Trading did not exist at Disney Parks when I started my career on the Walt Disney World College Program. As a Merchandise Host at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island during summer 1997, my conversation starter was a bubble blower. The conversation typically began with either a Guest or me yelling, “Bubbles!” Flash forward 13 years and today Cast Members have a phrase that works even better than bubbles – “Would you like to trade?” That “ice breaker to interaction” phrase continues to be the catalyst for trading pins.
Selena Gomez and the Scene performed for her fans in Germany at a Wizards of Waverly Place themed show. The performance was taped and aired recently on the Disney Channel. ‘Official’ website of Selena Gomez debuts on Christmas day … Selena Gomez Gets Her Own Fashion Line … Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Star cited over alleged fight … Disney Star Selena Gomez teams up with Borden Milk … Share this on del.icio.us Digg this! Buzz up! Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on Technorati Post this to MySpace Share this on Facebook Tweet This! Email this to a friend? Subscribe to the comments for this post? Add this to Google Bookmarks Add this to Google Reader Post on Google Buzz Ping this on Ping.fm Blog this on Blogger Share this on Reddit Share this on Mixx Share this on PFBuzz
At bedtime the other night, my four year old son asked, “Dad, you love Star Wars, don’t you?” Was he using a Jedi mind trick to delay his bedtime (I thought a saw a small wave of his hand)? At first, I was tempted to answer but resisted as we prepared for bedtime. Everyone around the office knows I love Star Wars. So naturally one of my favorite yearly events is Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios . By default, I’m often roped into the development process for the event pins we create. Here are a few of my favorites coming this year. In 2009, we released the first Passholder Exclusive pin for Star Wars Weekends which sold out faster than the time it took the Millennium Falcon to make the Kessel run (12 parsecs for those trivia nuts). This year, Jeanne Lewis, developer for signature event pins, created an incredible new Passholder pin (pictured left) featuring Han Solo in Carbonite. We have doubled the edition size to ensure more Passholders have the opportunity to get this pin (except for me, who is not a Passholder!) Jeanne also created a Disney Vacation Club Member Exclusive pin (pictured right) using artwork once considered for the main Star Wars Weekends 2010 logo (Tauntaun smell not included). This is the first time we will offer such a pin for DVC Members. As in previous years, we will offer a collection of individual limited edition pins. This year, there will be a packaged set and a framed set each offering completer pins (see the AT-AT and Yoda pins above). I love these individual pins as they remind me of the packaging for all of Star Wars action figures I had as kid (which I didn’t save!). One of the “most impressive” pins is this super jumbo pin that was inspired by the 30th Anniversary super jumbo pin we created for Star Wars Weekends 2007 . This thing is almost like the “size of a small moon” and contains various scenes from Episode V. For non-Passholders like me, here is an opportunity to get Han Solo in Carbonite. Finally, Julie Young, developer for open edition pins, created several new pins to coincide with the weekend events. You may have heard about R2-MK – Jedi Mickey’s new astromech droid. It will be the droid pin you are looking for this year. We are also releasing a new mystery pin set featuring The Muppets dressed as characters from the Star Wars films. These pins were inspired by the Disney Parks exclusive action figures. By now you are probably wondering how I answered my son’s question. I told him, “I am your father, and yes, I love Star Wars. Join me at Star Wars Weekends this year and together we can rule the ‘World’ as father and son.” (or something like that). Look for additional release information about these pins on DisneyPins.com . May the Force Be With You.
