DISNEY WORLD PINS

Pin trading is one of the most exciting (and profitable) merchandise promotions in the history of the Walt Disney Company - most especially for the company's Resorts and Theme Parks divisions. Begun in the Walt Disney World parks and resorts as part of the WDW Millennium Celebration in October of 1999 it has spread to every venue within the theme park division (with the notable exception of Disneyland Paris, the French, it seems, aren't much for collecting). It soon extended to Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel in February of 2000, and to the Disneyland® Resort, the Paradise Pier and Grand Californian Hotels with the opening of Disney's California Adventure in February of 2001, to Tokyo Disneyland in January of 2001.



You could even trade pins on the high seas on both the Magic and the Wonder, the two ships of the Disney Cruise Lines, almost as soon as they hit the water. Disney Quest, the Disney Stores and many of Disney's Operating Participants and Vendors have also joined in the fun offering Guests pins as part of their merchandise.

Pin trading is - for the most part - a civilized and fun way to add small, colorful, collectable, crafted pieces of cloisonné to your collection. There are some rules and common sense and courtesy should prevail. Most Cast Members and other Guests are trading for fun and enjoy the interaction and it should be treated as a friendly exchange.



Rules about what is and isn't tradable apply for trades between Cast Members and Guests (see the new Disneyland Resort Guidelines in the Pin Etiquette section on page 3). It's very easy to tell which Cast Members are taking part in the Pin Trading promotion as they wear their "official" Pin Trading lanyards while in costume and on stage. A Cast Member lanyard must have 12 tradable pins on it at all times and each of those 12 pins should be different (pins that a CM may have on their costumes, their name badges or service pins are off limits to trades). You are free to trade for any of them as long as the pin you're offering is tradable under the guidelines (has a ©Disney) and isn't already on the lanyard. Trades with Cast Members are one for one - one pin of yours for one pin off of their lanyard (except if it's a set, then multiples are traded as one pin).



Cast Members are free to trade with any Guest at any time during their shift. Do take into account that Pin Trading, while fun for you, isn't the only activity the CM is responsible for during their day and some common courtesy should prevail during trades. If you see a pin that you want, but the CM is busy loading an attraction, serving food, ringing up a sale or helping another Guest, let that Cast Member know that you'd like to trade and then wait for them to finish, or get in line and let them do their jobs until they get to you. Cast Members wear lanyards and trade because they want to and are appreciative of traders who don't interrupt their "other" jobs.

Scrappers are pins that were made in the factories in China over the allotment made by Disney. Are they a Disney pin? Yes they are.. but they are pins over and above the allotment "ordered" by Disney. So in essence, they could be called illegally made Disney Pins. Sometimes when the "second illegal run" of the pin is done, there are differences noted, but it can only be known comparing two pins side by side. These pins can also be classified as counterfeits.
Also, if the pin is made for Disney, and there is some error or variation noted, the pin may be "thrown on the floor" to be "discarded". Thus, the term "scrapper", as the pin should have been "scrapped". Unfortunately, they are not discarded and those may be the pins you are seeing being sold. When a pin is made, a mold is used. For whatever reason, the mold is not destroyed, so these pins can be reproduced again. What is happening, is that some overseas factories are making more pins for individuals who ask for them.

Recently, a factory in China has been soliciting individuals not associated with Disney to purchase Disney Pins without the authority of Disney. Included in these e-mails, are images of pins, which are noted below. The e-mail states:

Please be advised that there are unauthorized versions of these pins being sold from China directly to individuals not associated with Disney. No one can guarantee the authenticity of this pin unless it was purchased directly from Disney.

Every pin released by Disney has the potential of being a scrapper. Once again, no one can guarantee the authenticity of any Disney pin unless it was purchased directly from Disney.

Top 10 Fake Disney Pins or Pin Sets
Top 10 fake sets. For pictures, highlights and the full article, see the link above.

Name Pins
The Coca-Cola Bottle Series / Sets
McDonalds and Disney Fakes
Fantasy License Plate Pins
EuroDisney Rendez Vous 1992
Breast Cancer Awareness and Other Ribbon Pins
Jessica Rabbit Bootlegs
Tinker Bell Bootlegs
Cast Member Uniform Pins
Bootlegs of "Holy Grail" Pins, Club 33 and Cast Lanyards

Disney's Pin Celebration 2008 - Pin Trading University September 5-7, 2008
Epcot® - World ShowPlace

Graduate with highest trading honors at Disney's Pin Celebration 2008 - Pin Trading University. This three-day, Disney Pin event will be held September 5-7, 2008 at Epcot® - World ShowPlace.

Recall your school days with a "superlative" collection of Disney pins created especially for this event. Students will also enjoy games and activities, plenty of pin trading opportunities and "A Live Auction" presented by the drama club. Don't forget to bring your No. 2 pins as Trading Class 101 begins at 9:30 sharp!

PUBLIC DAY:
Guests interested in participating in free activities can take advantage of Public Day on Sunday, Sept. 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Public Day will include pin trading activities, the opportunity to purchase any remaining event pins and more. Access to Public Day is included with admission to Epcot®.

THERE IS LIMITED SPACE REMAINING - REGISTER TODAY!

Event admission is $115.00 per Guest

EARLY REGISTRATION PIN:
Guests that registered for this event by June 7, 2008 will receive one (1) limited edition early registration pin. The edition size of this pin is 1043 and it will be distributed at the event to qualifying event Guests.