Code discrimination, inequality, or whatever you want to call it.

[jasper]

OK, so I booked my CBR stay for October, which includes Columbus Day weekend, at AAA rate. Then I started reading here that A) some people get email codes; B) some people get postcard codes; and C) some people call and a "nice" CM will miraculously find a code attached to that person's name.

To me, this seems to be a very inequitable system, and, of course, I would like the opprtunity for a similar 30% or 40% discount.

What is fair? Well if you pay an annual membership for AAA, under the premise that you can get hotel discounts, that is fair. If the codes were based on a frequent traveler discount - for example - given to people that have stayed on site more frequently than others, that would be fair; but I don't see how the current system as it appears to work is fair. I order the DVD's, have visited almost every year for the past 5 years, abut do not have a code.

Now, what if I call and say I can't afford the trip this year, and ask if there are any codes available before I cancel? Will one suddenly appear?

 

[addiedisney]

I am with you! But don't give up. My BIL just got a code under his name and we have been looking for codes for 4 years!

 

[aljer]

I am with you too. We have been 1-2 times a year for the last 7years and have not received a code. I call and talk with a CM and am very nice and have yet to have one find a code for me. How do they determine who get a code is beyond me. I have given my address and e-mail for anything disney and still no luck.
I will try a patiently wait till it is my time and until then will continue to book using my AAA discount. Good luck to you and hope you also get a code sometime.

 

[schmidtt]

We also have been left with no codes, stayed last 10ys 12 times no codes no upgrades no magical dream prizes we must have bad luck or minnesota just has bad luck with discounts!!
But we are disney gluttens and keep going back!!!

 

[wdwmaw]

I also for one have never gotten one of these pin codes attached to my name. That said I have gotten plenty of public and AP codes. People do however pay for the AP code when they buy there annual pass, but that is no guarantee and must wait for one to be released and still is no guarantee.
When we went on our first family trip My husbands company belonged to a " Magic Kingdon Club" or something of that sort, that did offer discounts just like the AAA discounts of today.I am sure someone will remember the exact name but Disney has had such a discount program. I do not know who all it was offered to or much about it, it was discontinued for our second trip though and by then I had found this wonderful place Just keep in mind it sounds like alot but I do believe the majority of people who visit Disney still pay ... hang-on....rack rate

 

[warriorboy648]

We stayed at the Swan last year (with a great teacher's discount) because we didn't get a code. This year we have received 4 different emails/postcards. When I called the CM told me that I have a "laundry list" of codes attached to my name...

I think one of the things marketing is trying to do is to target Disney goers that are not staying at Disney resorts. I was very surprised because I was able to book the Poly at 40% off and I didn't think the Poly would be included.

Another time I called I mentioned that I was interested in OKW and that I could only afford to go if I had a code. Suddenly the CM found something during that call...

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I've never gotten a code! We go twice a year. Our January trip is 5 nights long and our July trip is 14 nights!

My Mom, who hasn't gone in 20 years, got a 40% off code last month. Unfortunately it wasn't in our time frame for our Grand Gathering.

Who would figure that someone who hasn't gone in 20 years who would get the coveted code!!!

 

[Sammie]

I don't get them either, so understand the suffering. However they are random, your chance of getting one is just as good as some other random person, therefore there is no discrimination in it. Just random good luck for some.

If we did not have these forums we would not know about it and suffer less.

 

[debster812]

I've never gotten a code! We go twice a year. Our January trip is 5 nights long and our July trip is 14 nights!

My Mom, who hasn't gone in 20 years, got a 40% off code last month. Unfortunately it wasn't in our time frame for our Grand Gathering.

Who would figure that someone who hasn't gone in 20 years who would get the coveted code!!!

That's actually some pretty basic Marketing 101. You go twice a year. They KNOW you're coming back, they don't need to entice you.

Your mom has not been in 20 years? They DEFINITELY want her back.

 

[livndisney]

I have come to the conclusion that I am on Disney's "hate" mail list. I NEVER get a code. And in truth it bothered me, I sent an email to WDW last year and even had a conversation with someone in their offices about how they "give out" codes. (After the pin code dramaof last Spring). WDW did not care. (I even ordered the planning DVD LOL)

Soooo, I have no plans this year to stay at any WDW hotels. Why should I pay more than everyone else?

Maybe I will get a code in 19 more years LOL

 

[G&J's Mom]

What's really not fair is the first few weeks of October are dates not included in the disounts and codes currently out there. We, my friend are in a discount black hole.

Denise

 

[RMulieri]

I have never gotten one either.I actually cancelled my trip and went with AAA instead.When the cm asked why I was cancelling and I told him,he told me "people like you don't need a discount," you have had several trips in the past few years."Codes are provided as incentive for people who don't visit that often,why give someone a discount who is going to go anyway".I have since called to see if per chance I got a code since then. Nope, NADA Zilch.

 

[danielmorgan03]

Hmmm...I want a code as well, but hoping isn't going to get me one. So I am going to worship the Disney Gods.

 

[jasper]

As the OP, I expected to get flamed a bit and have thankfully been spared. Don't get me wrong, I love Disney and realize they probably could not offer a 30% to 40% discount to all guests and still have happy stockholders. And you're right, I would not know about the codes or many other things-Disney if not for the DIS. But there just seems to be no rhyme or reason to the code distribution, nor would I call it completely random. I'm satisfied with my ressie at CBR at AAA 15% discount, but if I could get a 40% code, it would give me the opportunity I currently don't have to try POLY!!!

 

[n2mm]

What's really not fair is the first few weeks of October are dates not included in the disounts and codes currently out there. We, my friend are in a discount black hole.

Denise

That was the first thing I thought when reading the OPs thread. They will probably get a code, but so far the codes for October are only good for dates starting Oct. 19 to the end of the month. The OP is booked during a holiday weekend and most likely that weekend will be blacked out from discounts. They did indeed black out MLK weekend and Prez weekend, and it appears Memorial Day weekend too. I see a pattern for those who like to travel during holiday weekends. Prepare yourself!

 

[G&J's Mom]

That was the first thing I thought when reading the OPs thread. They will probably get a code, but so far the codes for October are only good for dates starting Oct. 19 to the end of the month. The OP is booked during a holiday weekend and most likely that weekend will be blacked out from discounts. They did indeed black out MLK weekend and Prez weekend, and it appears Memorial Day weekend too. I see a pattern for those who like to travel during holiday weekends. Prepare yourself!

ITA. There does indeed appear to be a pattern. If this is the case, then I understand Columbus Day week being blacked out, but why the first two weeks of Oct??? This would definitely be to Disney's advantage "if" they can get enough people in at rack and not have to offer any discounts. I guess we will have to wait and see how it pans out.

Denise

 

[shellyfive]

I'm in the I'll keep calling party gang hoping that a fairy godmother rather than a cm answers the call..........why is the first week in Nov. excluded as well???? The big question is how long it will take me to totally memorize all the beginning prompts in the telemated beginning of the wdw call !!!!

 

[ProudMommyof2]

I'm in the I'll keep calling party gang hoping that a fairy godmother rather than a cm answers the call..........why is the first week in Nov. excluded as well???? The big question is how long it will take me to totally memorize all the beginning prompts in the telemated beginning of the wdw call !!!!

First week in Nov. is Jersey Week- very busy time- they do not need codes to fill rooms.

 

[G8r4evr]

I feel your pain. We have decided to skip Disney until the code fairy finds us =)

 

[Captain's Wife]

I understand your frustration completely. We've only ever gotten one email code for a time we weren't planning to go, and another time I called to book and found out we HAD a code attached to our name but it had expired. We've stayed on property four times in six years, but there's been no rhyme or reason to our timing.

Coming up, there are NO codes available to us, not even AP or AAA for Memorial Day weekend and we have NO date flexibility. (DD starts College Program)

However, it is what it is.

But I'm just curious - does it also bother you that there is the same fluctuation/variety in airfares? 200 people on the same flight probably paid more than a dozen different fares for the same type of seat/service/etc, and that's pretty standard in the industry.

Shelley