Hi Amber,
How exciting that you have less than a week to go before starting your Walt Disney World vacation! You must be bursting with anticipation, as before you know it, you will be stepping onto Main Street, U.S.A. and seeing Cinderella Castle in the distance, framed by all of the beautiful Christmas decorations...it doesn't get any better than that!
Amber, definitely don't forget to pack your Disney pins and lanyards, because pin trading at Walt Disney World is certainly still alive and well. My family also thoroughly enjoys pin trading during our Disney vacations. In fact, during our last family trip in September, my 12 year old son tallied over 100 pin trading interactions with Disney Cast Members. I love watching his pin trading interactions with Cast Members. Pin trading was one of the first activities which brought him out of his shell when he was a young child, by encouraging him to take the initiative to approach adults to initiate pin trading interactions. To this day, pin trading remains such a positive experience for my son, and one which he looks forward to enjoying each and every trip.
Amber, many Cast Members will have lanyards or pin holders on their person which will be visible to you as you are interacting with them. However, if at any point in time you come across a Cast Member without any trading pins, simply ask them if they have a pin board. In many cases, most Cast Members working at
Walt Disney World Resort hotels or in gift shops or quick service restaurant locations in the Resort hotels or in the Theme Parks will have a central location where a large number of trading pins are stored. Cast Members are more than pleased to bring these out for you to inspect as you try to track down any elusive pins you are trying to track down.
Good luck with your hunt, and happy trading!
Trish