FAQ: 2009 Free Dining PIN

[Minder]

OK Guys everyone seems to be asking the same questions about the PINs

I have done a little research on the Current PIN mailing which I have put into several different threads, but I thought I would put them all together into a FAQ so everyone could find it easier.

Q: How do you get a PIN
A: The PIN mailings apparently random.

I received one recently, and called WDW to ask a few questions about them.

I was told by the Agent that the computer decides who gets them and when. The Agents never know who is getting them or why. She also told me that Disney uses these as trial offers, and if enough people take advantage of the PIN, then they will put it out to the General Public.
All you need is to be registered with Disney to receive Emails. I think I registered when I ordered my planning DVD, and I checked the box to allow Disney to send me offers.
NOTE: Some people have reported that when they went on to the Disney Reservations website, and "SAVE" a trip option but do NOT "Book" it, they are getting a PIN within a day or 2. It may be coincidence, but it never hurts to try.

Q: What does the PIN say?
A:

Originally Posted by Minder

With either package, you'll enjoy these special benefits:
The Disney Dining Plan

Choose from over 100 select Walt Disney World restaurants.

Extra Magic Hours Benefit
Each day, one of the Theme Parks is open extra time to enjoy select attractions.
Valid Theme Park admission required.

Disney's Magical Express Service

Enjoy complimentary motor coach transportation between Orlando International Airport and your Disney Resort hotel.

Complimentary motor coach transportation

throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.

Walt Disney Travel Company CST# 1022229-50; NVST# 2006-0198


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Q: What if I am not staying at a Value resort?
A: My Disney Agent said she could likely get me a Moderate resort with Free dining on this PIN, I suspect (But I have not confirmed) that you can get the free dining at any resort with this PIN (But you may not want to)
NOTE:We now have a report of this PIN being used at the Poly so it apears that you can use it almost anywhere.
Free Dining is not valid on the campgrounds at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. It is however, valid on the Cabins.

Q: Can I combine 2 different offers or PINs?
A: Unlikely. The mailer states “Savings based on non-discounted price for the same package” and everyone who talks about it on the boards seems to think that you need to pay Rack Rates if you use this PIN.

Q: Which is better, a Free dining PIN, or the 4/3 offer?

NOTE: The 4/3 offer essentially states that you pay for 4 days and get 3 free for a total 7 Night stay, while paying for a 4 night stay. For those of you who are interested, this is essentially a 40% off deal (Or 42.8% ish)

A: OK The real answer to this is really rather complicated, and takes a bit of Math.

There are many many variables that affect this, What resort you are staying at, what Disney season it is (What your room price is), how many people are in your party …. Ect ….

I did a Spreadsheet with average prices based on Resorts and Seasonal rates. This is not exact but it will let you compare.

Rack Value Moderate ...Delux
Value....$82....$149......$280
Regular..$105..$170......$325
Peak.....$125...$195......$360
Holiday..$145..$219......$435

4 day price
Value....$328.. $596 ....$1,120
Regular..$420.. $680.... $1,300
Peak......$500.. $780 ....$1,440
Holiday...$580.. $876 ....$1,740

7 day price
...........$574 ..$1,043 ...$1,960
...........$735 ..$1,190 ...$2,275
...........$875 ..$1,365... $2,520
...........$1,015 $1,533 ...$3,045

You Save
$246 $447 $840
$315 $510 $975
$375 $585 $1,080
$435 $657 $1,305

Now the Dining plan offer is worth about $40 per person per day.

Thats $280 per person
2 ppl = $560
3 ppl = $840

So if your Resort/Season saving number is higher than the meal plan savings for the # of people in your party, then take the 4/3 otherwise take the Meal plan PIP

Long story short, at a value resort with 2 or more ppl you are always better off with the meal plan. Same goes for a Moderate resort in the Value season.

For everything else, take the 4/3

Q: I want to stay more than 7 days, will this offer cover me for longer than 7 Days?
A: Yes it will. My agent told me that they will extend it up to 14 days of continuous stay.

Q: My dates don’t exactly align with the posted offer rates, can I still use the PIN?
A: Yes you can. As long as you check in a few days before the offer expires, they will extend the offer past the stated dates to cover your entire stay (Up to 14 days)
NOTE: If you want to check in on the last day of the offer, and extend it 14 days past that, they may frown on that

Q: I have another family traveling with me in a separate room, can I apply my PIN to them also?
A: Yes you can. My agent told me that they will apply the offer to a maximum of 3 rooms in the same party. Call them and ask about details.

Q: Can we make reservations for ourselves using the pin and then add on a room later
A: Yes you can, to a point. Disney has a policy that after a certain date (60 or 90 says before your trip I think) no more changes can be made to a reservation that would cause the price to drop. But before that time you can add up to 2 more rooms (Total of 3 including you) at any time.

Q: How do I find out if i have a PIN?
A: There are reports of people calling 407-939-5670 to ask this question. We are told that they can provide you this information.
. Update: There are some reports that Disney is no longet giving out this information. I suggest you call and ask anyway.
. There are mixed reports here. It appears that the response you get depends greatly on who you are talking to. Some agents ate hapy to help you, and others dont know that they can, and still others take it as a personal insult when you ask. Its a bit of a crap shoot, but i still say try it. Who cares if a booking agent who you will never meet, is upset because you asked a simple question.

Q:If you got Free Dining can you upgrade to Deluxe Dining and how much extra it would be?
A: YES you can upgrade. The cost for this upgrade would be about $30 per person per day. Which is the price difference between the Dining plan and the Delux dining plan.

Q: I received an email with a pin code, is it transferrable to another person?
A: No it is not. Your PIN is personalized to you, and you must book the reservation.

[Minder]

Moved this information into the first post.

[coastgirl]

Thanks for putting that together. I've been very curious too, but apparently not lucky. ;-)

[tderonne]

Picked up my mailer at the post office today!

Doing some research. Other lengths of stay are mentioned. Would this include something less than 4 nights?

And related to the Dining Plan, I'm digging around, but I assume you have to use all your meal credits during the stay that got the plan? Specifically, we already have a few nights booked at Fort Wilderness. If I add a couple hotel days with the dining plan, we'd need to use the meal credits while we're at the hotel, right?

[yanjan]

been going since 2005 and never got a pin

since jan 2009 i have received 3. so pure luck.

nick

[shamrockshake]

A friend we are travelling with to WDW in Nov 2009 got the free dining pin. Our dates are not exactly the same. ( They arrive 4 days earlier and they leave 4 days earlier than us) Could she still use the pin to book our trip?

thanks

[Minder]

You should be able to Yes

Book it with Disney asap

[Minder]

I updated some info on the first post regarding getting a PIN, and finding out if you got one but missed it.

[ktdaiwik]

Awesome info,was wondering if you got Free Dining can you upgrade to Deluxe Dining and how much extra it would be?TIA

[Minder]

Great question !!!

I will find out and update the top post as soon as I can.

[ktdaiwik]

Thanks so much looking forward to finding out the answer!

[maiapapaya]

WRT using the pin for other than a value resort, you definitely can. My sister got this pin - we are staying at Poly and were able to use it (our reservations are linked so our family got to use it too). We are also booked for 8 nights and it applies to the entire length of our stay.

[Minder]

OK I have the Info on the Delux dining plan and YES you can upgrade. The cost for this upgrade would be about $30 per person per day.

[ktdaiwik]

Thankyou so much,that would be a great deal with the Free Dining!

[nickcdn]

Does anyone think that Disney may offer free dining package this January? seems like the economy is really hurting disney and offering this package may help attract the crowds.

Nick