Just bought my first pins

[rubato]

My son will be 10 when we go this time, and I thought it was time to steer away from character autographs. So, I bought him 20 pins and he's set. My question is this:
How exactly does it work? We'll only trade with CMs, I think. But, are there good pins out there or do they only have unwanted ones? If my son has a pin he doesn't want to trade, it shouldn't be on his lanyard, right? Knowing him, he'll end up with 20 he loves, and, then, we'll have to buy more so he can trade them! :mickey:

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

My DD, now 11 has loved pin trading for our last couple of trips.

CM's are great to trade with. Yes, the have some "good" pins, but really, a "good" pin at that age is anything they like. My DD tends to collect her favourite characters, with some pins that she just "likes".

When you trade with a CM, you can pick the pin you want from their lanyard or pin board, and offer any pin that they don't already have in return. So yes, he can wear pins that he doesn't want to trade, as no CM will force him to trade it away.

Hope he enjoys pin trading :mickey:

[Capt_redshirt]

The great thing about trading with cast members is that you will always find something that you like. when i did my trades last week i ended up with alot of pins i couldnt get with out buying a full set. for example i was able to get cute tigger and mickey as jack sparrow pins. if you want to make it easy on him what i tend to do is to put the ones you want to keep on one side and the ones he wants to trade on the other so he can keep track.

[rubato]

Thanks guys. I think this is going to be really fun. I have started getting really tired of waiting in line for characters, so I hope this takes the place of that. Plus, I think I'm going to enjoy it!!!:mickey:

[TheVBs]

It is a lot of fun! My girls love doing it. The CMs are wonderful. Enjoy! :mickey:

[disneyboundagain]

I'm thinking about getting DD6 started into trading when we are there in Dec. Is 6 still too young?

[TheVBs]

I'm thinking about getting DD6 started into trading when we are there in Dec. Is 6 still too young?

My DD did it when we were there last and she was only 4. She did a great job!

[PlutoToo]

Don't forget that the parks have a pin book at guest services to trade from, just ask to see it. And many of the resorts have a book or board either at guest services, a shop, or the pin trading station. Have fun..

[CaptainSad]

Just a little inside trader tip. Look for CM's that have the pinbacks showing on their lanyard. Some of these are CM only or very rare production. I have gotten lots of pins you have a hard time finding this way.

[Lelandmm]

If you are looking for any older or discontinued pins, You may want to check out the Disney Outlet at the Outlet Mall.

We were there last week and they had about 12 pins for $3.99 each. My dad got a Mickey dressed as Indiana Jones from the year the ride opened. I got a basic Lightning McQueen and Monster's Inc.

If you think your kids will just enjoy the actual trading part, it may be a good thing to stop in there and see what they have. That they like.

We hit every place known to man looking for pins. All of the Flea Markets and Tourist shops have them for $5.99 and $6.99. So not much more of a deal then getting them in the park for $6.95.
BUT, again, the pins may be older, so you may find something that is hard to find!

I saw so many kids using the character waiting time to go trade pins. Mom and Dad were in line, waiting on whoever, and the kids were off trading with the CM, so they got two things at a character spot, autograph and pin!