Cedar Fair Joins Disney and Universal in Pin Trading

[TheLip2]

A short blurb about pin trading at Knott's and briefly discusses some of Mr. Ouimet's influence in the company.

http://behindthethrills.com/2012/07/cedar-fair-joins-disney-and-universal-in-pin-trading/

It seems like a great idea to me. I like it. It is also another way to get guests to interact on a more personal level with the staff or "cast members."

[BB1]

I remember trading pins when I was little at Disney World, its a fun hobby when you can get pins in the battery packs!

[beastrider97]

I would love collecting pins at all the parks with different ride and park logos! I always thought Disney's pin trading was cool, and I wouldn't mind that here.

[Sonofbeast2.0]

We are getting closer to Disney every day. I don't think that's a bad thing either!

[TheBEASTunchained]

I've never done pin trading but it sounds fun. I like the idea and I hope that Kings Island and Cedar Point also try it out.

[Guest TombraiderTy]

Kings Island used to sell a handful of ride-branded pins back in the Paramount days, but employees didn't trade and there wasn't an extensive number to collect. In comparison, Disney's pin trading is insane - many cast members wear lanyards filled with pins, open for trading with guests. Walls of gift shops are covered in pins, costing upwards of $7 each. There are literally thousands of unique pins that make up different collections. If Cedar Fair can replicate this on even a small scale, it'll be a success.

From the end of the article...

Knott's was the "test park" for this new pin trading program for 2012. With the program being a success, expect other Cedar Fair park's to be on board with the pin trading craze soon.

If this is the case, I wonder how Kings Island's pins will differ from Knott's and how the whole program will work. Will we have attraction specific pins? How much will one cost? Will all employees trade them?

[westcoaster]

Wow let the good times roll, this is great news!

[kblanken]

Kings Island does still have some ride pins for sale, a ride warrior set and a nostalgia set, (there might be an Action Zone set too, I don't know for sure because I don't have that set, but think I remember seeing them this year.)

The thread http://www.KICentral...e-new-ki-merch/ shows examples of some of them.

The ones I have don't contain Snoopy's print on the back, so they don't count when this comes to Kings Island? I do know that I don't want to trade the ones I have, unless it is my Firehawk for a rare pin or something similar.

[TheCrypt]

Me personally, I'd like something commemorating The Racer and it's age, same with The Beast (something like "Still running strong for 33 years! 1979-2012). I'd even splurge for a Flight of Fear. Hell, I'd love ANYTHING solely related to Flight of Fear (there's nothing-- either that or nobody's found one this season).

[The Interpreter]

Why would you want a pin that wouldn't be right? The Beast has been running for 34 years, not 33. The first year was year 1, not year 0. 1980 was the second season, the second year, and the first anniversary. Thus, 2012 has the 34th year, season and anniversary, but The Beast (intended) is 33 years old.

[The Interpreter]

So, is this still a thing?

[Creed Bratton]

Parks still offer pins in merch shops.....not really thinking the emphasis is on trading.

[Voicetek]

You know what would be really cool? Pins with logos from defunct rides from KI.  How cool would it be to have a Phantom Theater pin or, say, a pin of Screamin' Demon, the orginal Bat, and others?  I know I'd buy a few of these!

[PKIVortex]

They do have pins of King Cobra, Flying Eagles.

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[The Interpreter]

Do they have little pins on back or do they snap?

[Creed Bratton]

They are rubber stoppers I believe.

[The Interpreter]

So the Flying Eagles pins have rubber stoppers so they don't snap.

I see.

[Creed Bratton]

Exactly how they work

[The Interpreter]

Offer varies in the Carolinas.