Pin trading...

tink rules

New Member
Original Poster
I know it's probably been covered, but I can't find some answers....

When you are trading pins... will they take pins from ANY Disney park or just WDW? I was going to get some pins off of ebay but I didn't want to get any of the DL pins for fear that they wouldn't take them.
And can you trade cast members pins back to them?

Another question... What do they do with all the pins that they have traded for? Do they recycle them out again and what do they do with the older pins - not current ones that they may have? Do they sell them elsewhere? I was just wondering.

What is the average price you have paid for pins on ebay?I'd like to see if I can get as many as I can.

Do they have cast Lanyard pins for the holidays or is it just what you generally see? Do they put pins out that they haven't announced?

Last time I just bought pins and only traded for a few because it was relatively new and I wasn't sure what I was doing.

The pins I have have lasted much longer than the t shirt I got. I think they are a really nice way to collect for a character or one of the parks.

thanks - :xmas:
 

maelstrom

Well-Known Member
You can trade WDW, DL, TDL, DLP, HKDL, & DCL pins. No problem trading a DL pin at WDW for a WDW pin.

I've bought quite a few pins on eBay; several from DL, TDL, & DLP. The price really depends on the pin. I bought a Tokyo Disney Sea cast member only opening day pin for a decent price. I also bought several of the 50th anniversary of Imagineering pins for a decent price. A lot of sellers will sell in bulk for very reduced prices; try to look for those.
 

tink rules

New Member
Original Poster
How about trading back cast member pins? Do they really care or is it not a big deal...like for instance if I find a cast lanyard pin on ebay, can I trade it back for another pin?
 

Azerin

Active Member
Not being a cast member (yet) I can't speak officially; however, my understanding from talking to a couple cast members once was that they would trade any pin on their lanyard for any other Disney pin. That was the rule. So if there was some pin they wanted to keep... they would take it off their lanyard... anything on it was fair game for a trade and they couldn't refuse any trade unless the pin someone wanted to trade was a non-Disney pin.
 

tink rules

New Member
Original Poster
do the cast members have to buy the pins or are the given a certain amount each shift to wear?

I always wondered how they did this.

I've also had cm's take out pins from the cart that I guess didn't fit on the lanyard and ask me if I wanted that one - sort of a surprise - a better pin or version of a pin I was looking to trade. It worked out for me!!!

Also - does anybody know if there are pins that appear that are not listed on the official pin trading site? Do they have pins that can be brought out at the parks as a surprise?
 

wdwishes2005

New Member
you can trade any pin made by the mouse for any other pin made by the mouse. you can trade one you got for a buck on ebay for a 75$ one scoop might be wearing.
 

tigsmom

Well-Known Member
My kids & I love pin trading. Just in case you did not know, there is a set list of rules and just what constitutes a "tradable" pin...


Click Here


Don't be afraid to ask to make a trade, just remember to be polite; have fun! :wave:
 

mousermerf

Account Suspended
Some quick pin etiquette...

1. Never grab anyone else's lanyard. Pin trading is done hand-to-hand (aka: i take it off, give it to you, and vice versa).

2. CMs wearing lanyards while working are wearing them to trade - they don't personally own those pins and typically don't know their value, but will trade for any Disney pin that they're not wearing (aka: try not to have common pins or they'll not trade you) because they can't have two of the same pin, it's a rule :)

3. CMs can refuse to trade, but not because they don't want to give up a pin, but rather the 1) the trade is a duplicate, as mentioned above, or 2) they don't have time/ability - pin trading is a side thing to the general operation of WDW. If a CM politely says no, they have a good reason.
 

GoofyMom2

New Member
We love pin trading! Here are hopefully some answers for you:

CM wearing a green lanyard will only trade with kids 10 and under. If they are wearing a black lanyard, they can trade with adults, too.

You can trade any Disney pin w/ CM, even lanyard pins. In fact, I often trade lanyard pins back to them so they have them to trade to kids.

We pick up many extra pins on Ebay....many sellers sell lots, or have a fixed price shipping fee no matter how many pins you buy. Hint: don't pay huge shipping fees for pins, they are very inexpensive to ship. There are a lot of sellers who have low Buy-It-Now pins, then 1 ship fee, so you can get a bunch of traders, and maybe some you want to keep, for much lower than park prices.

I have been with a CM when they had some more lanyard pins "delivered to them" (when they are at a register). Then they have asked if we are interested in any of them. I have also been told by a CM that they have boxes of pins in the back that they can use for traders. This 1 CM told me if they get some pins that most won't want (an untradeable), they will swap it for a better pin in the box so they have "good" ones to trade.

Limit of 2 trades per CM per day as a courtesy.

There are Surprise pins....pins that are not announced ahead of time and only available at a limited location. Also there are limited editions, cast lanyards, cast exclusives etc. It gets a little crazy! Although my 9 yr old can spot a lanyard a mile away!

Try to find CM that are away from crowds, then they haven't been picked over by everyone else!

My rule for trading.....collect what you love, not what you think is worth more, it's all for fun. It's also addictive! :lol:

Enjoy!! :sohappy:
 

tink rules

New Member
Original Poster
true....very true.

Have you ever encountered a time when you couldn't trade? I guess if they have that pin already. I know if they're busy and all. I get that.

I'm still wondering what they do with all those pins they trade for.
 

MissM

Well-Known Member
The CM lanyards are Disney-owned pins. The lanyard actually will get transfered at shift-changes and such. It will also get replenished if need be throughout the day.
-m
 

GoofyMom2

New Member
macsmom said:
How do you know what a cast lanyard pin is? And, how is it different from a regular pin?

danna

A cast lanyard pin states "Cast lanyard" on the back. You can look up the disney pin trading site to look up what they look like, or also do a search on Ebay to see some of the designs. The cast lanyard pins now have a hidden Mickey on them, but the older ones don't. Most come in a series; ex Parking lot signs, momorails, hats, etc If you ask if they have any, most CM won't tell you, but some will tell kids. (at least that is my experience). But, like I said, trade for what you like.......It's a lot of fun, especially for the kids. (although I do admit to getting some adults addicted to it as well.... :lol: )
 

HauntedPirate

Park nostalgist
Premium Member
Yes, the CM-exclusive pins say "Cast Lanyard" on the back ( or something similar). There is a series of Cast Member monorail pins, I'm trying to get them all! :) So far we have three - Red, Black, and Green. Anyone know what other colors are available?

And, yes, anything on a lanyard is considered tradeable. Although some get around that by using locking backs.
 

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