If you are looking for something to make your Disney vacation extra special, consider Disney Pin Trading. People have been trading Disney pins for years, yet most people who have never been to Disney World have no idea that this opportunity even exists.
Trading pins at Disney is a great way to interact with Disney cast members while building a collection of Disney trading pins that you can enjoy for years to come.
Essential Guide to Trading Disney Pins
Where to Buy Disney Pins
Disney trading pins can be purchased at ShopDisney online, in each of the Disney World parks, Disney resort gift shops and in Disney Springs at Pin Traders and the World of Disney store.
You are going to find that the larger shops like Pin Traders and The World of Disney Store at Disney Springs will have the largest collection of pins.
The Disney trading pins are typically divided into sections based on categories like popular characters, rides, attractions and holidays.
You can purchase individual pins, pin sets, and even mystery pins (where you don’t know what pin you get until you open it).
Many avid pin traders place their pins on lanyards to wear around their neck, and some hard-core Disney pin traders place their trading pins in a book-like binder.
This isn’t a requirement, but if you plan on collecting pins, it is probably a good idea to have one or the other.
How to Trade Disney Pins
When you travel to the Disney parks, you will see Cast Members wearing lanyards or satchels with Disney trading pins.
Ask politely to see their pins and search to find a pin you’d like. If you don’t find one you are interested in, just politely say thank you for letting you look and walk away.
You are by no means obligated to trade. If you do find a pin you would like to trade, simply ask your Cast Member if they would be willing to trade.
They ALWAYS say YES!
There you have it, a NEW Disney souvenir pin to take home!
Disney Pin Trading Tips
- Start by buying a Disney pin lanyard before you get to the park. Many of these lanyards come with a starter set of pins. These are great because if your goal is to trade them, you don’t have to buy the most expensive set. A cheap set will do!
- If you want to buy several pins to trade, consider purchasing authentic Disney trading pins online in bulk. You will pay a fraction of what you would pay at the Disney parks.
- When you start looking for places to trade pins at the Disney parks, you will find that there are several hidden pinboards secretly located throughout each of the four Disney parks as well as in Disney Springs. Ask at stores and look for them at places like kiosks and checkout counters.
- When you are trading Disney pins, you should always look for rare Disney pins. Some pins are more valuable than others. These pins are typically limited edition, completer, or chaser pins.
Types of Disney Trading Pins
Limited Edition Pins
Some pins are only released for certain events, parties, Disney Visa Card members or only for Disney Annual Pass holders. These pins are considered rare because not everyone can purchase them!
Typically these Disney limited edition pins are dated. If you see a pin with a date, it might be worth taking a second look to see if you want to add it to your own Disney pin collection.
Completer Pins
Other rare Disney pins are completer pins. These are pins that complete a set. While most of the set might be relatively easy to find, there is always one pin that is considered the “completer.”
Disney did not produce as many of these pins and it makes it harder to find in circulation.
You will know you have found a Disney Completer pin if it says ‘Completer Pin’ on the back.
Chaser Pins
If you happen upon a silver pin (without any color), you have found a rare Disney pin. These colorless pins are called ‘Chaser’ pins, and are only traded by cast members!
While not as rare as the ‘Completer’ pin, a ‘Chaser’ pin can only be received through trading!
Disney Pin Trading Boards & Boxes
Throughout Disney World there are pin trading mystery boxes and Mickey-themed pin trading boards.
All you have to do is find a cast member with a pin trading mystery box or Mickey-themed board and present an Official Disney Trading Pin to exchange. You may exchange up to two pins per location
Here is where you will find them.
Magic Kingdom
- Main Street USA Emporium
- Adventureland: Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazar
- Frontierland: Frontierland Trading Post
- Liberty Square: Ye Old Christmas Shoppe & Momento Mori
- Fantasyland: Fantasy Faire & Big Top Souvenirs
EPCOT
- World Celebration: Pin Store & Imageworks (Figment Store)
- World Nature: SeaBase Giftshop (Finding Nemo)
- World Discovery: Mission Space Cargo Bay & Test Track SIMporium
- Port of Entry (Mystery Pin Board)
- Canada: North West Merchantile
- UK: Tea Caddy
- France: Souvenirs de France
- Italy: Kidcot Fun Spot
- Germany: Die Weihnachts Ecke
- Norway: The Fjording
- Mexico: Plaza de los Amigos
Animal Kingdom
- Oasis: Garden Gate Gifts
- Discovery Island: Island Merchantile
- Dinoland: Chester & Hesters Dinosaur Treasures
Hollywood Studios
- Hollywood Boulevard: Sid Cahuenga’s One of a Kind
- Echo Lake: Tatooine Traders
- Sunset Boulevard: Once Upon a Time
While these are the main places to look for pins, you will also find some at the Pin Kiosks throughout Disney World.
Now that you know where to get your pins and where to trade them, you need to understand the rules for pin trading at Disney.
It is basic etiquette, but if you haven’t pin-traded before it is best to know what to expect.
Disney Pin Trading Rules
- Ask to see the pins without grabbing on touching their lanyard/book.
- If you choose not to trade, thank the Cast Member for allowing you to look.
- If you choose to trade, let the Cast Member know which Disney trading pins you are interested in.
- Trade only one pin at a time with a maximum of 2 pins.
- Take your own pin off your lanyard, and place the rubber back on prior to handing it to the cast member.
- Hand them your pin and open your hand to receive the trade.
- Thank the Cast Member and place your new pin on your lanyard/ book
How to Display Disney Trading Pins
When you head back home on vacation, you may be wondering what you can do to preserve your pins or how you can display them.
There are a few different ways to show off your Disney trading pins, but one of my favorites is with a corkboard.
There are many different ways you can display your Disney pins for everyone to see & enjoy! Here are some of my favorites.
Do you trade or collect Disney Trading pins at the park or know of other Disney Pin Trading secrets to share?
David
Saturday 5th of March 2022
Do you have secret Pin trading locations for Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure?
Sandy Flynn
Monday 11th of May 2020
Are there secret places at Disney Springs for trading pins? If so, where??
Kristi
Thursday 21st of May 2020
Pin Traders.