What is a Cast Lanyard Series pin?
Cast Lanyard Series pins were introduced in 2002 as a creative way to help promote Disney pin and pin trading. These pins are provided by Disney to Cast Members to wear on their lanyard for trading with resort guests. They are not sold in any store and are only initially available by trading with a Cast Member. Most are back stamped "Cast Lanyard Series," but a few of the earlier Cast Lanyard Series pins are not. All have the Disney copyright logo stamp on the back of the pin. These are NOT Cast Exclusive or Limited Edition pins (see definitions below).
Towards the end of each year Disney announces a new series of Cast Lanyard Series for the following year. Each resort has their own "series" of Cast Lanyard pins, so the Disneyland Resort has a Cast Lanyard Series that is different from the Walt Disney World Cast Lanyard Series that is different from the Disneyland Resort Paris Cast Lanyard Series (actually known as Refresh Lanyard Series pins).
What is a Hidden Mickey series pin?
Beginning in 2005, Disney began placing a Hidden Mickey (originally known as a Silver Mickey) on each of their Cast Lanyard series pins. A Hidden Mickey is a small, usually silver in color, icon. They are usually easily identified on the pin, however a few pins have the Hidden Mickey icon somewhat hidden, hence the name Hidden Mickey. By 2007 every Cast Lanyard series pin (see definition above) contained the Hidden Mickey icon so they renamed the Cast Lanyard Series pins to the Hidden Mickey Collection with the 2007 releases. These pins are still only initially available by trading with a Cast Member.
Hidden Mickey’s are also incorporated into many attractions and locations at Disney Theme Parks and Resorts. For example, at the Disneyland Resort, immediately after you enter the park, turn around and look for the Hidden Mickey icon on the entrance ticket machine. As you walk around any Disney park, make a game of finding the Hidden Mickey icons. You will be surprised how many there are.
What is a Cast Exclusive pin?
Cast Exclusive pins are pins that are only available for Disney Cast Members to purchase. These pins are found within Cast Member only retail locations, such as Company D, and not available to park guests to purchase. Cast Exclusive pins are also given to Cast Members for special occasions or events, such as Cast Pin Parties.
What is a Refresh Lanyard pin?
Refresh Lanyard pins are essentially a Disneyland Resort - Paris (DLRP) Cast Lanyard pin. In Paris, the pins that are exclusively available only by trading with a Cast Member are stamped on the back of the pin "Refresh Lanyard". These pins are used to "refresh" a Cast Members lanyard for trading with resort guests - hence the name Refresh Lanyard. The Refresh Lanyard pins are only initially available by trading with a Cast Member.
What is a VMK pin?
VMK (Virtual Magic Kingdom) pin usually come in a box that contains two (2) randomly selected collector pins and VMK trading cards. The cards have a secret code redeemable for special virtual prizes at VMK.Disney.Go.com. VMK.com is a free online game where you can discover the Disney Theme Park Magic from home.
What are all these initials?
In the pin trading world, there are many abbreviations used. Here are some:
AP - Annual Passholders.
AK - Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park located at Walt Disney World
CM - A Disney Cast Member
DL - The Disneyland Magic Kingdom in Anaheim, California.
DLR - Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. Includes the theme parks (Disneyland and California Adventure), Downtown Disney, Disneyland Hotels and other properties within the resort area.
VMK - Virtual Magic Kingdom.
WDW - Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
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