Hi Kristian,
Pin Trading is one of the things my family looks forward to on every trip we take to Disney World. As a fellow pin collector, you are going to enjoy the process. I love the engagement with fellow collectors and cast members that comes from pin trading. You will likely not see cast members walking around with lanyards anymore as they have moved more to a pinboard model.
These pinboards are located in shops and random locations throughout the theme parks. There is typically always one at
Guest Relations locations and resort hotel lobbies. Looking for these pinboards has become like a scavenger hunt all on its own. I find this model to be easier to navigate for those of us with anxiety because the person working the pinboard is there to chat and pin trade so you are not distracting them from their work. The good news about this new model is that you don't have to give them the pin back at all so it doesn't matter if it is a Mickey back or not. You keep all of your pinbacks and use them on the new pins you get. Do make sure that all the pins you bring to trade are Disney official though.
You will still see several guests walking around with lanyards on and most of them love to engage and trade with you as well. I don't typically like to stop someone when they are on their way somewhere but I do think it makes for a fun activity while waiting in lines for rides. If I find myself next to another guest with a lanyard, I strike up a conversation and trade. I have yet to encounter someone who isn't just as excited about pin trading as me.
Make sure to check out my favorite pin shop at
Frontier Trading Post in Magic Kingdom. They have such a fun assortment of pins and sometimes host pin-trading events for guests.
Happy Trading
Jenna