Disney pins have always been popular items at the Disney theme parks, but it wasn't until the Millinium celebration debut of pin trading as an official park activity that the popular collectible really took off. The pin trading frenzy is still going strong, with Disney fans buying and selling pins online as well as at the Walt Disney World theme parks, Disneyland in California.

Even park-goers in the Disney parks in Hong Kong, Japan and Paris have been bitten by the pin-collecting bug and they've made it possible for collectors from all over the world to get pins from theme parks overseas that they aren't able to visit in person. And you shouldn't forget about the Disney Stores either, because they often carry their own exclusive pins that can be traded with fans who don't have a store to visit nearby.

Disney releases so many pins in their theme parks every year that it would be impossible to collect all of them so it makes sense for pin collectors to focus on particular types of pins rather than struggling in vain to get them all. Love Tinkerbell? Well, you're in luck because so does Disney and you'll find that there are hundreds of pins featuring the feisty little pixie.

Of course, that doesn't even compare to the number of pins featuring the Disney icon, Mickey Mouse. There are so many pins showcasing Mickey that you'd have a hard time just collecting all of those pins, but even here your collection can be narrowed down to certain types of Mickey Mouse pins. Some particular favorites are pins where Mickey is dressed as the Sorceror's Apprentice, one of his more loveable incarnations. There are also lots of pins pairing Mickey with his creator, Walt Disney, and these are often some of the most collectible items that the Disney company sells.

In addition to character pins featuring the most recognizable characters from Disney's animated films, there are all kinds of pins issued featuring the park attractions and resorts. Some of the most collectible park attraction pins are limited edition issues that Disney releases to coincide with major attraction refurbishments, such as the Disney World Haunted Mansion "Re-Haunting" pins that were released in 2007 when Disney debuted the updated Haunted Mansion attraction in the Magic Kingdom. Naturally, any time Disney World opens a new attraction, such as Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom, you can be certain they'll release some limited edition pins showcasing the new ride.

If you decide you want to get started collecting Disney pins on your next visit to Walt Disney World, you can buy them in the parks with prices starting at around $6.95 and upwards. But don't just buy pins and bring them home with you. Half the fun of collecting Disney pins is getting to trade them. You can trade a pin with any Disney cast member wearing a pin trading lanyard and you can also trade them with other guests. Just look for other Disney visitors at the theme parks wearing pin trading lanyards of their own and go and approach them and ask them if they'd like to pin trade with you!