Disney Pin Trading

If you're looking for a perfect and fairly inexpensive souvenir from your Disney vacation, try Disney pin trading.

Pin Trading Basics

Disney sells a wide variety of pins throughout their parks and resorts. There are character pins, park pins, resort pins, sports pins, holiday pins, and more. Basically, anything and everything you love about Disney, there is likely a pin for it.

The pins typically range in price from around $8 for a basic pin to around $17 for a special event pin, though prices can and will vary. You'll find Disney cast members in shops, at some attraction locations, in guest relations, and throughout resort areas wearing pin holders and ready to trade with guests. Sometimes you can find pins that have been out of circulation for a while, so be sure to check the cast members’ pin selections.

Getting Started

You may want to purchase a lanyard and several pins to begin. You'll see starter packs for sale, which often include a lanyard and four to eight pins depending on which set you buy. Look for deals. The sets typically run about $25 to $30.

Have Pins to Trade

This is where starting out can be a little tricky. You need to begin with at least a couple of pins you are willing to trade. If you buy a set that you or your kids love, you might not want to part with them.

If you come across a pin you'd like to trade for but do not have one you want to trade, you can go up to the register and buy a random, inexpensive pin to complete the trade.

Purchase Good Pin Backs

The Mickey Mouse-shaped pin backs that come with most Disney pins do not typically stay on very well. Disney sells lockable pin backs, and it's a good idea to invest in some of those, especially if you have pins you know you'll never want to trade but still want to wear on your lanyard.

Find One Special Pin

It's always fun to find one special pin from each Disney vacation to remind you of that specific trip. It could be one with the year of your vacation or an attraction-themed pin that reminds you of a special experience, like your child riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad for the first time because they were finally tall enough.

There are also special event pins during certain times of the year, such as the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival or Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Take Advantage of Special Pin Trading Events

Keep an eye out for special pin trading events at Disney Parks. The Disney Pin Traders store at Disney Springs also has a large board of pins that is occasionally available for trading during select and unpublished times, so keep an eye out. You can also find pin trading locations at each of the four major theme parks.

Enjoy Your Pins Even When You Are Home

Once you've returned from your Disney vacation, find a way to keep enjoying your pins. You can pin them to a simple corkboard, display them in shadow boxes, or create another keepsake display. It is an easy way to bring back a smile and a memory from a previous Disney vacation.