Toward the end of 2022 and the start of 2023 I faced a few things in life that warranted having to budget a little more than usual. That meant my hobbies and passions took a hit, namely pin collecting. Well, for the last few months now, things are in a much better place. I’m back to grabbing myself some new pins. Although I recently splurged on the Kings Island Gear online store, I am still trying to pace myself. Easier said than done!
Speaking of that purchase from Kings Island, those additions put my collection over 800 pins. Since things have been a little slower on the blog here for the last few months, I thought it would be nice to put something together and showcase my most recent pick ups. For those of you who frequent my Pin Collection page, you’ve probably seen these pins added in over the last few weeks. For those who haven’t, here’s a look at what’s new. I’ve also added some backstory on how I came upon these pins. I’m always asked how I find pins, so I hope I can help others out there who are also into pin collecting, namely from amusement parks.
Six Flags Darien Lake
I just so happened to find this Viper pin on eBay one evening while browsing listings for “roller coaster pin” and “amusement park pin.” Those are my go-to searches when it comes to eBay. I also will search listings by park, or even ride name, but find that a lot of those also show up in those two search listings.
When I saw this pin I knew it was an older one. My guess is that this pre-dates any involvement the park had with Six Flags, but I could be wrong. It features the pin clasp/name badge style pin back instead of the push pin with rubber backing found on most pins today. Oh, and I picked this up on the cheap.
Hersheypark
At the end of April I attended Hersheypark’s Season Pass Holder Night and found the five pins above. I wasn’t expecting to leave with any new pins, unless they had put out something early for Wildcat’s Revenge. That wasn’t the case, but to my surprise, pins for their smaller family coasters were on the shelves. I had mentioned several times on social media and here on the blog that I’d love to have a pin for Trailblazer and their smaller coaster offerings. I can’t say I ever expected to see one for Cocoa Cruiser, though. I’m not complaining!
I also made sure to grab the Coal Cracker pin. Although it is not a coaster, it is a ride I have many fond memories riding with friends and family. It’s a classic and something I’m happy to have in my collection.
Busch Gardens Tampa
The two Ambassador pins for Cheetah Hunt and Kumba I picked up from a seller I’ve purchased from numerous times over the last year or so. I met him in the numerous Sea World/Busch Gardens pin trading groups found on Facebook. They were two of the three Ambassador/Team Member pins I had yet to own. The third you’ll see below as it comes from Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW), not Busch Gardens Tampa (BGT).
As for the Iron Gwazi dog tag, that was a newer addition to the dog tag series that I did not own. Several months ago Steven from Thrill Maxx visited the park and scooped up the pin for me. He sent it to me not too long ago and I’m glad to have yet another Iron Gwazi pin in the collection. Now if I could just get down there and ride it myself…
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
When I mentioned Ambassador/Team Member pins in the BGT portion, this Finnegan’s Flyer pin was the third pin I was referencing. For some reason this style of pin features “Team Member” at the bottom on all BGW pins, but “Ambassador” for all BGT pins. I have no idea why, but it is what it is.
This particular pin is the metallic chaser for BGW. I have the metallic Tigris BGT chaser also in my collection, so even though Finnegan’s isn’t a coaster, I wanted it to complete both park’s Ambassador/Team Member collections. I also really enjoy the ride, so there’s that too.
Kings Island
And here is where I splurged. Last year Steven picked up a few 50th Anniversary pins for me during one of his Kings Island visits. They were for Adventure Express and Top Gun/Flight Deck. I had no idea the park had made pins for every major coaster they’ve built at the park, including several that are now defunct.
While checking out a really cool light-up sign for Mystic Timbers that I really want, I saw all these amazing pins. I loved the designs for each and every one and decided to scoop them all up before they were gone. My favorites are the Mystic Timbers, Son of Beast, and Firehawk pins. I do like the jewels used in some of the others too, such as The Bat and Flight of Fear.
Saving Funds for Future Purchases
While I’ve seen some pins I’d love to have on eBay and the Cedar Point Online Store, I am refraining from buying those for the time being. Recently several of the Facebook groups I mentioned have been teasing new pins released at BGW. They including two for DarKoaster, monthly members pins, and ones themed to well, theming. The ones that tickled my fancy were for Alpengeist and feature some of the ride’s theming for the different buildings and décor around the ride entrance. So yeah, I’ll need some funds for my next BGW visit.
