What is a dining pin? Is this a code DVC members get for free dining?

[belahboodog]

I am new to the disboards, but have been reading about the dining pins. Is this a discount/code you receive for being a DVC member? I am not a DVC member but am curious if a non-DVC member can get signed up or receive one. Thanks to everyone for any input or help:)

[Faldred]

DVC memebrs do not get free dining at all, at least not when staying on points.

Basically, if you're in Disney's system at all (whether with a mailing address or an email address), from time to time they'll send you a seemingly random special offer. The offer has a unique code, just for you, hence a Personal Identification Number (PIN) attached to the offer. In most cases, the offer is for you and you alone, you can't transfer it to someone else.

I tend to get one in my email roughly every week or two. I think I've gotten or or two in the postal mail over the last year.

[TDC Nala]

PIN codes have nothing whatsoever to do with DVC - Disney does not need to sell discounted rooms to us DVC members. We have rooms already. And as was previously pointed out, we can't get free dining. If we want a dining plan, we always have to pay for it if we're using DVC points to stay.

PIN codes are issued by Disney as an attempt to 1) try to get more people to stay at Disney resorts when occupancy isn't what they wanted it to be at a certain time, and 2) track which groups respond most favorably to the offer (this is why you can't transfer a PIN to anybody else).

The only PINs I ever get are for annual passholders, but I am a DVC member and annual passholder and Disney surely knows that. I have never received a free dining PIN.

[belahboodog]

:)Thanks to everyone for all the helpful information!!