06/11/2026
Another memory popped up on my Facebook todayâthis one from 13 years ago!
At first glance, it's just a photo of a pin from *Up*. But Disney Pin Trading? That's a hobby that can quickly become an obsession.
I remember that trip well. It was for my 16th birthday, and that's when I really fell in love with pin trading. When I got home, I bought a bunch of pins (which I now know were all fakes đ¤Śââď¸) and started preparing for my next Disney trip, where I dove headfirst into the hobby.
What I didn't know back then was just how huge pin trading would become. Looking at the massive pin board that now covers most of a wall in my apartment, it's fun to think back to where it all started.
Disney Pin Trading officially began in 2000 as part of the Millennium Celebration. What started as a fun way to interact with Cast Members and fellow guests has grown into a massive community. Today there are Limited Edition pins for just about everything, pins worth thousands of dollars, and pin releases so popular they require special systems and extra security in the parks.
But at its heart, pin trading is still about community.
Over the years, I've made friends through mail trades and park meetups, tuned into weekly pin shows, and even created a detailed system for organizing my collection, tracking trade values, and managing my traders. The pins themselves are great, but the people and memories attached to them are what make this hobby so special.
I'd love to hear from my fellow Disney fansâdo you collect pins? What's your favorite pin in your collection? Drop a photo or tell me about it in the comments! đâ¨