New Collector Looking for Advice on Authentic Pins & Trusted Sellers ⭐

[PixiePinCo]

Hi everyone! 👋 I'm completely new to Disney pin collecting and have been having so much fun learning. I recently ordered a few mystery pins from Disney, but I have a few questions for those of you with more experience.

What are your favorite legitimate websites to buy authentic Disney pins from besides the Disney Store? I'm looking for places I can trust.

A few we are excited about:

• 🐶 101 Dalmatians
• 🐱 Aristocats (especially Marie)
• 🍯 Winnie the Pooh
• 👑 Disney Princesses
• 🌊 Moana
• 👽 Stitch
• 🚗 Cars
• 🐱 Oliver & Company

Also, I'm a little confused about BoxLunch/Loungefly pins. I know they're officially Disney licensed, but are they generally accepted for Cast Member trading at Disney, or do most people recommend sticking to Disney Parks pins for trading?

Thanks so much! I'm excited to learn from everyone! 😊

 

[firechief18]

Welcome to DPF.

 

[Sithathoriunet]

Licensed pins are perfectly acceptable for cast member trading at the US parks. And most traders are excited to get them, too.

 

[PixiePinCo]

Welcome to DPF.

Thank you so much!!

 

[PixiePinCo]

Licensed pins are perfectly acceptable for cast member trading at the US parks. And most traders are excited to get them, too.

Thank you!! Amazing!!

 

[TheMickeyMouseRules]

One of our mods has been willing to share a lot of her knowledge. This thread is probably the most complete list here (and perhaps anywhere):

GUIDE - Get to Know: Locations - Non-Disney

The information available in this post is available as a PDF on Google drive. Remember, the internet is not forever and printing physical copies can be your friend. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mf7cDQ8Tn1-NzqSi35Ob88wjsOeznbAr/view?usp=drive_link Get to Know: Locations - Non-Disney While...

www.disneypinforum.com

I love Hope's 'Get to Know' series. All are great reads for new and experienced traders/collectors.

 

[TheMickeyMouseRules]

This is where all of the amazing guides are stored:

Pin Guides & FAQs

A general knowledge base for pins including identifying scrappers, counterfeits, and general FAQs and guides. Notable user-written topics and guides are moved here by the moderators.

www.disneypinforum.com

 

[hopemax]

Hello and Welcome!

As previously mentioned, Box Lunch and Loungefly pins *are* Officially licensed pins and are tradable in US Parks. In theory. In practice, some CMs get nervous about trading for potential fakes and try to impose their own criteria in addition the official guidelines. You are more likely to run into issues at Disneyland since more CMs try to trade "diamond for diamond." (the little crystals on the back of the pin that make a Mickey shape). Or someone might object because it doesn't have a Mickey waffle back and an ODPT icon on the back of the pin indicating it was sold at the parks / Disney Store. So the guidance is always have a few backups (duplicates you bought in a pouch at the park like Hidden Disney or Munchables, ets. make good backups!), and if you come across a skittish CM switch your trader. But most CMs will happily take an authentic Loungefly pin. And the person trading behind you will probably trade it right off.

Disneyland Paris does have different rules, and these would not be tradeable there.

 

[momin.ator]

Hi! Welcome. Are you specifically looking for pins to trade with cast members?

 

[PixiePinCo]

One of our mods has been willing to share a lot of her knowledge. This thread is probably the most complete list here (and perhaps anywhere):

GUIDE - Get to Know: Locations - Non-Disney

The information available in this post is available as a PDF on Google drive. Remember, the internet is not forever and printing physical copies can be your friend. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mf7cDQ8Tn1-NzqSi35Ob88wjsOeznbAr/view?usp=drive_link Get to Know: Locations - Non-Disney While...

www.disneypinforum.com

I love Hope's 'Get to Know' series. All are great reads for new and experienced traders/collectors.

Thank you!!

 

[PixiePinCo]

Hi! Welcome. Are you specifically looking for pins to trade with cast members?

Hi! both! we are going to Disney in november then again in January so want the opportunity to trade especially if my kiddos want to for there favorite characters

 

[PixiePinCo]

Hello and Welcome!

As previously mentioned, Box Lunch and Loungefly pins *are* Officially licensed pins and are tradable in US Parks. In theory. In practice, some CMs get nervous about trading for potential fakes and try to impose their own criteria in addition the official guidelines. You are more likely to run into issues at Disneyland since more CMs try to trade "diamond for diamond." (the little crystals on the back of the pin that make a Mickey shape). Or someone might object because it doesn't have a Mickey waffle back and an ODPT icon on the back of the pin indicating it was sold at the parks / Disney Store. So the guidance is always have a few backups (duplicates you bought in a pouch at the park like Hidden Disney or Munchables, ets. make good backups!), and if you come across a skittish CM switch your trader. But most CMs will happily take an authentic Loungefly pin. And the person trading behind you will probably trade it right off.

Disneyland Paris does have different rules, and these would not be tradeable there.

amazing this is very helpful!! thank you! we are Disney world people.

 

[Ach West]

My favorite tactic for trading at the parks is to stop at one of the pin stores there & buy a few blind bag packs. Any pins you like you can keep, any you don't like or get duplicates of are perfect traders!
If you don't have a lot of pins to trade already (or don't want to have to pack them), this works great.
(I like getting the 5-pin packs, but Hidden Disney pins or any new set are decent traders with other guests as well.)