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Credit: DisneyAre Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort trying to phase out pin trading?
Over the last few years, the Disney parks have cracked down on guests trading Disney pins inside the theme parks, creating new rules about how visitors can carry and display their collections.
Now, as of November 2025, Walt Disney World Resort has discounted several pin trading lanyards at shops in at least three of its theme parks, hinting that Disney hopes to encourage guests to buy and collect the tiny souvenirs rather than trade them.
Disney Pin Trading
Disney Pin Trading has been part of the theme park experience since 1999. Guests can purchase individual pins, mystery packs, or starter sets, and trade with Disney cast members, park-owned pin boards, or other visitors. Some Hidden Mickey pins are even exclusive to Disney cast member lanyards, making trading necessary for the most avid collectors.
Cast Member pin trading returns April 7th at Walt Disney World. Disney Parks shared a look at the new Hidden Disney pins today on Instagram.
Cast Member pin trading returns April 7th at Walt Disney World. Disney Parks shared a look at the new Hidden Disney pins today on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/FdlPELPoIS
— Disney Pins Blog (@DisneyPinsBlog) March 22, 2024
Disney cast members (including those with park-owned pin boards) will always trade with guests, as long as the guest offers an authentic Disney Trading Pin that the cast member (or board) doesn’t already have. Guests can trade up to two pins with each Disney cast member or pin board at a time.
On the other hand, guests don’t have to trade their pins with other theme park visitors. This has caused conflict at some Disney parks, especially Disneyland Park and EPCOT, where collectors have long set up at tables and benches, spreading their corkboards and pin binders out for other guests to peruse.
Before Future World’s transformation into World Discovery, World Nature, and World Celebration, the same pin traders often set up shop just steps from the outdoor cart that sold official Disney Trading Pins. Some guests compared this (and similar traditions at Disneyland Park) to a “flea market.”
Others slammed the pin traders for scamming children out of more valuable pins by taking advantage of their naivety. Some felt traders shouldn’t be allowed to take up coveted outdoor seating at the often hot Southern California and Central Florida Disney parks.
The problem isn’t exclusive to the American Disney parks. Due to poor guest behavior, Tokyo Disney Resort discontinued pin trading shortly after its introduction. The Japanese Disney parks still sell some pins, but they’re explicitly called “Collectors Pins,” and signs remind guests that trading has not been permitted since 2002.
Disney Changes the Rules
After decades of escalating conflict between guests and pin traders, the United States Disney parks finally took action. Although Disney Pin Trading is still allowed (and encouraged), both parks now limit the displays traders can bring into the parks. Only one trading bag sized 14″L x 12″ W x 6″ H (36cm x 31cm x 16cm) or smaller is permitted, and other displays (like corkboards and signage) are not allowed.
Disneyland Park and EPCOT have both designated areas for pin collectors. In Southern California, trading is only permitted within specific time periods. The pin tables in Frontierland are high-tops without seats, making it hard for a pin enthusiast to spend more than an hour standing there. Traders are not permitted to use benches.
Disneyland Resort also forbids traders from using trading bags anywhere except the designated area in Frontierland. Collectors can trade with Disney cast members or other guests anywhere in the park, provided that they use a lanyard. The official rules read:
- Trade pins anywhere in Disneyland Park, using a lanyard. The only place to set up a stationary area for pin trading is in Disneyland Park near Westward Ho Trading Company, where there are standing tables set up for this purpose. Get directions from a Cast Member or from a sign indicating the exact location. Trade at the designated location from park opening to 3:00 PM daily (subject to change).
- Attend to Your Items
Traders must stay with their items for the entire time they are displaying or trading them.
New Discount Raises Questions About the Future of Disney Pin Trading
Now, Walt Disney World Resort is heavily discounting several Disney Pin Trading lanyards, suggesting that the park may want to encourage collecting over trading.
Throughout November, several merchandise locations have reduced the price of multiple lanyards to $10 (originally ranging from $12.99 to $19.99). The discount is available with the purchase of at least one Disney Pin Trading lanyard and is listed as a “limited-time offer,” but there is no end date. Lanyards dated 2026 are not eligible for the sale.
According to reports from WDWNT, the discount is available at merchandise locations throughout Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. It’s unclear whether the sale extends to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, or the Disney Resort hotels.
Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort haven’t publicly stated intent to phase out Disney Pin Trading. However, between rule changes and discounts, it seems like Disney may want you to stick to paying full price for the tiny (but expensive) souvenirs and display them with pride…at home.
Have you ever traded pins with a Disney cast member or theme park guest? Inside the Magic would love to hear from you in the comments!