Pin trading adults

[k.hunter30]

Ok, I have about 15 pins - so not many by most standards. I like trying to find ones that go along with my Disney interests (Sleeping Beauty - like the one above - Eeyore, etc.) But how many of you adults actually pin trade?

I have no problem going up to a character and asking for a picture and playing along, but when it comes to asking to trade pins with a CM, well, I feel a little weird. Like I'm too old or something. Anyways, I'm hoping some encouragement from you folks will help rid me of this - b/c it is fun (AND expensive...)

Also, if you take your pins into the park, do you put them on something other than a lanyard? I get a bad tan mark when I wear it... :animwink:

 

[Matpez]

I do both! I was always into pictures with characters, but now that I won a YOMD pin lanyard (see the trick here) I have bought pins and trade them with everyone!
CM's play along no matter who you are, some seem to enjoy it more than others. My favorite is the conversations that can happen with complete strangers.
I also love having pins I don't really care for of Mickey, Ariel, etc.. so that I have some to offer kids to trade. It is amazing to newcomers at WDW to see that the other guests can be just as nice to their kids as the CM's.
I enjoy it and try to remember my lanyard every time I visit!

 

[ZapperZ]

Ok, I have about 15 pins - so not many by most standards. I like trying to find ones that go along with my Disney interests (Sleeping Beauty - like the one above - Eeyore, etc.) But how many of you adults actually pin trade?

I have no problem going up to a character and asking for a picture and playing along, but when it comes to asking to trade pins with a CM, well, I feel a little weird. Like I'm too old or something. Anyways, I'm hoping some encouragement from you folks will help rid me of this - b/c it is fun (AND expensive...)

Also, if you take your pins into the park, do you put them on something other than a lanyard? I get a bad tan mark when I wear it... :animwink:

I would say that based on my observation, the majority of pin traders are adults. If you don't believe me, try going to one of the major pin event, such as the one coming up a week after Labor Day. So I would say that the cast members are very much familiar with trading with adults.

You don't have to put them on a lanyard unless you intend to let other guests trade with you. Having your pins on a lanyard usually indicates that you are willing to trade what you're wearing, though many people, especially kids, don't know that, since they are wearing what they like or just purchased. Most of my pins that I'm trading are usually in a small bag that I don't show unless I'm doing pin trading.

Edit: here are some pictures from the Pin Celebration event at Epcot from last September. You'll see an overwhelming number of adults.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showpost.php?p=1826561&postcount=40
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showpost.php?p=1826579&postcount=41
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showpost.php?p=1827488&postcount=44

Zz.

 

[New2WDW]

My wife loves to trade pins! But she is also standing behind my two little girls who love to trade as well and if she sees something she likes then she will ask to trade! I on the other hand am standing way back looking into my wallet that has no more money in it due to all this trading! :lol: I do love to watch my family having so much fun trading and searching for their favorite pins.

 

[k.hunter30]

... If you don't believe me, try going to one of the major pin event, such as the one coming up a week after Labor Day. ... Zz.

Oh, I've definitely seen pretty much ONLY adults at pin trading events - that's where I've bought my really nice ones... I feel comfortable trading there. It's the regular day trading with random members in the parks that I feel odd about. Maybe I'll recruit my fun-loving husband to do some trading for me!

 

[PX57chevy]

PTA Pin Traders Annonymous

Hi,

I am Rob Kleinmann

And I am addicted to pins...

Everytime we go down to WDW, we spend about $200 to $300 on pins...
We usually trade with cast members, it is more fun.
But the last time I was down there, I did trade with the pin sharks for a pin or too... It seems like the Shark factor has slowed a lot!!

My wife and I probably have a few thousand pins...We have been collecting since 1999.

I usually wear a Pluto cast lanyard with my Pluto name tag and cast ID tag pins....They are very old and usually get a rise out of cast members and strikes up a conversation...

I usually keep my traders in my pocket...

 

[ZapperZ]

Oh, I've definitely seen pretty much ONLY adults at pin trading events - that's where I've bought my really nice ones... I feel comfortable trading there. It's the regular day trading with random members in the parks that I feel odd about. Maybe I'll recruit my fun-loving husband to do some trading for me!

Oh, then you'll miss all the fun!

If you get a terrific cast member to trade with, you'll have a very enjoyable time. There are many that do get into it also. I would say that you should never be embarassed to do pin trading. Like I said, we do it all the time (and we're in our 40's! ), and there are many who do during regular days.

Zz.

 

[dazzer68]

they are adults wearing them too! i traded with them its fun...
ps that must be the oldest peter pan ive ever seen! (in the first post pic) bad casting!

 

[Eyorefan]

I am addicted to pins. Trading pins brings a whole new element to my trips to Disney. Like others have said, the conversations that can happen when you trade pins in the park are great.

Don't worry about being an adult trading with CMs, that's mainly who I trade with since I just do it for fun. I'm not a hardcore pin shark. From what I've seen the vast majority of pin traders are Adults.

 

[Piebald]

The majority of people who trade pins with us are adults. Even when kids do it, usually their parents are the ones who decide which ones they can/can't trade.

Everyone enjoys trading pins but just be courteous about it! I've had some nasty, smelly people come right up to me like a vulture and grab my lanyard as oppose to asking to see my pins. Some people are really weird about it, like just sort of approaching you in weird, weird ways.

It also stinks when people trade horribly, crappy pins with us. Even though we can always get newer ones, we technically aren't supposed to accept a really old and crappy pin. It depends on management. In our area, pin trading is key. Whoever doesn't have a lanyard is sort of shunned (unless of course they forget or something).

I wouldn't worry about trading pins if you're an adult. No one cares. It's Disney :wave: .

 

[k.hunter30]

It also stinks when people trade horribly, crappy pins with us. Even though we can always get newer ones, we technically aren't supposed to accept a really old and crappy pin. It depends on management. .

What are bad pins? I'd like to trade my Leave a Legacy pin - but who would want it if they didn't leave a legacy... :shrug: That's probably a bad one to trade, huh? I don't want to offend anyone...

 

[sarabi]

Don't be afraid to pin trade.

CMs love trading pins. I was in the College Program the fall of 1999, and I LOVED it when I got the opportunity to wear a lanyard out in the park and pin trade. Plus, it's nice to talk to the CM while you're trading, and usually they enjoy talking to you too.

As far as wearing your pins... I usually carry my lanyard around in a ziploc bag in my purse or whatever bag I brought into the park that day. Otherwise, on wild rides, I find the backs come off too easily and I lose pins.

 

[disneygoof1]

I have to say, when I was on College Program in 2003, I really didn't like doing the pin trading. Every day my manager would give me a trading lanyard and I would only wear it when she was around. It wasn't until my wife talked me into getting some pins, that I really started enjoying it. I have been to trading seminars, I trade with alot of sharks, I have close to fifty pins now, and I cannot stay off Ebay. I love Pin Trading!!!

 

[Captain Hank]

I always found that pin trading was a great way to start a converstion with guests, both young and old. From my personal experiences, I found it to be about 50/50 between older and younger pin traders. Don't worry, you're not the only one! :wave:

 

[Piebald]

What are bad pins? I'd like to trade my Leave a Legacy pin - but who would want it if they didn't leave a legacy... :shrug: That's probably a bad one to trade, huh? I don't want to offend anyone...

We're not supposed to take personalized pins, so if you have a pain that has your name on it, they shouldn't accept it. I mean, I guess they can but .... a manager will tell you to get rid of it.

When I mean bad pins, I just mean the REALLY old and crappy pins you sometimes see. Theyre significantly beat up and chipped or something. It's frustrating when someone with really, REALLY nice pins on their lanyard approaches you, then trades you something they dig up in their pockets or from some little stash :lol: .

To be honest, it doesn't matter. We can always get new pins and as long as they're a Disney pin, most of us will take it happily (it's not like the pins are our personal pins).

 

[Figments Friend]

Total Pin Freak...and happy about it too!

Ha ha ha!! I am a total Pin Freak, and in all honesty a REALLY did not think i would get "into" it.

I remember when the "Pin thing" started back during the M-celebration in 99'. I remember seeing racks upon racks of these odd little pins and thinking: "Man, that's crazy. Who's going to waste there money on all of that?"

Well...ME! Ha ha ha!!

I pretty much ignored it until one year i visited and was given a free trading lanyard and some pins. It was in 2000, and it was a free bonus for booking a Disney vacation off-season ( oh how i love off-season!). Anyway, it came with 3 nice pins....but i did not trade them. I kept them...and could not be swayed to do otherwise.

A few trips down the road, the pins i started to notice were getting nicer. So i bought i few of the ones i liked, mostly of characters, and a lanyard to display them on. Again, no trading...but at least now i was buying!

Okay...then i made the big step and on yet another return visit ( 2004 i think it as...) i actually decided that maybe i am missing out on something that has the potential to be FUN. So i puposely bought 5 pins and brought my original black lanyard...and off i went! I remember my FIRST trade too...it was in front of JII with a CM. I traded a Lady pin for a WD Travel Co. Sorcerer Mickey pin ( still one of my faves in the collection). And that folks, got me hooked for good! I was finally suckered in....and i have not looked back yet!

Every trip i make it a point to buy some pins, a new lanyard, and trade away like crazy...almost exclusively with CMs. My experiences trading with Guests or others have not been positive ( most are not interested in my pins...obviously they must be hard core collectors..) but all my trades with CM's have been awesome. What's great is i can look at these pins and each one tells a story of how i received it.

I also spend about $200 to $300 on pins whenever i stay on Property and visit the Parks. Yeah i know...i'm a nut...but it's SO DANG ADDICTIVE! I suppose, when you think about it...there are worse things to be addicted to.....but yeah, people who know me think i'm insane! Ha ha!

Now the "addiction" has gotten SO "bad" that recently when i have flown down to Orlando on business trips...i bring pins to trade at the EarPort shop! HOW BAD IS THAT??? Ha ha ha ha!!!

So to answer the OP question: Yes, there are a LOT of us crazy adults who absolutely LOVE to trade pins!

TRADE ON!!!!!

It really does add a lot to my expereinces in the Parks. Plus, it's like a treasure hunt with every new CM lanyard you see...as there are so many thousands of pins out there these days...the choices are limitless!

Have fun!!!

:wave:

 

[sbkline]

Ok, I have about 15 pins - so not many by most standards. I like trying to find ones that go along with my Disney interests (Sleeping Beauty - like the one above - Eeyore, etc.) But how many of you adults actually pin trade?

I have no problem going up to a character and asking for a picture and playing along, but when it comes to asking to trade pins with a CM, well, I feel a little weird. Like I'm too old or something. Anyways, I'm hoping some encouragement from you folks will help rid me of this - b/c it is fun (AND expensive...)

Also, if you take your pins into the park, do you put them on something other than a lanyard? I get a bad tan mark when I wear it... :animwink:

I have never bought or traded pins before, but I planned to buy a lanyard on this coming trip and try it out. How much are lanyards and pins, anyway?

On the "Great Hotels" episode about the Yacht and Beach Clubs, Samantha did some pin trading with that CM named Art Lark. I think that's when I decided it looked kind of cool and that I would try it this next time. Plus, not only did I see Art in that show, but I've seen his picture in a WDW travel brochure, and I've either seen him or his picture in something else, but I can't remember which. Seeing this same CM three different times made me decide that, if possible, I'd really like to meet him and trade a pin or two. So if we have time, and if it's his day to work, I think we'll make a stop at the Beach Club and meet him. Is the Beach Club a really close walking distance to EPCOT?

By the way, when my folks took us to WDW when I was in Junior High, I did get a pin for TommorowLand, which I had until the past year or two. When I was going on a cleaning binge a while back, I think I tossed it out. Being the Disney nut that I am, I can't begin to figure out what would have possessed me to do such a thing, but when I decided I'd try pin collecting on this next trip, I thought that pin would be the natural choice to be the first on my lanyard. After looking all over for it, I concluded I had to have thrown it out when I was going through that stuff. And if my foot could reach around to my butt, I think I'd have kicked myself all the way down to Florida for that!

 

[Captain Hank]

I have never bought or traded pins before, but I planned to buy a lanyard on this coming trip and try it out. How much are lanyards and pins, anyway?

On the "Great Hotels" episode about the Yacht and Beach Clubs, Samantha did some pin trading with that CM named Art Lark. I think that's when I decided it looked kind of cool and that I would try it this next time. Plus, not only did I see Art in that show, but I've seen his picture in a WDW travel brochure, and I've either seen him or his picture in something else, but I can't remember which. Seeing this same CM three different times made me decide that, if possible, I'd really like to meet him and trade a pin or two. So if we have time, and if it's his day to work, I think we'll make a stop at the Beach Club and meet him. Is the Beach Club a really close walking distance to EPCOT?

By the way, when my folks took us to WDW when I was in Junior High, I did get a pin for TommorowLand, which I had until the past year or two. When I was going on a cleaning binge a while back, I think I tossed it out. Being the Disney nut that I am, I can't begin to figure out what would have possessed me to do such a thing, but when I decided I'd try pin collecting on this next trip, I thought that pin would be the natural choice to be the first on my lanyard. After looking all over for it, I concluded I had to have thrown it out when I was going through that stuff. And if my foot could reach around to my butt, I think I'd have kicked myself all the way down to Florida for that!

The Beach Club is a pretty short walk (7-10 minutes) from International Gateway. While there, be sure to stop by Beaches and Cream (by the pool) for ice cream. If you're with a big group, try the Kitchen Sink!

 

[sbkline]

The Beach Club is a pretty short walk (7-10 minutes) from International Gateway. While there, be sure to stop by Beaches and Cream (by the pool) for ice cream. If you're with a big group, try the Kitchen Sink!

It will just be the wife and I. And I saw Sam Brown try one of those on that show, and I think that's way too much for even two people. :lol:

 

[belle0517]

Obviously adults are driving the pin trading. When it first started I was a skeptic but...seven years later I have amassed a large collection. It truly is an addiction. I always buy a year pin and a pin for the hotel of our trip. Then I start in with Belle pins, all kinds of Belle pins. I have several others that reflect my interest or hobbies. I rarely trade but on the occassions that I have the CMs have been friendly and happy to trade with me. One CM in AK gave me a special pin in addition to my trade because he said he saw how kind I had been to another guest at the trading kiosk.

Trading just adds another dimension to our enjoyment at WDW.