The trip started innocently enough. As a member of the media, I was an invited guest for the gala celebration in December of Walt Disney's birthday. Attached to my press pass lanyard (a cord worn around the neck) was a collectible pin. A nice gesture, I thought, as I rushed to my first backstage tour.
Over the next couple of days, I was stopped repeatedly by individuals asking if I wanted to trade my pin. "No thanks," I would reply. It was special to me just because it was a small token and remembrance of my trip.
It wasn't until the last day of my visit that I learned the significance of that pin. It is a special issue by Disney and American Express to commemorate Disney's 100 Years of Magic celebration. It is a pin that cannot be purchased, so it has special collectible value. I was hooked. That last afternoon, I spent most of my time browsing the gift shops of the theme parks picking out pins to add to my new collection.
I'm finding that I'm not alone. Shopping and swapping their way across the property, Walt Disney World guests have turned pin collecting into a bona fide craze. Guests bring bags, lanyards and vests full of their favorite pins to the theme parks to view and trade. Walt Disney World cast members wear special pin trading lanyards, and guests are encouraged to check out cast members' collections and offer trades.
The resort offers a huge collection of "core pins" featuring attractions, resorts and favorite Disney characters, priced between $6.50 and $8.50. Walt Disney World Resort also releases limited edition pins to commemorate special occasions and holidays, and to mark events in resort history. Pin trading stations are located at each of the four theme parks, the Downtown Disney shopping and entertainment complex and Walt Disney World Resort hotels. At scheduled times throughout the day, the stations have pin trading sessions where guests gather and trade pins with other enthusiasts.
The next generation of pin collecting has begun at Walt Disney World Resort with the introduction of Disney's Magical Moments pins as a part of the resort's yearlong 100 Years of Magic celebration.
The twinkling, interactive pins are designed to bring a sprinkle of pixie dust to guests. Each pin is about an inch and a half in length and includes 10 to 20 sparkling lights. As guests make their way throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks and resort areas, their pins will magically react to various events and encounters. From interaction with all of Walt Disney World Resort's spectacular parades to special moments in favorite attractions, Disney's Magical Moments pins allow guests to become part of the Disney show -- literally.
Here are some fun facts about pin trading:
- Walt Disney World Resort releases more than 350 new pins per year including 10 to 12 limited edition pins, 10 to 12 core pins and 5 to 10 special event pins per month.
- There are more than 80 locations on Walt Disney World property that sell pins including 40 Official Pin Trading Stations.
- Disney Auctions (http://www.disneyauctions.com) presented by eBay has auctioned a two-pin set featuring "pin trading" Mickey and Minnie which sold for $2,200, making it one of the rarest Disney pins around.
- Collectors line up hours before the selling starts to purchase their favorite pins. Some limited edition pins sell out within 30 minutes, including the "Born to Shop Minnie," a pin featuring Minnie Mouse participating in one of her favorite pastimes -- shopping.
- Walt Disney World Resort hosted Disney's first-ever pin festival called Disney's Pin Celebration, Aug. 9-12, 2001.
