For Disney pin collectors, the thrill of a new design dropping is exhilarating – sometimes creating a moment that turns one ordinary morning into a must-attend Manhattan event.
That excitement was on full display earlier today as fans set their alarms before the sun even came up, gathering bright and early at Disney Store Times Square for a retro-themed pin event. There was truly no better way to start the day in this electric city than with exclusive releases, brand-new mystery boxes, items inspired by the timeless charm of New York City, and pin vending machines (yes, you heard that right).
I arrived on this chilly spring Saturday to check out the action and get my hands on some new pins for my own collection – here’s how the morning unfolded.
6:00 A.M. – Good Morning, Pin Lovers!
I had the opportunity to step into the store before the event officially began, where friendly Disney Store cast members were hard at work getting the space set up, even donning special Mickey Mouse ears for the day.
The flagship location here in Times Square is huge – boasting two stories that are packed with products ranging from plush and apparel to dolls and games. There are striking scenes throughout the space like NYC-themed artwork, iconic Disney quotes, larger-than-life statues, a Tangled-inspired escalator with glowing lanterns, and the iconic princess castle. It feels both nostalgic and innovative here, with that distinctly Disney sense of imagination and wonder.
Knowing that Disney Store Times Square presents fans with a one-of-a-kind way to interact with the Disney brand and shop our products, I was curious to ask the team what it was about this location that made it feel like the right place to host such a unique pin event. Glenn Whye, Senior Manager of Disney Stores, North America, shared, “You said it best; there’s something so special about bringing the magic of Disney right to the heart of Manhattan. When thinking through locations for this event, inspired by DisneyStore.com’s Pintastic Tuesday, we couldn’t imagine a better spot than our flagship Disney Store here in Times Square.”
I was also eager to ask Glenn if he could hint at any other NYC experiences or activations for local fans and shoppers, as I hope today’s event is the first of many more to come. His response to what the future holds? “You’ll just have to wait and see — we love a good surprise!”
The early morning start time did not deter these pin enthusiasts, who purchased their tickets weeks ago, and have come from near and far to secure their selection of new and exclusive designs. The excitement started long before the event began, with longtime pin traders and those newly discovering the hobby coming together to continue growing their collections, chatting in line and planning out their purchases.
7:00 A.M. – Let the Shopping Spree Commence
The clock struck 7:00 and the doors soon opened, inviting attendees to step into a morning of Manhattan magic. Upon walking into the store, guests left behind the ferocious flurry of the city and entered into the cheerful, lively atmosphere.
I had my personal wish list after browsing the event catalogue, and it’s clear that everyone in attendance had a shopping strategy of their own. Some guests seemed most excited about the retro pins or the vending machines, while others were most eager to get their hands on one of those NYC-inspired designs.
The variety of pins available meant that there was something for everyone, from colorful character designs to special event exclusives that commemorated the occasion. This assortment was intentionally selected in a way that appeals to serious collectors and casual fans alike.
Guests entered the event in small, timed entry groups, where a cast member would then lead them to each pin “station.” Things seemed to flow super smoothly as the designated guides moved shoppers through the morning, ensuring that the experience felt curated and intimate for each ticket holder.
There were also Disney Store stickers, buttons, and trivia pamphlets being distributed, so the keepsakes and activities seemed endless!
With that, the hunt for the perfect addition to my pin collection was officially underway.
8:00 A.M. – Exploring Event Exclusives and the Pin Vending Machine
Disney Store Times Square has long been a fan-favorite destination for dedicated Disney collectors due to their medley of store exclusive products that you can only find here, many with a signature NYC twist.
As I was browsing the shelves this morning, I was even more excited than usual to see the pins that were made exclusively for this event. Some had a nostalgic flair with vintage-inspired artwork and classic animation styles celebrating characters that have stood the test of time, while others spotlighted New York City as the star of the show.
The Minnie Mouse Statue of Liberty Limited Edition Jumbo Pin has all the glitz and glamour of NYC, with a sparkling red apple, colorful city skyline (plus a classic taxicab), and Minnie Mouse stepping into the shoes of this iconic figure.
Mickey Mouse is also joining in on the fun and taking on the role of a tourist with The Disney Store Event Mickey Mouse Limited Edition Pin. Mickey and his camera are ready to take in the sights and sounds of the greatest city in the world, and I’d tell him (or any other visitors) to of course start at Disney Store Times Square.
The other pin at this station has some old-school Disney charm, featuring classic characters with the Disney Store’s logo, a film strip, and glittering purple background. This design, which is a variant of the event gift all attendees received, stood out to me because it is double layered, giving the pin a cool 3-D effect.
Possibly the most unique element of the event were the pin vending machines, which contained the Retro Villains series, only available here today. Guests were given swipe cards and could purchase up to five spins at the machines, where the small round capsules opened to reveal different designs. This definitely had an old-school arcade feel to it which was a fun feature of the morning!
Pins in this set are a theatrical throwback to the ‘80s and ‘90s, featuring dastardly divas Maleficent, the Queen of Hearts, Hades, the Evil Queen, and Cruella de Vil, with a hinged design that dramatically opens to reveal a VHS tape.
9:00 A.M. – Mystery Boxes, City Scenes, and Returning Favorites
By this time, the event was in full swing as collectors continued browsing, shopping, and sharing their latest finds. Many had already secured several of their must-have pins, while others were still looking for that one design that would complete their collection.
Mystery boxes are all the rage these days, being filled with randomized pins or plush, so you’re never quite certain what you’ll get. This element of surprise and discovery, which I also saw with the vending machines, made the experience feel even more exciting and unpredictable. There were multiple sets of mystery pins at this event, and they were a huge hit with shoppers (myself included), sparking joyful reactions when drawing the design you’d been dreaming of.
The Big Apple series, available for the first time at this event, combines classic characters with city landmarks. Eight different designs show Mickey & Friends embracing the endless energy of NYC alongside the Empire State Building, a hot dog cart, a taxi, a pizza slice, an apple, the Statue of Liberty, a water tower like the ones you often see sitting atop old buildings, and Times Square.
The Scene Makers series is inspired by the iconic Disney Store cast member buttons, with beloved Disney characters like Darkwing Duck, Baloo, Wildcat, Huey, Chip, or Bonkers holding a film clapperboard. As someone who works just down the street from the studio lot in Burbank, these felt so fitting!
This event was also the first opportunity to purchase the Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Statue of Liberty New Year’s Eve Limited Release Pin. This multi-layered design showcases a celebratory scene with Mickey and Minnie against the backdrop of vibrant fireworks as they light up the city sky.
There were even some limited-edition pins from 2025 that made an appearance just for this special event! The Sleeping Beauty Castle Pin from the Disney Windows of Attraction set was absolutely stunning – I was so tempted to grab this one since Disneyland is currently my home park. I then spotted a sweet pin from the Hundred Acre Wood series featuring Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin, which is the perfect way to commemorate Pooh Bear’s recent 100th anniversary milestone.
10:00 A.M. – That’s a Wrap!
The store was set to open to the public shortly, and the shopping spree began to wind down as 10:00 A.M. rolled around.
Tourists would soon be trickling in to begin their souvenir searching, so I made sure I had all the pins I wanted and set off to grab a few more items from the store before departing for the day, like the viral Times Square Wishables. And before I knew it, I was saying farewell and stepping back outside into the bright buzz and bustle of Times Square.
As attendees said their goodbyes, they were handed the gift that came with their ticket purchase, which was The Disney Store Event Logo Limited Edition Pin. This is such a standout addition to anyone’s collection!
Pin trading has been a favorite pastime for Disney fans for decades, offering fans a way to celebrate favorite characters, unforgettable scenes, and iconic destinations through thoughtfully designed pins. This event captured that spirit of what makes pin collecting so special, with a morning full of surprises, shared smiles, and signature Disney storytelling. It was amazing to see how pins aren’t just a product – they really do create community and memorable moments!
As a former NYC dweller (and forever fan of this magical city), I’m pleased to keep providing all the product and event updates from our friends at Disney Store Times Square. Stay tuned here on Disney Parks Blog for more exclusive insights and exciting news, straight from the Big Apple.
In the meantime, check out this story to learn more about some of the merchandise you can find at the store next time you stop by. And for anyone looking to continue their pin collecting journey, don’t miss out on the next Pin-Tastic Tuesday drop via DisneyStore.com.
