It was fun at the beginning, before the JUNK pins from ebay were all that was on the pin trading boards at parks and on Disney Cruise Line ships. I buy authentic pins at the park to trade. I am not trading for junk pins!
We were at the Art show, in Epcot, in February. We tried to politely trade at every Mickey Board and “drawers set” we could find. I think if more people knew that pins are still being traded, they will start again. Cast members need to “launder” out the so called junk and infuse the supply some more, like they used to, on their lanyards. We found a few, but we were nice and traded many of our extra vintage Hidden Mickey pins, for others to surprisingly “find!”
Nice…love to see them. My pinpics ID is sinceday1.
Myself, a handful of WDW Cast Members and a few Annual Pass Holders we’re sitting by, well back in the day it was Dream flight.
Anyway we were sitting outside the attraction, I had cast pins on me, so did one Monorail operator from World.
We showed each other and everyone else what we had and then I asked the other CM…wanna trade pins? Two weeks later…pin trading started.
Problem is Disney needs people who are excited to be a CM pin trader. That makes people happy and makes more people want to trade.
I was shocked on our most recent trip to Disneyland to find people set up at the opening gates of Frontier land SELLING from their collection. These people had close to a thousand pins between them all (3 portable tables & boxes). The sad part was they weren’t interested in trading and prices seemed to vary depending on who they were talking to. And a lot didn’t appear to be authentic Disney pins.
I still love pin trading. I always find find dozens of cast members with lanyard or black pin pouches. Inside stores and walking outside. There’s always those scrapper pins but they replenish with some new ones often.
Those with the extensive fancy pin collections at Frontierland have been there for years and they are willing to trade.
I buy a couple pins on every disney trip as a memento of the trip so I’ve never had any interest in trading. Last month when we went, I was surprised at how many people approached us wanting to trade. Most people were nice about it when we said “no” but a couple got mad and one person, as he was grabbing at my purse to look at what I had, told me I had no business displaying them in the parks if I didn’t want to trade them. I’m thinking I’ll avoid any drama in the future by just not bringing them with me anymore.
From 2018-2020 I was a Disney castmember, and I enjoyed doing the pin trading…Over in EPCOT parking we had our pins displayed in a safety cone..and it got resupply with different pins on a rather frequent basis. I learned a lot from the pin trader guests, they made it magical for me..and I was fascinated with the almost endless variety/ collections.
We just got back from Disney World and my kids were so disappointed how none of the cast has pins anymore. They trade with every board they could, we even tried to hit every resort possible.
In 2011 I was on the Disney College Program working in the Magic Kindom. I did the pin trading with everyone. October 2022 was the last time I was at Disney World and saw no CM pin trading.
I love the pins and I buy several each year. I had a few I was going to try to trade this year but forgot them in the rush to pack and get to the airport! The article paints a negative picture but I think the pins will stick around for a long time. Special pin sets are regularly part of the D23 upgrades and the 100 year celebration pins were exceptionally well made.
PS pin trading may have begun in 1999 but we have Disney pins that are older including a 15 year anniversary pin handed out at the Magic Kingdom at WDW in 1987z
If you think about, isnt this indicative of the entire Disney experience? Everything with Disney has almost “ran its course”– the only thing new when visiting is wondering how much more money is this particular trip is gonna cost..just a thought and an opinion from someone who was Ap holder, dvc member and went 2-3 times a year for 4-7 days each trip for over 20 years…
Scrappers and counterfeit pins are rampant, as are pin collecting cast members who cherry pick good pins from traders. Don’t get me started on that pin sharks that seemingly make a living on Disney pins. I still collect/trade, but the hobby is imploding.
My girls loved picking out their favorite pins. They never traded them. We have so many lanyards full of pins, but the can tell you what trip they bought the pin. We still pick up pins everytime we go.
I love pins, but I like to give them away at the park to kids. It’s a way to add a little extra magic to their day. As long as it is a recognizable classic Disney character and not a weird symbol or animal nobody can figure out, I don’t care about the quality or authenticity. I’ll trade the latter pins on the board for Mickey Mouse. And little girls really love to be handed a princess pin!
I personally don’t trade pins but my kids trade pins every trip and they love it. They don’t really care about the value or if it is a scrapper. They just pick what they like and enjoy the experience.
My grandchildren love pin trading too. I think all the griping is from adults(?) who as usual turn something fun and innocent into a job. I love to see the little faces as they ponder over the pin choices – so serious. And then the big decision is made. Smiles! And I loved the cast members who were so kind and encouraging to even the shyest of children. Shame on Disney. Maybe you should limit the trading to “under 17” and eject any adult trying to “handle” a child.
We love to trade pins. Our family started back in 2005. Trading over 3000 pins and displaying them in our house is our greatest hobby. We even moved here in 2020. Needless to say, right when things changed. We don’t mind getting the ‘scrapper’ pin if it’s one we don’t have. It’s sad how few spots there are to trade it and so few pins on a board. Las time at HS the boards had 12 pins each and all the same. Refresh atleast if so limited
I miss pre-COVID trading. Used to be more variety with cast members too. I usually use blind bag pins that are duplicate or that I don’t want as traders. The boards these days are the same old junkets that have been on the boards for the past four years…where is the new stuff?
I am a retired Disney World employee and have a bunch of pins, including service year pins, also magic Kingdom statue,, art work, watches, etc that I am looking at selling. All original Disney. Contact me at email if interested.
it’s funny how people talk about junk pins I consider what Disney’s been putting out for the last 5 years junk pins on the quality of the metal. I’m a big Disney fan and I love trading pins I can’t wait to afford to go to Disneyland again just to do pin trading in the park I do wish they’d get rid of those people that stand there and try to rip you off with their books and ask you to go buy a pin for them but never give you the one you really wanted. I think pin trading is awesome but I also do recommend that they go after those eBay sellers and stop the fraud. I can’t wait to finish my hidden Mickey sets That’s why I go to the Disney parks I don’t go just for the rides I go for pin trading
I disagree, the fun with pin collecting isn’t trading with cast members, they aren’t going to have the good pins because people will trade for them. The best part is trading with people you meet in line or resting and asking what they have. It’s an activity to meet new people. And “fake” doesn’t matter, it’s a pin and if you like it trade for it, or collect any one you want from anywhere. There is a great Dr. Finklestein I found online that Disney doesn’t make. It’s awesome, and worth having if you are a Nightmare before Christmas fan. There is still a huge positive here, try not to lose sight of it.
I’ve never actually traded pins before. I don’t really get the point of buying specific pins I want only to trade them. Now, the mystery boxes are a good way to get duplicates to trade, but other than that, I buy pins because I want them, not because I’m hoping someone else will have one I want.
I’ve been collecting Disney pins since 2006, when I bought my first two pins, and I’ve amassed quite a collection over the years. However, I find myself buying less pins at the parks because of how expensive pins are in the park compared to a decade ago. They’ve nearly doubled in price, and the prices are rarely worth it anymore.
So I guess I’m in possible minority but when my four year old went to Disneyland we got some pins and she had so much fun trading them. She was trading for so called scrapper and (I don’t think so according to a Disney member looking afterwards but possibly) counterfeits. She loved the pins so much and when we can afford to go back she is very much looking forward to it and wants to trade more. It doesn’t matter to me if it is a scrapper or not. What matters to me is the love and joy my (just today) 6 year old gets from trading the pins. That joy is worth way more to me than worrying about the quality of pin she trades for.
My grandkids like to pin trade just to swap out one pin in their collection for another to get something different (in their treasures) and to interact with a cast member who is very patient not rushing the kids. My grandkids enjoy the 3-5min trade experience.
I don’t know where people
were actually trading pins in the park. My mom went before covid, and all the boards in the parks were only interested in selling the pins then trading them. People were only interested in selling pins then selling them..
My now 9 year old never cared about the pins. I started buying them around 2018 and never to trade. I almost always buy 1 per day and i am very selective. my favorites
are the Black hole robtot pin and mickeys runaway railroad pins
Disneyland is no longer fun. Went Nov 2022 and spent most of my time with my head instead of with my family. Instead of the happiest place on earth is the most stressed placed to take a vacation with your family from Pins to rides Disney makes it stressful.
We went in October and I saw pin boards out at every shop or spot in Disney it’s hard with the whole Covid thing to go up to people I’m sure . But the hotel had a ton and if you just go for the fun of picking up pins you’ll find them . Less about the value more about ones you like .
I think if Diney started a less expensive line of starter pins it would be more prevalent . My kids had a blast trading all our pins from our starter lanyards
I have been collecting for 10 plus years I have had my share of fakes . But after COVID they stopped trading all together just a makes me sick it is picking up but not enough to keep me interested anymore
I only just sorted collecting, but I have tried to trade pins that I ended up with multiples of. I’ll admit not all of them are “official” Disney pins, but almost all of them are obviously Disney affiliated and/or themed, and are typically limited edition releases. It’s amazing how many people will turn up their nose at that, or sneer at the fact it was a 3rd party pin, not “exclusive park pins”. I’ve even been attacked (verbally) over pins that are from lesser known movies/franchises or were not as obvious at first glance (had a few Wreck-It Ralph pins including some of Ralph’s hero medal, this one lady did NOT believe it was Disney based, and she did so LOUDLY).
Made me stop trying to trade or even bring my pins to the parks when I go. I’d always heard how fun and cool it the Disney pin trading scene was, but actually trying it, just a little? It was a nightmare. Now I just give my duplicates to my Disney loving friends.
I am sad o never got a Disney pin I have only been to a Disney park one time and back then my family didn’t really know about half of the iconic rides and traditions
I love trading pins. I like it better than the rides because it’s like a scavenger hunt. I do wish that Disney would put a little money into stocking their pin boards and weed out some of the junk pins. Pins are cheap for them to make even if they do make tons of money off of them. Plus when you consider the thousands they spend on fireworks every day they could spend a bit on the boards to make it more fun for those that love to trade.
I think the pin trading will get much better if they bring back cast member trading. And guests like interacting with the cast members! I like hearing what the cast members know about the pins on their boards.
Comments for “It’s Not Fun Anymore”: Guests Mourn End of Disney Tradition
Dayna
It was fun at the beginning, before the JUNK pins from ebay were all that was on the pin trading boards at parks and on Disney Cruise Line ships. I buy authentic pins at the park to trade. I am not trading for junk pins!
Victoria
I need to talk to you about tomorrow
Jeff
Follow pin groups on FB. Way cooler art too. Blind drops, which can lead to you getting a pin worth $1,500. Disney pins are a joke
Mickey
I got one w mickey smoking crack w pookie. K bye
Charles
We were at the Art show, in Epcot, in February. We tried to politely trade at every Mickey Board and “drawers set” we could find. I think if more people knew that pins are still being traded, they will start again. Cast members need to “launder” out the so called junk and infuse the supply some more, like they used to, on their lanyards. We found a few, but we were nice and traded many of our extra vintage Hidden Mickey pins, for others to surprisingly “find!”
James Orlando
I still love the hunt for that special pin in the parks that I like, even if it’s from eBay.
Judy
Yes. That’s what I said about some of the trader boards. Most listed shrugged it off. Some agreed.
Jerry
I have over 2000 Disney pi s for sale..from 40 years of trading.
Pat
Can I see them?
Thomas
Nice…love to see them. My pinpics ID is sinceday1.
Myself, a handful of WDW Cast Members and a few Annual Pass Holders we’re sitting by, well back in the day it was Dream flight.
Anyway we were sitting outside the attraction, I had cast pins on me, so did one Monorail operator from World.
We showed each other and everyone else what we had and then I asked the other CM…wanna trade pins? Two weeks later…pin trading started.
Problem is Disney needs people who are excited to be a CM pin trader. That makes people happy and makes more people want to trade.
Nicky
I was shocked on our most recent trip to Disneyland to find people set up at the opening gates of Frontier land SELLING from their collection. These people had close to a thousand pins between them all (3 portable tables & boxes). The sad part was they weren’t interested in trading and prices seemed to vary depending on who they were talking to. And a lot didn’t appear to be authentic Disney pins.
Michelle
I still love pin trading. I always find find dozens of cast members with lanyard or black pin pouches. Inside stores and walking outside. There’s always those scrapper pins but they replenish with some new ones often.
Those with the extensive fancy pin collections at Frontierland have been there for years and they are willing to trade.
Nana
People get very hateful, demanding pins from Cast Members, sending kids to ask for pins… ridiculously annoying.
Wendi
I buy a couple pins on every disney trip as a memento of the trip so I’ve never had any interest in trading. Last month when we went, I was surprised at how many people approached us wanting to trade. Most people were nice about it when we said “no” but a couple got mad and one person, as he was grabbing at my purse to look at what I had, told me I had no business displaying them in the parks if I didn’t want to trade them. I’m thinking I’ll avoid any drama in the future by just not bringing them with me anymore.
Charlie
From 2018-2020 I was a Disney castmember, and I enjoyed doing the pin trading…Over in EPCOT parking we had our pins displayed in a safety cone..and it got resupply with different pins on a rather frequent basis. I learned a lot from the pin trader guests, they made it magical for me..and I was fascinated with the almost endless variety/ collections.
Aaron
We just got back from Disney World and my kids were so disappointed how none of the cast has pins anymore. They trade with every board they could, we even tried to hit every resort possible.
Diane Elia
In 2011 I was on the Disney College Program working in the Magic Kindom. I did the pin trading with everyone. October 2022 was the last time I was at Disney World and saw no CM pin trading.
Ken
We just pixie dust with them. Multiple times we’ve distracted kiddos having a meltdown by gifting them pins… makes everyone’s time in line happier.
Tom
I love the pins and I buy several each year. I had a few I was going to try to trade this year but forgot them in the rush to pack and get to the airport! The article paints a negative picture but I think the pins will stick around for a long time. Special pin sets are regularly part of the D23 upgrades and the 100 year celebration pins were exceptionally well made.
PS pin trading may have begun in 1999 but we have Disney pins that are older including a 15 year anniversary pin handed out at the Magic Kingdom at WDW in 1987z
Catamaria
Too expensive.
Nadine
I have over 600 pins. I collect and do not trade. I must admit I do 1 way trades with my great nieces where I give them 4 or 5 at a time.
A-Rod
If you think about, isnt this indicative of the entire Disney experience? Everything with Disney has almost “ran its course”– the only thing new when visiting is wondering how much more money is this particular trip is gonna cost..just a thought and an opinion from someone who was Ap holder, dvc member and went 2-3 times a year for 4-7 days each trip for over 20 years…
Ildar Puffenstuff
Scrappers and counterfeit pins are rampant, as are pin collecting cast members who cherry pick good pins from traders. Don’t get me started on that pin sharks that seemingly make a living on Disney pins. I still collect/trade, but the hobby is imploding.
Pat
My girls loved picking out their favorite pins. They never traded them. We have so many lanyards full of pins, but the can tell you what trip they bought the pin. We still pick up pins everytime we go.
Paul W
I love pins, but I like to give them away at the park to kids. It’s a way to add a little extra magic to their day. As long as it is a recognizable classic Disney character and not a weird symbol or animal nobody can figure out, I don’t care about the quality or authenticity. I’ll trade the latter pins on the board for Mickey Mouse. And little girls really love to be handed a princess pin!
Simone
I personally don’t trade pins but my kids trade pins every trip and they love it. They don’t really care about the value or if it is a scrapper. They just pick what they like and enjoy the experience.
Ruthann
My grandchildren love pin trading too. I think all the griping is from adults(?) who as usual turn something fun and innocent into a job. I love to see the little faces as they ponder over the pin choices – so serious. And then the big decision is made. Smiles! And I loved the cast members who were so kind and encouraging to even the shyest of children. Shame on Disney. Maybe you should limit the trading to “under 17” and eject any adult trying to “handle” a child.
Fabian
We love to trade pins. Our family started back in 2005. Trading over 3000 pins and displaying them in our house is our greatest hobby. We even moved here in 2020. Needless to say, right when things changed. We don’t mind getting the ‘scrapper’ pin if it’s one we don’t have. It’s sad how few spots there are to trade it and so few pins on a board. Las time at HS the boards had 12 pins each and all the same. Refresh atleast if so limited
Kerry
I trade occasionally. Only with Disney pin boards or kids. Not adults. It can be fun. But for the pins I really desire I purchase
Joe
I miss pre-COVID trading. Used to be more variety with cast members too. I usually use blind bag pins that are duplicate or that I don’t want as traders. The boards these days are the same old junkets that have been on the boards for the past four years…where is the new stuff?
Scott Toro
a 100% agree with you
Rich
I am a retired Disney World employee and have a bunch of pins, including service year pins, also magic Kingdom statue,, art work, watches, etc that I am looking at selling. All original Disney. Contact me at email if interested.
Samantha
Do you have any splash mountain pins??
MarvelFan
The fake pins have ruined it. That and the shark adults taking advantage of kids.
Tim
My backpack is covered in them. I don’t trade any. I’ve had a few young kids ask about a few and I just gave them away to make them happy.
Scott Toro
it’s funny how people talk about junk pins I consider what Disney’s been putting out for the last 5 years junk pins on the quality of the metal. I’m a big Disney fan and I love trading pins I can’t wait to afford to go to Disneyland again just to do pin trading in the park I do wish they’d get rid of those people that stand there and try to rip you off with their books and ask you to go buy a pin for them but never give you the one you really wanted. I think pin trading is awesome but I also do recommend that they go after those eBay sellers and stop the fraud. I can’t wait to finish my hidden Mickey sets That’s why I go to the Disney parks I don’t go just for the rides I go for pin trading
Susan giardin
I have a set of framed ( by disney) villians that I paid a fortune for and can’t even give them away
Matthew Brewster
Once again, you are making a mountain out of a molehill!
Vince
I disagree, the fun with pin collecting isn’t trading with cast members, they aren’t going to have the good pins because people will trade for them. The best part is trading with people you meet in line or resting and asking what they have. It’s an activity to meet new people. And “fake” doesn’t matter, it’s a pin and if you like it trade for it, or collect any one you want from anywhere. There is a great Dr. Finklestein I found online that Disney doesn’t make. It’s awesome, and worth having if you are a Nightmare before Christmas fan. There is still a huge positive here, try not to lose sight of it.
Jeff
Disney pin trading is boring. Just follow pin groups on Facebook. You’ll get way cooler art anyway.
Hilary
we just got home Sunday and pin traded a lot. My children enjoyed it and we got some great pins.
ZeonNewtype
I’ve never actually traded pins before. I don’t really get the point of buying specific pins I want only to trade them. Now, the mystery boxes are a good way to get duplicates to trade, but other than that, I buy pins because I want them, not because I’m hoping someone else will have one I want.
I’ve been collecting Disney pins since 2006, when I bought my first two pins, and I’ve amassed quite a collection over the years. However, I find myself buying less pins at the parks because of how expensive pins are in the park compared to a decade ago. They’ve nearly doubled in price, and the prices are rarely worth it anymore.
Michael
So I guess I’m in possible minority but when my four year old went to Disneyland we got some pins and she had so much fun trading them. She was trading for so called scrapper and (I don’t think so according to a Disney member looking afterwards but possibly) counterfeits. She loved the pins so much and when we can afford to go back she is very much looking forward to it and wants to trade more. It doesn’t matter to me if it is a scrapper or not. What matters to me is the love and joy my (just today) 6 year old gets from trading the pins. That joy is worth way more to me than worrying about the quality of pin she trades for.
faackanders2
My grandkids like to pin trade just to swap out one pin in their collection for another to get something different (in their treasures) and to interact with a cast member who is very patient not rushing the kids. My grandkids enjoy the 3-5min trade experience.
Emelia
I don’t know where people
were actually trading pins in the park. My mom went before covid, and all the boards in the parks were only interested in selling the pins then trading them. People were only interested in selling pins then selling them..
Paule
My now 9 year old never cared about the pins. I started buying them around 2018 and never to trade. I almost always buy 1 per day and i am very selective. my favorites
are the Black hole robtot pin and mickeys runaway railroad pins
Yvette
Disneyland is no longer fun. Went Nov 2022 and spent most of my time with my head instead of with my family. Instead of the happiest place on earth is the most stressed placed to take a vacation with your family from Pins to rides Disney makes it stressful.
Yvette
In my phone instead of with my family
Madams
We went in October and I saw pin boards out at every shop or spot in Disney it’s hard with the whole Covid thing to go up to people I’m sure . But the hotel had a ton and if you just go for the fun of picking up pins you’ll find them . Less about the value more about ones you like .
I think if Diney started a less expensive line of starter pins it would be more prevalent . My kids had a blast trading all our pins from our starter lanyards
Joseph Keith
I have been collecting for 10 plus years I have had my share of fakes . But after COVID they stopped trading all together just a makes me sick it is picking up but not enough to keep me interested anymore
Brittany
I only just sorted collecting, but I have tried to trade pins that I ended up with multiples of. I’ll admit not all of them are “official” Disney pins, but almost all of them are obviously Disney affiliated and/or themed, and are typically limited edition releases. It’s amazing how many people will turn up their nose at that, or sneer at the fact it was a 3rd party pin, not “exclusive park pins”. I’ve even been attacked (verbally) over pins that are from lesser known movies/franchises or were not as obvious at first glance (had a few Wreck-It Ralph pins including some of Ralph’s hero medal, this one lady did NOT believe it was Disney based, and she did so LOUDLY).
Brittany
Made me stop trying to trade or even bring my pins to the parks when I go. I’d always heard how fun and cool it the Disney pin trading scene was, but actually trying it, just a little? It was a nightmare. Now I just give my duplicates to my Disney loving friends.
Brooklyn
I am sad o never got a Disney pin I have only been to a Disney park one time and back then my family didn’t really know about half of the iconic rides and traditions
Melissa
I love trading pins. I like it better than the rides because it’s like a scavenger hunt. I do wish that Disney would put a little money into stocking their pin boards and weed out some of the junk pins. Pins are cheap for them to make even if they do make tons of money off of them. Plus when you consider the thousands they spend on fireworks every day they could spend a bit on the boards to make it more fun for those that love to trade.
I think the pin trading will get much better if they bring back cast member trading. And guests like interacting with the cast members! I like hearing what the cast members know about the pins on their boards.
Comments are closed.