The Disney Co. has always sold pins in their parks. From the early years and buttons to the elaborate pins offered today around thier “world” pins and pin trading have become a staple of the Walt Disney World Resort experience.
I have always collected pins; from concerts and tourist destinations to everything Mickey Mouse. They were a nice small and convenient souvenir for the cost-conscious traveler like myself. They were also an ice-breaker with strangers throughout my travels around the world. Giving the pins to new folks I met and trading them for some pins or other items of interest they might have had. Well pin trading has exploded at Walt Disney World and throughout all of their parks around the world.
Walt Disney World is hosting several events throughout the year for you to add to your collection.The first event will be a pin trading night at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center on January 23, 2009. The evening starts at 6:00 PM and runs through 9:00 PM at the Ballroom of the Americas.
The second pin trading night, also at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center, will be on February 20, 2009. The evening takes place in Fantasia G and will run from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
These are both free activities and all are welcome. The next big event, however, is a ticketed event at Epcot and is not to be missed if you are into Disney pins.
The Museum of Pin-tiquities is hosting the Disney Pin Celebration 2009 in the World Showplace at Epcot, from June 26-28, 2009. To quote the site:
Presented in conjunction with the Epcot® Committee For Celebrating Disney Pins, The Department of Tradeology and Fellowship of Happy Traders, this event will feature unique Disney pins created for the Museum’s opening, Disney pin trading activities, a silent and live auction of artifacts direct from the Museum’s vault and much more.
Registration opens February 25, 2009 and their will be a discount for early booking (April 25, 2009). Seems like a great event for those of us that love pin trading; hope to see you there.