We went to Disneyland and tried out Disney Pin Trading for the first time and had a blast! Here is everything I have since learned about pin trading so you can get started and have an extra magical time on your next trip to the Disneyland Parks.
If you’re heading to Disneyland and looking for a fun, low-pressure way to add a little extra magic to your trip—let me introduce you to Disney pin trading! I recently started pin trading with my kids, and it’s been such a fun way to explore the parks together. It gives the kids (and let’s be honest, me too!) something to look forward to between rides, and we’ve had so many great interactions with cast members along the way.
In this beginner’s guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know—how to start pin trading, where to do it, what to look for, and the basic etiquette so you can jump in confidently and start building your collection!
I even have tips if you want to Disney pin trade but don’t have tickets to get into the Disney Parks!
If you are looking for more ways to make your trip to Disneyland even better, I shared my 17 Best Disneyland Tips to Make Your Trip Even More Magical here!
What Is Disney Pin Trading?
Pin trading is a fun and interactive activity at Disneyland where you can trade collectible Disney pins (they have to be Disney pins) with cast members or even other guests. You’ll spot cast members wearing lanyards or pin boards behind counters, and if you see a pin you like, you can trade one of yours for it—no questions asked! It’s a great way to collect favorite characters, remember your trip, and add a little extra magic to your park experience.
How To Get Started Pin Trading
Getting started with pin trading is super easy! All you need is a few authentic Disney pins and a pin trading lanyard or pouch to display them. You can buy starter sets at the parks, online at shopDisney, or even grab some budget-friendly bundles ahead of time from places like eBay or Facebook groups—just make sure they’re real Disney pins*. If they are sold in huge lots for $1 a pin, they are probably fake.
Once you’re in the park, look for cast members with pin lanyards or pin boards (usually at stores and kiosks), and if you see one you like, you can trade one of your pins for theirs. You are allowed to trade up to two pins at each pin board/lanyard.
*There are a lot of fake pins on the trading boards at the Disney Parks. Some are easy to tell if they are fake because they just look and feel cheap. But sometimes it can be hard to tell. I bought pins from a guy on Facebook Marketplace before we went to Disneyland and I’m sure some were fake because I had a hard time telling. The cast members will still trade with you because they can’t turn away a Disney pin in public. However, it’s not great etiquette to just take all the nice pins and replace them with obvious fakes. My kids couldn’t care less if they were real or fake and just traded for whatever pin they liked so I feel like it all came out in the wash with them taking fake pins off the boards and sometimes replacing them with another fake.
Where Can You Trade Pins?
You can trade pins throughout Disneyland Resort, including Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and Downtown Disney District. Look for cast members wearing lanyards or pin boards behind counters—these are your go-to spots for trading.
I have only traded at Disneyland, California Adventure, and Downtown Disney. I will include locations that usually have a spot to pin trade at the bottom of this post!
How Disney Pin Trading Works
Spotting Cast Members with Pins
When you’re walking around Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, or Downtown Disney, keep an eye out for cast members wearing lanyards, pin boards, pin pouches, or even small pin displays at certain shops and kiosks. Pin Boards are sometimes located at the registers or inside stores — you usually have to ask if they have one!
Tip: At some locations, cast members will offer trivia questions before you can trade for certain pins. Usually the pin is backwords on their pin pouch or it’s just completely hidden. You can just ask if they have trivia. It’s a fun little challenge — answer the Disney trivia correctly, and you earn the chance to pick a pin off a special board!
Ask to Trade Your Pins
When you spot pins you like, just ask, “Hi, can I trade a pin with you?” Cast members are super friendly and happy to help.
Trading Official Disney Pins Only
When you’re ready to trade, both the pin you are giving and the pin you are receiving must be official Disney pins.
- Official Disney pins have a Mickey-shaped backing and a Disney copyright stamped on the back.
- Pins should also be in good condition (no broken posts or missing pieces).
- You can’t trade homemade pins, non-Disney pins, or pins from other random brands.
- Scrappers (unofficial factory overruns) do exist — but cast members will usually still accept them if they’re Disney-branded. Just know collectors might not trade for them later.
Follow the Trade Limit
You can trade up to two pins per cast member per day. After that, move on and find another cast member or pin board to keep trading!
How To Carry Your Pins Around the Parks
There are a few fun and easy ways to carry your pins around the park while pin trading:
- Lanyard – The classic option! A pin trading lanyard lets you wear your pins around your neck so they’re easy to see and trade. Some people like to keep their favorite or “no trade” pins on the back and traders on the front.
- Pin trading pouch or crossbody bag – These are great if you don’t want to wear a lanyard all day or want to carry more pins. We bought the official Disney pin trading bag when we got to the park and put our pins inside. But I also saw a lot of people with this pinfolio from Amazon! It was cute because it has a clear cover so people can see your pins while walking around.
- Mini pin board in your stroller or backpack – If you’re trading with kids, this is a low-effort way to keep pins organized. You can DIY a small corkboard or use a piece of felt with pins stuck on.
Pin Trading Locations at Disneyland, California Adventure, and Downtown Disney
Remember, pin trading locations can vary, and some boards might not be out at all times. If you don’t see a pin board, feel free to ask a Cast Member—they’re usually happy to assist!
Disneyland Park
Main Street, U.S.A.
- Emporium: Features a pin board in the center of the store and a mystery box at the register near Town Square.
- Disneyana: Offers a pin board; ask a Cast Member if it’s not immediately visible.
- 20th Century Music Company: Sometimes has a pin board, often themed like a record player. This is also where we bought our pin bag!
- China Closet: Occasionally hosts a pin board; inquire with staff.
- Disney Clothiers, Ltd.: The men’s department may have a pin board available
Tomorrowland
- Little Green Men Store Command: Known for a trivia-based mystery box pin trading game.
- TomorrowLanding: Specializes in pins and pin-trading accessories; check for a pin board.
- Space Mountain Exit: They usually put out a pin board near the ride’s exit if the ride is closed.
Fantasyland
- Le Petit Chalet: Located near the Matterhorn, this shop often has a pin board.
- Mad Hatter: Occasionally offers a pin board; it’s worth asking a Cast Member.
- Kiosk across from “it’s a small world”: Sometimes hosts a pin board for trading.
Frontierland
- Westward Ho Trading Company: A central hub for pin trading with a large selection of pins and accessories.
- Pioneer Mercantile: Features two pin boards; ask staff for their locations.
- Pin Cart near Frontierland Entrance: Often has a pin board available for trading.
- Pin Trading Tables at Frontierland Entrance: Disneyland has put out tables out at the entrance of Frontierland for anyone who wants to trade pins with each other. They close at 3pm.
Adventureland
- Adventureland Bazaar: Hosts two pin boards; inquire with Cast Members if they’re not visible.
New Orleans Square
- Pieces of Eight: The Pirates of the Caribbean-themed shop may have a pin board.
- Le Bat en Rouge: Located near the Blue Bayou Restaurant; ask staff about pin trading options.
Critter Country
- Pooh Corner: Check near the register by the Splash Mountain exit for a pin board.
- Briar Patch: Occasionally offers a pin board; it’s worth asking.
Disney’s California Adventure
Buena Vista Street
- Julius Katz & Sons: This shop often features a pin board; if it’s not visible, feel free to ask a Cast Member.
Grizzly Peak
- Humphrey’s Service & Supplies: Known to have a pin board; inquire with staff for its current availability.
- Rushin’ River Outfitters: Occasionally hosts a pin board; it’s worth checking inside.
- Outside the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Look for a bear-themed pin board affectionately named “Bearison Ford.”Reddit
Pixar Pier
- Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff: Often has a pin board; ask a Cast Member if you don’t see it.
- Knick’s Knacks: This shop typically features a pin board for trading.
Cars Land
- Sarge’s Surplus Hut: Regularly offers a pin board; check near the entrance.
- Ramone’s House of Body Art: Sometimes has a pin board available
Avengers Campus
- The Collector’s Warehouse (Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! exit): Look for a Captain America shield-themed pin board near the exit.
Hollywood Land
- Gone Hollywood: This store often features a pin board; ask staff for its location.
- Kiosk near Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!: Frequently hosts a pin board; it’s worth stopping by.
- Near the entrance of Mickey’s PhilharMagic: A pin board is sometimes available in this area.
San Fransokyo Square
- Pan-Pacific Pin Traders: A dedicated pin trading shop offering a wide selection of collectible pins and trading opportunities.
Downtown Disney
- Avenger’s Reserve: This store is right when you walk in through security and they have a pin board at the checkout counter
- Disney’s Pin Traders: Located near the monorail station, this dedicated kiosk offers a wide selection of pins and trading opportunities.
- World of Disney: As the largest Disney store in the area, it has multiple pin trading boards. There was one outside the door and another inside. And many cast members who work there wore pins to trade.
- Disney Home Store: This store sometimes hosts a pin board; it’s worth asking a Cast Member if it’s available.
- WonderGround Gallery: Occasionally, this gallery has a pin board for trading.
- Disney Stroller Store: This isn’t technically Downtown Disney but it’s before you go into the park so you don’t need a ticket. You can go up to the checkout counter and they have a great pin board for trading.
If you enjoyed this post about Disney Pin Trading, be sure to check out my other posts!
