Disney Pin Trading Basics
Countless Disney lovers collect and trade Disney pins. It is an affordable and exciting hobby that’s easy to do at home or while you’re visiting your favourite Disney park. Quite honestly, for many, it’s an obsession. Here are a few of the basics, when it comes to Disney pin trading. Hopefully, the information helps you decide if this enjoyable hobby is for you.

What Are Disney Pins?
Disney trading pins are a collectible souvenir. You buy these pins from Disney stores and trade them with cast members or other park guests in exchange for pins you don’t have or want extras of. The tradition started during the Millennium Celebration and continues to be popular to this day. In fact, collectible pins are now the most popular merchandise items, sold at Disney parks.
The only pins available for honest trading are official Disney pins with the pin back undamaged and attached. Be aware of and avoid purchasing “scrapper pins,” which are unauthorized overrun pins produced mostly in China. These pins are actually confiscated illegally off of the discard pile, in effort to be sold by shady third-party sources. They are most often sold in bulk.
Where Can I Get Pins?
There are a number of locations to find Disney pins for sale all over Walt Disney World. In the Magic Kingdom, head to the Main Street Emporium or the World of Disney at Disney Springs. These stores carry the newest pins for around $9 USD. A starter set which includes a lanyard and 4 pins goes for $29.99 USD.
Special events usually have their own limited edition sets of pins to collect, like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Food & Wine or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Who Do I Trade With?
Finding people to trade pins with is simple. You can either trade with cast members who are wearing pins or other guests who are willing to swap. Either way, look for people who have their pins displayed proudly on a sash or lanyard. For first time traders it’s best to trade with cast members and to build up your collection.
What Should I Trade For?
Ultimately, the decision of pins to trade for is entirely up to you. Many guests decide to collect sets of pins that go together, such as all the pins associated with a certain Disney film or park attraction. Other collectors may be trying for one pin of every Disney character. Make a list of a few Disney-related subjects that interest you so that you have a better idea of specific pins to look for.

How Should I Display Them?
The most popular way to display pins while walking around the park is on a lanyard. In fact, you can buy lanyards for this purpose alone at the Main Street Emporium and several other shops and boutiques.
However, there’s really no end to the ways to display them. You can keep them on a backpack or on the brim of a hat. Make sure to display them in a place that’s easily visible so other collectors know that you’re willing to trade.
Also, make sure you put them in a place that’s in reach (at all times) while in the park. You never know when a cast member will go by with that pin you have been looking for.

Now that you know a little bit about collecting and trading Disney pins, does the thought of doing so excite you? If so, go for it! You have nothing to lose and an enjoyable hobby to gain.
Photos credit: Jeremie at Pure Magic Vacations
Never knew disney had this collectible pins
These pin/buttons are really cute and kids will love them
They are so many available at Disney!
I didn’t know this was a thing, I know there is die hard fans out there though!
It’s such a fun hobby for Disney fans!
I never knew about Disney pins, I may have a new hobby starting.
It’s so much fun to see the ones the cast member carry on them!