Pin Traders

[DisneyMom]

Nifty pins. Bootlegs, I take it, are pins not authorized by Disney? Are there any particular rules (written or otherwise) as to what makes something a "trading pin" and what isn't? Sorry about the thread-jacking...

Bootlegs are pins that usually hijack a character and are presented as a Disney Pin, quality varies between icky and quite good....Unfortunately, most CMs wouldn't be able to tell them apart from an official pin without careful scrutiny (not their fault). I've gotten a fair amount from CMs, along with "scrapper" pins that have errors and were intended to be discarded, but still end up on CM lanyards (sometimes before the "real" pin is released). I'm not upset to get them, just usually keep them, as the reason I trade for any pin is solely based on cuteness factor and not what it is "worth". I gave the (fake) Easter Bunny Vinylmation pin I traded for to my 6 year-old niece, it is very unlikely to go back into circulation.

Some of the Pin Traders with the cases will show you their "Fantasy Pins"(illegal use of characters, some naughty) if you ask nicely. Good Luck getting them to give them up! :p:

[wicked]

Bootlegs are pins that usually hijack a character and are presented as a Disney Pin, quality varies between icky and quite good....Unfortunately, most CMs wouldn't be able to tell them apart from an official pin without careful scrutiny (not their fault). I've gotten a fair amount from CMs, along with "scrapper" pins that have errors and were intended to be discarded, but still end up on CM lanyards (sometimes before the "real" pin is released). I'm not upset to get them, just usually keep them, as the reason I trade for any pin is solely based on cuteness factor and not what it is "worth". I gave the (fake) Easter Bunny Vinylmation pin I traded for to my 6 year-old niece, it is very unlikely to go back into circulation.

Some of the Pin Traders with the cases will show you their "Fantasy Pins"(illegal use of characters, some naughty) if you ask nicely. Good Luck getting them to give them up! :p:

I've seen a couple of the fantasy pins...not good :( but most of the Jessica (roger rabbit) pins are pretty close to those..

[GaTechGal]

The thing I love best about pin trading is having a couple of extras that I can give to kids that don't have any while waiting in line. It gets them started and it's a fun way to spread the magic.

[wicked]

The thing I love best about pin trading is having a couple of extras that I can give to kids that don't have any while waiting in line. It gets them started and it's a fun way to spread the magic.

I did that when I went to the park as a guest..there was a little girl looking at my pins and she rally liked the (6.95) alice in a blue dress one and since I was gonna trade it anyway, I just gave it to her :) She was so excited to have a pin on her lanyard...

I always did that as a cast member, I put more than 10 on so I could give them to kids :)

[mapo]

At any rate the only thing that bummed me out was a unfriendly CM at the Frontierland trading area. I realize it was hot and the task boring, but you could have at least smiled. She had her hands crossed on her chest and was not interacting with the guests. Didn't even say "hi" when I said "hi". I would have put a word into City Hall, but the line was out the door when I walked by it.

OK, so the CM was unfriendly to the point that you were going to complain at City Hall cause:

• She was not smiling at that time you saw her.
• Her arms were crossed on her chest.
• Not currently 'interacting' with guests.
• Did not respond to you saying "Hi".

So, a possibly preoccupied CM is the basis for your marching into City Hall to complain and "report" her? No wonder why the DLR City Hall had a huge line.

BTW, this is not considered a 'rude' cast member. It would be a 'non contact' or neutral (neither good or bad).

In other roles I have had that I wore that trading lanyard, I can tell you after a few over eager guests pull on it, yank it from you, point at your boobs, invade your personal space, you get tired of it. You are told that covering your lanyard (mostly) will give you a pin trading time out if you must be on stage at all times. I was lucky, that role let me get off stage when I needed to since I was not required to be on stage at all times. For the record, I will never, ever put on a pin trading lanyard ever again.

So next time you start thinking how 'rude' someone is, imagine how it feels when every person coming thru that turnstile thinks they know your job better than you do. Oh, and are eager to "put in a word to City Hall" to tattle on you.

Yeah, I used to be one of those people..now I work here. If I only knew what I did not know, then I could have written that tell all book, make millions, and move in behind WDW MK so I can complain about road closures.

For those of you who would like to see it from the other side, WDW is currently casting full time, part time and seasonal roles. Please call Casting for an appointment.

Have a Magical Day!

MAPO

[joanna71985]

For those of you who would like to see it from the other side, WDW is currently casting full time, part time and seasonal roles. Please call Casting for an appointment.

Have a Magical Day!

MAPO

I sure hope there are enough FT spots (I will be stopping by Casting tomorrow).

[Shorty82]

In other roles I have had that I wore that trading lanyard, I can tell you after a few over eager guests pull on it, yank it from you, point at your boobs, invade your personal space, you get tired of it. You are told that covering your lanyard (mostly) will give you a pin trading time out if you must be on stage at all times. I was lucky, that role let me get off stage when I needed to since I was not required to be on stage at all times. For the record, I will never, ever put on a pin trading lanyard ever again.

That is part of the reason why I wear a hip lanyard and I still sometimes have guests grab at it. More than once I've politely pulled it out of a guest's grip. You wouldn't like me grabbing your lanyard so don't grab mine. I put my lanyard in my pocket sometimes too, especially if it is very busy somewhere and I just don't have time to be trading pins ( and occasionally "forget" to pull it back out).

I trade pins at all only because I have to. I personally don't enjoy pin trading. Doesn't help I was soured on it from the beginning. I thought pin trading was optional and was planning on waiting a while to start it then I found out I have to trade and got a lanyard my first day in my area. So annoying to be in the middle being shown how to do something by the trainer and have guests come up wanting to trade pins.

[mapo]

So annoying to be in the middle being shown how to do something by the trainer and have guests come up wanting to trade pins.

Try being in the middle of an emergency situation and a SG walks up to a manager with a lanyard and insists to trade pins. I walk away and basically ignore SG and the manager...I think that the ass just wants a better view of the non magical event.

Yes, the recent combination of Spring Break/holiday fever with a Full Moon has made me nuts!

MAPO

[Shorty82]

Try being in the middle of an emergency situation and a SG walks up to a manager with a lanyard and insists to trade pins. I walk away and basically ignore SG and the manager...I think that the ass just wants a better view of the non magical event.

Yes, the recent combination of Spring Break/holiday fever with a Full Moon has made me nuts!

MAPO

I make my pins disappear in any sort of emergency situation or any other situation where I feel pin trading isn't appropriate. I take them off and stuff them into my pocket.

[mapo]

I make my pins disappear in any sort of emergency situation or any other situation where I feel pin trading isn't appropriate. I take them off and stuff them into my pocket.

Shorty, you are quickly becoming my hero. Now if we could get the managers to all do that...sigh. I knew there was a reason you were buddies with BW!

I am very tempted to 'color my Easter eggs at MK soon'. Yes, back from special assignment I am back in primarily MK region. Needless to say, dunking some SGs in Rivers of America is becoming very possible..very soon..

Tough couple of days....

MAPO