Pin Trading at Disney

Beginning during the Millennium Celebration in 1999, Disney Pin Trading has become a popular sport for Walt Disney World Visitors. Visitors can trade pins with any cast member wearing a lanyard with pins. It has become very popular with both adults and kids alike. Here is the ultimate guide to getting you started with pin trading.

The number of Disney pins available is quite mindboggling!

While there are many more types of pins available for trading here are some of the most common types. For a more comprehensive list see this article.

Hidden Mickeys

These are pins with small Mickey heads hidden on them that are available in a series that are unique because they’re not available for sale in stores. They can only be found on Cast Member lanyards.

Variety of Characters

Choose your favorite character like Mickey or Minnie and trade for as many pins containing that character as you can.

Series

There are many groups of 4-8 pins that have a similar theme i.e. Pirates of the Caribbean, Frozen, Chip N Dale, and others.

Special Events

Pins featuring Disney special events like the Food and Wine Festival or Garden Show are limited edition pins that are popular.

Passholder and Exclusives Pins

These pins are only available for annual passholders or attendees to special tours.

Tips & Tricks

Trading Etiquete

Cast Members are trading pins provided to them by Disney and they will accept whatever trades are offered to them regardless of whether it’s considered to be “fair” from the perspective of value.
When approaching a Cast Member it is best to wait until they are not helping someone else.
Always ask the cast member to see their pins. Staring at them from afar is considered rude.
Each Cast Member is limited to two trades per day per person.
The pin being traded cannot be the same as one they already have on their lanyard.
The Mickey rubber pin back must be in place
Cast Members with green lanyards will only trade with children.
The pin being traded to them must be an Official Pin Trading Pin which is denoted by a © Disney on the back of the pin.
Bonus tip: Trade early in the day. Cast Members obtain their pins from the pin shop located in the utilidoors upon arriving. You have to take the Keys to the Kingdom Tour to see it!!

Make sure your pins are authentic

Unfortunately, there are a few bad apples in the pin trading hobby. Beware of anyone who sends you into a pin store to purchase a specific pin in order to trade. These “professional” pin traders are circumventing the Disney policy of no cash for a trade. We recommend you trade with Cast Members only.

The official copyright on the back of Disney issued pins.

This is what to look for to make sure your pins are authentic.

The edges are smooth
The copyright is clear
The pin has a Mickey rubber pin backing
The colors are rich and NOT faded
The paint is smooth and NOT flaking off
The pin is NOT magnetic

Top Trading Places

I have been collecting and trading pins for years. My favorite place to trade is at Disney Springs but there are many other places throughout the parks. Some of the places are more of a secret to most people. Always ask a Cast Member if you don’t see the pins right away. Many of them have them hidden and only produce them when asked.

Magic Kingdom

Guest Relations (both Main Street USA and Liberty square)
The Emporium Shop on Main Street USA
Treasure chest at Agrabah Bazaar in Adventureland
The Popcorn Pin Cushion at the Big Top Store
The Pin Oven Mitt at the Main Street Confectionary
Frontier Trading Post in Frontierland has a pin washboard, a pin cowboy hat and a bear wearing pins
Pinboard near the resort buses
Momento Mori near the Haunted Mansion
Mickey’s Pin Trader in Tomorrowland
Sir Mickey’s in Fantasyland
Town Square Exposition Hall

Animal Kingdom

Guest Relations
Stroller rental at the entrance has a stroller covered in pins
All of the ice cream carts have a pinboards
Guest Relations has a book to look through
Flame Tree Barbecue has a pinboard by request
The pin cart between Africa and Asia has a pin book
Ask at various restaurants in the park, especially Restaurantosaurus
Chest of pin near Kali River Rapids
Pin vest at The Outpost just outside Disney’s Animal Kingdom entrance
Trash can of pins right after you enter the park

Hollywood Studios

Guest Relations
Pin drum in the gift shop of the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster ride.
The Tower of Terror gift shop
Parking cone with pins just after entering the park
Several gift shops along Hollywood Blvd have pin boards

EPCOT

Guest Relations
Pin Stroller at stroller rental
MouseGears Shop- (Pins boards are brought out at various times throughout the day)
Norway
Italy KidCot Fun Stop
United States gift shop
Morocco Kidcot Fun Stop
Japan gift shop- ask Cast Members and they will produce pins
Africa Outpost (pin book)

Disney Springs

Disney Pin Traders- they have a large board that is opened up at variuos times of the day. Sometimes they have a pin trading “spinner” just outside the entrance.
Guest Relations- ask to see the pin book
Disney Store
Ask at the restaurants- many will have them
The D-Street Vinylmation pin book (Vinylmation Pins Only)