'Sup! Tad here, diving into the fun world of Disney pin trading. Disney creates tons of pin designs that you can buy, and then you decide if you want to keep it for your collection or trade it for another. At the Disney Parks, pin trading is everywhere and a super great activity to add to your trip. Furthermore, it's so fun to collect pins and trade with other guests and cast members. Whether you're looking to get started with pin trading or are an avid pin collector looking for the most recent tips, here's everything to know about pin trading at Disney World!
What Is Pin Trading at Disney World?
Disney sells thousands of enamel pin designs — anything from Disney characters, Marvel and "Star Wars" to attractions and special openings or celebrations. Can you believe that Disney Pin Trading already celebrated its 25th anniversary? Wild! If you can think of it, there's probably a pin for it! Pins average about $12.99 to $19.99 each, with limited-edition pins and mystery packs often higher in price. Pins are available at Disney theme parks, Disney Springs and online via DisneyStore.com. When starting off with trading and collecting, we recommend purchasing starter packs, which are a set of pins. Or, opt for a lanyard and pin set for $25-$45.
Best Locations to Purchase Pins at Disney World
While every merchandise shop will have some assortment of pins, you'll find the most variety and the biggest selection at the flagship stores or at specific pin shops. Here are some of our favorite places to purchase new pins at Disney World:
- Disney's Pin Traders (Disney Springs near Marketplace Co-Op)
- Pin Traders — Camera Center (EPCOT next to Spaceship Earth)
- The Emporium (Magic Kingdom, Main Street U.S.A.)
- Celebrity 5 & 10 (Hollywood Studios, Hollywood Boulevard)
While most people buy pins as memorabilia to wear or display at home, some people get pins with the intention of trading. Pin trading allows you to trade your pin with someone else for one of theirs, and Disney World creates the perfect place to do so.
How to Pin Trade at Disney World
Trading is the easiest way to curate your pin collection to your liking. Perhaps you're trying to collect a certain series or everything of your favorite character. It's like a fun scavenger hunt as you see what pins are available across the resort.
The easiest way to identify that you want to trade is by wearing a pin lanyard or other pin carrier. Other guests may ask to trade with you, and you can always ask cast members, as well. Certain cast members may have their own individual pin lanyards or be able to direct you to the nearest pin board.
Disney cast members will trade any pin that you ask for. Just remember: It's one in, one out, so be prepared to have some pins you're willing to let go of. Sometimes, cast members will even turn some of their pins around if you are brave enough to choose a mystery pin. Pin trading is also a great way to ease tadpoles into speaking to adults. I remember being nervous when I was younger and first starting out, but my frog parents guided me through what to say to the point where I could go up and ask cast members confidently.
You can also ask to trade with other guests. Sometimes, people will bring their collections to display, but they may not be up for trading. Others bring pins that they are willing to trade for. It may be best to remind tadpoles to ask about trading politely, but that people can decline, as well.
Pin Trading Locations at Disney World
Nearly every merchandise shop at Disney World will have a pin board of varying sizes. This includes all four parks, Disney Springs and the resort hotels. Some will have it displayed in the store at certain times, while other shops keep it behind the register by request. You can only trade one pin at a time. There's also a trading limit, so you can only trade up to two pins per cast member or trading board per day. We recommend choosing your top ones first.
The favorite stores we mentioned earlier for purchasing pins are also our top locations for trading. While merchandise shops are generally your best bet for pin trading, other pin boards may randomly appear in very unique forms — anything from a pin stroller to a pin trash can. One of our favorite pin "boards" has to be the pin cone. We saw the parking cast members trading with this orange cone at both the Hollywood Studios and EPCOT parking lots. At Animal Kingdom, there's a daily "pin pride" pop-up, where several cast members gather with pin boards in a random spot at a random time. How fun is that!
There are even mystery pin boards! You'll randomly choose a numbered box and see what you get. If you don't like the pin, you can just trade it on the next board.
Here's where to pin trade at the Disney parks:
- Big Top Souvenirs
- Curtain Call Collectibles
- Emporium
- Fantasy Faire
- Frontier Trading Post
- Main Street Cinema
- Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar
- Star Traders
- Ursa's Major Minor Mart
- Ye Old Christmas Shoppe
- Creations Shop
- ImageWorks
- Mission: SPACE Cargo Bay
- Pin Traders — Camera Center
- SeaBase Gift Shop
- Test Track Gear Shop
- World Traveler
- Celebrity 5&10
- First Order Cargo
- In Character
- Keystone Clothiers
- Mickey's of Hollywood
- Once Upon a Time
- Resistance Supply
- Rock Around the Shop (opening May 26, 2026)
- Sunset Ranch Pins and Souvenirs
- Tatooine Traders
- Tower Hotel Gifts
- Discovery Trading Company
- Island Mercantile
- Kilimanjaro Safaris Cart
- Mariya's Souvenirs
- Mombasa Marketplace
- Riverside Depot
- Serka Zong Bazaar
- Windtraders
- Disney's Pin Traders
- Star Wars Galactic Outpost
- World of Disney store
Pin trading is so much fun and a pintastic activity to add some extra Disney magic to your vacation and at home.
*Locations are always subject to change.
Tips for Pin Trading at Walt Disney World
Before we wrap this PINtastic post up, keep these tips in mind:
- To trade, all pins must have "Disney" on the back and be made of metal. Fake pins will usually be made of plastic or rubber.
- Keep your favorite pins separate; you don't accidentally want to trade one off!
- Opt for resort pin boards first, as they usually have a bigger selection than the parks.
- Look for pins first thing in the morning; this is when the pin boards are refreshed.
Not sure where to begin? Start by collecting pins of your favorite ride, film or character! Also, did you know that if you're a Disney Visa Cardmember, you can get an exclusive Disney pin twice a year?
Have you ever pin traded before? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: Adventure Is Out There with the Wilderness Explorers at Disney's Animal Kingdom
All About Cool Kids' Summer at Disney World
Stay cool!
