29-03-2025
Cincinnati Zoo is now like Disney World after 'pin-troducing' this new feature
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is taking a page from Disney World's playbook.
The zoo introduced a new feature for visitors this March to celebrate its 150th anniversary. The Walt Disney Company started a similar feature at its parks and resorts roughly 25 years ago.
What's the feature? "Pin-troducing" Pin trading!
The Cincinnati Zoo kicked off a Pin Trading Program with limited-edition collectible pins, the zoo said in a release.
The zoo will release a new set of pins each month, including ones with wacky stories true zoo fans may be familiar with. There will also be pins that aren't available for purchase and can only be collected by trading with a zoo employee or volunteer.
Sound familiar? Disney enthusiasts participate in pin trading at Disney World and other designated places. According to the Disneyland Resort website, the tradition as we know it today was introduced in 1999 for the Millennium Celebration. Guests can trade pins with other guests or cast members.
While visitors at Disney parks mainly trade pins of the entertainment company's characters, zoo visitors will trade pins of the famous animals or those that nod to the zoo's rich past.
This March, the pins available to purchase in the zoo shop or online include:
Fiona.
Thane Maynard, zoo director.
Kris the cheetah.
An alligator in Swan Lake.
The pins cost different prices, but range between $7.99 and $11.99. You can also purchase a 5-pin collectible starter pack for $29.99.
The exclusive pins, which are only available by trading with a zoo employee or volunteer, include:
Rico the porcupine.
Remus the cheetah companion dog. Remus is Kris the cheetah's best friend. The Kris pin and Remus pin together make a heart.
The limited-edition collectible pins have historical significance, said Cincinnati Zoo's marketing vice president Chad Yelton.
'The story of the alligator on Swan Lake is one of my favorites," he said. "On the day the zoo opened in 1875, they couldn't release the swans and ducks on Swan Lake because an alligator had escaped its habitat and was swimming in the lake!'
The zoo released the following guidelines for those who plan to participate in pin trading:
Only Official Cincinnati Zoo pins may be traded.
Guests can only trade one pin per staff member each time.
Pins should be in good, undamaged, tradable condition with the pin backing attached.
When trading with a staff member, guests should offer a pin that is not currently displayed on the staff member's lanyard.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Zoo starts Pin Trading Program; Fiona, other pins available
