Welcome to "What's HapPINing - in Disney Pins?" - the frequently updated official Disney Pin Trading weblog. Please return often as we will post sneak previews of upcoming projects, share exciting news and communicate important Disney Pin-formation on this page. Happy Trading!
Click Here to download the official Disney Pin Trading Guidelines for Guests
Click Here to Purchase Select pins and accessories from Disney Parks
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February 9, 2010
This upcoming Sunday brings the celebration of Chinese New Year! We personally can't wait to begin the year of the tiger!
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February 6, 2010
We have a couple of exciting announcements regarding Disney Pin Events this year.
First up is Dateline: Disneyland® 1955. While we will be celebrating the 55th Anniversary of Disneyland® Resort all year long (especially this summer), we have decided to change the previously announced Summer Pin Festival to a one-day, hard ticket event titled, Dateline: Disneyland® 1955 - Pin-Vited Press Event.
This event will be held on Saturday, July 10 at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be 55 unique items created for this event ranging from individual pins to boxed sets to framed sets. Event Guests will have a first purchase opportunity for this items via a Random Selection Process. There will also be a special Purchase with Purchase promotion for event Guests only.
Registration for this hard-ticket event will open via DisneyPins.com on March 3, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
Speaking of registrations, Disney Pin Celebration 2010 - Trade City, U.S.A. will open registration on March 31, 2010 via DisneyPins.com. Stay tuned for some additional details about this exciting annual event. We are planning some unique experiences this year that we think you will enjoy.
Finally, we have a March date for Disney Trading Night at Disney's Contemporary Resort - March 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Ballroom of the Americas.
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February 5, 2010
David Whitaker, Product Developer for Home and Decorative Items, stopped by our office yesterday with an awesome new sculpt. He said it will be released this coming Fall. It is a first sample so some items may change or additional details will be added. There were several things that caught our eye and thought we'd share.
Pluto with a Pin Trading Lanyard
Attention Disney Bear fans!!
Donald Duck with a Pin Trading Lanyard
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February 4, 2010
The excitement of the "Piece of Disney History" continues in 2010 at the Disneyland® Resort! Featuring actual pieces from historic attractions, this special February 2010 pin features Nemo swimming past the coral reef at the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage attraction. Each pin contains actual pieces of some of the glass beads that were used underwater to create the dazzling colors in this historic attraction! This pin has an edition size of 2000 and a retail of $9.95.
This pin release will utilize the on-line wristband distribution process. The purpose of this on-line process is to promote a fair, equitable and enjoyable experience for Guests visiting the Disneyland® Resort.
This pin will be released at Little Green Men Store Command inside Disneyland® Park in conjunction with the on-line wristband distribution process. Theme Park admission to Disneyland® Park is required. Please see the registration form for official details and regulations on this random drawing. Limit two pins per purchase and one purchase per chosen Guest.
Registration for the random drawing closed at 11:59 p.m. (PST) on February 14, 2010. Notification for selected and non-selected Guests will be shared via e-mail a few days after registration has closed.
To enter the random drawing for a chance to purchase this pin, please CLICK THIS LINK.
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February 3, 2010
This month brings some milestone anniversaries for two of Walt Disney's most beloved films:
The 70th anniversary of Walt Disney's Pinocchio.
The 60th anniversary of Walt Disney's Cinderella.
Look for these two commemorative pins at both Disneyland® Resort, and Walt Disney World® Resort. Happy anniversary!
In other news, a new blog posting is now available on the Disney Parks Blog featuring The Hidden Secrets of Hidden Mickey Pins. A rather interesting behind-the-scenes look about the hidden meanings of some Hidden Mickey Pins.
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February 2, 2010
We just put up the dates for upcoming Disney Trading Nights at Disneyland® Resort. Mark your calendars for future trading nights:
- Sunday, February 21 - 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Friday, March 26 - 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Friday, April 22 - 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (at Disneyland® Hotel)
- Sunday, May 16 - 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Friday, June 25 - 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
We kindly ask that Guests do not line up until one hour prior to the start of the event. Please park in the Downtown Disney® District parking area or the Mickey and Friends parking structure.
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January 27, 2010
This week we began a new pin-of-the-month series aboard the Disney Cruise Line® Ships. Each month will feature a pin with a different Disney character in front of the iconic ships as well as a dangling anchor element. The first month's pin included Stitch:
Happy sailing!
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January 26, 2010
Disney pin collectors should keep their eyes peeled for the newest mystery in Disney Pin Trading coming to Disneyland® and Walt Disney World® Resorts. PT52 is a limited release pin collection with 52 pins (hence the 52) featuring a wide variety of Disney characters. The pins will be sold in pouches containing two randomly assorted limited release pins from the collection.
We've often heard from our Guests how they liked the thrill of "discovering" the original Hidden Mickey pins, so in a unique twist (and you're going to love this part) there will not be a master checklist or pictures of the pins in this collection at their time of release. Yes, you read that right - this collection will have a true sense of mystery. What we can tell you is that each pin includes at least one Disney character and no character repeats through the entire series. Oh, we can also say that we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these pins (we think you will too).
Finally for the true pin enthusiast, there is one level of "chaser" pin randomly mixed in these packages. These chaser pins are clearly distinguishable from the regular pins in the collection. Don't worry, you'll know when you get one. Good Luck!
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January 25, 2010
This spectacular sculpture will be part of the Dateline Disneyland® event at Disneyland® Resort this summer:
This sculpture was painted by Disney Design Group artist Alex Maher as a reference for the sculptures that will be created for sale for the event. The sculpture features Mickey Mouse dressed as a 1950s era reporter standing at the flag pole at the center of town square of Main Street U.S.A.. You may have noticed that the Disneyland® Park dedication plaque is featured as a pin.
From the back you can see more of the amazing detail Alex put into the sculpture, including a Disneyland® Park guide and even a "hidden Mickey."
We really liked the way the sculpture looked in this black and white photograph. Really puts you in the 50s mood, doesn't it?
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January 20, 2010
We have some additional limited edition pins and collections debuting tomorrow at Walt Disney World® Resort that were just added into our Upcoming Pins section:
The Disney Deebees Journey series is the third series and includes some great new characters including Polyee and Blizbeachee.
The second group of Walt's Classic Collection pins saluting Steamboat Willie will also be available tomorrow at Walt Disney World® Resort. This collection will not be available until February at Disneyland® Resort. In addition, this means that there will not be a Walt's Classic Collection series for February at Walt Disney World® Resort.
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January 19, 2010
Here's a look at a new open edition pin that will be available in March:
We're really drawn to the simplistic and sharp design. Look for the Mickey in this classic style (also known as Pie-Eyed Mickey) on assorted merchandise at Disney Parks this year. The merchandise line is called "Oh Mickey!" and extends to all types of merchandise, including a Vinylmation™ collection.
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January 16, 2010
We just love this pin. It is from the upcoming Walt's Classic Collection for March which celebrates Walt Disney's Fantasia.
We will be out of the office for a few days. We'll return next week with lots more news and information.
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January 15, 2010
Today marks a special anniversary for two beloved attraction at Magic Kingdom® Park. Both the Space Mountain® Attraction and Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress Attraction opened 35 years ago on January 15, 1975. Of course, what better way to commemorate this historic occasion than with limited edition pins?
Monty Maldovan created the artwork for the Space Mountain® Attraction 35th Anniversary pin. It even glows in the dark!
Tyler Dumas created the original artwork for the Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress Attraction 35th Anniversary pin.
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January 14, 2010
Surprise! The first in a collection of new surprise pins has been released at Disneyland® Resort. The pin resembles a Fastpass® for the Mulholland Madness Attraction at Disney's California Adventure® Park.
Keep your eyes open for more FastPass® Pins in the future!
Also a friendly reminder that the new 10th Anniversary of Disney Pin Trading promotion started today at the Disneyland® Resort. CLICK HERE for all the details.
Participating locations include:
- Downtown Disney® District - Disney's Pin Traders
- Disneyland® Park - Little Green Men Store Command - Tomorrowland® Area
- Disneyland® Park - Westward Ho Trading Co. - Frontierland® Area
- Disneyland® Park - La Masquerade d'Orleans - New Orleans Square Area
- Disney's California Adventure® Park - P.T. Flea Market and Laod Bhang's Cart
Happy Trading!
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January 13, 2010
The Disney Parks Blog posted an article today about the finding rare error pins written by Steven Miller, Project Manager for Disney Trading. CLICK HERE to read it.
Today, we continue our look at the new 2010 Hidden Mickey pins for Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort.
Disneyland® Resort
Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks
This five pin collection features characters from Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks featured on pins that look like award metals. Originally, these pins were planned to be done in gold but all Hidden Mickey pins have a silver base metal color (which is one of the identifying marks along with the Hidden Mickey icon in the art and the approximate size of 1.25"). From left to right, the characters pictured in the pins are as follows:
King Leonidas
Fisherman Bear
Secretary Bird
Mr. Codfish
Vultures
Disney's The Black Cauldron
This five pin collection features characters from Disney's The Black Cauldron which celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2010. From left to right, the characters pictured in the pins are as follows:
Taran
Princess Elionwy
Dallben
Hen Wen
Horned King
Steven told us that he picked Dallben over Fflewddur Fflam as he was voiced by Freddie Jones, an actor who stared in several science fiction films from the early 1980s which Steven enjoys. What we want to know is where's Gurgi? [grin]
Walt Disney World® Resort
Neon Mickey Mouse
This five pin collection was inspired by artwork for neon colored boxers. The item was hanging in a display room at Disney Theme Park Merchandise and Steven thought the various neon colors of Mickey Mouse would make a nice collection of pins. This is collection was also inspired by the colorful faces series from the 2009 collection of Hidden Mickey pins - kind of like part two to that series.
Pin Trading Phrases
The artwork for this five pin collection was created by Daniel Kaplan, trading coordinator for Disney Pins. They feature several phrases from the Disney Pin Trading world. We think our favorite is "This Is Not A Pin!" Wait ... it is, isn't?
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January 12, 2010
Just a friendly reminder that the random drawing for a chance to purchase the Piece of Disney History II - Disneyland® Railroad pin will close tonight at 11:59 p.m. (PST).
This pin will be released on January 24 at Little Green Men Store Command inside Disneyland® Park. Theme Park admission to Disneyland® Park is required. Please see the registration form for official details and regulations on this random drawing. Limit two pins per purchase and one purchase per chosen Guest.
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January 11, 2010
Today we thought we'd share a peak at a unique collection coming out in March.
The collection is called Mechanical Kingdom and features the Disney characters and Disney Park icons in a "steampunk" style. Disney Design Group artist Mike Sullivan created this alternate universe which will be unveiled through pins and other special collectible items.
Look for more information on this exciting new collection in future updates.
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January 8, 2010
Happy Warm Friday! We are all thinking warm thoughts today. We even heard it may snow in Florida tomorrow - that would be awesome!
We also wanted to wish all of the Disney Marathon Weekend participants the best of luck during the events this coming weekend!
Today, we are continuing our insider look at the various Hidden Mickey pin collections for 2010.
Disneyland® Resort
55th Anniversary Pennants
A great retro-inspired collection to kick off the 55th Anniversary year for Disneyland® Resort. Each pennant represents a themed land at Disneyland® Park which opened on July 17, 1955.
Disney's The Aristocats
This five pin collection features characters from Disney's The Aristocats which was released in theatres on December 24, 1970. From left to right, the characters pictured in the pins are as follows:
Thomas O'Malley and Duchess
Marie, Tolouse and Berlioz
Russian Cat and Roquefort
Madame Adelaide Bonfamille and Edgar
Abigail Gabble, Amelia Gabble and Uncle Waldo
Walt Disney World® Resort
Colorful Mickey Icons
This five pin collection was inspired by a series of watches that Lindsay Voigt, former product developer for pins, developed. She is now the developer for timepieces and said these watches were part of the "Brights" collection. Lindsay shared the artwork with Steven and they were turned into the pins pictured above. Interestingly, Julie Young, developer for Open Edition pins, first wanted the watch artwork for open edition pins. Below the image of the pins is artwork for three of the watches in their original version.
Pin Trading Lanyards
These colorful pins were designed to resemble pin trading lanyards. Below the image of the pins is the original concept sketch created by Steven.
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January 7, 2010
With the release of the new 2010 Hidden Mickey pin collections, we caught up with Steven Miller, Project Manager for Disney Trading, who was responsible for some of their development. Steven told us that work on the Disneyland® Resort collection began in late January 2009, while work for the Walt Disney World® Resort collection started in mid-April 2009. The 2010 sets each contain 60 pins - or 12 different five-pin collections. There are two series - Country Bears and Princess Hearts - that will be shared between coasts.
"When I saw the artwork for the Disneyland® Resort pins, I really liked the Country Bears pin and Princess Heart collections," explained Steven. "Since Florida still has the Country Bear Jamboree Attraction, I thought that set would make a nice addition to the Florida collection. I know there are Country Bear fans on both coasts including myself. I also wanted Disney Princesses represented in Florida, especially the newest Princess, Tiana. The Princess Tiana art turned out so great that I thought the entire series would be popular in Florida too."
Steven explained that development for the Disneyland® Resort pins had been started in California and later transferred to him.
"The artwork for California had been mostly completed except for one series," said Steven. "Originally, there was going to be a Casey, Jr. Train series but I didn't have artwork reference or concept notes on that set. I replaced it with characters from The Black Cauldron. I chose that film since it celebrates it's 25th Anniversary on July 24, 2010. The Black Cauldron is not often featured in pins, so it's nice to see some different characters."
We asked Steven about the difference between West Coast and East Coast designs.
"I think they are both great collections," continued Steven. "In comparing both series, the Disneyland® Collection features more classic character designs, especially some characters that are not often featured on pins like Bedknobs and Broomsticks or The Aristocats. The Walt Disney World® Collection features content about the Disney Park and Resort experience and is playful at times. Regardless of the differences, I hope that Guests enjoy collecting the pins they like."
We asked Steven about some of the specific collections and the stories behind them. Below is a highlight of a few series. We'll share more stories in the coming weeks.
Disneyland® Resort
The Band Concert
The artwork for this series was inspired by the first color Mickey Mouse cartoon called, "The Band Concert." The animated short was released on February 23, 1935.
TENth Anniversary of Disney Pin Trading
This series helps celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Disney Pin Trading. Each pin in the series incorporates the word "TEN" into the fun phrases around the pin. Characters from Walt Disney's Alice In Wonderland were selected as they are a fan favorite on the west coast.
Walt Disney World® Resort
Hidden Mickeys
This series features Hidden Mickey pins of Hidden Mickeys featured at various Disney Resorts throughout the years. From left to right above:
Disney's Yacht Club Resort - Featured on a pillow from the Resort.
Disney's Beach Club Resort - Used to be featured in carpeting at the Resort.
Disney's Polynesian Resort - Found near the entrance of the Great Ceremonial House.
Disney's Caribbean BeachResort - Found in bedding at the Resort.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Found in a shower curtain at the Resort.
Good Pins
These pins are the answer to a question that Cast Members are often asked.
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January 5, 2010
We are excited to announce the start of registration for the on-line wristband distribution process for Piece of Disney History II - Disneyland® Railroad. This special January 2010 pin features Mickey Mouse himself riding the Disneyland® Railroad attraction - and contains an actual remnant of a railroad spike from this beloved attraction!
As we mentioned back in December, this pin release will be utilize a new on-line wristband distribution process. The purpose of this on-line process is to promote a fair, equitable and enjoyable experience for Guests visiting the Disneyland® Resort.
To enter the random drawing for a chance to purchase this pin, please CLICK THIS LINK
This pin will be released at Little Green Men Store Command inside Disneyland® Park in conjunction with the on-line wristband distribution process. Theme Park admission to Disneyland® Park is required. Please see the registration form for official details and regulations on this random drawing. Limit two pins per purchase and one purchase per chosen Guest.
Registration for the random drawing will close at 11:59 p.m. (PST) on January 12, 2010. Notification for selected and non-selected Guests will be shared via e-mail a few days after registration has closed.
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January 4, 2010
Today we've revealed the first pins in both the Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club Member collections for 2010.
This open edition collection features five (5) pins and will be exclusive to Annual Passholders.
This Annual Passholder exclusive pin features Mickey with "your key to the magic." The key is featured in sculpted metal and can be removed from the base to dangle on its chain. The back of the key contains magnets which allow it to be easily re-connected to the base.
In addition, the pin connects with the upcoming limited release pins to create a complete picture, as seen below:
The Disney Vacation Club Member Exclusive collection features the characters with "welcome home."
The first pin in this four (4) pin quarterly series features Mickey Mouse.
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January 1, 2010
Happy New Year!
Presenting the Hidden Mickey Collections:
Disneyland Resort® Hidden Mickey List 2010
Walt Disney World® Resort Hidden Mickey List 2010
While we're sure there's a lot of excitement over these pins (and why not, we're certainly excited) we will need a few weeks before we can recommend visiting the a Disney Park specifically in search of these pins. The pins will begin to be distributed soon at both resorts, but will not reach the full spread of lanyards for a few weeks.
Disneyland® Resort Guests, may have noticed that entire collection has been revealed, unlike years past where series are released slowly throughout the year. This is due to the fact that the entire collection will begin to be distributed at the same time. There will be lanyard refreshes throughout the year, but the pins will be from the entire collection rather than from individual series.
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December 2009 -
November 2009 -
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September 2009 -
August 2009 -
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December 2008 -
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September 2007 -
August 2007
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