So you want to collect Disney pins? Are you sure, there’s still time to change your mind? No, you really want in? Ok, there’s no turning back now! Disney pin collecting has become a major player in the Disney merchandise game. Collectors wait in lines for hours, sometimes starting at 2 a.m., to get their hands on new releases. There are pins that sell for upwards of $1000 or more. So how do you get in the game and start your own collection? How do you decide what to collect? How do you keep from falling so far down the rabbit hole that you cannot get out?
When it comes to pin collecting, it doesn’t take long for it to get out of control. Most of us start collecting open edition pins from the parks. We collect pins for characters we like, attractions, resorts, and if you are like me, anything with lots of glitter. Though these pins hold some nostalgia as being the “first ones”, they are not usually pins we will keep as collections grow. For me personally, I have parted with most of those pins and have zoned in on what I really love. I still have pins for each resort we have stayed at and a few of my favorite attractions or events that hold special memories. Luckily though, I narrowed down what collections I love and wanted to grow. That is not to say I don’t occasionally see a pin release that I have to have, even if it doesn’t fit into a collection. But I have discovered, through trial and error, that I always come back to the same collections. A lot of the “etc.” pins never end up being favorites and have no place in my collection. It’s safe to say that your collection will evolve in this way as well.
Even if you know what you want to collect, it can be overwhelming. You might decide you love The Haunted Mansion and therefore, you want to collect those pins. But there are literally thousands of Haunted Mansion pins. You may need to narrow your collection down to a specific scene or character in the ride. Your collection could be focused on doom buggy pins or pins with Constance the Bride in them. I try to avoid pins with other characters that don’t occur in the actual ride, such as Mickey in The Haunted Mansion or Minnie Mouse dressed as the redhead from Pirates of the Caribbean. You could also collect characters and scenes from a favorite movie, such as Princess and the Frog, or something more rare like the Emperor’s New Groove.
There really are an endless amount of collections to choose from. We have put together some tips and tricks to help you decide what you would like to collect and how to stay sane and out of debt in the process.
- Do some research. There are a lot of YouTube videos on Disney pins showing off new releases and collections. We highly suggest Disney Pins Blog, Magically Emily (formerly Zip A Dee Emily), and Disney Kittee (Becca is currently on a no buy year, but has a lot of past pin content). On Facebook, join a few pin trading and selling groups where collectors showcase their pins. We are members of Pin Junkies, Disney Pin Trading, and DisneyKittee Pin Group. There are pin catalog sites, such as PinPics, where you can search for any pin category you might be interested in. Get an idea of what type of pins appeal to you so you can start to decide what your collections will be. This will help you to focus on what you are looking for as you start to make purchases.
- Take a look at the pins you already have. Can they be grouped together in any way or do you see a common theme? If you notice you have five plus Daisy Duck pins, you might want to have a small side collection of Daisy pins. Perhaps you have a lot of pins from rides, events, etc. from Epcot. Epcot could become one of your main collections. Determine which pins make you happy and which ones you could possibly part with.
- Put aside all the pins that bring you no joy, do not remind you of a special event/memory, or that you wish you had not purchased. These pins are going to become your traders or sellers and will help you get your hands on pins you do want. There are many groups on Facebook and Instagram where you can sell and/or trade pins. They are a lot of fun and you will meet a lot of people who also love pins! You will find it easier to part with a pin if you are getting one you were looking for in trade. It also helps to see all the pins in other collections to help you make a list of your wants and must haves.
- Avoid the buzz or “frenzy” that surrounds every new release there is. While it is fun at the time to get caught up in acquiring the latest pins, you might regret it. Plus, there is another new release next week or next month. Be mindful in each purchase and ask yourself if the pin really fits into your collections. Remember, collecting is a marathon, not a sprint. Occasionally there will be pins you have to have that are not part of any collection, and that is ok. You just want to limit these because you only have so much money to spend. Instead, try to acquire these pins through a trade later if you still want them. A lot of traders purchase new releases because they do make such good traders.
- Stay away from or limit mystery bags and boxes.You can spend up to $30 on one and not get any of the pins you want from the set. You may even get doubles of certain pins if you purchase more than one box/bag. If the mystery set is one you want to collect or features a specific pin that fits your collection, limit how many you purchase. You may get lucky and get what you want. In case you don’t, you can trade for what you need. We understand trading is a big part of the pin collecting experience for many people. Just make sure the majority of your spending is on pins you really want and not pins you can trade.
- Set a limit on how much money you can spend on pins every month or paycheck. If there is no limit, you will have no reason to be selective. Imposing a limit will force you to be more mindful of what you are buying because you won’t want to miss out on a “must have” because you ran out of money.
- Don’t fall victim to the “what if it sells out” or “it is limited edition”. Pins always find their way back into circulation through trades or for sale on Facebook groups or seller sites like ebay. By letting go of the “what if I miss out on this pin and I regret it” mentality, you will be empowered to be more selective about what you purchase.
- Do not assume you will be able to sell or trade a pin if you regret buying it. Open edition pins have no edition size and they do not have a good turn around for sale or trade. Limited edition pins of 2000 or more tend to still be floating around as well. The only pins that tend to hold their trade or sale value are lower editions of 1500 and less. Usually these include WDI pins or special releases from DSSH or D23. Definitely do not purchase pins for the purpose of reselling or trading, as this can backfire on you. While you wait for them to sell or trade, you have a lot of money tied up in pins you don’t want to keep.
- Plan, plan, plan. Stay informed of upcoming releases. There are blogs and Facebook groups that announce most releases, such as Disney Pins Blog. You will know dates, edition size and price so you can plan which pins you want and how much it will cost. Looking at the release sheets ahead of time will allow you to think about which pins you really need and not fall prey to the new release frenzy. We also recommend checking shopDisney occasionally to see what new pins have been added. There are pin of the month series and collections that are available without visiting the parks.
- Most of all, have fun. A lot of collectors get frustrated because they compare their collections to other collectors. Realize that some people are willing or able to spend a lot of money on pin purchases. Some may be cast members who have access to the WDI releases or live near the Disney Studio Store Hollywood. Enjoy your own collection and the adventure of collecting pins. You can meet some fun, like-minded individuals that make the hobby even more enjoyable and while you are away from the parks, you have a nice reminder of your favorite rides, characters and more.
Now you have a basic ground work for building your pin collection. In later posts, we plan to take a deep dive into the different types of pins available, pin trading online and in the parks, how to store and showcase your pins, and terms used in the hobby. We look forward to sharing our own pin collections with you and finding out what you like to collect. Leave us a comment below or contact us on the “Contact Us” page.