Anyone can get started with Pin Trading, for a relatively small initial investment.. Trading with other fans is certainly encouraged, but the real fun comes in when you trade with cast members.You can pick up the basics at almost any large gift shop on Disney property, or you can buy them before your trip. It’s pretty simple - pick up a lanyard or pin album and a few Disney pins to trade. You may also want to get a medal of some sort for the lanyard. Then, approach any cast member wearing a lanyard or panel, and ask if you can trade pins with them.
There are a few rules, and etiquette tips to mind:
- You can only trade “official” Disney pins. These are marked by the official Mickey-shaped pin back, a straight post, and some kind of “© Disney” indication engraved on the back. The “buttons” with the safety pin back do not count.
- You can only trade 2 pins at a time per cast member, per visit.
- Cast members with green lanyards or panels can only trade with guests 12 and under.
- - You can’t trade a pin that the cast member already has. This can be somewhat problematic with some of the starter set pins.
- - If you can, try to scope out your pins before you stop the cast member. They are quite busy in their “main” job, and you don’t want to waste their time or yours.
- - You will probably feel quite stupid at first, but you’ll get over it - after all, this is Disney World, not the real world! :
