Official Pin Trading has been a major part of the Walt Disney World experience for nearly 25 years. Over that time, the hobby has built up a large and dedicated fanbase who know the ins and outs of the system, including some of the more obscure rules that apply to pin trading.
Over my 30+ years visiting Disney theme parks, I’ve engaged in some pin trading myself. However, it’s been a few years since I was fully engaged in the hobby. If you’re a lapsed fan like me or a new collector, there are some old rules you brush up on and some new changes you might need to get used to.
What Pins CAN be Traded
Only official Disney are eligible to be traded between guests and Cast Members. According to Disney, “The main criteria when judging whether a pin is tradable or not (although other factors may be considered) is that the metal pin bears a ‘©Disney’ mark on the back—representing an official Disney event, place, location, character or icon.”
Of note, pins from other business units of The Walt Disney Company (including television networks like ABC and ESPN) may be traded at the discretion of the Cast Member.
Once you’ve got your pins picked out, what’s the best way to carry them? How about this Single Shoulder Bag Sport Backpack.
Perfect for enamel pins, stickers, patches, plushies, and keychains.
What Pins CAN’T be Traded
Now that we’ve established what kind of pins are allowed, the next logical question is what kind will be turned down. Unauthorized pins include plastic pins, rubber pins, or other non-metal pins, personalized name pins, brooch-style or clasp pins, Disney Service Award pins, Disney Legacy Award pins, Partners in Excellence pins, or Cast Member costume pins.
No More Lanyards?
If you haven’t been involved in Pin Trading for a while, you may find yourself wondering where all of the Cast Members’ lanyards have gone? Are they no longer trading?
The answer is no! Instead, many Disney World locations now have Mickey-shaped pinboards with tradable pins on their registers, while many individual Cast Members now carry their pins on waist pouches. This transition had been happening for a while, and was only exacerbated by COVID.
Speaking of Pin Boards, you can display your pins on your own Disneyland Pin Board at home!
Featuring Tinker Bell herself, this Sleeping Beauty Castle-shaped pin board features enameled cloisonné, laser print elements, nickel finish, Disney Pin Trading 2025 back stamp, Mickey icon pin backs, Sleeping Beauty Castle cork board, a wood backer, a Disneyland 70 logo that serves as a lanyard hook, a raised ”70” logo with movable Tinker Bell pin, and two hanging loops on the back,
Whether you’re a fresh collector or getting back into the Disney Pin Trading game, you need to keep these rules in mind! Stay tuned to AllEars for more tips!
Are you a pin collector? Let us know in the comments below.
I just started collecting pins. I have 2 so far. Jack skellington and sally pin
The biggest no-no when pin trading is trading counterfeit pins for real pins. There’s a huge market of cheap “scrappers” and unauthorized counterfeits that look very similar to authentic pins. It’s heartbreaking to discover these fakes in your own collection, and makes you think twice about wanting to trade your legitimate pins with strangers or pin boards. Any “lot” of pins you find at unbelievably cheap prices are almost certainly fakes. As with anything else, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Unfortunately most pins on the boards are fakes. Trading directly with a cast member you may find some real pins. However it’s nothing like how pin trading was originally.