Pin trading is one of those Disney World traditions that sounds simple, but suddenly it’s been making waves in the Disney community, and fans have a lot to say about it.

Pin trading at EPCOT

You put on a lanyard, spot a pin you love, make a trade, and walk away with a tiny souvenir and a good story. But spend a few minutes around the traders in Disney World, and you’ll see it isn’t always that simple anymore. So I read 150 comments on pin trading videos and posts to find out how fans really feel about it. It turns out the pins aren’t the problem.

First, a little background. EPCOT is the main pin trading hub in Disney World, and large groups of traders gather in the covered breezeway between Connections Cafe and Creations Shop, spreading binders and pin sets across the benches. Some fans call it pin squatting. That breezeway is also one of the best shady places to sit at the front of the park, so things get crowded fast.

Trading at the breezeway

Disneyland dealt with the same issue and changed its rules back in May, banning pins from being displayed on benches, chairs, and tables. Disney World hasn’t made that change, and we recently asked whether EPCOT could be next. So the debate here is still wide open.

New rules

The frustrated fans did not hold back. “I love pin trading, but you won’t catch me here LOL these people have made this a competitive sport,” one commenter wrote. Another missed the way the area used to feel: “I remember being able to sit out there with my coffee in the morning. Too bad Disney turned it into a cheap swap meet…” And one person went all the way: “Pin trading should be banned if you are over the age of 12.”

It can get crowded!

That swap meet comparison showed up closer to home, too. DFB reader Matt told us he wants pin trading banned in the EPCOT breezeway and said it now has the feel of a flea market. His bottom line? “Pin trading should be a hobby, not an income stream.” That lines up with a recent TikTok from @abigailfaithfoster, who said a trader refused to trade with her until each of her pins had been looked up on eBay for its price.

Pin trading at EPCOT

Here’s what surprised me, though. Some of the harshest words came from people who love the hobby. After Disneyland cracked down on its own bench traders, one fan wrote, “Those bench squatters were giving us all a bad name.”

Pin Trading in EPCOT

Another fan reacting to the traders said: “The scammer pin traders have really ruined it for everyone.” That same person added that they always trade with kids in line, even when the pin they’re giving up is worth more, because seeing a kid’s face light up is what pin trading is supposed to be about. These fans aren’t mad at pin trading. They’re mad at what some traders have done to it.

Showing off our pins

And plenty of fans have had nothing but good experiences. “Most of the traders are SO nice, and 90% of the experiences I’ve had have been positive,” one commenter shared. Another agreed: “I’ve never had a bad experience; they’ve all been nice to me…” DFB reader Essie has been trading since it started back in 1999 and 2000, and she told us she’s had many nice experiences and met many nice people and Cast Members along the way. And as we’ve pointed out before, there are traders who will make a trade that doesn’t benefit them just to help someone complete a mystery set.

Pin trading board

Then there’s the middle ground. “I don’t Pin Trade, but I don’t have a problem with Pin Traders,” one fan wrote, which might be the calmest take on the internet. Another summed up the whole debate in one line: “There is certainly a love/hate relationship here with the pin trading culture.” So how do fans really feel about pin trading in Disney World? After 150 comments, here’s where I landed: people still love pin trading. What frustrates them is the squatting, the benches they can’t sit on, and the feeling that a fun hobby has turned into a business for some. At the same time, a lot of fans think the big trading scene is part of the fun and say most traders are kind.

Pin trading

Disney World hasn’t changed its rules, but with Disneyland already cracking down, it’s something we’re watching closely. If the breezeway isn’t your scene, you can always trade with Cast Members and the pin boards around the parks. We’ll keep an eye out for any changes, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest!

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