Welcome to the first of MANY posts about pins!! I figured I would these first two posts would be more of an introduction into the world of Disney pins and the do’s and dont’s of pin trading! 

I’ve been pin trading since I was 14 years old and have been in love with this hobby every since! I still remember my very first pin!
I first started because when you made a $25 purchase, you could get a mystery pin for  only $2! Well one of the options for the mystery pins was a Little Mermaid one (and if you don’t know me, you’ll learn quickly that I’m OBSESSED with Ariel!). So, obviously I NEEDED it right? Well of course I didn’t get it but the first cast member I saw with pins had an Ariel topiary pin so I traded for it and the obsession began!

Fast forward to now, I have over 1,000 pins and counting! I’m constantly adding to my collection and even started other collections! Aside from collecting all pins relating to The Little Mermaid, I have started collecting Belle from Beauty and the Beast, The Haunted Mansion, Bear in the Big Blue House, and older princess sets. Maybe one day I’ll count all of my pins including the traders!

As for pin trading in Walt Disney World, it is a very popular hobby and the best part is that anyone can do it! A few things I like to tell people who are just starting out is to try and pick something you’d like to collect. This way when you’re looking at different boards, lanyards, or traders books you don’t feel too overwhelmed. Once your collection develops to the point where it is hard to find pins around the parks, is when I would start other collections. For me, picking what to collect was easy, I have always loved Ariel and knew it wasn’t a character or movie that I was just loving in the moment; it is something that I have been a huge fan of since I was a baby. I would pick something that you have loved for a while such as a favorite character, movie, or ride! Of course with that being said, if you’re looking at a lanyard and see a pin you love, get it! Chances are, someone else will love it too so it might not be there later in the day. 

In WDW, the most common places to find pins are on cast members (CM) throughout the parks, Disney Springs, and the resorts. Most merchandise CM will have lanyards or pouches with pins and will be more than happy to trade. When trading with CM there are 4 important things to remember. 1: Make sure you are polite and asking to look at their pins. 2: If you see a pin you like, the pin you give them must be an official Disney pin. 3. Along with it being a Disney pin, it must not be a pin that the CM already had on their lanyard. And most importantly, number 4, it is okay to look at their lanyard and not make a trade. When I was a CM who wore a lanyard, I would always see guests feel pressured to trade because they asked to look. it is okay! If you don't want to trade you don't have too! You spent money on your pins, and if you are giving one up you like to receive one that you don't like, what's the point?

I can't wait to share more about pin trading with you! I am a huge pin trader and this wonderful hobby has introduced me to so many friends around the world! I think that Disney pins are beautiful and a perfect souvenir from the parks. It is something that you can get every trip and keep adding! In upcoming posts I will talk about how to display pins, get more in depth about trading in the parks, and how to build your collections! Fell free to leave any questions you want me to answer!