Special Event Pins
Throughout the year, Disney World is host to several events that thousands of people flock to -- The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival from March through May, Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in September through November, and Star Wars Weekend in June are just a few of the events that have pins associated with them. Each year, Disney releases these pins during these events, limited to a couple of thousand per pin. If you cannot get these pins at Disney, Disneyana and Internet auction sites will have them listed for purchase.
Anniversary Pins
At any given time, one of the five Disney parks -- Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Hong Kong, Tokyo Disney or Disneyland Paris -- could be celebrating an anniversary. Not only do the parks release pins commemorating their own opening anniversaries, but other anniversaries such as when a theme park on Disney property opened, a resort Grand Opening or anniversary, or even a pin honoring pin trading are released. These pins are also limited edition, with only 1,000 to 5,000 pins ever made.
Cast Member /Hidden Mickey Pins
When you visit any of the Disney parks, you will notice that many of the cast members wear lanyards with Disney pins on them. Park guests can trade pins with cast members at any time, and if you're lucky, a cast member will be willing to trade her cast member pin for one of yours. Cast member pins are exclusive pins that are released to Disney employees throughout the year and are marked with a small black Mickey Mouse head. If you are lucky enough to trade for one, you definitely become one of "the cool kids on the block" because they are extremely limited.
Holiday Pins
Another limited edition collection of pins are holiday pins. These pins -- commemorating Christmas, Valentine's Day, Fourth of July and President's Day to name a few -- are released on the holidays and are limited to a few thousand pins per season. What makes these pins special is that they're dated; dated pins increase in value as each year goes by. Holiday pins feature Disney characters dressed as a symbol from each holiday, or acting out a scene -- such as a kiss for Valentine's Day -- associated with the holiday.
Signed Pins
Pins signed by the person who designed them are extremely rare, often limited to 250 to 500 pieces worldwide. These pins are released as jumbo pin editions, measuring around 3 inches, and feature a signature on the back of the pin as well as the back of the card the pin comes on. These pins are released during events also, such as a movie anniversary or an anniversary of a park ride. Although they are rare, it is possible to find them on online auction sites, but for a price.