Walking around the Disney World Orlando parks, you may notice that most of the cast members wear lanyards around their necks covered in pins. Many avid Disney fans do as well. They walk around the parks wearing pin-covered backpacks, fanny packs, and hats. They comment on each other’s shiny collectibles, proudly displaying their own like badges.
Pin trading is a Disney hobby that can often turn into a near obsession. It officially began in 1999 in Disneyland. Not only will Disney pin collectors scour the internet and nearby retail stores, they will happily trade with fellow enthusiasts- one pin for another, one pin set for another pin set. After all, that is precisely what the Disney pin trading hobby is all about!
Some trades occur in the mail or through the internet, but most trades are done within the Disney parks- and it isn’t limited to the United States parks either. It also isn’t limited to age- from children to the older “inner child” crowd, it’s a popular activity within any age group. Most trades start when someone buys a pin or five as a souvenir, and sees another they like better. They decide to trade, and voila! Pin trading becomes a fun part of their life as well. It’s impossible to collect every pin; there are over 60,000 (yes, you read that right!) pins. There are sets, some large and some limited to only a few pins. Some can be expensive, while other pins can be pretty cheap, especially on eBay and other internet auction sites. Some people trade for the money value, while others just really, really want that pin, I’ll pay double!