Man with hat full of pins
  • On Jan 8, 2025
    Regina from MN Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hello! I’m taking my 7 year old daughter and my 78 year old mother to Disney World in June. I’m wondering about a lot of things but mostly I’m curious about Disney Pins. Is this something I should buy in advance to trade? How does it work? Is it worth it?

    Hey there, Regina!

    I was so excited to see your question because I also started pin trading at Walt Disney World recently and I’m happy to share all about it!

    Regina, you do not need to buy pins before your arrival. You can find pins available for purchase throughout merchandise locations at Walt Disney World Resort. Starter sets are available, which can consist of a themed lanyard and a set of pins, for example, Princess-themed or Star Wars-themed. There are also sets of pins and lanyards available for individual purchase, so you can create your own “starter set.” When I started pin trading on my recent trip, I found a lanyard that I liked and a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed pin set! Pins are also sold individually and in “blind boxes,” which means you don’t know exactly which pin you will get until you open the package after purchasing. Your trip is several months from now, so you may find pins and starter sets available to purchase on DisneyStore.com, if you would like to have them ready for your trip- sometimes pins are included in the current sales! 

    There are official Disney Pin Trading guidelines, Regina. I've listed a few here for you to keep in mind. 

    -Only official Disney pins may be traded, and Walt Disney World Cast Members may determine that a pin is not an official pin and decide not to complete the trade. 
    -Please ask to trade first. You will see pinboards throughout the parks and Cast Members wearing lanyards to trade. Please approach the Cast Member and kindly ask to trade. 
    -You may only trade a maximum of 2 pins per Cast Member or trading board per day. 

    Pin trading is what you make of it, Regina. Personally, I let my heart guide me and trade for pins of characters or attractions I like. My other family members will try to complete collections, which can mean searching for less common pins throughout the parks. There are also Cast Members who add additional magic to pin trading by asking trivia questions or offering a blind trade, which means you don’t know what pin you’re trading for! 

    My family has had a lot of fun with our pin-trading adventures. For my kids, it has added another activity as we walk between attractions, and it’s a great way to interact with Cast Members. This year is the 25th Anniversary of Disney Pin Trading, so now is a great time to start! 

    I hope this was helpful, Regina. Pin trading is for all ages so I think this is the perfect addition to your multi-generational vacation. If you have any more questions, about pin-trading or any other planning, please come back to see me at planDisney! 

    Kaitlin
thumbnail image for Kaitlin

Meet the Panelist: Kaitlin, Indiana

Hi friends! I'm Kaitlin, a wife and mom to two young boys. I can always be found with a list of the latest and greatest snacks and treats at Walt Disney World, and sometimes I'm even willing to share those snacks with my family. In the meantime, I'm here to help answer your questions about your vacation to Walt Disney World Resort!  Learn More About Kaitlin

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