Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
My Disney pins were supposed to make me rich one day — instead, they gave my shy kids the confidence to talk to strangers at Disneyland. In this video, I show you why pin trading is secretly one of the best activities for shy kids, take you to a hidden trading spot right near Frontierland, and share my simple strategy for picking pins your family will actually remember.
I used to hear that my Disney pins would be worth a fortune one day, but honestly, they didn't buy me a house—they just gave me the best memories with my family. In this video, I talk about why pin trading feels a little quieter these days and take you to a dedicated trading spot we discovered right near Frontierland. I also share my simple strategy for picking pins that actually help us remember our specific trips years later.
00:00 - Intro: Are these pins actually worth a fortune?
00:13 - Why pin trading is perfect for shy kids
00:30 - Is pin trading fading out in the parks?
00:57 - Finding the "Pro" trading spot near Frontierland
01:18 - Live trading action & checking out collections
01:47 - My #1 rule for buying pins now (The "Year" Strategy)
02:03 - Question of the day: How big is your collection?
FAQ (Planning Your Disney Pin Experience)
Q: Is pin trading still a "thing" at the parks? It seems less popular now. A: I definitely feel like it’s fading out a little bit compared to how it used to be. I noticed fewer guests walking around with lanyards, which makes those spontaneous trades harder to find. However, you can definitely still trade with Cast Members in stores and at pin boards throughout the parks.
Q: Where can I find the "serious" pin traders you met? A: On my recent trip, I stumbled upon a small, dedicated community of traders hanging out right by the entrance to Frontierland at Disneyland. They had books full of older pins, including some from way back in 2010 and earlier!
Q: My child is really shy. Is pin trading a good activity for them? A: It is honestly perfect for shy kids. The best part is that Cast Members essentially have to say yes to a trade as long as you are offering an official Disney pin. It gives my daughter a guaranteed "win" without the fear of rejection, which really helps build her confidence.
Q: What kind of pins should I look for if I want to save money but keep memories? A: I stopped trying to find the "valuable" ones and started being picky. Now, I specifically look for pins that have the year printed on them. It’s a simple trick, but when I look at them later, it instantly unlocks the memory of that specific family trip.
Q: Do I need rare pins to start trading? A: Not at all. Since discovering rare pins on other guests is getting harder, I usually just buy new starter pins at the store to get us going. The goal for us is just the fun of the swap and the interaction, not necessarily finding a high-value collectible.
Q: What happens if I can't decide which pin to trade away? A: That is always the hardest part for my daughter! We usually sit down before we go into the parks and decide which pins are "keepers" and which ones are "traders." It saves a lot of tears and hesitation when we are standing in front of a pin board.
My Disney pins were supposed to make me rich one day — instead, they gave my shy kids the confidence to talk to strangers at Disneyland. In this video, I show you why pin trading is secretly one of the best activities for shy kids, take you to a hidden trading spot right near Frontierland, and share my simple strategy for picking pins your family will actually remember.
I used to hear that my Disney pins would be worth a fortune one day, but honestly, they didn't buy me a house—they just gave me the best memories with my family. In this video, I talk about why pin trading feels a little quieter these days and take you to a dedicated trading spot we discovered right near Frontierland. I also share my simple strategy for picking pins that actually help us remember our specific trips years later.
00:00 - Intro: Are these pins actually worth a fortune?
00:13 - Why pin trading is perfect for shy kids
00:30 - Is pin trading fading out in the parks?
00:57 - Finding the "Pro" trading spot near Frontierland
01:18 - Live trading action & checking out collections
01:47 - My #1 rule for buying pins now (The "Year" Strategy)
02:03 - Question of the day: How big is your collection?
FAQ (Planning Your Disney Pin Experience)
Q: Is pin trading still a "thing" at the parks? It seems less popular now. A: I definitely feel like it’s fading out a little bit compared to how it used to be. I noticed fewer guests walking around with lanyards, which makes those spontaneous trades harder to find. However, you can definitely still trade with Cast Members in stores and at pin boards throughout the parks.
Q: Where can I find the "serious" pin traders you met? A: On my recent trip, I stumbled upon a small, dedicated community of traders hanging out right by the entrance to Frontierland at Disneyland. They had books full of older pins, including some from way back in 2010 and earlier!
Q: My child is really shy. Is pin trading a good activity for them? A: It is honestly perfect for shy kids. The best part is that Cast Members essentially have to say yes to a trade as long as you are offering an official Disney pin. It gives my daughter a guaranteed "win" without the fear of rejection, which really helps build her confidence.
Q: What kind of pins should I look for if I want to save money but keep memories? A: I stopped trying to find the "valuable" ones and started being picky. Now, I specifically look for pins that have the year printed on them. It’s a simple trick, but when I look at them later, it instantly unlocks the memory of that specific family trip.
Q: Do I need rare pins to start trading? A: Not at all. Since discovering rare pins on other guests is getting harder, I usually just buy new starter pins at the store to get us going. The goal for us is just the fun of the swap and the interaction, not necessarily finding a high-value collectible.
Q: What happens if I can't decide which pin to trade away? A: That is always the hardest part for my daughter! We usually sit down before we go into the parks and decide which pins are "keepers" and which ones are "traders." It saves a lot of tears and hesitation when we are standing in front of a pin board.
