Forget the postcards, just ask for the $50.

[Medina's]

If you are a first time cruiser and have not recieved any other discount from disney for this trip, then you qualify for a $50. per stateroom credit. Just call Disney or have the travel agent who did your booking call, and use Code: REF.
I don't know how long this is valid, but I just got mine on 3/18/02 for a previously booked trip in October 2002. Enjoy!

[din]

Let me if I understand you correctly, call Disney and say that you are a first time cruiser and mention the code REF and get $50 credit? How did you find out about this? Also are there blackout dates or limited to certain cruise only?

BTW Thanks for the info!!!!

[DiznyMagic]

Does this apply if you are a DVC Member and booked the cruise with points?

[Medina's]

I heard about it on Daves Disney Tribute site boards and gave it a try.
I am a newby at this, so I don't know about booking with points, etc., but that might be considered a previous discount.
It just takes a phone call to find out. Sure beats begging for postcards anyway, and this definatly works even after booking. I did it.

[Michelle]

Just to clarify on this.

The REF first-time cruiser credit is NOT combinable with any other shipboard credit offer and it is not available on all cruise dates, nor is it available for cruises in 2003 at this point. I do not believe it is available for cruises booked with points either.

I just don't want people to be disappointed if they do not receive it. :)

[Medina's]

Thanks Michelle anTNRobin
I didn't have a bunch of info to pass on, just thought that since it worked very simply for me and I never claimed to have a postcard or anything, that this was a perk open to anyone who asked.
As far as I know, it's not a postcard code, but again, if I don't know all of the facts, I guess I should keep the info to myself.
Sorry if I mis-used the board.

[sllhbrown]

I had a postcard sent in for me and was told by the person who had the postcard to call in 7-10 days to verify that the postcard was received and all. I waited 2 weeks, called and they said that the postcard was received but only got me a video and brochure; no credit. I said to not send the video and brochure as I already had it. They asked me who had sent in the postcard and how they had gotten it and how they connected with me. I told them about the DISboard. They then asked if I were a first time cruiser, (which I had stated when I first called) and they had me wait on the line for a couple minutes. They came back and said that a $50 credit had been put on my onboard account with the code of REF. So I don't really know if the postcard had done the trick or if it was just by calling and asking about it. Good luck to everyone trying! 25 days til we leave on the 4/13 7 day Magic!

[Robinette]

I read about the REF shipboard credit on another board about 2 weeks ago and called Costco, whom my cruise is booked with, to find out about it. They called Disney and my May 5th cruise was given a $25.00 shipboard credit. It's $50.00 for the 7 day. Very simple. Just call and see if it can be applied to your cruise. :)

[4nana]

From my understanding this credit is not combinable. We did not need post cards - our TA called Disney, used the code, got credits for all 5 cabins for Dec 2002, then faxed us new contracts with credit applied.
:smooth:

[EVee]

I called my TA 2 weeks ago about this $50 credit. We are first time cruisers but we got the springtime magic rate and could not receive the onboard credit. I think we are the only ones not getting any credits:( . Oh well, we tried.

[Sandiebean]

Robinette...

I'm on the 7 day land and sea.. and I was given the Ref $50.00 shipboard credit for first time cruisers.. not $25... so I would double check with your ta.

[bizybea]

Originally posted by Medina's:If you are a first time cruiser and have not recieved any other discount from disney for this trip, then you qualify for a $50. per stateroom credit.

I just wanted to let everyone know that I received the credit and I have an early booking discount. Just call Disney or have the TA check on it for you, its only a phone call and it's worth it if you get a shipboard credit.

[Robinette]

EVEE.....I also have the springtime magic rate but was still given the shipboard credit. We have three cabins in all and we all received the new contracts reflecting the credit. I know my TA had to call to get it, DCL would not let me do it.

Sandiebean....Thanks for the heads up, I'll call Costco later today to find out if we can get the $50.00. But either way, I'm still happy about any credit at all. This will be going to that famous Surial Bath:D

[doulasue]

I got our $50 credit just by asking for it! Booked with AAA for a 4 night cruise 5/12, Springtime Magic rate. After reading these boards, I called Disney directly (I figured that if my travel agent could get it, she would have already), and told them that we are all first time cruisers with Disney, and that I understand there is a $50 onboard credit, what did I have to do to get it? She put me on hold, came back and said "All Set" there will be a $50 (not $25!) certificate in your room when you board." Easy as cake, glad I asked. JUST CALL!!!! It kinda bugs me that different people are getting conflicting info, not sure why this should be so hard to get. Good Luck, Sue

[Robinette]

Okay, I called DCL and I received the $25.00 shipboard credit instead of $50.00 because I have the 4 day cruise only booked. I booked my Disney World stay on my own. Like I said before though, I'm delighted with any credit! :)

[Sandiebean]

Robinette... I repeat.. I'm on the 3 day Wonder.. and received a $50 credit.

First time cruisers credit.

Now.. are they saying that you don't get $50 because you didn't book the land and sea?

Sandie

[Robinette]

Originally posted by Sandiebean

Now.. are they saying that you don't get $50 because you didn't book the land and sea?

Sandie [/B]

Yes, that is what DCL said. Because I booked cruise only, I get a $25.00 credit.

[jennifersmith23]

I tried, but according to my TA, the $50 credit is not available if you received the Florida Resident discount...boohoo.

Oh well. It was worth a try. No other FLR's got the discount out there did ya?

Jennifer

[Sandiebean]

Well Robinette.. that's a drag, isn't it. Although... as you say.. $25 IS $25. For us Canadians.. it's $39.58 :D

Sandie

[goofysgal]

My AAA TA just called me back concerning the credit. We are cruise only so they gave us a $25 credit--told her that $50 was only for land/sea!

Hey--I'll take anything extra!!!

[EVee]

Just called DCL and spoke to Dale. He said this is not to be combined with any other promotion. The springtime magic, or the Fla. residents discount, etc. makes one ineligible. Oh well, we'll still have a great time anyway! :)

[Mogoofy]

I just talked directly to DCL and was told the $50.00 on board credit coded REF is available to DVC members as long as this is the first cruise you've taken. But we must get dvc member services to add it on since the cruise is booked via them. I will call tomorrow and get mine. :smooth:

[kcand sunshine]

I emailed my TA this AM and she called and we have $50 shipboard credit. She didn't know much about it but said today was the absolute last day that I could have gotten it!!How Lucky am I!!!!!!We leave this Saturday for the 7 day and can't wait. Now we have $100 shipboard credit!!!!! My friends gave me $50 credit last week for my birthday!!That makes room for lots more drinks of the day!!!!!!!!!

[MomOf4WONDERgirls]

Like I said earlier, it must just depend on the operator you get at Disney. I didn't even send in my card and I got a $50 ship credit for each cabin we have reserved and we're only on the 4 day cruise and we booked the land portion ourselves. But like someone said $25 is $25, it's more than what you started out with. :bounce:

[Medina's]

It's disheartening that we can call 10 different TA's or Dis Reservationists and get 10 completely different answers.
It's like everything else from newspaper subscriptions to trash service fees, if you have the time and boldness to get in their face and ask for a better price, you'll be rewarded. That's just training us to be squeaky wheels and pushy consumers. Those who are polite and trust that they will be treated fairly by the establishment get burned by the higher price needed to compensate for the discounts given to others. I dont like being pushy - but yes, I went out and grabbed that $50! After reading about such great discounts and booking deals received by others, I'm convinced that I've paid more for my particular cabin in that particular season, than anyone else in the history of Disney Cruises! LOL Ahhhgghhh. OK, I feel better now...Thank you.

[sbdrsun]

Just another quick line to say that although I used the STM discount code, I also will be recieving a $50 on board credit just for asking to use the REF code.

[Leslie B.]

We are first timers cruisers who will be sailing on the April 13, 2002 Magic. I called Disney yesterday to obtain my $50 credit . The woman said that it would be applied to my account,and to make sure that I have my postcard with me. I do not have a postcard. Please advise me. Thanks. Westiesoda@aol.com

[my3kids]

Leslie B.

I got the credits by mailing in the postcard. How odd they said you had to PRESENT the card for the credit. They told me I had to MAIL the cards, presenting them wasn't sufficient. So, being a suspicious person by nature did mail the cards, but only after making copies of the fronts and backs of the cards, sending the origionals to the address on the cards and mailing cpoies of my copies to my travel agent. I've called to check since and was told the $50 credit for each cabin is listed, but you can bet I'm packing those copies in my suitcase! I did receive a letter back from the postcards that said to call with that code for the credit. I've got those letters ready to pack also. By golly, I'm going to get that credit if it kills me;) :rolleyes:

[kab17056]

What is the number for Disney? Everyone keeps saying they called Disney direct, can I please have that number? My email is kirkgraham@yahoo.com Thanks a ton! Mandi

[sasha]

I'm another example of someone who kept getting different answers regarding the $50 credit. I called DCL at least 5 times and got different stories, but the same result - no credit! Apparently our Am Ex package wasn't combinable with the credit.

I didn't give up, but kept trying and just spoke to someone different. She applied the $50 with no problem - no questions asked.

So if you're told "no", don't give up. Just keep trying! :D

[Jennyfyar]

I called this afternoon and received the $50 credit from Barb at DCl, no questions asked. We are travelling with another couple who also called but was denied the credit on the first phone call. The second call the agent applied the credit immediately. Don't give up, keep trying.

BTW, we are on the 7 day and we booked through DCl with the Springtime Magic rate.

Jenny

[Bonnie Voyager]

...A very kind lady at Disney Cruise Lines attempted to give me the $50 credit but the computer would not accept it. She says she supposes it's due to the fact my cruise is not till 2003. I will try again later though!

[disney6]

I'm so glad this was bumped up as I had forgotten about it. I just called DVC and they called DCL and added the $50 credit to my parents cabin! (We've cruised before and were ineligible). Hope it shows up! I am soooo happy :) :)

[Medina's]

Glad you could get it Diana!
I'm surprised that the deal is still going on. (I'm surprised that this thread was dug back up! LOL)
Has anyone completed their cruise who had asked for this SPECIFIC credit? How did it go???

[doulasue]

I leave in 4 days, and will let you know if the credit is waiting for me. I called DCL directly and asked for the $50 first time cruiser credit, they applied it immediately, without asking for any code or telling me I had to mail in a postcard!! She said it would be waiting for me. I hope it's there!! -Sue

[Gina]

I cruised for the first time in February, and had requested the credit using code REF. Sure enough, it was there, no problems! :)

-gina-

[doulasue]

Sailed the 4 day Wonder, was promised the $50 credit twice through DLC, and it was not there!!!! I called guest services, and was told that all they were going to give me was $25. I was a little peeved and told them that I was promised the $50 twice, to no avail. We had a perfect trip, but it seems to me that Disney needs to clear up these miscommunications. -Sue

[Bonnie Voyager]

...and requested the $50 first-time Disney cruiser discount for my 4/23/2003 Disney Wonder cruise and this time they applied the credit, no questions asked. I will have to wait and see if I actually get it though!

[aprilgail2]

I sailed on the 4 day wonder and I had the 50.00 credit that they had promised, no problems.

[Ed/JeanneC]

Thanks to whomever bumped this board. I saw it last night and I called Disney today. They told me that I had the Springtime rate and was not eligible, but they also told me to call my TA since I booked through AAA and said that she might have some luck getting it for us. I do not know if we will get it and we do sail next Saturday, so it is kind of late notice, but it was worth a try.

Jeanne C

[aprilgail2]

I had the springtime rate too and I got it so keep trying!

[Sandiebean]

I can't remember if I replied to this since I got back.. but just in case... :)

We were on the 3 day Wonder in April.. and asked for the credit from Dreams Unlimited for First Time Cruisers. At first.. it was no.. then I tried again.. and the agent said.. voila.. it's been applied. And.. when we got on board... there it was. No postcard needed.

[Magnetic]

After reading about it here, I called and used code REF to get a $50 credit, no questions asked. We are booked for a 3-day Wonder cruise this August, and I had booked about a month ago. At the time of booking, I had used my Disney Club card to get a $50 credit, and I wasn't sure if they would allow me to use two credit offers at the same time. Sure enough, they said if we were first-time cruisers, the offer applied, and we now have $100 shipboard credit. We did not book Land and Sea, instead choosing to book the Disney resort seperately because we wanted more days in the park.

Thanks to whoever originally posted it, and to everyone for keeping the thread active :)