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Hi! I'm new.

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Hi! I'm new.

SoraPandora

Figaro Fan
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Hello, everyone!


My name is Sora, I am 27, I live in Southern Orange County, and I am brand new to the world of pin trading.


A few months ago, I visited Disneyland for maybe the hundredth time in my life... and for the very first time, I really noticed all the lanyards... Now, I'm not blind - I had seen the pins for sale at all the stores on my previous visits... But this was the first time I realized what a big deal they were.

For the first time, I noticed the collectors caught up in their search, the pins eagerly changing hands, the excitement in eyes scanning everyone else's lanyard for that one special pin. A few of friends, also watching, remarked on how nuts all these "pin people" were. Meanwhile, all I could think was, "I've got to get in on this!"


After a bit of research online, I was amazed to find out how many pins there are in existence, how many collectors, and how many ways to collect (Not just at the parks, but on eBay, Craigslist, Pinpics... ) And I was delighted to discover that cast members at the parks will trade with absolutely ANYONE who asks! (How cool is that?)


I was already planning on coming back to Disneyland at the beginning of May for my birthday - so shortly beforehand, I went online and bought a random "lot" of 20 pins, and the next time I went to Home Depot, I purchased an inexpensive lanyard. I was READY. Now I always have a great time at the Happiest Place on Earth (who doesn't?)... but the pin trading this go-around made my experience all the more enjoyable!


I took my random bunch of hidden Mickeys and throughout the day (while walking from one ride to another, pausing for a snack, or even while waiting in line) - I traded them for an adorable hitchhiking ghost, multiple Chips and Dales (my favorite original characters),... and even one coveted Figaro! (The black and white cat from Pinocchio - my favorite Disney character from childhood.) Then I went into the pin shop at Westward Ho and bought three more pins!


Oh, I was so hooked... and I still am. In the past three weeks, the 20 pins I started with with have become 60 - including 47 I'm ready and willing to trade. My family's a bit concerned. Can you say - "Pintervention"?


Anyway, that is why I am so happy to find a forum like this!


Have a magical day,

Sara H.



P.S. If you're at all interested in seeing what pins I have, what pins I want, and what pins I'm willing to trade, feel free to check out my PinPics profile here:
http://www.pinpics.com/cgi-bin/user.cgi?act=view&user=sorapandora
 
Hello and welcome!

Just a mention; you have to be very careful with buying pins from the auction site. A lot of lots have scrappers. I'm not saying they all are, but thought I should mention it.

Though you're right about the Hitchhiking Ghosts being adorable might I just say.
 
To Lady Dobbins -

Thank you for replying! At first, I was worried about ordering a lot on eBay, but when I saw what good feedback the seller received, I decided to take a chance. And luckily, all the pins I received looked legit. Still, I will be cautious about ordering pins in the future.

My very first pin trade at Disneyland was for Phineas. Now I have Ezra and Gus, as well! The Haunted Mansion is definitely one of my favorite rides at Disneyland (along with Peter Pan's Mansion and the Tower of Terror at California Adventure), so I can relate to your love of the ghosts.

Thanks again for writing back so quickly! I cannot express how happy I am to have found this site.
 
It is a great site! I hope you enjoy it here. Being a member of this forum has helped me with trading a lot, as I'm in the UK and pretty far from any of the parks. ^_^;

I love the Hitchhiking Ghosts; they're definitely my main collection.
 
Welcome! I'm very new to this, too! I'm not big on trading, but I do love to collect new and interesting pins.
 
Welcome This is a great place to be if you want to learn more about Disney pins. I am glad you took the plunge and are enjoying your new hobby so far. Pin traders are a very special and unique family. Glad to see you here and welcome to the amazing and addicting world of pin trading. You are in for a ton of fun.
 
Welcome to the forum! Feel free to contact me if you'd like for me to pick anything up at WDW for you!
 
Thank you all so much for the warm welcome.

This forum is so full of friendly people - I can't wait to get more involved!

Are there any threads in particular you think I should visit right away?
 
Hello and welcome! :wavey:
I can totally relate to your story. My family and I went to WDW in February and I came with 50 trader pins and $300 to spend on pins. I ended up spending about $500 and coming home with 200+ pins, courtesy of my addictive personality. Luckily I have these lovely DPF-ers to share my obsession with.
You'll fit right in... we're all mad (for pins) here
 
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Hi Sara! I too am just starting to collect..... I ordered a lot off of eBay.... They haven't come in yet... So immsire they are all scrapers :/ but lesson learned! Lol

What are you looking to collect? A certain character perhaps?
 
The first time I came to Disneyland with the idea of trading, I hoped to get a Chip, a Dale, and a Figaro. Chips and Dales were ridiculously easy to find - in fact, they were so prevalent that I almost immediately gave up the thought of collecting all the Chips and Dales, and decided only to collect a few I really love. Right now I have a little twofer pin set of Chip and Dale sharing a secret, along with a big pin off a lanyard set of Chip and Dale, and (my favorite!) a pin of Gadget from the Rescue Rangers, which was my favorite cartoon as a kid.

I'm also very much in love with Figaro, as previously stated, so I'd love to collect any Figaro pins I can. (Right now, I have two, both from the pin trading shop in Frontierland.) Other characters I love include Madam Mim from the Sword in the Stone (COOLEST.VILLAIN.EVER), Belle and Rapunzel, Peter Pan and Robin Hood, Flower and Thumper from Bambi, and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Oh, and my favorite Disneyland attractions are The Haunted Mansion and California Adventure's Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Not in any particular order, here are a few pins I would LOVE to own someday:




(I already have Minnie on the Tightrope from this set.)​




So as you can tell, my Disney interests are eclectic and wide-spread. In my pin trades and purchases, I'm not really trying to collect ALL of any one character or attraction - just whatever floats my boat at the time.



As far as questions go, I don't have any off the top of my head, but I will be sure to let you know when I think of one.

Once again, thanks SO much for all your help!
 
Welcome to the forum! I went through the same....lightbulb moment on my last trip to WDW and now I'm a full-fledged addict! lol I stumbled on this site by accident searching for info about scrappers! I love it here! I hope you will too
 
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