Pins, or pin badges, have been available to buy in Disney Parks around the world for many years. Many visitors and theme park fans have no doubt collected these souvenirs over the years, and perhaps occasionally traded a pin with another collector. However, pin trading only became established in 1999 as part of the Millennium Celebration at Walt Disney World. From there, pin trading gradually spread to all Disney resorts, including the cruise ships. Since then, every Disney resort has had its own pins that are sold exclusively on site.
How does pin trading work?
To trade pins with other guests or a Cast Member, you’ll first need at least one pin of your own. You can buy one from one of the resort’s many shops and boutiques.
If you want others to recognise you as a pin trader, you can also buy a lanyard and attach all the pins you’re willing to trade. If you have any pins you’d rather keep, it’s best to store them somewhere else.
Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to start. Look around Disneyland Park, Disney Adventure World, the hotels and Disney Village for guests and Cast Members wearing a pin lanyard, and ask if they would like to trade with you. Park visitors are, of course, under no obligation to trade and may decline your request. Cast Members, on the other hand, are always willing to trade. This often leads to interesting conversations, making pin trading worthwhile in more than one way.
You’ll find some rules to bear in mind when pin trading further down this page.
Of course, you can also simply buy pins and collect them. There’s no obligation to trade.
