PP21890    WDW - Jiminy Cricket - Disney Trainer - 2001 Version 2 - E/F - Pinocchio

[From the 10 Jan 2001 dizpins.com news archive: "NEW TRAINER PIN. This is the "new" Disney trainer pin that is awarded to selected cast members at WDW who acted as trainers. This pin is not sold to the cast or the public, and is only awarded to selected trainers. It is a bit smaller than the older version." The second photo, shown above, is the photo that they posted with their news release.]

This Disney Trainer pin was given as an Award to a Cast Member who successfully completed the Disney Trainer's class at Disney University. There are multiple versions in existence, all of them featuring Jiminy Cricket dressed to the hilt and leaning on his closed umbrella. The scroll he's standing on is hunter green, the metal is gold in color, and the oval background comes in varying shades of blue. There are many differences (e.g., color of spats or shape of hands) on the fronts and backs of the pins, so check both descriptions carefully before adding a specific Trainer pin to your list.

This pin features Jiminy Cricket wearing brown spats and leaning on an umbrella of medium thickness with a longer tip. His left eye is egg-shaped with the black pupil in the bottom-right corner; the left eye is much smaller and has little (if any) white in the upper-left corner. His legs are not as thin as the earlier version and are completely covered in brown. There is no background showing between his legs. His vest has one large gold/yellow button and a yellow cravat at the neckline. His hands are well-defined with creases, and the left pinky finger is raised and showing a bit of knuckle. There is no red umbrella showing between the thumb and index finger of his left hand, but the edge of the umbrella top touches the back of his shoe. Both arms, just above the gloves, are white, showing a bit of shirt cuff. His hat has a thick yellow band and a taller crown. His skintone is a beige color. The scroll he's standing on is smaller than the others and has little extra scroll hanging down in the bottom-left corner. The type inside this scroll is thin, there being others which are thicker. This is the pin that was released in January 2001 to replace the older version.

This general art has been used since at least March 2000, and the pin has an interesting story. Before “earning their ears,” the first step for any cast member is Disney’s best-in-class training led by Disney Trainers, who empower them to spread pixie dust, provide exceptional guest service and make everyone feel welcome. Disney Trainers not only act as a resource for on-the-job training but as one of the first confidants a new cast member has when embarking on their adventure to become a magic maker. They introduce Disney’s world-renowned safety and courtesy standards, while also bringing to life Disney’s rich heritage. Many cast members remember their trainer fondly, recognizing them as having a positive impact on their careers. Across Walt Disney World, there are over 8,000 Disney Trainers who provide supportive, engaging training experiences for both new and seasoned cast members. They can be identified with a Jiminy Cricket Disney Trainer pin, recognizing them as part of an important legacy of tradition and excellence set forth by Walt Disney himself.

Pin measures 3/4 x 1-1/4 inches (or 1.9 x 3.2 cm).

#1071, #21890, #30967, #30229, #63053

[3 May 2003 note: This pin is very similar to pin #1071. This is the newer version of the Jiminy Trainer pin.]