Hey Tonia!
Welcome to planDisney!
Pin Trading is one of those things I want to try but due to my hoarding nature am unable to fully go through with it. I love
purchasing pins and just staring at them so giving them up seems like losing a favorite child. I know it's dramatic but they are so beautiful!
I found some official guidance about Disney Pin Trading Etiquette
here. (Be mindful that it opens up into a pdf). It states that in general, a tradable pin is to be a "Disney pin or an acceptable operating participant pin, that represents a specific Disney event, place, location, character or icon." A participant pin could be from any of the "Walt Disney-owned properties and other business units such as ESPN, ABC, etc." A Star Wars or Marvel pin should fit right into that definition as it is part of this magical Disney world. The etiquette guide also mentions that "counterfeit pins" are not accepted for trading. I looked through all of my pins and everyone has on the back a logo with a banner that says "Pin Trading" over the shape of Mickey's head with a year. There is also a pattern of Mickey Mouse heads embedded into the back of it that extends to the edge which is called waffling. This, however, may not be accurate for older pins as many of those may not have the logo or the waffling. Determining counterfeit pins is sometimes not very straightforward or understood by all.
For example, some of the pins I have in my possession are official and Disney-related but without a pin trading logo. An example is one I received while on a tour of
Walt Disney World Studios in Burbank, California. While I'm sure someone would love to trade me for that pin but it is probably not an official pin appropriate for pin trading. I also will not let it leave my possession at any cost.
If trading with a Cast Member you will find they most likely will stick to the rules and etiquette guide I mentioned. However, if you have a very cool pin that someone else may love to own and is willing to trade- even if it is not official- then that is an agreement between two people. My daughter will not care if her pins are counterfeit if she loves them and it brings her joy. I wear my pins to work and display them at home. I don't care where they came from but enjoy them as they are. If you want to wear them to the Parks on a lanyard, purse or backpack then go ahead! Make sure when trading to be honest about the origin of the pins and most likely you will find people happy to have the pin you brought.
I do hope you have fun pin trading on your upcoming trip.
Let me know if you have any more questions!
Happy Planning!
-Nimmy