Pin trading adults

[ClemsonTigger]

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!

DON'T START, DON'T START it's a slippery slope

Only kidding...(sort of). Yes I'm addicted. Don't do characters per say except for Tinkerbell...mostly look for events, hotels and attractions. I always keep a couple of pins for trading (mostly with kids if they ask or if a CM has something unusual (rarely). It's great fun striking up a conversation with CM's. Usually they ask me about a rare or older pin that catches their eye. It's just one more fun addition to the overall experience.


Piebald, hold on to your Leave a Legacy pin...it is somewhat less common. CM's can't hold pins that are traded, so don't sweat giving them a "junk" one...it's not like it's from their personal collection.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

For those starting out, consider attending Scoop's seminar in the MK, I believe it is held early afternoon...check your park schedule. It is informative. You can also reference the Disney pin trading site for information on new pins and future releases.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/pintrading/index

 

[TakeMe2TheMagic]

Dont at all feel "odd" about trading pins. I do it all the time and for the most part its adults trading not children. So trade your pins!!!! And have fun!

 

[MommytoMJM]

We trade pins on behalf of our autistic daughter (she is learning to trade, sorta) The CM's love ot trade with folks as long as you follow the rules of pin etiquette. I would suggest going to Scoop's 1 o'clock pin talk at the MK

 

[GoofyFan1]

My wife and I trade with the CM's, when they aren't busy, as well as other guests all the time. Not only is it fun hunting down a pin you like but it is a great way to meet people. Back in 2002 we actually met a trader from our home town that goes down for all of the pin events as well as the holidays.

 

[sbkline]

We trade pins on behalf of our autistic daughter (she is learning to trade, sorta) The CM's love ot trade with folks as long as you follow the rules of pin etiquette.

And what are some of those rules?

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Here are all of them:

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/Etiquette122004.pdf

Other general pin info:

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/pintrading/page?id=getStarted

Now you're all set

 

[Gorjus]

My position doesn't allow us to carry a lanyard or pin pad except on rare occasions. When I do get them, I enjoy it. However, I must say that I just don't get Pin Collecting. I don't have the gene.

One piece of info I haven't seen mentioned is that if a cast has their pins on something blue (lanyard or waist pad) they can trade with anyone. If the pins are on something green, only small children can trade with them.

 

[theladybadger]

Oh I love pin trading myself. I first got into it during my first CP in 2004 and now I've got a little over 120 pins. And since I'll be coming down to the wonderful world next month for vacation, I've got my lanyard all ready to go. Should be great fun.

(I'm 21, by the way.)

 

[cptwife80]

I love buying the pins. I usually choose the ones that would have some sort of meaning to me or just that they are so cute. Had my DH buy over 300 dollars in pins when we were there last. I got one that is gold mickey plane wings, and another with minney and mickey in a plane... DH is a pilot and I love flying. I can't wait to go back in May, sold another house so my comission is all going to toys and trinkets!!! :sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy:

 

[sbkline]

Here are all of them:

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/Etiquette122004.pdf

Other general pin info:

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/pintrading/page?id=getStarted

Now you're all set

One rule that I was looking for, which I didn't see in that link, is if there is a rule stating that you can only trade for the same dollar amount pin. For example, if I see a pin for sale at a gift shop for 5 bucks, can I circumvent that by purchasing a 2 dollar pin, and then trading it (if I see it on someone's lanyard) for the 5 dollar pin?

Or are they all the same price anyways?

 

[WaltzingMatilda]

I really enjoy pin trading. The first time we took DD to WDW, honey bought me a Tink lanyard and starter set. I had no idea of rules and etiquette, but I think common sense carried me through (though I'm sure I made the mistake at least once of touching a CM's lanyard without asking... ).

My very first trade, though, was with a lovely young guest from England. She approached us in line at Philharmagic, in an effort to engage my crying 3 year old's interest. She very kindly offered to trade us a Stitch (I still have it) for a Tink...it was a neat moment and helped to distract baby girl from her tears. I haven't traded with a guest since, I didn't realize it was done that often.

I do enjoy trading with the CM's and have found stuff that may not be "valuable" but that I certainly enjoy (my faves are a 2002 Mickey & Minnie Valentine pin and a kind of beat up stylized square Stitch pin). One of the best was a trade DH(who claims not to be into pin trading)made for a Big Bad Wolf with a great CM named Billy at the Living Seas. We had left our lanyard out in the stroller but told Billy we would be back after the ride, with the lanyard. When we did get back over there, he had gone to put the boats up for the night. The cast member who was in his place went and got him, and when it turned out that Billy had turned in his lanyard for the evening, he went to the trouble of retrieving it so that honey(and DD, who wanted the baby Pluto pin) could make their trade. I actually posted about this in the cast member appreciation thread, but it's worth mentioning again.

Now that my little one is 5 she really got into it on our last trip...she was not shy(and this is a pretty shy kid) about approaching CM's in a very polite way and asking to trade. So I think it's great fun for all (though it can get expensive) and can really enhance the guest experience.

Okay, I've rambled on enough. Enjoy your pins and trading, and as others have suggested do your research.

:wave:

 

[ZapperZ]

One rule that I was looking for, which I didn't see in that link, is if there is a rule stating that you can only trade for the same dollar amount pin. For example, if I see a pin for sale at a gift shop for 5 bucks, can I circumvent that by purchasing a 2 dollar pin, and then trading it (if I see it on someone's lanyard) for the 5 dollar pin?

Or are they all the same price anyways?

There is absolutely no rule about not trading up. It is done all the time. Many serious pin traders often buy pins by the bulk online, and then trade up for cast lanyard pins (which often are much sought-after and worth more among pin traders).

If a cast member has a pin that you want, you can trade with him/her any legitimate Disney pin that you have as long as that cast member does not have one already, regardless of the value of the pin you are getting.

Zz.