I've just snagged a few pins for about $1.75 each. Glad to know I'm in the right price range. I've obviously never done the pins before, but I just remember them being kind of expensive in the park. My son doesn't want to trade them, and I'm sure he'll lose a few along the way.
I'll keep my eye out for a plain lanyard. The ones so far have been more than I want to pay. Plus, we're going in a week, and I'm more willing to risk the pins not being here than a lanyard if I can help it.