PINS, lets get some oPINions here

[lamarvenoy]

Guys I have been a very outspoken anti-pinner. I feel this "Disney generated" trend is a pathetic cash cow. It really bothers me how Disney forced this trend on its followers knowing that some people are complete Disneyholics and would fall into this overpriced mass marketed, over produced and over PRESSURED hobby. It seems to me Disney takes every square foot of everybuilding on property and crunches the dollar per hour per square foot figure- at any cost to creativity or overall customer satisfaction. There are WAY WAY TOO MANY "pinboothes" scattered across the world,the new one at DD kills me. I also get mad when I see that waste of space in EPCOT, it used to be a nice building. I'm sorry I am ragging on those people who are into pins, if you are, that is your buisness,I'm not personally attacking you. My beef is with Disney for wasting so much of my expensive entertainment space with tacky,overpriced pinboothes. Just a little less marketing please.Don't I pay enough money to the mouse.Good or bad how do you feel- and don't make it personal.

 

[KevinPage]

Pins do nothing for me, but it helps generate money and hasn't affected my park enjoyment. I enjoy seeing CM's wearing pins and trading with people, that's a nice part of the Disney experience.

I occansionally look to see what new ones they came out with, never buy anything, just curious.

I can see having a handful to decorate hats or to wear, but books and books and such seem like a waste to me.

but then again all my Star Wars crap seems like a waste to a whole lotta other people

 

[westie]

Think of it as a faze and you'll feel better, sorta like the old ticket books that aren't arround any more. But, then their worth money too...:veryconfu

 

[Epcot4ME]

I've always collected what I like, not what I thought was going to be worth money. When the Star Trek: Next generation figures came out, I collected them. Now I have 12 flip totes full of mint on card figures in the closet. Am I collecting them now? No, but they were fun to collect for several years.

I have a few pins, just Star Tours and Mission: Space, but only what I like. I think it gives kids (and adults too) a nice interaction with CM's to be able to trade with them.

Cash cow? yes. Waste of space? Is there really any wasted space at our favorite diversion from a much too serious world?

I have bought more T-shirts and hats than pins over the years. Shirts tend to wear out eventually. Pins seem more permanent.


Epcot4ME

 

[Shaman]

Originally posted by lamarvenoy
Guys I have been a very outspoken anti-pinner. I feel this "Disney generated" trend is a pathetic cash cow. It really bothers me how Disney forced this trend on its followers knowing that some people are complete Disneyholics and would fall into this overpriced mass marketed, over produced and over PRESSURED hobby. It seems to me Disney takes every square foot of everybuilding on property and crunches the dollar per hour per square foot figure- at any cost to creativity or overall customer satisfaction.

First let me say that I own a very very small pin collections, in all I own about 12 pins...haven't bought one in a while....

The pin craze if you ask me was a perfect idea to make money...at the end of the day people forget Disney is a COMPANY...and companies need to make money to survive; M:S and the rest of the stuff being built isn't built with pixie dust its built with money...there are times when idealism has to be checked at the door...even Walt realized that to make your dreams come true in this world you needed money....

When Disney puts out a product...people aren't forced to buy anything...Disney isn't putting a gun to their heads screamin at them to buy one...I consider myself a Disneyholic and I am not ignorant enough to let Disney literally stick there hands in my wallet and take my money...people need to have common sense if they don't already have any....

While I do agree some people exagerate a bit with the whole pin thing, I don't think the Pin craze is a bad thing...it may seem like a greedy corporate money cow...but hey if people don't like pins, DON'T buy them, leave the issue alone. Just my opinion.

 

[artvandelay]

Pin trading is not a Disney created fad. Olympic pin trading has been going on for decades. I haven't traded that many pins, but I like to talk to other pin collectors. Pins are a great conversation starter.
I collect all kinds of pins, not just Disney. I buy pins when I go on vacation, go to a sporting event or show, or get them at work. I put them on a cork board in the order I got them and it tells a story of where I've been and what I've seen. It's something I can pass on to my son, and hopefuly his children.

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

i agree with objr. sometimes it does seem like a cash cow, but i really think was a good idea. it allows loads of interaction between guests, and between guests and cm's.
like objr, i too have a 'small' collection (well, approx. 15 to 20 pins or so, not to mention the collection my parents have) i just get the ones i like (i rarely buy them, but i bought 2 last week, just cuz they were cool) i NEVER trade!
i think it's a good way to keep money flowing (although, i do agree, some people go a bit overboard), and heck, these days, if something helps out the economy, i'm all for it!
but Disney doesn't force anyone to buy them. i mean, it's like popcorn stands...they're around every corner, and it's there if you need a snack, but Disney isn't going to force it down your throat. it's all for the convenience of the guests.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I think they are great. Sure they give Disney money, but I find it as a great hobby. It started out small, and got bigger. So the reason you see such vast expansion is because of guest demand and the fact that they like the idea.

 

[barnum42]

I have no beef with pins or the collecting of them. And the trading thing strikes me as a good icebreaker. But I do agree that they are hugely overpriced.

 

[TURKEY]

Originally posted by barnum42
I have no beef with pins or the collecting of them. And the trading thing strikes me as a good icebreaker. But I do agree that they are hugely overpriced.

Name me one thing that isn't overpriced though. I wouldn't expect Disney to do it any other way.

 

[NemoRocks78]

There's nothing wrong with pins. I actually must say my "real" collection (I had two pins before this, just a M:S one and Splash Mountain) started two trips ago, in October. I bought four pins and a Stitch lanyard, and when I was there last week I bought four more. And when i'm there next week i'll buy even more, i'm thinking maybe 6-8. I think it's cool collecting them, a lot of them are really neat. And many people like trading with the CMs. It's part of the Disney magic.

 

[DisneyEspo]

I started collecting pins about a year and a half ago. I would buy a pin of any ride or attraction I've been on. It started last time I was at Disney. I bought a copule of pins of some rides I hadn't been on before and of the resort I stayed at. When I got home I bought a frame and put them in. Then I started buying pins on ebay of ones I didn't have including trasportation, resorts, etc. of things I've been on. It's not too expensive, except for some real rare ones. And I think it's a cool way to remeber all my trips to WDW. I haven't bought any in a while, but I know next time I'm in Disney, I'll probably buy some more. By the way, I'm up to 4 frames!!

And anyone who says it's overpriced. What in WDW, or any theme park isn't overpriced? Heck, it's still cheaper than a t-shirt.

As far as a waste of WDW space...if they sell, it's no waste of space!!

 

[mandib]

I love the pins I started when I was there in 2000 and don't stop. I probably get 8-12 per trip which really acumulates. I really like the holiday and eeyore ones. I just think its fun but I do wish they costed a bit less.

 

[lamarvenoy]

what I didn't get flamed? geezzzuus that's soooper

 

[cymbaldiva]

I don't have any issues with pins themselves, but I'm still not really well with the fact that the new icon for the Studios is just a large pin shop -

I'm sure that's just me though...

 

[Scooter]

Disney is in business to make money.

The pin buying and trading is a hot deal now so Disney is cashing in on it while it lasts.

Disney is no differant than any other company.

Remember after 9/11 when every store in the country was full of things with American flags on it? You could buy anything from USA pins to Red white and blue Teddy Bears.

I have hundreds of Diney pins. Yes, they are expensive, but I can afford them and it's my money and I can do with it what I want.

:lol:

Every pin is a fond memory of a place I've been or a thing I Love and want to remember. My kids, as well as my wife and I enjoy looking at all my pin books.

People have been collecting little souvineers for generations...every thing from Ashtrays from Hoover Dam, to Shot glasses from Gilleys Roadhouse Saloon and Magnets shaped like states from Interstate Truck stop gift shops.

My Disney Pins are no differant than all of these things.

Why do we collect anything?: Memories
Are the pin booths overkill and cash Cows?: Maybe to some...but not people who collect pins.

I can't figure out why people buy their kids those little lighted battery operated things that spin around and around. What a useless Toy!:lol:
I bet 90% of these things are broke within a week.:lol:

Sorry..thread drift.
:zipit:

 

[barnum42]

Originally posted by Scooter
I have hundreds of Diney pins. Yes, they are expensive, but I can afford them and it's my money and I can do with it what I want.

I guess that is the bottom line there Scooter. If you are happy to part with the cash for them and they give you enjoyment then that's the main thing. That you have the cash for them is a bonus for you :animwink:

 

[Djali999]

I don't mind pins. I have a few (12) on a Stitch lanyard from WDW, and perhaps 8 - 10 from Disneyland. I use my pins to express myself, and not to trade. I haven't bought a single one in months...

I think a single, tastefully chosen pin can be quite a nice accessory to a hat or plain shirt.

they do make good small gifts, and aren't too expensive either. there are enough of them to get something reasonably personalized...

 

[meeko_33785]

I like pins too. I have a relativly smaller collection (about 13 or 14) and enjoy getting a couple of new ones on each trip. I don't trade pins though, just wear them. It's a little more expensive than some of my previous souvenir collections like plastic figurines and keychains (both of which have shrunk their selection greatly since the pin craza started ), but it's still pretty fun.

 

[Fievel]

The only pins I have are the "Who wants to be a millionaire - Play it!" pins that I won in the hotseat.

I wasn't really a pin collector before that, but then again, I got those for free.

However, that was the first time you'd catch me wearing a lanyard in the parks.