The Disney Pin Trading Tradition

June 10, 2010
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disney pin trading

Disney workers or ‘cast members’ have a lengthy set of rules that dictate what pins they can have on their uniforms and which they cannot. Typically lapel pins are worn on long lanyards that color match the particular park at which they work. To trade a pin with a Disney cast member, the pin must be made of metal and have a representation of a Disney character, park, attraction, icon, or other official affiliation. Additionally, the pin must have a Disney copyright on its back.  There are also rules about how often Disney cast members can trade in a day and with whom. Each park also has further proprietary rules about such specifications. Disney pin etiquette dictates that a tradable pin is cloisonné, semi-cloisonné, or hard-enamel metal Disney pin,” trades are on a one-for-one basis, and “certain pin sets must be traded as sets.”  Trading pins is a beloved tradition at Disney, but there are some rules you’ll need to follow if you want your exchange with cast members on property to be valid. According to pin etiquette, all pins must have metal construction and feature an official representation of the world of Disney – think characters, parks or icons! Plus don’t forget that all exchanged items should bear the iconic copyright sign for added authenticity. Disney pin collecting and trading has become a worldwide phenomenon! While the parks have always been a great spot for enthusiasts to meet up, online communities and in-person meetings provide many options. Trading pins can also be done from home via Disney sites, auction websites or individual vendors selling off their collections. Collectors approach it as either an investment game of sorts – watching market prices rise & fall on different pins – while others focus more on completing specific series sets they’re passionate about.  Disney requires the highest quality products for their collections, and only select few companies are truly up to that task. One such company is The Monterey Company: a longstanding manufacturer of Disney themed lapel pins! They’ve undergone rigorous inspections to confirm they meet all of Disney’s high standards – something we can all be proud of.

Make your dreams come true with Disneyland Pins!

Since the opening of the first Disneyland park, lapel pins have been created and sold to promote the Disney culture. A key component of their massive array of products has been lapel pins symbolizing their vast cast of characters, rides, and park sections. It is interesting to note, however, that the tradition of collecting and trading these pins didn’t start until 1999 with the Millennium Celebration. It was during this year-long celebration event that pin trading was introduced at the Disneyland Resort.   The trend took off and by the following year, the Walt Disney World Resort held an event specifically constructed for the purpose of pin trading. The hobby of collecting and trading pins has spread to all of the Disney parks and resorts the world over. Each location creates its own pins and limited editions. The collecting and trading of lapel pins is not something that is unique to Disney. But, as with most things, Disney has created its very own culture around the collection and trading of their lapel pins.