Originally Posted By Lake Nona Another sign of Disney cutting back?... Story form The Orlando Sentinal... Pin-trading events to end at Disney resort hotels No reason was given, but Disney said the parks would still have pin events. Disney pin-trading nights are coming to an end at Walt Disney World hotels, and some collectors wonder if it's because of declining interest. The Walt Disney Co. announced on its official pin-collecting Web site this month that weekly pin-trading sessions, staple activities in several Walt Disney World resort hotels for years, will end in the next couple of weeks. The Web site, officialdisneypintrading.com, did not say why the sessions are ending. Nor did a Walt Disney World spokeswoman, except to say that the company is making room for future pin-trading opportunities, associated with the company's upcoming "Year of a Million Dreams" campaign that opens in October. "It's part of the ongoing efforts to continually refresh the experiences," spokeswoman Kim Prunty said. Disney lapel pins depict thousands of iconic Disney moments ranging from Snow White kissing Grumpy to Cars characters. Most retail for $6.95 to $12.95. In 2000, pin-trading popularity took off. And not long after that, pin-trading sessions began at the hotels. But attendance at the hotel sessions has fallen recently, collectors said. Some wondered if Disney might have saturated the collectible pin market and deflated the craze, while others suggested that professional pin traders, known as "pin sharks," began to dominate small meetings and took the fun out of them. "It definitely has slowed down," said Arlen Miller, president of the World Chapter of the National Fantasy Fan Club of Disneyana enthusiasts. No one's expecting Disney pin trading to stop. Disney still plans other pin-trading events, including the big, annual Pin Celebration 2006 at Epcot, Sept. 8-10, which requires a $90-per-person cover charge. Disney also still encourages trading throughout the parks, and at occasional Downtown Disney sessions. And Prunty insisted interest still is "strong and continues to grow." Collections dealer Tom Tumbusch of Dayton, Ohio, publishes the Disneyana Guide to Pin Trading, which lists and prices more than 17,000 pins. Tumbusch, who also handles collectibles ranging from Broadway posters to Hot Wheels cars, said he's seen thinning crowds at recent hotel sessions and suggested it could be because there now are so many Disney pins that people may be losing interest. "Disney has over-produced watches, and the collectors went away. . . . The saturation level, of just too many, is reached in every collectible area," Tumbusch said. "It becomes overwhelming. And people say, 'To heck with this,' when they try to sell stuff and they can't get their money back." The Web site announced that the last official Walt Disney World hotel pin sessions will be at the All-Star Sports Resort from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday; the Contemporary Resort from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday; and the Pop Century Resort from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Scott Powers can be reached at spowers@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5441. Link to story... <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-disneypins2506jul25" target="_blank">http://www.orlandosentinel.com /business/custom/tourism/orl-disneypins2506jul25</a>,0,4347615.story?coll=orl-business-headlines-tourism
Originally Posted By woody >>Another sign of Disney cutting back?...<< Yes, but your reasons you don't appreciate. Pin trading is going the way of the beanie babies. GONE. Sell on eBay before the crash!!!
Originally Posted By alexbook FYI, there's another thread on this over in Merch Pins: <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/default.asp?WCI=MsgBoard&WCE=T-78121-P-1" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/de fault.asp?WCI=MsgBoard&WCE=T-78121-P-1</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I hope it is just a sign that they are finally getting rid (or scaling way back) the whole pin trading thing. Good news in my opinion, even if it is just to save money.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Some wondered if Disney might have saturated the collectible pin market and deflated the craze, while others suggested that professional pin traders, known as "pin sharks," began to dominate small meetings and took the fun out of them. < sounds like the reporter is a disgruntled pin trader to me-- as he nailed the problem directly
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 RIP as far as I'm concerned. This is a 'cutback' I am thrilled to see. They have milked the cow until the only thing left was a cowbell. Time to overdo something else ... hmmmm...Pirates and Princesses ... and Fairies anyone?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Let's cut back on the number of tacky promotion things that get left around WDW. *cough*wand*cough*hat*cough* At least this appears to be a step in the right direction. Hopefully they will realize some of the other issues around the World too.
Originally Posted By brick74 "Disney lapel pins depict thousands of iconic Disney moments ranging from Snow White kissing Grumpy to Cars characters. Most retail for $6.95 to $12.95." I've always wanted to pick up a pin or two, but not at those prices. Maybe after the crash I'll be able to find some good deals on Ebay.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Maybe after the crash I'll be able to find some good deals on Ebay. < can already find some for less $3 and even a few for 99 cents if no one bids -- search Disney Pins and whatever character or attraction - sort by lowest price first --
Originally Posted By Coachbagfanatic1 My DS is a fan of the whole pin trading thing. He already has the pins that he wants to trade when we go this December. I will be kind of glad when he out grows that part so I don't have to remember to pack all of his pins and lanyards.
Originally Posted By junglejoy And pin trading takes time from the attractions. I can't tell you how much I hate the whole autograph thingy too. All my kids have had to do this and bleh!! Wait in line to spend 30 seconds with a princess? I want to ride Space and Splash!! We did character meals too, but not everyone is there so you always end up waiting in those awful lines! Off my vent. Sorry...
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Are you one of those people who doesn't like watching parades too? I like them because they make the lines go away! : )
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I won't blame you for skipping a parade or show at WDW since their MK offerings at this point in time are gabage to say the least. However at TDL.. parades and shows are *must see*. Keep that in mind for future references... >>Disney pin-trading nights are coming to an end at Walt Disney World hotels, and some collectors wonder if it's because of declining interest.<< Alongside with reduced paychecks. It's amazing how much money collectors have put out for these pins which only cost Disney pennies to produce, and sell them for 9, 12, 15 +++ dollars a piece. It's ludicrous. Plus they are to be blamed as well.. Too many pins have sour the experience, and reason why you see limited edition pins sitting on the shelves months after they are released. I am just glad someone in China is making a $20 monthly salary riding on Disney's success with pins up to this point. >>But attendance at the hotel sessions has fallen recently, collectors said. Some wondered if Disney might have saturated the collectible pin market and deflated the craze, while others suggested that professional pin traders, known as "pin sharks," began to dominate small meetings and took the fun out of them.<< DUH! I for one am *glad* this Disney virus is finally beginning to die down. GOOD RIDDANCE if it does indeed comes to an end sometime in the future. I was so very glad when OLC decided to stop Pin Trading at TDL at the height of it's popularity years ago..so there is a management team willing to put safety and a positive park enviroment ahead of profits. Now if they pulled the plug on Fastpass as well... all would be well in the Kingdoms.
