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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- 2002 will be the biggest, boldest year yet for pin trading at Walt Disney World Resort with seven, specially themed pin events planned throughout the calendar and across the Vacation Kingdom. Pin enthusiasts can select event themes ranging from princesses to dinosaurs.
Each event will include a series of limited edition pins. Visitors can follow specially designed "pin pursuits," winding their way through each location on a quest for the perfect set of pins. Disney pin artists will be on hand to sign their creations, and some events will have pin auctions featuring one-of-a-kind finds. Guests can also buy a "pin event package" which gives them first access to the limited edition pins, special meals, character meet and greets and more.
The entire Walt Disney World Resort will get into the act this year with each theme park, Disney's Wide World of Sports complex, Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney Cruise Line all hosting events.
Some spotlight events include:
Saturday, Feb. 23 - "The Princess Ball" at the Magic Kingdom: Help your favorite Disney princess get ready for the ball. Guests travel the highways and byways of the Magic Kingdom, gathering items the princesses will need for their big ball and trading pins with cast members and other guests along the way. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and pin packages are $25, plus theme park admission. The package includes the first opportunity to purchase "Princess Ball" limited edition pins; second chance opportunity to purchase remaining event pins; an exclusive limited edition pin on pin featuring an archival photo of Walt Disney and Tinkerbell; an event logo lanyard; unique event medallion; and a continental breakfast.
Saturday, March 16 - "On With the Pin Show" at the Disney-MGM Studios: Celebrate all the fun of your favorite live-action shows and be a part of the action! The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and pin packages are $25, plus theme park admission. The package includes the first opportunity to purchase "On With the Pin Show" limited edition pins; second chance opportunity to purchase remaining event pins; an exclusive limited edition pin on pin featuring an archival photo of Walt Disney; and a food coupon redeemable at a variety of restaurants for selected items.
Saturday, April 13 - "Chester & Hester's Pin-O-Rama" at Disney's Animal Kingdom: Get a special look at Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama!, the newest area at the theme park. The after-hours event features 17 limited edition pins and pin sets; a private dinner in DinoLand U.S.A.; access to the theme park's newest attractions -- TriceraTop Spin and Primeval Whirl -- plus a special performance of the "Tarzan Rocks" stage show. The event runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Packages for the evening are $125 per person and include admission to the park.
May 16-19 - "A Disney Pin Trading Cruise" aboard the Disney Wonder: Spend three magical nights at sea with fellow pin traders. The trip includes "Captain Mickey's Treasure Hunt," an exciting pin scavenger hunt during which guests scour the ship and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, for hidden treasures. Also featured: a silent pin auction of artists' proofs and other one-of-a-kind Disney Cruise Line exclusives. Packages start at $419 per adults and $199 per child, ages 3-12.
Other events in the series include "The Big Pin Game" at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex (June 1) and "Mickey's Star Spangled Pin Event" at Disney's Contemporary Resort (June 29). The action culminates Sept. 20-22 with the second annual Disney's Pin Celebration at Epcot, where traders from around the country converge on the theme park to buy and trade for the whole weekend.
"Pin trading as a pastime has grown faster than we could have ever imagined," says Jim Greene, merchandise manager for global projects at the Walt Disney World Resort. "Our series of pin trading events ensure that guests will have a new and exciting experience every time they come to Walt Disney World. And now the experience can continue even when our guests depart. They can log onto our new Disney Pin Trading Web site at http://www.OfficialDisneyPinTrading.com to get the latest pin event information, new release dates and search for their favorite Disney pin."
About pin trading
Although guests have been buying and trading commemorative Disney pins for years, the pursuit of pins intensified during the Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration. The resort now offers a huge collection of "core pins" featuring attractions, resorts and favorite Disney characters. Walt Disney World Resort also releases limited edition pins to commemorate holidays and mark events in resort history.
Pin trading stations are located at each of the four theme parks, the Downtown Disney shopping and entertainment complex and Walt Disney World Resort hotels. At scheduled times throughout the day, the stations offer pin trading sessions where guests can gather and trade pins with other enthusiasts.
For more information about pin trading events at Walt Disney World Resort, call 407/827-7600