Pin trading and collecting is one of the newest crazes to hit the streets of Disney. Its fun, social and best of all, gives cool little souvenirs of Disney parks, characters, events and basically anything else that's Disney.

Pin trading is great for starting conversations. What I have noticed from my trading adventures is that just by saying "Would you be interested in trading?" a 30-minute conversation can start. It may be about the newest pins, it may be about favorite pins or it just may be about life in general. Every time I make a trade, I walk away with the feeling of having a new friend.

The trading of Disney pins is very fun, but there are a few things you need to watch out for and there are a few rules. Here are a few tips on pin trading -

1. Make sure the pins that are being traded are in good condition. You are going to feel bad if you didn't notice defects in your newly traded pin way after the trade has been done.
2. If you don't want to trade a certain pin, do not display it on your lanyard at the time of a trade. If someone wants it, they might try to pressure you into trading.
3. Trade for what you like! It isn't always smart to trade just because you might think a pin someone else is offering is valuable. Most of the time, if someone has a valuable pin that they want to "get rid of," they will sell them through an auction web site, they usually won't just trade.
4. Don't be afraid to talk. That creepy awkward silence while trading a pin gives an overall weird feeling while trading.
5. Don't be afraid to ask about trading. You may greatly regret not asking later on.
6. If you are interested in buying a pin from a single person, do not ask cast members. I have tried and I always get the classic "Are you stupid?" stare.
7. No, Disney does not make a pin that depicts a guitar and reads "Hard Rock Cafe".
8. Before you go to a place to trade pins, do research on the Internet to find the main pins you want. Browse through Disney pin web sites such as www.pinfinder.com or just do a "Disney pins" search in any search engine.
9. Talk. Enjoy yourself. HAVE FUN!!

Disney pin collecting is not the greatest at starting conversations, but it can be less time consuming than trading. With just collecting pins you don't have to have lengthy discussions. It is just select, pay and enjoy.

I enjoy collecting just a little more than trading. When I am at Disneyland, I usually like to spend more time on attractions than talking (though if you are lucky on a day with long lines, someone in front or back of you may have a lanyard. ahh, the perfect time to trade). But anyway...

My collection of pins is growing and growing. Currently I have about 80 pins. That isn't a lot compared to the number that hardcore collectors have, but my collection will get bigger.

Some of Dusty's favorite pins

I have a few pins that I am exceptionally proud of. One is a one-year anniversary of the Disneyland Resort pin that looks like a watch. It was exclusive to cast members and it was limited to 5,000. Another that I am proud of is a Club 33 pin that, from what I have heard, is exclusive to members. A Luminaria pin is also one that I really like. It was based on the spectacular holiday fireworks display at Disney's California Adventure. It flashes and was limited to 2,400. I am proud of every single pin that I have but those are the ones that stand out to me the most.

Remember the two most important rules for collecting pins. They are-

1. Buy what you like
2. HAVE FUN!!

- Story by Dusty Knapp; Images ©Disney
Posted

Dusty is a Disney enthusiast who frequently visits the Disneyland Resort. He is a Disney pin trader and collector and specializes in acquiring current information on The Disneyland Resort.

E-mail Dusty at dusty@startedbyamouse.com, discuss this article in the StartedByAMouse.com Disney Discussion Forums or use the Talkback feature below.

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