Disney experts have their traditions for each trip to Walt Disney World. Some go right to the Magic Kingdom and see the castle while others go right to the resort and hit the pool. Maybe you do your first character meal or hit up the shopping at Disney Springs. But for some, traditions that have gone on for at least a decade continue with the same joy as the first experience.
Meet Kyle Holland. Kyle has been with our team over 2 years now and besides being a multiple time “4 parks in one day” member, he is our team’s pin trading master. For those unaware, pin trading is an organic swap that happens between cast members and guests. The name is just as it suggests – you collect Disney pins and you trade them. Kyle took some time (after his most recent 4 parks in one day adventure) to explain how it works.
Early Days
How did you hear about pin trading? I had always seen pins for sale, and understood the concept of pin trading for years, but my Uncle was the first one who really clued me in to the art by showing me his collections. I was always confused why people would pay $8-15 for a pin at a park and then go and trade it away, but my Uncle showed me that you can buy pins online for significantly cheaper before your trip to use for trading at the parks.
What made you start trading? Since I’m such a Dis-nerd I just felt like I had to do it. Especially once I figured out the economically efficient way to do it, I guess it just made sense.
First Experience
Alright let’s get into it – What year was it and why did you decide to do it? I have been going to Disney since the 90s but I started buying pins at the parks in about 2008. I set “rules” for myself for buying them (i.e. a pin for each year I go, resorts I stay at, special events I go to while I’m there, etc). I think my trip in 2016 was actually the first trip where I was actively trading pins.
Did you already have pins you brought/bought or just start with nothing? I pre-buy around 100 pins before each trip. I have various collections that I’ve acquired from past trips, so some of that “batch” will fall within my collections, and then the rest (usually 75ish) I’ll take with me to the parks to trade.
How does it work? Do you do the old school, “Hey, psst, wanna trade some pins man?” That is definitely one way to do it! I’ve certainly traded pins with other guests before. Its pretty funny when I have my pins around my neck and little kids come up to an “old guy” and ask to see them. But, the best trading is done with Cast Members. 99% of all cast members at merchandise locations have a lanyard or a clip on pin pad thingy for trading. Are there any rules? 1. Always be polite and just ask “May I see your pins?” 2. If you see a pin you like, you may trade. One for one pin swaps only, there are no “more valuable” pins in the pin trading arena. 3. Cast Members are not allowed to refuse a trade. Guests on the other hand… 4. Thank the Cast Member! Pretty simple stuff!
Do you remember the first pin you traded for? Do you still have it? I do not specifically remember what the first pin I traded for was, but I do specifically remember trading it back almost immediately. I was so excited to make my first trade, I think I had an old crummy pin buried in my packpack from somewhere, and made my first trade! I was so excited! Then I walked a bit further, looked at some more pins and thought “oh man this one is WAY cooler!” (keep in mind this enthusiasm is coming from a grown man while his wife is standing there half embarrassed shaking her head) and traded the one I had just gotten for it.
Are some pins worth more than others (Like trade 2 for this one?) When trading with Cast Members it is 1for1, but I have done some multi pin trades with other guests before. The saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” can be true when trading with guests. I’ve offered multiple pins for one I spotted that I REALLY wanted, and was even offered a whole “set” of like 6 pins for one that I had that another guest was missing the last piece of their favorite collection.
Where are some spots you trade at? EVERYWHERE!! My wife (and friends) make fun of me because when we are just walking through the park I will stop at almost every single kiosk or shop or random cast member who even remotely looks like they might have a lanyard on. EPCOT has a good pin shop in the center where guests usually linger to try and trade with each other, and the pin store at Disney Springs is another area to trade with other guests.
Are there particular cast members/people that usually have the best pins? Animal Kingdom Lodge has the “Pin King”, AKA a dude dressed up like an African King with a giant pin satchel to trade with guests. I’ve only heard legend of him, every time I go to AKL I seem to just miss him. He only comes out on certain days of the week at certain times of the day, so he’s easy to miss if you’re not staying there.
Where do you keep them all when you’re in the parks? I have developed a very scientific system for my pins that involved multiple binders, satchel bags and laynards.
• I have a big lanyard that I wear around my neck at the parks. I keep this lanyard stocked with big flashy unique pins that I like but am not overly attached to. I think of these as my guest trading pins. I try to keep them big and flashy to draw fellow pin traders in for a look in hopes of engaging them in a trade.
• I keep a smaller lanyard in my pocket with my “trader pins”. AKA the crummy common duplicate pins that I bought online before the trip and don’t care about and will use to trade with Cast Members/pin boards.
• I’ll also have a ziplock baggie for the rest of my trader pins that won’t fit on a lanyard so that I can replenish at the end of each day
• In my backpack I keep a small binder of pins that I like and can switch out with my Guest Pins if needed, and to use to store any pins I’m keeping for my collections until I get back home.
• At home, I have a binder that I keep my “specialty pins” in. These are the pins I buy on each trip. Not for trading, I try to buy pins of special things for each trip.
• My largest pin bag is where I keep all my collections. I take pictures of all my pins to have with me on my phone at the parks so I can know which pins I need and which I already have while trading.
Basics
To say I’m excited now is an understatement. How many pins do you have now? Gosh, I probably have close to 500 pins.
Do you have a favorite pin? Not really a single favorite pin, I have various different collections and then just some pins that look neat/cool/old/rare/etc.
Where do you keep them at home? I keep them on a shelf in my man cave. My daughter loves looking through them.
Do you recommend anyone just going and doing it? ANYONE! And I strongly encourage parents to start their kids early with it, even if its just buying a single pin on their first trip. I wish we had done this when I was growing up, I keep thinking how cool it would be to have pins from every single year/trip I’ve taken. Definitely excited to do that with my kids. And pin trading in general is just super cool for any age. Like I said, I’m an adult who feels/acts even more like a kid at Disney because of pin trading, I can only imagine how cool it is for the real kids!
What advice do you have for anyone wanting to get started? Go online before you trip and buy pins in bulk for cheap. That’s the best way to get started. Be sure to get a lanyard (Spoiler Alert, if you allow me to book a trip for you I give you one as a starting gift!)!
You’re the man Kyle and I’ll book with you for sure!
Well there you go, pin trading from Kyle the Pin Master. Did he convince you to start this wonderful Disney tradition on your next trip? Thanks for reading and remember there’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!
