Hi, Steve--greetings to a fellow Michigander! Thanks for visiting planDisney with your question. Like the Genie, I'm ready to make some magic for you!
Gosh, I love pin trading too. When my girls were younger, it was one of their favorite activities at
Walt Disney World Resort--it's like a really fun scavenger hunt to look for a pin with a favorite character, or one to complete a sought-after set. As parents, we loved watching them interact with Cast Members and gain confidence through those trades and chats. They still bring their lanyards every time we visit and I think are just as excited when they spot a promising new addition to their collection! Although trades have been negotiated via boards for the past few years, these moments hold a lot of magic and I always appreciate the amazing folks who keep those boards handy and patiently wait while Guests deliberate on which is the perfect pin.
When I last visited Walt Disney World in November, I did not see Cast Members with lanyards, just the boards in the shops and resorts. I spoke with Guest Services today who confirmed that at this time the norm is still to use the boards for trading. However, this rule may be relaxed later this year so that we can hopefully return to pre-pandemic trading ways!
If you're seeking the very latest pins, or one featuring a more obscure character, check out the
pin shopping locations located all around the resort. Don't forget to check the shops in your Disney
Resort Hotel as well--some of my favorite pins over the years have been resort-specific offerings that I've been lucky enough to find before they were snapped up!
My last two top-notch trading tips:
- Bring some extra pins that you don't mind trading away so you're prepared if you spot a must-have pin and need to make a swap!
- When traveling to the airport with the aforementioned pin reserves, pack them in a checked bag (or if you aren't checking a bag, make sure you take the pins out and put them in a bin when going through security). We have been stopped more than once when those pesky pins were in a backpack!
Steve, it sure is cold in Michigan and I am sure you are counting down the days to your upcoming visit. It will be here before you know it! Thanks again for visiting planDisney and please come back any time if we can help with your vacation planning.
Stay magical!
Susan