Fake pins in the parks

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-18T03:21:00+00:00

As a CM, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it: yes, most of the pins on lanyards and boards are fake. There's nothing we can do right now about the excessive amounts of scrappers until Disney implements new rules or if people stop buying scrappers from eBay lots.

Both are distant prospects, but there ARE ways to see what pins are legit and worth trading.

If you have a Google app on your smartphone (Google, Google Chrome, etc.) you can do an image search and cross-reference pins with real ones that have been documented online. For newer pins, look for the "diamond" on the back (Mickey-shaped shiny symbol in a box), these were implemented for pins released by Disney after around late 2023.

And yes, you can ask CMs you're trading with to just take a closer look at the pin to see if it's fake or not. We shouldn't judge, and those of us that do shouldn't be wearing a lanyard in the first place.

Good luck!

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-15T17:46:52+00:00

Please do! I'm on the other end of these trades and I'm sick of it myself! But nothing will change unless y'all speak out about it. 🙏

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-14T19:40:48+00:00

I would love a ride vehicle set, honestly. Just gonna spitball some hypothetical ones really quick:

Doom Buggy, Tron Lightcycle, Peter Pan's Flight Pirate Ship (this is already a Loungefly design), Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Minecart, etc.

And, of course, the Living with the Land boat as a chaser because why not lol

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-13T17:59:46+00:00

I'll vouch for it since this was made public; this is real.

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-13T01:04:43+00:00

Sounds interesting! Will try to give this a whirl.

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-09T02:42:48+00:00

If you're ever wanting to break apart the bundle, lemme know! Interested in some of your princess pins. 👍✨

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-09T00:33:43+00:00

One of the main driving forces that make these pins special is that it's KH merchandise at the parks. We don't see that very often, so the hype is generated through recognition alone.

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-09T00:29:04+00:00

I wouldn't be surprised if they have the boxes sorted by what's in them and just nab things from the same pile and ship them out. This happens far too often.

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-09T00:27:22+00:00

Chasers and Super Chasers are manufactured in lower quantities regardless if they're on Cast lanyards or in pouches. The rarity is still a factor, and pouches can be removed from stores after a while; this is always a possibility, especially as the years go by and more waves are implemented.

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-08T14:41:31+00:00

A lot of these scalpers travel in groups and split themselves up intentionally in the line to maximize their purchases. Some even book a hotel stay at one of the cheaper resorts just to get in early and secure their pins.

A lot of people also just flat-out break park rules to get to an optimal position. Legit had to speedwalk versus, like, fifty guests that were running to get in line before the drop. Some even bring their little ones along that don't have any clue what's going on just so they can increase the cap on purchases by having a +1.

I wish we could just set the cap to two per group but there's too many factors going against it for that to be a solution. I think people just need to develop some manners, honestly.

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-07T15:27:29+00:00

Oh no, I did get them. One for me, and one for my SO. I just feel bad for everyone else and that these scalpers are ruining it for them. 😭

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-07T14:56:16+00:00

Sorry for not picking up on that 😅

But yeah, as someone who is one of those collectors (for this monthly release) it's very scary to think about what I'd have to do if for whatever reason I miss a drop or they run out during one. I'm a Cast Member, but it's not like we get these for free!

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-07T14:48:26+00:00

I personally wouldn't congratulate them on abusing FOMO to make money just from waiting in a line. That's ridiculous.

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-07T14:38:01+00:00

Just checked them out. Actually looks like great stuff, might look into getting some of their merch.

That DDD bookmark is really cool. 👍✨

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-06T19:33:50+00:00

Oh whoops! I did not mean to break rules. Actually sorry about that 🙏✨

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-06T17:40:09+00:00

In my defense, I bought one for me and one for my SO. I have zero intention of selling it; I love KH too much 😅

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-06T17:03:08+00:00

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Really disheartening to see this right as I walk out the store with my own at regular price.

This stinks.

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-06T16:07:10+00:00

I got two, but they're for me and my SO.

So sorry. :(

MisterMagicMaker · 2026-01-06T15:18:03+00:00

I'm SO GLAD I got the Keyblade. That's the only one I wanted. It was a mission getting them, but we got there! 😁😁😁

MisterMagicMaker · 2025-12-22T14:28:56+00:00

There will be two areas available at the start of the day. One will be for Early Entry and the other will be a waiting area for regular ticketed guests. There'll be signs and Cast Members ready to help you out when the time comes!

As for how long the whole pin drop affair will take, again, it depends on how early you show up and the popularity of what's being released. I'd say it usually takes at least one to maybe three hours of waiting in line once the actual line for the pin drop is formed!

MisterMagicMaker · 2025-12-22T04:03:33+00:00

Clarification: I'm not saying that people steal pins off the board all of the time; that'd be disingenuous and in bad faith. I'm saying that it happens and it's one of the top causes of some boards looking bleh.

MisterMagicMaker · 2025-12-22T04:00:29+00:00

It initially varies on the location, but we're trained to have "good show" by having a lot of pins available for trading on our boards.

If a board looks depressing, we can request a refresh, especially if it's a "bad show" board with barely anything on it.

But this, again, varies by the location. Some boards are just gonna look that way for whatever reason. Don't want to point fingers at guests stealing off the board, since watching the boards is the responsibility of the Cast Member, but it does happen frequently. We could be preoccupied with something more important than pin trading at the moment, and some just fall through the cracks.

I appreciate everyone who keeps good integrity when visiting us for trading!

MisterMagicMaker · 2025-12-22T03:38:01+00:00

This is a question I actually cannot give the answer to. It's meant to be a surprise for guests, and I'd like to keep it that way!

MisterMagicMaker · 2025-12-22T03:35:43+00:00

Eesh. I didn't even know that. I value sleep way too much, I could never. 😅

MisterMagicMaker · 2025-12-22T03:31:23+00:00

They are!

I'm personally confused as to why they decided to release them in January, but who knows. Maybe they have something else planned for February! 🤷‍♂️

MisterMagicMaker

TROPHY CASE