Getting PIN Codes - Tactics!

[Princesca]

So I know that it's random, and sometimes based on things you have zero control over, but what are some things I can do to maybe enhance my chances of getting a PIN code? I saved a couple of vacations on Disney.com, and have booked my room-only rezzies through an authorized Disney TA. I've got plenty of time to kill before April, so I'm happy to pursue even the faintest possibilities.

Any suggestions?

 

[Sue M]

I'd like to know too!!! I've only gotten 1. But sign up for everything you can on the WDW web site, newsletters, etc. Play around with the on like booking to check prices. Save offers. Good luck!

 

[jformica]

I do all the "tricks" you listed and it actually paid off one year however it was a trip planned for the week after Thanksgiving. Unless your traveling the last week of April I don't think you have a chance in getting a pin because, as you probably know, it's peak season and spring break runs from late March to late April.

 

[Princesca]

We actually are going the last week of April... so I'm hoping we might get something.

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

You can go look on mousesavers.com and do a search on historical WDW discounts and see what types of offers they have released and what dates it is good for and when it had to be booked by, etc. I doubt you are going to find any great offers during Spring Break peak season.

 

[Princesca]

Hmm... by that list, looks like we might have a chance at room-only discounts, MAYBE the "kids stay and eat free" if they bump it up a little. Fingers crossed, I think I would rather have the former.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Do you log in and save your searches in the WDW planning center? When I do that I get PINs. So far I've gotten 10% off Sun-Thursday in May, which doesn't help much when you are staying Thursday-Sunday.

 

[BigDaddyWill]

When we went this past June, we had saved vacation packages, ordered the dvd, ordered a customized map and signed up for every email list...and it paid off. We stayed second week of June and got a free dining PIN which saved us about $1000. Don't give up; it can be done for most arrival times. But as they say there does not seem to be a rhyme or reason.

Good luck!

Will

 

[disnut8]

I've done none of the things anyone has suggested and received a great PIN code for the exact time I wanted to go last month. I book by calling Disney World, I don't register my vacations, I haven't asked for a DVD in years, I don't care for the customizable maps since I know my way around and it would be a waste, I have never done a package, I've refused free dining (way too much food). I'm not the typical planner on these boards but I did get exactly what I wanted for a time I wanted - it was like Disney just knew. And, of course, I took full advantage of it but I would have gone for that time anyway.

 

[bytheblood]

Until we became DVC members, we always received pin codes several times a year. The only thing I did was request a planning video 2x a year.

 

[lauralong81]

I call every once in awhile to ask if there are any pin codes available tied to my name.

I called today, actually, to apply the new resort only discount that is available on the disney website to our existing reservation. So I booked a few weeks back, I'm not sure if that kills the opportunity to get a pin. Anyway, for some reason the PIN available to the public on the Disney website would not work for my reservation, but the CM searched a bunch and found one that worked and did apply a discount to the room rate. So, in the end, I guess it's worth calling to confirm & ask.... even after you've booked.

I have also (in the past) used multiple family members & email addresses to sign up on the website... my husband got a pin this way last year.

 

[pixiedust2012]

Hello! This is my first post, but I was just discussing this with my husband. I have never saved anything on site or ordered the DVD, but I have gotten a few random pin codes this past year, none for the dates that I needed. However I do have a friend who gets codes all the time, and she does save her travel plans online? Does anyone know if you book now, will you still have a chance of getting a pin code for free dining in the future? I am afraid that if I make my reservation now, they won't send me one since we would already be going anyways. Thanks in advance!!

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Hello! This is my first post, but I was just discussing this with my husband. I have never saved anything on site or ordered the DVD, but I have gotten a few random pin codes this past year, none for the dates that I needed. However I do have a friend who gets codes all the time, and she does save her travel plans online? Does anyone know if you book now, will you still have a chance of getting a pin code for free dining in the future? I am afraid that if I make my reservation now, they won't send me one since we would already be going anyways. Thanks in advance!!

We had a trip booked a few years ago - then we received a PIN for the dates we were already booked..called and had it applied.
We don't have anything booked yet..have done all the suggestions above..saved vacations, ordered the maps, ordered the planning DVD..and have not received a PIN.

 

[fla4fun]

I have also tried everything mentioned on the boards to try and trigger a PIN, but I have never received one. I don't know if it's because I go there frequently, or I live too close, or what is preventing me from getting one, but it hasn't happened ever.

 

[emcclay]

I received a 10% room-only discount for my trip this past October!

 

[pixiedust2012]

We had a trip booked a few years ago - then we received a PIN for the dates we were already booked..called and had it applied.
We don't have anything booked yet..have done all the suggestions above..saved vacations, ordered the maps, ordered the planning DVD..and have not received a PIN.

Great to know, Thanks!!!

 

[Polydweller]

Keep in mind, pins are not random, they are a marketing/sales tool. If you meet the criteria for that promotion you get the pin, if you don't then no pin. Only Disney knows the criteria for any promotion. There are no special tactics. Just make sure you are known to Disney somewhere, having visited once is enough.

Some years we get several and some years none.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

The only time I've ever gotten a PIN was after I cancelled a reservation. We booked a trip for Oct 2010 in the Fall of 2009 and paid the deposit. But, a month later we decided not to go on the trip.

When I called Disney reservations to cancel the CM asked why and I just said it wasn't in the budget to go on the trip. Lo & behold, a couple of weeks after I cancelled I got the 40% off PIN code in my e-mail. First time ever!

Well, we couldn't pass up 40% off so we ended up going on the trip afterall!

Note: We went to Disney this October with my MIL since she got a 40% off PIN code. Not sure how she got hers.

 

[Poodlebud]

We finally got a pin, but it came about 3 weeks after we already made our reservation. Our reservation was made with a military discount, so the pin code won't be used for this trip.