With the transformation of EPCOT’s Future World well underway, one of the casualties of the changes in the Fountain of Nations plaza will be the removal of the current Pin Trading kiosk.
Pin trading has been a popular activity of Disney’s theme parks fans the mid-80s, but it really took off a decade later when Disneyland and Walt Disney World introduced cast members with lanyards and allowed guests to trade pins inside the parks.
Whether you’re an avid pin collector or a casual fan, the pins not only make for a great affordable souvenir of your trip, but becomes a doorway for meeting other Disney fans whose lanyard or pin vest is an open invitation for a chance to make a trade.
The new Pin Traders location is the former Camera Central photography focused store underneath Spaceship Earth. When we visited it was full of families checking out the pins and accessories together.
It’s not clear yet where guests will be able to congregate to trade pins (an activity that recently moved away from the front of the Pin Trading Kiosk to a spot about 50 ft away).
As noted in our most recent update from EPCOT, construction walls will soon go up routing guests away from the central part of EPCOT into the East and West side of Future World to allow for the next phase of construction. Work also continues on remaking the main entrance of EPCOT. It’s an exciting time.
Previously: 2020 Walt Disney World dated merchandise arrives in the parks.