Pin Trading

[pirate_tim]

Hello all!  I'm new to the boards and new to pin trading.  I just started this past trip and it was a lot of fun.  I've chosen to buy certain pins for collecting and others for trading.  There are some really cool ones that I just don't want to part with.  However, it's exciting to see a castmember with a lanyard and anticipate what you might find. 

I'd like to hear about everyone's experiences with pin trading and collecting.

1. When did you start trading/collecting? 
2. Were you ever resistant to pins? 
3. What are some of your favorite pins?

Me...

I started Christmas of '07.  At first I thought that pin trading was another merchandising concept forced upon guests by Disney...which it kind of is...but as I found some unique ones, I decided it was a good way to commemorate my trips.  My favorite pins are two limited edition ones I got from the Soda Fountain and Studio Store at the El Capitan.  One is of the Fountain of Youth from POTC: At World's End (Pin 58734).  The other is an East India Trading Co. logo (Pin 58542).  Both are LE of 150.  So they're pretty and special.  They are also the first pins I ever bought.  They kind of tipped the scale toward giving it a try.

Anyone else?

[geoffa]

I collect pins that I like. It doesn't have to be a theme - although I did get all the park ones in 2000 for the Millennium. I also have some sent to me by a friend (he appears above) and they are truly treasured.
A real special one is the Mickey Head Stars and Stripes. It was issued just ater 9/11- (it bears an issue marking) - many copies have been issued since but this was an original. We actually had got 2 but one lady outside Epcot wanted one so much and they had sold out.She had lost a dear friend in New York. I offered one of ours and one of the CMs standing nearby stepped in to thank me on behlaf ofDisney. He gave me a special Donald in a plane which I would never ever trade. It means too much.The Mickey Head is in a display frame along with off cuts from Mickey's costume (obtained on a Backstage tour to the wardrobe department).
I also have one from Epcot's 25th anniversary - I love that park.

[I Heart Disneyland!]

Hey! It's Pirate Tim! I know him!

I started collecting just this year, in June. A friend gave me handful of pins to trade when I was with her at DL, and, I got hooked. Honestly, I never in a million years thought I'd pin trade! I thought it was SO nerdy! haha!  I've since bought quite a few, and, had bought about 45 traders (from Ebay) that I took with me to DL in December.

I mostly collect attraction pins, and those are hard to find when trading. I did find that out when I was just there.

[geoffa]

This item appeared in the news section but I now have "insider knowledge". Disney Stores UK - all branches will sell Disney pins from 14th Feb (Valentines day)

[I Heart Disneyland!]

I cannot believe how many pins I've aquired since June 2008! Holy cow! It's so addicting. I have an envelope full of traders, for the park, and, a bunch on lanyards. I have 1 shadowbox, and, need 2 more for other special pins. I tell you...I never in a bazillion years thought I'd EVER get into this pin collecting stuff. Here I am....sucked in !!!

[geoffa]

Me neither. Mine started with the 9/11 pin and it has mushroomed from there. At the end of the day they a re bits of metal - but oh! such special bits of metal. I know some people keep to a theme but I just buy what I like. My all time favourite has to be the 25th anniversary pin for Epcot. That means a lot to me. I also have the 40th POTC anniversary pin (2007) from Disneyland.

[I Heart Disneyland!]

I collect mostly the attraction pins. I did get all of the 2 sets of holiday ones in December. (CM lanyard pins.) Some from trading, and, to complete the sets, the rest on Ebay. (Luckily, only needed to buy 3 total, of the 2 sets.)

http://pinpics.com/cgi-bin/pin.cgi?pin=66276&sid=5802.1236141620 (that's a sample, there are 6)

http://pinpics.com/cgi-bin/pin.cgi?pin=66810&sid=5815.1236141672 (again, a sample, there are 6 of these too)


I also just got this whole set....of the Toy Story Mania banners.

http://pinpics.com/cgi-bin/pin.cgi?pin=62230&sid=5793.1236141543

I got all 14, mostly separately, on Ebay! Just today won the last one. I hate to think of what I paid for them! I am not sure I want to know! haha! But, I love them!

[geoffa]

I don't think I could wear all mine on a lanyard. It would drag me to the ground! I notice some CMs have like a square hanging from their belts where they display their pins. I'm terrified of losingthem so it's rare I wear them out of doors.

[I Heart Disneyland!]

I keep all of mine on lanyards (which I never wear, or take from home) except a special set, and, those are in a shadowbox. I am buying a shadowbox for the Toy Story Mania ones as well.

[pirate_tim]

Wow! I love that collection of Midway Mania pins.  I love that attraction and have been trying to lay my hands on all the pins that feature it that I can find in the park.  I've also bought a few others, mostly WDI pins that feature the signs. 

I have some pins that are strictly for collecting (they tend to be the more expensive or LE ones) and then others that I simply trade (usually ones from the Disney outlet in Orangefair).  So far, I'd just been trading to find ones that I thought were interesting or that I had missed in the past.  However, on my most recent trip to DL, the Castmember Hidden Mickey series was released that was carousel horses!  I managed to get 5 out of the set of 8.  I think that's pretty good!  I plan on painting a background to post and present them on...my own backer card if you will. 

Does anyone know where you can buy cheap trader pins?  And are there any restrictions on what kinds of pins castmembers will take? (other than that they have to be Disney of course)

[BFJen]

I haven't been around for a while -but finally decided to check in! 

I have been pin trading since the first year they started.  It was kind of a fluke, but my boys and I were addicted.  We each usually pick a theme each trip we take.  I love big pins and attraction pins.  My sons like cast member pins and anything with stitch. 

I recently got trader pins from http://www.mousepinsonline.  They were about $1.75 a pin (for a 100 pack).  They appear to be legitimate.  Some looked a little used - like they have been traded and dinged up a little, but perfect for trading.