Hello Couponing to Disney readers! I’m Carrie, vacation specialist with Destinations in Florida, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, and I visit you each week here on Couponing to Disney to answer some Disney FAQs. I love hanging out on Couponing to Disney every week with you, answering questions about the Happiest Place on Earth! Pin trading is one of the extra special activities that many adults and children like to engage in while visiting Walt Disney World. Pin trading is a simple, yet fun activity, that allows you to come home with some authentic souvenirs AND magical memories!
How does Pin Trading work at Walt Disney World?
Castmembers throughout the parks and gift shops will wear lanyards with Disney pins on them. You, or your children, are welcome to trade with them. But first, you have to have something to trade! A good place to start is to visit The World of Disney or Disney Pin Traders at Downtown Disney. Purchase a “starter” set with pins and a lanyard. From there, you will have pins to trade with Castmembers while you are touring the Disney parks. Some Castmembers wear special green lanyards. These CMs will only trade with guests under 12. Perfect for those young children just starting their pin collections!
Where can I find special, limited edition pins?
During special events such as the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the 24-hour park events Disney will release “special” pins. These are exclusive to the event and can be found at the Disney Pin Traders store at Downtown Disney. They may also be found in select shops in the parks as well.
Where can I purchase pins outside the parks?
Often, we like to purchase a few pins for our children to trade when we visit Walt Disney World. You can find some on the Disney Store website, which is probably your best bet for authentic Disney pins.
Where can I find unique pins at Walt Disney World?
Each resort sells pins exclusive to that resort. Also, when you exit attractions, there are often pins for that particular attraction in the gift shop. If you are looking for a pin to commemorate a special experience, then these are the places to look and the pins to get. We try to get a resort pin each trip, as well as use them as a reward if our children try a new attraction.
Can my children wear pins on their lanyards that they aren’t willing to trade?
Of course! When you are trading with a CastMember, YOU choose which pin offer to trade. My children like to have a lanyard for “traders” and a lanyard for “keepers”. When we go out into the parks, they will usually wear their “traders” lanyard and then when we get back to the resort they sort their pins for the next day’s trading!
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