A thought about why I wasn't receiving pins..

[Rosanne]

This may or may not be the same for others.

I had received a couple of pins of which I wasn't able to take advantage... one last fall and one in February. Of course, at that time I didn't really even realize I'd gotten them because I wasn't aware such a thing existed. I just thought they were ads that everyone got. So, once I joined the DIS board a few months ago I realized what they were and went back and looked at them. Expired, of course but good to know I'd had them. So, I've been checking daily to see if I received any new pin codes but no no no. So, I called a CM, and long story short, eventually he told me I did have the kids play and dine pin attached to my name, sent to my email that I totally checked every day. I am ecstatic. I booked a trip for me and my girls in early August.

So, the CM and I couldn't figure out why I hadn't received it but I think I know (after some thought). I had been concerned about the new virus threat from the conficker virus that was all abuzz so I had tightened security settings on my computer, particularly email. I had thought the pin code type would still get through because my other Disney informational emails were getting through. Now I'm thinking that the pin code ones are different and that by changing my default setting I was blocking them. So... I went back and returned to my original settings.

I wondered if that might be why a lot of us have codes attached to our name that we never know about. I felt bad for the CM because he said he wasn't permitted to look up codes for me but he felt so bad knowing that I had the perfect code for what I was looking for that he told me anyway. It's only right IMO that they should be able to... after all Disney intends us to receive them. I can only imagine the powers that be don't want phone time wasted. Well, it wasn't wasted... I booked! The CM did say that if the codes were for the dates you were looking at traveling they were allowed to tell you. Weird. He was trying so hard to follow the rules but he really wanted to help me.

Just wondered if that might be why others are not getting their codes.

 

[Bete]

but you can accept certain addresses to your e-mail which are Disney connected and you will get them regardless of your security settings. Unless, you have your settings very high you should be alright anyway. Also, I have a separate category in my e-mail for junk mail which I think may allow more to filter through.

Also, I haven't found it really necessary to get a pin code. There are enough general offers especially with Disney Visa to satisfy most people. Last year, I believe I got the best offer out there which was free dining and a discount on our value resort which was a small one; it was like a double discount which is very rare.

The advantage to pin codes is two fold. It allows you to usually book ahead of the crowds; so, you do get the best choice. Next, when the economy is going very strong, there may not be general discounts or they are small in value; so, pin codes help during those times.

I've received a couple of codes through the years and I've found them not to be as good in some instances as a general code or I wasn't able to go at the times specified for the pin code.

I'm not too concerned about getting a pin code or not. I actually feel this alienates some folks. I know it's a type of marketing strategy. I've always felt, others feel very left out who don't get them and it's not a good feeling. With general codes everyone has the same chance to get a discount and I think this is the fairest. And, yes I know life is not always fair.

 

[Rosanne]

Yes, if I was a bit better with computers I no doubt could have set it to filter bad stuff but let the Disney Destinations emails in. I am like a bull in a china shop with the computer. It sounded like I might have had the one for 40% off in December that I was hoping for. When I told the CM my hopeful dates for December he sighed and said there was one that was no good anymore. I'm guessing he meant the one that expired end of March.

Anyway, I am really excited about the kids play and eat because we are usually so so so careful about spending money for food. We bring tons of stuff from home. It will be such a thrill not to have to pack and haul food this trip.