Since the beginning of our Disney College Program, we’ve been informed about the pin trading traditions in Disney. Apparently, cast members would wear pins around their neck or waist during certain positions and if a pin catches a guest’s interest, they are allowed to request for a trade. For those who isn’t familiar with pin trading, we are not allowed to say no to the guest and they are allow to trade us any pins they don’t want as long as you don’t have that particular pin already. Each guest is allow to trade up to two different pins with each cast member in a day. I’ve never understood the addiction of these guests in regards to pin trading. These pins range from $4.95 – $11.95 and there are guests with books filled with pins. That is a lot of money spent on pins alone!
Since it is not required for us have pins to trade with guests, I never paid any attention to them. One day, I was told that it would look good if manager’s see you walking around with pins to trade with guests. It shows the manager that the cast members want to interact with the guests in every way possible. After that, I had decided to sign up for a pin lanyard which came with twelve different pins. I learned that there are collectable pins and trading pins. The only difference is that the trading pins come in a set and the goal is to collect them all. Trading pins will have a hidden Mickey in the front. You are able to trade any pins you have on your lanyard for better ones in the cast service building. This way, we are able to keep the pins on our lanyard new and attractive to the guests.
On my first day with the pin lanyard, I had many guests who came up to me looking for pins that they would be interested in. Many little kids would be excited to trade for their favorite characters. Then you got the adults who are hard core pin collectors and is out to look for specific pins they need to complete their sets with. A lot of the pins that I thought wouldn’t be of interest to my guests were amazingly the first ones to be picked from my lanyard. I found out that even something as simple as trading pins could create a magical moment for my guests. Now I am even more excited to upgrading my pins and trading them away every day at work. I might even start my own little collection during my stay here in Disney.
Mei Ling Lin
Epcot – Future World East Attractions
Spaceship Earth
Another Disney success story. Guests are obsessed with pin trading and Disney makes money from the experience. It is a Win Win Win Win for Disney.
1) guests spend money
2) guests talk about their expereince at Disney Parks/Resorts
3) guests return to Disney Parks/Resorts
4) Cast members have more reasons to interact with guests
Again, a brilliant idea. I am happy you are finding success with it.
On a personal pin trading note…I am looking for the Chef in the Muppet Series and I have 3 of the four pins in the “around the world” round pin that says “Pin Trading” with Mickey on the front. I have red, green and orange in this set but need one more.
Want to make a trade?
I will definitely keep an open eye for that one and hopefully I will run into it during one of my trades with either the cast service center or with one of the guests. Would it be possible for you to post a picture of the 3 pins in that set that you have? I will be able to pin point the one your missing if I have a visual to go by.
Mei Lin
Epcot – Future World East Attractions
Spaceship Earth