Disney World offers a mix of thrilling attractions and nostalgia. The four Mouse House theme parks, especially Magic Kingdom, feature more than just the latest attractions, they also strive to ensure that the guest experience involves more than just the attractions people ride on.
At Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney (DES) It never lets you forget that you are visiting a theme park created by its famous founder. That manifests itself in some ways that are outdated — you still can't buy alcohol when you walk through the park, and some attractions are very outdated — but it's also nostalgic in a good way in a lot of places.
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Attractions like “The Haunted Mansion” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” probably would not be created now, but they retain their appeal despite their age. The same can be argued about “Space Mountain” and “Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.”
These are older attractions with a little more character than the modern, sleek offerings from their main rival, Universal Studios. Disney World's four theme parks also include some exclusive Disney things, like searching for “Hidden Mickeys.”
Kids (and adults) love to look for the company's iconic mascot in places they wouldn't expect to see it. It's an activity that makes long lines and walking through the park a little more fun.
Disney World also offers a robust pin trading market. Since the company closure due to the Covid pandemic, that popular practice has been reduced. Now that social distancing is a thing of the past, Disney has brought back the tradition of pin trading for the first time in four years.
Image source: Matt Stroshane/Walt Disney World Resort via Getty Images
What is Disney pin trading?
Disney sells collectible pins at various locations in its theme parks. Some of the pins are seasonal and limited edition. Many fans of the company collect the pins and look for new releases as the company releases them.
People visiting Disney theme parks can trade these pins with other guests and Disney cast members, but there are rules when trading with a Disney employee:
“Only official Disney pins can be exchanged. The main criterion in judging whether a pin is marketable or not (although other factors may be considered) is that the metal pin bears a “©Disney” mark on the back , which represents an official Disney event, place, location, character or icon. A Disneyland Resort cast member may determine not to exchange a pin at his or her discretion,” the company shared on the Disneyland website.
Pins must also be in good condition and cast members have the right to say no.
“When trading with a Cast Member, guests must offer a pin that is not currently displayed on the Cast Member's lanyard or trading board,” the company added.
Disney brings back a popular pin trading practice
During its pandemic return, Disney had to impose limitations on pin trading. Guests can still trade with cast members on designated pin trading boards, but not with the lanyards cast members wear or the smaller boards they carry.
That limited pin sharing and sometimes led to frustrating situations where park guests would see a pin they needed or wanted, but couldn't change it.
Disney has maintained that restriction even after most Covid rules were lifted.
“Pin sharing is coming back,” the company shared on the Disney Parks TikTok. “Pin trading between cast members and guests officially returns to Walt Disney World starting April 7”.
Guests can only trade two pins per cast member or trading board daily.
Disney World has several stores that sell pins, and some pins are exclusive to each of their theme parks.
Universal Studios, Disney World's main rival for Florida theme park visitors, offers pin trading. But the trade is not that popular or common. Comcast owned (CMCSA) Universal Studios is building a third theme park, Epic Universe, to step up its competition with Disney World for full-week visitors.
