Front Description
On 22 Apr 2001, Animal Kingdom (eight days after the grand opening of Animal Kingdom Lodge) had a one-day THE ADVENTURE BEGINS Pin Celebration Countdown event of their own (leading up to the big August 2001 pin event at EPCOT: Pins Around Our World). Heavy-cardstock Field Guide game cards were handed out, designed to look like a safari vehicle was driving around the attractions. Twelve open-edition and two limited-edition pins were available for sale throughout the park to complete the Pin Safari game. Once you'd presented your completed card, you were supposed to have receive an Animal Kingdom 3rd Anniversary pin, but it was not available that day. So, Guests were given a free Millennium pin, and the 3rd Anniversary pin was mailed to them later at no cost. (As a side note, the PIN STATION pin was late by four days so was not available during the event. The first hole on the card was considered a non-player in the game.)
This is the PIN STATION pin that was four days late to the event (see note above). One of the 12 open-edition pins, this pin features a rhino on an orange pin-trading banner that has the icons for all four Walt Disney World theme parks outlined in a lighter color. "PIN STATION" is written along the top of the dark-green rim. The bottom has DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM logo on it. The pin has a slightly "ruffled" edge to it. It belongs in the top-left corner of the game card.
Unfortunately, this pin was late and not available during the event. It was released four days later but with the wrong backstamp. It was marked "Continuing the Tradition, Limited Edition", which was an error, since it was an open-edition pin. Late and wrong . . . ah, well.
#4870, #5048, #5049, #5050, #5047, #5046, #5045, #5044, #5043, #5042, #4966, #4866, #5221, #4883, #57471, #5002
Back Description
Black waffle-weave finish. Single pin post with one barb. Continuing the Tradition, Limited Edition, ©Disney, China. [See note in front description about error.]