading With Park Guests
Many park guests are open to trading. Just remember that unlike cast members, they can say no, and they might not have the pin you want. If you talk to a park guest that has a lanyard or other display full of pins and they aren't interested, know when to say okay and walk away.
Some collectors purchase pins to keep rather than trade. However, even if they don't want to trade pins, you might be able to trade stories and show off your collections.
Trading pins with other park guests is great for extroverts and people looking to make new friends.
Pin Trading Events
There are also pin trading events in the Disney parks that attract collectors from all over the world. As a new trader, you can meet with diehard collectors that likely have some really impressive pins in their collection.
You can find events on the Disney website. However, make sure that you only trade official Disney pins. Collectors and staff will know the difference between a knockoff and the real deal!
We'll teach you how to spot fakes for yourself in this guide as well, so you never fall for a scam sale.
Purchasing Pins Online
New collectors should be cautious if they plan to buy pins online, as there are many scams. On eBay, for example, a seller may have an official pin pictured in a listing, but the product you receive looks nothing like it. The colors might be off, or the edges may look and feel uneven.
These scammers often try to get away with selling knockoffs that may fool new collectors.
You can find groups of pin traders on Facebook or Reddit. Still, you'll have to remain cautious when buying pins online, even in groups like these. Some people unwittingly buy fakes, while others might be scammers.
Pin Etiquette
Pin trading might sound scary at first, at least if you're worried about saying the wrong thing or talking to strangers. However, it's super easy, and most collectors are friendly and excited to chat about their favorite characters.
When you speak to another trader, ask to see the pins but don't touch them. You don't have to trade if you don't like what you see, but be sure to thank them for letting you look.
If you want to trade with either a cast member or a park guest, let them know which one you're interested in. Trade one pin at a time. Take the pin you plan to trade off and replace the back before handing it to the cast member or guest.
Hold out your hand to receive the trade and then thank them. You can now display your new pin on your lanyard!
Displaying Pins
Speaking of displaying pins, there are quite a few ways to do so. Many people keep their pins on a lanyard at the parks or at events. However, lanyards can quickly run out of room, and some people worry that they're not as secure.
A corkboard or pinboard is great for displaying your pins at home, as it gives you plenty of room. You may also choose to display them in a shadow box or other case.
A fun way that many people display their favorite pins is with a trading pin bag or backpack. These bags are designed to store and display pins in a cute and clever way. This way, you can wear your favorite pins every day while still keeping them safe and secure.
Spotting Fakes
People selling fake pins have unfortunately flooded the online market, filling platforms like eBay with listings falsely advertised as official. It's tough to tell whether a pin is real or fake, especially when you only have a picture to look at. Some sellers even use pictures of the real deal to scam buyers.
Thankfully, there are some tests you can take to weed out fakes and get your money back.
Official pins have some magnetic properties, but they won't stick to a magnet completely. Counterfeit pins, on the other hand, often stick to a magnet. Take a magnet and run it over the pin to see if it sticks or not.
Another way to tell is to look at the colors. Official Disney pins are full of vibrant colors and detail. Fakes have duller colors or even spots on the pin design with colors missing.
There are also ways to spot a fake by looking at the back of the pin. You might find misspelled words, or the pin itself might be off-center. Any signs of the pin looking cheap are usually red flags that it's a fake.
In 2009, Disney added a Mickey waffling pattern to the pins to help curb fakes. Fake pins that try to attempt the Mickey design often have ridges or uneven spots.
Imposter pins are also made from low-quality metals, which causes them to feel lighter than official Disney pins.
The only way to know for sure if you're getting a real pin is to buy from Disney parks or to shop online at Disney.com. Always avoid sellers listing "official" pins for deeply discounted prices, as they are often low-quality counterfeit products.
Become a Disney Pin Trader
If you're interested in entering the world of pin trading, use these tips to get started. Soon you'll be a Disney pin trader and attending all the latest events.
Once you've gathered a good collection, you want a stylish way to display them. Pin bags allow you to show off all your favorite characters whether you're at the Disney parks or in your local town. Take a look at our selection to find the perfect bag.
