Are "Unique Codes" really good?

[MarBee]

For the first time, I got a "unique code" mailed to me. I have read on these boards of others getting them and was super excited. However, I didn't really see any great deals when I explored rates with my code.

Are these codes generally the best deals? Or are they just a ploy to get me excited to book? If I hold out, will the rates change/get better?

Any input is welcome.

Thank you!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yes, they are a ploy to get you to book a Disney trip If you find the price appropriate grab it, if it's refundable you can cancel and re-book if you see a better rate. I think the pin codes tend to have better discounts than what is offered to the general public.

 

[MarBee]

Yes, they are a ploy to get you to book a Disney trip If you find the price appropriate grab it, if it's refundable you can cancel and re-book if you see a better rate. I think the pin codes tend to have better discounts than what is offered to the general public.

Thanks! I didn't realize there were trips that were NOT refundable booked through Disney.

Disney should also realize that I don't need any help being persuaded to book a trip

 

[kymom99]

I think the codes used to be better.

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

I have used PIN codes and many times they get you access to "Deals" before they go public, so the best opportunity to grab rooms etc. I have used a PIN code 3 times to book trips and they did save me some $$ outside of the general public deal.

 

[mmbrad02]

I got a PIN code recently that looked to be almost exactly what Disney was advertising to the public on their site. However, when I entered the PIN, I found more room options. For example, I was able to book AKL for $297 Standard Room, when a Standard Room wasn't even an option when I searched under the general public option (therefore, the remaining public prices were higher). Hope that makes sense.

 

[wendow]

I think the codes used to be better.

Agree! Back in the good old days of discounts, people would get 35 and even 40% off pin codes. Or free dining in a time period it wasn’t offered to public. Those days are long gone and now the pin codes are pretty much the same as what is offered to public.

 

[wendow]

double post

 

[yankebabie]

They’ve never work

 

[cjnix29]

I think it depends. I got a pin code last fall that covered our dates for spring break. When I first booked it, I booked the Grand Floridian for a rate I hadn't seen in a long time. But I also checked regularly for rate changes, and saw the Grand go up in cost with the same rate code. I also saw changing availability of resorts/room types, and rates as well, all with the same unique code.

 

[gleamnglow]

I think they're a pretty good deal. I usually get one once a year. Unfortunately, they're never for my desired dates, so I don't end up using them.

 

[scard192]

Agree! Back in the good old days of discounts, people would get 35 and even 40% off pin codes. Or free dining in a time period it wasn’t offered to public. Those days are long gone and now the pin codes are pretty much the same as what is offered to public.

Miss those days. My daughter got an FD PIN in 2013 that we used for POFQ which was excluded from the GP offer.

 

[eiblehs]

Disney sent me a "unique" code for me to come back this summer... MONTHS after I had already booked my trip for summer 2018! So at first I was bummed, but then I decided to check out the code and see if it would have truly been the better deal. I added the same dates, hotel, tickets, etc. to my cart and added the unique code. Guess what? The trip I already booked without the "unique" code was hundreds of dollars cheaper. I think it was just a ploy to get people who may be considering another trip to feel like they're getting a good deal.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

They sent DH ours like, within 3 days of returning home, and it was only valid for the spring/summer months in that year. He was actually really bothered by the immediate grab for $$$$$ after we had just blown the budget out of the water...

It took him a few more months to calm down about it and start thinking about wanting to go back. Of course by then the offer was expired and it was definitely not in the budget. Seriously, I understand there are people who can afford to fly down and go every other weekend, but Canadians ARE NOT those people right now!!!! If you're going to advertise and market to us, it's got to be actually believable in reality.

 

[yankebabie]

Nope!! Everytime we get a unique code it never works

 

[lanejudy]

Disney sent me a "unique" code for me to come back this summer... MONTHS after I had already booked my trip for summer 2018! So at first I was bummed, but then I decided to check out the code and see if it would have truly been the better deal. I added the same dates, hotel, tickets, etc. to my cart and added the unique code. Guess what? The trip I already booked without the "unique" code was hundreds of dollars cheaper. I think it was just a ploy to get people who may be considering another trip to feel like they're getting a good deal.

Is it possible your original reservation was made prior to mid-February? Tickets (and I believe room rates) increased at that time; a new reservation would include the new ticket prices. So the difference may have been simply due to the timing and increased prices, rather than a "bad" unique code. If the code provided a room discount, it should have been less expensive than booking a straight reservation, but not entirely accurate to compare to a reservation pre-price increase. Glad you got the better deal by planning early!

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[eiblehs]

Is it possible your original reservation was made prior to mid-February? Tickets (and I believe room rates) increased at that time; a new reservation would include the new ticket prices. So the difference may have been simply due to the timing and increased prices, rather than a "bad" unique code. If the code provided a room discount, it should have been less expensive than booking a straight reservation, but not entirely accurate to compare to a reservation pre-price increase. Glad you got the better deal by planning early!

Enjoy your vacation!

Yes, I booked my summer 2018 vacation on February 8 of this year. I know the ticket prices went up like one week after I booked the trip, so I was so incredibly thankful that the timing worked out in my favor. While I know every dollar counts, I checked with WDW News Today's website to confirm just how much the price increase was. For a 6-day base ticket, which is what I booked, the price went up $15 (3.8%). So it would have been an additional $30 since there are only two people in my party. The price difference between my original package and the one with the "unique" room discount code was over $200. I don't recall hearing much (or anything) about room rates going up. I know the ticket prices and parking for resort guests are the only increases that really caused quite the ruckus. Also, with the package I booked, I got the Magic Your Way Quick Service Dining Plan for free (one free QS meal per person per day). So the "unique" code for the room discount did not include the MYW free dining and it was still more expensive than what I booked. Overall, I am thankful that I was able to snag such a great deal when I booked early. I still believe the "unique" codes aren't as beneficial to guests as they appear to be.

 

[unveilmyeyes]

Are these codes generally the best deals

Generally yes - although for some deluxes that disney isn't discounting much, agency specific offers are still best. Just listened to a podcast this past week where someone compared his PIN savings to AP vs agency specific offers.

 

[nicynot]

Nope!! Everytime we get a unique code it never works

same
and it sucks to have to call though all the time to see what they are, especially since its long distance for me. Mine didnt work because the last name was wrong, even though it was sent to my email, and I was the primary name on the last booking...
Little things like that can really bug it up

 

[Cloe Colton]

My unique code actually saved me a lot of money. I received it after my trip was already booked and was able to modify my current reservation with it. Went from paying $350 a night to $284 a night at Wilderness Lodge for a 7 night vacation.

Needless to say they aren't all terrible codes!