This is another "work in progress" as there are always new ways to acquire Disney pins. Post if I've missed something!
The information available in this post is available as a PDF on Google drive. Remember, the internet is not forever and printing physical copies can be your friend.
drive.google.com
Disney Affiliation
Fraternal Organization
Other Affiliation
Sponsor
Subscription
Travel Package
The information available in this post is available as a PDF on Google drive. Remember, the internet is not forever and printing physical copies can be your friend.
Get to Know Affiliations.pdf
drive.google.com
Get to Know: Affiliations
“Membership has its privileges.” American Express’ tagline is a reminder that not all Disney Pins are obtainable by everyone. Some pins are specifically sold or given to people who belong to a specific sub-category. These pins may be identified by their backstamps, backer cards, or text included as part of the pin’s design, but some have no indication they are special in any way.
Disney Affiliation
- Annual Passholder
Yearly ticket option for Disney Theme Parks.
- Cast Member
Employees of the Walt Disney Company, although usually associated with guest-facing positions.
- Club 33 Member / Reservation
Disney’s private dining club. Locations in Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland and WDW; but you must join each separately.
- D23 Event Attendee
Primary events are D23 Expo and Destination: D, but there are smaller events which provide access to pins.
- D23 Gold Member
Merchandise, including pins, is sold via DisneyStore.com. Additionally, annual member gifts have often been pins.
- Disney+ Subscriber
In 2022, Disney sent Disney Drop loot boxes containing a pin to eligible renewing subscribers. In 2023, Disney Movie Rewards started offering pins to subscribers who linked their account to DMR and claimed the offer.
- Disneyana Convention Attendee
Disney’s first go at Disneyana Collector conventions, and a predecessor to D23 Events.
- Disney Chase Visa Cardholder
Pins are sold at US Disney Theme Parks and DisneyStore.com to cardholders.
- Disney Club / Disney Magic Kingdom Club
Defunct marketing operation, established in 1957, to provide discounts and benefits to large companies and the military. The Disney Club was a paid option that replaced MKC in 2000.
- Disney Movie Club VIP
Provides access to Disney’s media catalog with a movie subscription service. New pins are released every few months. Ending in 2024.
- Disney Movie Insiders / Disney Movie Rewards
Free to join by anyone at DisneyMovieInsiders.com. Earn points that can be redeemed for pins by submitting movie receipts, codes from Disney media, and free codes that are released. Visit the DPF.com thread listing free codes to grow your point balance.
- Disney Shareholder Meeting Attendee
At some annual meetings pins were distributed to attendees.
- Disney Vacation Club Owner
Owners in Disney’s timeshare program.
- Walt Disney Collectors Society
Specific to support the Walt Disney Classics Collection merchandise line, members received exclusive pins in their yearly Member gift. Pins were included with eligible purchases. Between 1999 – 2003 there was also a Walt Disney Arts Classic annual national convention.
Fraternal Organization
- Jaycees
- Lion’s Club
Disney permitted the use of Disney Characters by these organizations.
Other Affiliation
- Disneyana Fan Organizations
In the early years of ODPT, Disney made a few pins that were gifted to members of the NFFC July Event, or for Dizpins.com members on a Disney Pin Trading Cruise.
- Press / Media
Pins are distributed at various Media events or sent to Entertainment Press.
Sponsor
- Coca-Cola
- Kodak
- McDonalds
- Theme Park Sponsors
As part of National marketing campaigns pins could be acquired either by being a Disney Sponsor employee, or by purchasing eligible products.
Subscription
- Bradford Exchange
Offers Disney movie themed series.
- Funko Disney Treasures / Marvel Collector Corps / Star Wars Smuggler’s Bounty
Primarily for Funko POP! Collectors, boxes also included exclusive pins. Originally, direct through Funko, distribution of later boxes was handled by Hot Topic (Disney) and Amazon (Star Wars, Marvel).
- ShopDisney Park Pack
1.0 subscribers received one of four exclusive LE designs and two OE upcoming park pins. 2.0 subscribers received three upcoming park pins. 3.0 subscribers received three exclusive LE pins of the same theme. In 2018, a few sets of two Jumbo pins were sold in Park Pack Packaging.
- Willabee and Ward
Offered Disney character and Pooh character pin series in 2008. Acquired by the Danbury Mint
Travel Agent- AAA / CAA Travel Agent
- American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA)
- General Travel Agent
- Walt Disney Travel Agent
Via attendance at National conventions, promotions, or reaching sales goals, Travel Agents may be eligible to receive exclusive pins.
Travel Package
- AAA / CAA
No longer offered. Pin & Lanyard promotion included as an option for Disneyland vacation packages booked through a AAA / CAA agent.
- Adventures By Disney Tour
Originally, pins & lanyard were handed out throughout the trip. More recently pins are sent prior to travel on a display card.
- American Express Travel
No longer offered. As the official credit card of Walt Disney World American Express card holders were offered “White Glove Treatment” service that included a pin & lanyard promotion.
- Costco Travel
Pin & Lanyard promotion included as an option for Disneyland vacation packages, for bookings that originate through Costco’s travel portal.
- Disney Visa Travel
No longer offered. Pin & Lanyard promotion included as an option for Disneyland vacation packages booked using a Disney Chase Visa.
- Get Away Today Travel
Independent internet-based travel company. Some Disneyland packages included a pin promotion.
- Walt Disney Travel Company
Pin & Lanyard promotion included as an option for vacation packages. Currently, only Disneyland packages are eligible. WDW packages, including a “flex” option to receive a pin & lanyard were available through the early to mid 2000s.
