Pin Trading has changed a lot in the Disney parks over the years, but this year marked a big change at Disneyland Resort that makes it a lot harder for many guests, but also makes the experience better for others.

Pin trading at EPCOT

Back in May of this year, Disneyland announced that pin trading would look very different in their parks, but Disney World has yet to follow. While you can pin trade in all of the four Disney World parks, EPCOT is the main hub. However, some issues are beginning to arise with pin trading that have us wondering if Disney will soon implement the Disneyland rules over on the East Coast as well.

Pin binders are very popular for pin traders to use, as it allows them to display a large number of their pins in one place, but Disneyland began stopping the use of these earlier this year. The rule now reads, “Lanyards and small handheld pin trading accessories are allowed, subject to the Disneyland Resort rules, but no additional decorations or collateral (e.g., lights, signage, displays, etc.) are permitted.” The biggest change, though? Now, in Disneyland, pins are not allowed to be displayed on benches, chairs, and tables, which means if you’re gathering with a group to pin trade, you’ll need to do it in a “floating” manner. This means that you can’t set up shop somewhere to pin trade — you need to keep it moving. Now, that doesn’t mean you can’t set your stuff down quickly to pin trade with someone — that’s completely fine — but if you’ve seen what pin trading is like in EPCOT? That’s no longer allowed in Disneyland.

Pin Trading in Disneyland in the new “floating” manner

If you haven’t seen the massive groups that form in EPCOT in the covered area between Connections Cafe and Creations Shop, we’ve got plenty of photos to show you what it’s like and how intense things can get. Again, these Disneyland rules have NOT made their way to Disney World, so people use the benches in this area to spread out their pin sets to trade.

Pin trading at EPCOT

Now, this is also a popular area for people to just sit in the shade and rest for a moment, so with both things happening at once, you can imagine how crowded this area can get, especially being right near one of the largest quick-service spots and the largest merchandise store of the entire park. This is how pin trading has been for a LONG time, so this is nothing new. However, the same could be said for how things used to be in Disneyland, and then they changed the rules when they saw issues. The problem? We could be very close to seeing those issues arrive in Disney World.

Pin Trading in EPCOT

Very recently, a video was posted on TikTok exposing the not-so-great side of pin trading. User @abigailfaithfoster posted the video, and in the caption, she mentions how another guest refused to trade with her because she didn’t know the prices her pins were going for on eBay. Many users have also voiced their frustrations in the comments, saying that while many of them have encountered pin traders being rude, others are not happy with the fact that they take up all the tables, even when it’s pouring rain outside, keeping other guests from being able to find shelter comfortably.

@abigailfaithfoster

Me to the person who said if I didn’t know the value of my pins they wouldn’t trade me and proceeded to eBay search each one of them on her phone for the price ❤️ (pin trading was literally part of my job for a year). It literally sucks the fun out of it as a guest & a collector. After today catch me being the first one to sign a petition! Get them OUT 😂😂 #pintrading#epcot#wdw

♬ original sound – Sakwarium

There have also been reports of some traders who are telling guests that they won’t trade for a pin they have, but that if they go into Creations Shop and buy them something they want, such as a pin or a shirt, they’ll trade. This is completely against pin trading rules, which can cause a big issue.

Pin Trading

However, at the same time, there are incredible pin traders, such as those who will make trades that aren’t advantageous to them just to help another trader complete a set. It’s a way to connect with other Disney fans over something you both love. Since mystery pin packs are some of the most popular there are in Disney, but it’s rare to complete a set all at once, many traders look for those. The pure joy of seeing someone be able to complete a set, or completing one yourself with the help of other Disney fans, is unmatched! There’s a reason the practice has been around for decades — it’s fun, it brings connection, and it’s unique to Disney.

Do you enjoy pin trading?

If issues like this continue to arise, and Disney continues to get wind of problems happening that are massively impacting other guests, it’s very possible we could see Disney introduce pin trading rules like the ones over in Disneyland. While it’s been quite the change, many pin traders still very much enjoy being part of the community and have found a way to make it work without breaking the rules. While you still may get the occasional rude person, that’s just part of life. It’s also important to remember that no one is obligated or expected to trade with you (Cast Members included!), so if they say no, that’s their answer, and it’s time to move on.

Pin trading

So, we’ve gotta ask you all! What do you think about pin trading? Have you witnessed any not-so-great behavior from traders in Disney World or Disneyland, or do you have a heartfelt story about a time a pin trader made your day? Some guests have said they now avoid pin trading as a whole due to having bad experiences, while others push on no matter what, loving the act of trading so much, a few negative experiences doesn’t bother them. Everyone is different, and you may feel differently than the next person (in fact, you probably will!), and that’s one thing that’s great about Disney — there’s SO much to do, you get to choose what brings you the most joy.

Pin Board

We’ll be sure to keep a close eye out for the pin trading rules and let you know immediately if something changes. In the meantime, stay tuned to our blog, where we’ll keep you updated on any and all of the Disney news happening both inside and outside of the parks!

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How do you feel about pin trading? Tell us in the comments!