Everything You Need To Know About Discount Codes

[ip74]

Thanks for all the info!

 

[Mollekro]

I confused ... His do you get codes??

 

[siskaren]

I confused ... His do you get codes??

Did you read the first post in this thread?

 

[pace0123]

How do you get a pin code?

 

[siskaren]

How do you get a pin code?

Again, read the first post of the thread.

 

[Fleurlur]

I have a couple of questions that I can't find anywhere on here but I apologise if they are already answered somewhere.

1) Is the Fall Free Dining code (assuming there will be one this year) a general public code?
2) Can British people use these pin codes? If we book directly through Disney?

 

[Gelfling_Jen]

I have a couple of questions that I can't find anywhere on here but I apologise if they are already answered somewhere.

1) Is the Fall Free Dining code (assuming there will be one this year) a general public code?
2) Can British people use these pin codes? If we book directly through Disney?

There's usually both a general code and personal PIN codes for free dining. Not 100% sure about your second question but I'm assuming if receive an email or post card from Disney with an offer code that you would be able to use it.

 

[Gelfling_Jen]

I haven't been to Disney since December 2011 and at that time one of the ways people thought pin codes were triggered was to save Disney vacations on their website and go on and make changes, cancel them, etc. It may be totally random but I always got pin codes within days or weeks of doing this.

I will be going this fall and tried to find the option to save Disney vacation plans instead of checking out, but didn't see that option. I used the chat feature to talk to a CM and was told that's no longer an option and the website has changed since My Disney Experience has been added. I really liked this feature because not only did I think (maybe incorrectly lol) it triggered pin codes but I used it to compare prices and options for possible vacations and have that information saved and readily available when I decided to book.

Has there been discussion since then regarding how one can trigger pin codes other than having a profile with the Disney website and ordering the planning DVD?

 

[Disney-Chick]

I haven't been to Disney since December 2011 and at that time one of the ways people thought pin codes were triggered was to save Disney vacations on their website and go on and make changes, cancel them, etc. It may be totally random but I always got pin codes within days or weeks of doing this.

I will be going this fall and tried to find the option to save Disney vacation plans instead of checking out, but didn't see that option. I used the chat feature to talk to a CM and was told that's no longer an option and the website has changed since My Disney Experience has been added. I really liked this feature because not only did I think (maybe incorrectly lol) it triggered pin codes but I used it to compare prices and options for possible vacations and have that information saved and readily available when I decided to book.

Has there been discussion since then regarding how one can trigger pin codes other than having a profile with the Disney website and ordering the planning DVD?

No one knows for sure how or why anyone receives pin codes. I just received one but not for my dates. I still go online and price vacations for different locations/dates. There are many who have booked online and have gone lots of times and have never received a code. It's just luck. Let's hope one comes my way that I can use.

 

[MammerJammer]

Question: If I bought tickets separately from my room stay--would I be able to switch to FD? Or can you only do that if you have booked a package through the Disney site?

Thanks.

 

[siskaren]

Question: If I bought tickets separately from my room stay--would I be able to switch to FD? Or can you only do that if you have booked a package through the Disney site?

Thanks.

To get free dining, you have to book a package (meaning room and tickets), and since it's a Disney promotion, you would have to book through the Disney site.

 

[MammerJammer]

Thanks! That's what I thought. I need to look away from the promos now LOL

 

[tmaher7777]

Every January it begins -- the CODE frenzy for discounts for the upcoming year. There's a few things to know about how Disney parcels out discount and codes and I've tried to gather it all up in one place.

Code Terms 101

PIN - a numerical sequence that gives you access to a discount offer "code"

CODE - a three letter combination that the agent uses to book a discount offer

PIN-CODE - a three letter combination that requires the agent to enter a PIN to complete the booking process

The terminology sucks. I'd like to create new terms that make sense to everyone here and force everyone to use them. But that ain't going to happen.

If you're still confused think of it like this.

The PIN number you receive in the mail or email -- is like a password for the agent to 'unlock' your special offer code.

If you receive a PIN-offer by email or postal mail. You will have a series of numbers. That is what you give to the agent on the phone. THEY will take care of finding the right 3 letter code that goes with that PIN-offer. You needn't worry about that. These PIN codes are non-transferable.

How do these codes work and where do I find them? Are the Disney issued or from outside sources??

Disney has 'discount codes' for different reasons.. to induce guests to visit their resort properties at various times for various reasons throughout the year. Generally speaking -- they are issued for lower-traffic times of year to fill up rooms in the resort. Disney sometimes issues special codes for AAA packages. But it is still Disney that controls the codes.

There are two types of codes. General public. And codes associated with your name only, which are sometimes referred to as 'PIN-CODES' or PINS.

General public codes can be used by anyone and are listed on this site at DISCOUNTS (http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-current.htm#hm-currdiscounts-right).

For absolute clarity. A PIN-CODE is still three lettters and it is most easily defined as a code that requires a PIN. Asking someone to send you their PIN code will do you no good. They are not transferable from person to person. So please don't ask.

General public codes are also usually noted on the Disney site itself but can be harder to find if you don't know where to look there. General public codes do not require a PIN.

PIN-Codes can be used by the recipient family and nobody else. They are not transferable. Some folks have reported success in using cards that arrived at their address in other peoples names. The rule seems to be if you live at the address on the offer.. you're good. Sharing a pin code is a big no-no and generally will result in the second person being told they are not eligible for the discount.

Do they work for packages or single/seperate things/costs?

So far we've seen codes that include free dining, for 20, 30 or 40% off selected hotel rooms.. and one code that included a free parkhopping & waterparks fun n more upgrade to your base tickets.

A 15, 20, 25 ,30 or 40% off room-only code .. sometimes can be used with a package.. But when you do so, you are still only getting (x)% off the room portion of your package costs. The Tickets, dining plan and any other optional add-ons are at the normal rate unless your offer explicitly says otherwise.

At any given point in time there may be several codes that may apply to your vacation. Pick one. You can only use one discount code per reservation. Choose wisely.

How Do I Get "On The List" To Get A Pin Offer?

How people get selected for to receive email/postcard offers is a source of never-ending debate on these boards.

Signing up at the WDW website and giving them your email address at least gets you in the running. Ordering the vacation planning DVD does the same. Guests who have stayed at Disney resorts in the past are also key targets for future discount offers.

The theories as to how people are selected to receive an email or postcard are like belly-buttons, we all have one.

If you get lucky, you may get an email or a postcard from Disney. That email or postcard may contain a PIN (a series of numbers).. or a general public code (usually 3 letters).

At the end of the day - none of us know for sure how the selection process is done. My best guess after watching this for a couple of years now, is that it is purely random.

There is no guarantee if you do any of those things you'll get one. You could go to Disney once or once every month.. and you may or may not get a code.

How Do I Know If I Got A Code

Generally speaking an email or postcard to one of the addresses Disney has on file for you is your notification. If you've moved or you're just wondering if perhaps you have received a code but didn't know about it - you USED TO BE ABLE TO CALL the Disney Reservation Center 1-407-W-DISNEY and ask for them to see if you have a code associated with your name/address in the reservations system. They do not permit this any longer. Sorry, too many people were taking up agent's time with the "Do I have a code question" -- so they discontinued this.

[ EDIT : 2011 : It seems if they aren't too busy on the phones they will do this again. ]

... and If I do get a code, to whom do I give it to

If you're booking with a PIN from your email / postcard or with a general public code.. you tell the reservation agent at Disney reservations center. "I have a code .." and then identify if you have a PIN associated-code.. or a three letter offer code.

The postcard or email will tell you when it's good for .. and what benefits it may convey.

All general public codes will be posted on this site @ DISCOUNTS (http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-current.htm#hm-currdiscounts-right). .. along with the info about what benefits it may convey.

When you are giving them the code on the phone, if it is a three letter code offer.. say an example word for each letter. So many of the letters in the alphabet sound the same.. C,D,E,G,P,S,T,Z.. and of course Disney uses LOTS of those letters in their codes. Grrr...

Don't Post Any Codes to the Board without Moderator Approval

Before you post any three letter code to the boards, please be sure to check with one of the Resorts Board Moderators : CanadianGuy or Lynn M

Posting a non-public code is against the DIS Board Posting Guidelines




Hope this helps. Any questions - feel free to post 'em here.

Knox

I received a coupon code to my email address by accident, and Disney wouldn't except it because the name attached wasn't mine... They did change the email so I wouldn't be given anymore codes... Guess they realize I am a sucker that is willing to pay retail, to get my Disney fix!

 

[mommyboys3]

Either later this year or next year my parents would like to pay for a big trip for them, my family, my sister's family & possibly my aunt. So either 3 or 4 rooms, park tickets, dining, etc. If my Dad gets a pin, can he apply that to all rooms or only his? I know you can't share pins, but if he's paying for the entire thing can he use the pin on multpile rooms? Thanks!

 

[smitch425]

Either later this year or next year my parents would like to pay for a big trip for them, my family, my sister's family & possibly my aunt. So either 3 or 4 rooms, park tickets, dining, etc. If my Dad gets a pin, can he apply that to all rooms or only his? I know you can't share pins, but if he's paying for the entire thing can he use the pin on multpile rooms? Thanks!

Pins have a 3 room maximum.

 

[kingd4066]

Our offers come as "Unique offer code". Last year the UOC was for free dining, that allowed us to book PO-Riverside for our family of five during what was blacked out in the general public and Visa offers. Now we get a UOC each season since then. We also got a "return to the magic" UOC for May after our last trip from September. So hopeful for this fall to get a code.

 

[ryancasper2004]

I received my first pin code yesterday for the free park hopper option. while I was stoked to get the pin code, it is for summer stay and we are going in November. Does anyone know if they will send a new pin for the next season if you don't use it? Or do you think I can call and tell them I got the pin and see if they can do anything for me for my November stay? Any info would be much appreciated.

 

[Sleepingbeauty101]

I have gotten two pin codes this year one in January or February and I just got another one for the 30% off plus the hopper. I believe the code is only good for the dates specified. So keep an eye out for the next round. I didn't go with the pin code since I got a more magical deal for July. The pin was 600 more dollars then my current deal at POR.

 

[siskaren]

I doubt they'd send you a pin code for the fall just because you didn't use the one they sent you for the summer. (That's not to say that you won't get one for the fall, just that they won't send one just because you didn't use the one they originally sent you.) I also wouldn't expect them to see if they could do anything for you for your November stay. Codes are sent out randomly, and I'm sure they realize that not everyone is going to be able to use them.

 

[ryancasper2004]

I doubt they'd send you a pin code for the fall just because you didn't use the one they sent you for the summer. (That's not to say that you won't get one for the fall, just that they won't send one just because you didn't use the one they originally sent you.) I also wouldn't expect them to see if they could do anything for you for your November stay. Codes are sent out randomly, and I'm sure they realize that not everyone is going to be able to use them.

Ok gotcha. Thank you for the reply! Crossing my fingers for one later this year...