Pins heading your way in 2014. (Picutres included)

A couple of weeks ago, Disneyland Paris hosted their end of year pin trading event, as usual it was a chance to preview some of the fantastic new pins on the way in 2014. (Unlike at the Summer event, where the art work said 2014, but they were mostly released in the Autumn). Thanks to Disneyland Paris pin trading facebook pin trading pages, we can show you a few of these pins. Overall, the pins this coming year are very promising, and have two very clear themes: Dreams! and Paris. Paris is going to be everywhere in Disneyland Paris this year, and why not? Not every Disney Park can celebrate being that close to one of the world's most beautiful cities.

 Let's begin with what is, for me, the stars of the show. The wonderful attractions pins from 2013 return and get even better. We've already seen the release of the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster pin in December, January sees the release of the Pirates of the Caribbean, Tower of Terror and Crush's Coaster pin. Coming up are some even more amazing pins, Big Thunder Mountain, Alice's Curious Labyrinth, Blanche Neige et les sept nains and Flying Carpets over Agrabah. All of these are essential to my collection, what about yours? I know these have gone down very well with Disneyland Paris fans, which means we are perhaps likely to see even more after this.

 

Next up, are the Cast Member refresh pins, these are pins given to Cast Members wearing a lanyard with the aim of giving them to guests through pin trades. A good set this year, I really like the Sheriff Woody badge and the Flynn Rider pin. 

The next set of pins are of a Minnie Mouse dots theme, these are super stylish and could even be described as 'Parisian chic' beginning a bit of a Parisian year for Disneyland Paris.

So, this is the first set of true Parisian pins which are in the style of the Paris metro, they look fantastic and keep very much in the traditional Parisian style. Characters are featured from films including Aristocats, Hunchback of Notre Dame and 101 Dalmatians.

More Parisian pins here, this time in the form of Eiffel Towers, these are Eiffel towers with a very subtle Disney twist, the tip of the tower is made out of a Mickey head. Very nice design, a wide variety of Patterns, I'm sure most people will see at least one that they like. (I'm rather fond of the Cheshire Cat and Mickey ones).

From Paris to America now (with a little Union Flag to keep the British happy?). These pins look 'ok'. The idea is nice, the execution is ok. I really don't like the big rectangle shape one featuring Mickey and the three flags. On the other hand, the Main Street USA circular pin really catches my eye.

And Disneyland Paris come out with a new set which I really must own. These look very similar in style to the Dreams pin that came out last May, so I imagine these will be ever so slightly 3D. I really like them, that Rapunzel is going to be hard to find though!

And the Disney Store set continues here with two pins that are going to be park exclusives. The crazy nature of the Disney Store sales means that I won't be buying these - but good luck to those who do.

Finally, the Valentines Day pin for this year which features the Queen of Hearts (get it? It's funny.) I really like it, it's a pin on pin. It's going to look fantastic in real life.

So, what are your opinions on the 2014 releases that we've seen? Obviously this isn't all of them, but from what we can see, 2014 is a bright year in pin trading. All of the pins have artistic merit.  I can't wait to see more and add some of these to my collection.

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Pin Trading Releases - December 2013

It's the final month of the year, and it's time for a brand new month of pin releases. This month sees a fantastic mix of pins, so without further or do, here are December's releases.

Saturday 7th December sees a huge day of releases, with the Christmas 2013 lanyard (that has actually been available in the resort for some weeks now). A Violetta pin, which is a Disney Channel television show - This one looks a tad plain but should satisfy fans of the show. Next up, is a pin I'm incredibly excited about - the Attraction series has returned! I'm not so much of a fan of this one, but it's still a must have as far as I'm concerned. A Paris Mickey pin which looks a lot like the Signature collection logo for the 20th Anniversary. Finally, the final seasons of 2013 pin for Winter seeing Sneezy with a snowman. I have all the Season pins so far for 2013, and I'd love to add this to my collection.

Saturday 14th December sees 3 princess carriage pins, featuring Merida, Mulan and Pocohontas. These are nice looking pins which will make princess fans happy. Again.

Finally, Saturday 21st December sees a big limited edition pin release. The final princess locket in the series (that began back in January) will be released featuring Tinkerbell (not that she is actually a princess). The Bonne Année pin looks simply amazing, it's very Dreams-esque. I will need to find a way to add this to my collection. Finally, a Frozen pin depicting Anna and Olaf, which is sure to sell out incredibly fast.

A good month of pin releases, with the return of the attraction pins, as well as the final season and Happy New Year pin.

Will you be adding any of these to your collection?

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Rapunzel's Christmas Pin Event pins revealed!

One thing we love here at DLP Town Square are pins. Pins, pins and more pins. Every time I go to Disneyland Paris, I always walk away with a bag full of pins. Following this weeks record sell out in the pin event in about 30 minutes, Disneyland Paris published the pictures of the pins that we can expect from the event which takes place on the 14th December 2013 in Disney's Hotel New York.

On first glace, I wasn't too keen on these pins. But upon second glace, I'm starting to love them. Let's talk about them pin by pin.
The first pin is still my least favourite. It's essentially Rapunzel tugging a sack of presents by her hair, with a mini pascal inside the sack. It's a cute one that's certain. It's also the most plain of the lot.
The second pin is a fantastic one, It's Mother Gothel and Rapunzel decorating a Christmas tree with Rapunzel's hair being used as Tinsel. This one is fantastic, and it's so rare to see these two characters on a pin.
The third and fourth pin can be considered almost as a pair, one pin sees Rapunzel and Flinn sharing a sled, whilst the other shows Maximus and Pascal acting as a Reindeer.  You can see that these two link up, effectively making one pin.
The final normal pin of the series is the most beautiful pin I think Disneyland Paris has ever created. It's not particularly festive, but it is that famous gondola floating light scene with two attached at the bottom by a chain. This one is going to be mega collectible. (And if anyone wants to grab one for me, please do e-mail me. I'd be forever grateful!)

We then move into the round pins which are a feature of every pin trading event, day or night. This event sees Rapunzel, Pascal and Flinn in festive attire. (You won't see these in the shops after the event, these will sell out).

The final pin looks to be a very special one. It's a jumbo pin, the word Tour meaning Tower gives it away as being Rapunzel's Tower from the film.  I can't wait to see this pin in real life.

Rapunzel's Christmas will be an extremely popular event, featuring many super-collectible pins. If you see these in the shops in the following days, be sure to buy them up as they will hold great trading value in the future. Not that I'm expecting to see these in the shop, the savy traders will snatch them all up pretty quickly. 

If you're going, have a great time! (And don't forget one of your favourite DLP websites!)

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September Pin Trading Releases

That's all folks! The Summer holidays are over and we're back into Autumn and another month of pin trading releases. We've been blessed with great pins so far this year, with some fantastic collections appearing on the poster each month, is September any different? Of course not!

Whilst the princesses continue throughout 2013 at Disneyland Paris, they have been joined by an excellent looking Halloween Duffy, which looks an utterly charming pin. These Duffy pins of late have been very well designed. The usual Dwarf season pin, this time Doc will be welcoming us into Autumn and it's beautiful yellow-orange colours. Dusty the Plane will be flying into Disneyland Paris boutiques in an open edition pin that's sure to attract the childrens attention. The excellent good luck/bad luck spinner series continues with this Aladdin/Genie pin.
Thought the Princess Medallions were finished? Of course they aren't, this time Mulan will be getting her medallion, Disney Dreams! is finally getting a lanyard featuring all the beautiful images and characters from this specatcular night time show. Fans of the Nightmare before Christmas will be happy as well, with three pins dedicated to the film, perfectly timed for it's 20th anniversary.

We love this month's pins and lanyard, a real must for our collection is the Autumn Doc pin (Seasonal pin collection!), as well as the Nightmare before Christmas 20th anniversary pin. We'd also love to add that lanyard to our Disney Dreams! pin collection.

What are your opinions, tweet us @dlptownsquare or leave a comment below

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Paris je t'aime - August 2013 Pin Releases

Are we really at the end of yet another month? Hot off the heels of the Pin Trading Event which took place last weekend at the Hotel Santa Fe where some of the pins we'll be seeing this winter got revealed, the following day Pin traders got more good news with the 'pre-release' of the August 2013 poster! And it's a Paris-heavy month once again...

Photo:Virginie Canneviere

N.b. I will update the poster once Disneyland Paris posts their official version.

The first thing to note is that this month is quite a 'pin-lite' month, unless you love Paris. Once again the headlines for this poster will be stolen by the Paris pins, of which there are 6. I actually quite like these new Paris visuals, but I'm rather unsure why additional Mickey/Minnie Eiffel Tower pins are needed after last months releases. The love pin I'm sure will sell well with Disneyland Paris attracting a large amount of couples. The spinner pin is quite nice, it's very much in the style of the spinner pins we see each year with the year visual printed on it, and yet another Duffy pin. I really like Duffy's Parisian outfit (I wonder if we will be seeing this retail in the parks, as the Sulley outfit did). The releases on August 3rd are rounded off by two Lone Ranger pins, the sheriffs badge is quite nice (but perhaps too similar to the Mickey Sheriff pin released in May) and a limited edition pin which will probably not sell too well if Frankenwenie and Tron Legacy film release pins are anything to judge it by.
Saturday the 17th August sees the conclusion (or so we think...) of the Princess locket series with Snow White. The previews of this series last year only showed 8 pins, this was shown again last weekend so let's assume this series has now finished. The final pin of the month is the Pinocchio good luck/bad luck pin. This series looks really nice and a collection I would really like to add to my personal collection.

The annual pin trading day, which traditionally takes place on the last Saturday of August each year, will take place on the 31st August with a Pocahontas theme. If you're in the park, the instructions are to meet in Liberty Arcade at 1am and then head over to the Pueblo trading post.

Finally, another new pin!

Picture: David Sochard (Facebook)

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Indiana Jones attraction in Adventureland, this cast member exclusive is to be released on the 30th July. I love this pin, as Indiana Jones is my favourite film series, and Mickey, my favourite character, I really need to add this one to my collection.
On sales at Boutique Jessica 1 and 2 as well as at Wild West Show, 3013 editions, one pin per cast member. Cast Member Exclusive. (We felt that as pin collectors, this one needed to be reported).

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Pin Trading: Indiana Jones Event pins!

The next pin event to be held at Disneyland Paris is on the 20th July, and that means more Disneyland Paris pins! Just to remind you, these pins are not usually featured on the monthly pin release poster released by Disneyland Paris, but you will still see these on the park shelves after the events, and as most Disney fans are interested in pin trading, it's only fair we tell you about them. And it's great news for fans of Duck Tales!

The pictures are quite small, but this is the poster that Disneyland Paris proves. The pins look beautiful and fit nicely into the Indiana Jones themed. These will make great traders as the Duck Tales characters are quite rare on pins. Expect the film based pins to be available in park stores after the event. The round pins are the most sought after pins and will be sold out at some point during the event.

For those of you going to the event, have a great time!

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Pin Trading: Rapunzel pin SOLD OUT

Today saw the much awaited release of the Rapunzel medallion, part of the overall princess collection. The pin trading team, knowing that this would be a popular release, limited the sales to two shops: The Pueblo Trading Post in Frontierland of Disneyland Park and World of Disney in Disney Village. (Being a restriction weekend for all annual passports except Dream).
The pin trading team operated a ticket based system for the release, as you turned up to the store, you were given a paper ticket guaranteeing you pin. Shortly after 10am all the tickets were distributed at Pueblo Trading Post, therefore the pin is SOLD OUT.

For information World of Disney were given 200 copies of the pin and distributed their tickets ahead of their 9am opening. Pueblo Trading Post had the rest of the pins and ticket distribution took place in the Main Street arcades due to the enormous number of collectors present today.

As far as I know, the Monsters University student cards remain on sale, and should be at all boutiques that usually sell limited edition pins. 

(Image, Copyright Disney)

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Disneyland Paris Pins, July 2013

As we go speeding into another month, It’s time for the new poster for July, after a monsterific month in June, what does July have in store?

As you can see, Paris, Paris and just a little bit more Paris. I’m quite a big fan of the older Paris pins and I do hope they stay around. If I had to criticize these new pins, I’d say that there is more to Paris than the Eiffel Tower, but I actually like them. The Dumbo pin is a 600 edition and I expect to see this sold out in one day, it’s a beautiful design. A rare Friday release to celebrate the first anniversary of the World of Disney store, personally I don’t understand the thinking behind this one, but it’s a lovely looking pin. The following day, another big release as we head towards the end of the Princess locket series (Just snow white to go!) and the Cinderella good luck/bad luck pin which I think will be a spinner. More princesses in the form of the continuation of the carriage pins. A stamp set to celebrate the city of Paris yet again looking to me like the idea here is to replace the current 20th anniversary stamp lanyard set.
Finally, the jewel of the month to me is the Indiana Jones et le temple du péril anniversary pin. This one looks beautiful.
If you have tickets to the Indiana Jones event, have a great time!

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