release days

[Suz36]

If I wanted to get a pin on the first day of release, where is the best place to get it? Also, does anyone know of a good website to get checklists of recent Cast Member pin releases? I've checked the Disney site, but it's really old info. Thanks!

[JPL]

www.pinpics.com for Cast member Pin List or disneypins.com (http://eventservices.disney.go.com/pintrading/index)

As for new releases if it's a wide release pin any of the main pin stores in the parks or DTD. However some pins are only released in certain locations so you might want to check into that.

[wdwnomad]

A couple of weeks ago in the Disney pin blog they discussed just this. If you go to www.disneypins.com on click on What's HapPINing you will find the blog. They talk about alot of neat stuff. Anyway, here is the blog where they talk about the new releases:

January 10, 2009
So what is going on with all of these date changes? We thought it was time to give a little insight into how we post pins, determine release dates, and why date changes happen. First, we apologize for any recent confusion around release dates for several upcoming open edition and limited edition pins. Let us explain.

Release dates are determined by the delivery date of the pin(s) to each Resort. Based on this information, we look at the calendar to determine the date of release allowing a cushion of time for the pins to be received, allocated by our warehouse and delivered to our merchandise shops. Unfortunately, there are some situations where we must change the date (for example, the pin hasn't arrived as scheduled to our warehouse or a packaging issue needs to be corrected). As soon as we know of a concern, we update our site. Rest assured, it is not an easy decision to make release date changes as we know trips are sometimes planned to the Resorts based on the release of particular pins. We try to avoid it at all costs.

So what are the difference for us between open edition and limited edition release dates?

For limited edition pins, the date posted on DisneyPins.com is a "firm" release date. In other words, we ask our operations partners at Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort to release the limited edition pins on their actual advertised date. With limited edition pins, there is a finite number of pins available for sale (i.e. the edition size of a pin). Depending on the edition size of a particular limited edition pin, it means that only a small number of locations can carry that pin. This allows us to better control the release and distribution making it easier for you, our Guests, to purchase that particular pin.

The same is true for open edition pins released at Disneyland® Resort. Due to a smaller number of locations that carry pins at the Resort, the open edition pin release dates posted on DisneyPins.com are the "firm" date. In other words, if you go to a location at Disneyland® Resort on a particular release date, you will find that open edition pin.

The tricky part is the release of open edition pins at Walt Disney World® Resort. Walt Disney once said that the Florida property has the "blessing of size." With that being said, the Resort has established different delivery dates for our locations to receive product from our warehouse. Due to the large number of locations across the Resort that sell pins, we adopted the "sell 'em when you get 'em" philosophy for open edition pins in Florida. This means by a particular advertised release date, the majority of locations (think big pin locations first, then other areas) should have a particular open edition pin available for sale. With these different delivery dates some of our merchandise locations may be able to release the pin(s) a few days before the posted release date, while others may not be able to release the pin for a couple days after the release date. This is all based on when the location receives their order of pins from the warehouse.

Wow. That is a mouthful. Here is a summary to help you.

Limited Edition Pins for Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort - The date posted on-line is the actual date the pin will be available for sale (a firm release date).

Open Edition Pins for Disneyland® Resort - The date posted on-line is the actual date the pin will be available for sale (a firm release date).

Open Edition Pins for Walt Disney World® Resort - The date posted on-line is an approximate date the pin will be available for sale. You could find it in a location prior to the posted date based on location delivery dates.
Hopefully, this insight will be helpful in understanding the changes that are made to release dates for pins in 2009 and beyond. Thanks again for your patience with us.