Vinylmation Trading Basics

What vinyls can I trade in WDW and DLR?

When Vinylmation trading first began, you could trade in 3" blind boxed vinyls, only; no Create-Your-Owns, no 9", and no Jr. vinyls. Now there are reports of some stores offering Vinylmation Jr. trading, which solves the "Ugh, I don't want this one!" problem collectors have with those blind boxed series.

Where can I trade Vinylmations?

It would probably be easier to say where you can't trade! Vinylmation trading is offered in many WDW and DLR gift shops, both in the parks and at the resorts. Look for the clear box of (usually) 3 vinyls at cash register checkouts. If you see that, it is not a display; it's a trading box.

From my own experience at WDW, I can say that if you are in a store that sells vinyls, you can be 99.9% positive that there is going to be a trading box there. There are also rumblings about trading soon being made available in the Disney Stores that already sell Vinylmations, but so far that has not happened.

How do you trade Vinylmations with Cast Members?

The principle is similar to pin trading: you trade your unwanted vinyl in an even exchange for another vinyl. How it is done is what differs from pin trading. There are two types of Vinylmation trading at Disney: blind trading and non-blind trading.

Blind trading is not offered at as many locations as non-blind trading, and it's not always available all day. Some stores may only have special times for blind trading. There is no set list that I am aware of telling guests which stores have it available all day, and which stores offer it on a schedule. It seems to depend on who is working there any given day.

When you blind trade with a Cast Member, you will be shown a black-gray box with (usually) 24 numbers on it. The box opens from the back, so only Cast Members can see what is inside. Each number represents a compartment containing a vinyl. You will be asked for a number. Some people stick to their favorite or lucky number, while others choose different numbers every time.

You then give the Cast Member your unwanted 3" blind box vinyl, and they open up the case and give you the vinyl from the compartment you chose. Even if you do not like what you receive, technically you are supposed to trade regardless. Some Cast Members do not enforce this, and either let the guest pick another number or keep the vinyl they had in the first place. Others have been known to ask what a guest is looking for and proceed to give hints. I have never been that lucky, but it does happen! Just don't expect it, don't ask for hints, and think of it as a bit of extra pixie dust if it happens.

Non-blind trading seems like it is in a majority of gift shops (both in the parks and at the resorts), and is always found at a cash register check-out. Usually there will be three 3" vinyls in a clear display box, and you can trade one of your unwanted vinyls for one of those. This is helpful if you spot something you want in the clear trading box, or if you just don't like the risk of blind trading.

How often can I trade at each location?

The rules are supposed to be that you can trade once per day using the blind box (if available) and once per day using the clear box at each trading location. If both forms of trading are available, it is best to blind trade first. That way, if you get something you really don't like, you can quickly trade it away for one in the clear box. Or, save it for another store or another day.

As with anything in Disney or anywhere else really, occasionally you will run into a Cast Member who either was not informed of the rules or misunderstood them. They may tell you that you can only choose one way or the other for the day. If that happens, it's best to choose your preferred trading method and then try elsewhere.

Are the artist cards included with vinyl trades?

Originally, many Cast Members seemed to have been accepting some cards which allowed the new owner of the vinyl to get it during trading. Apparently, this is not how it is supposed to work, and cards are not intended to be traded in during trades with Cast Members. If you want the card with your new vinyl, you can ask if they happen to have it, but chances are they do not. Keep in mind that series like Star Wars and Park 6 do not come with artist cards, since cards are being phased out. You can always check eBay or various forums to see if anyone has cards for sale.

What if I see a vinyl in a clear trading box that I want but don't have one to trade for it?

As mentioned before, most if not all locations offering Vinylmation trading also sell at least some type of blind boxed vinyl. So, what you could do is grab a blind box, check out, open it, and then trade it for what you see in the clear box. A lot of Cast Members are excited to see guests open up their blind box(es), and it is not uncommon. Just remember, by the time you do all of this, someone else may have traded for the vinyl you saw in the clear box.

Stuff Not to Skip

• Disney's Vinylmation
  http://eventservices.disney.go.com/static/vinylmation