Has anyone ever called and said they'll cancel unless they get a discount?

[nafrpe]

I guess I'd have to be ready to follow through on my bluff and lose my reservation at BLT for our first trip with our preschoolers this December.

But the fact that some people get 40% off and others don't for no apparent reason is frustrating. I wonder if anyone has ever called to cancel and had them offer anything?

Edited to say: Sorry if asking this question offends anyone.

 

[sydneysmom]

I'm not sure you're going to get the best response from a CM by doing this. Think about it, would you respond well to a "threat"? As mild as it is ? It kind of just sounds bratty. Offers are posted for all kinds of months out of the year. Have you looked to see if any of the current offers apply to your dates?

I don't know about anyone else, but if someone called me and said that they were cancelling if I didn't give them 40% off, I'd probably say "okay, have a nice day, bye".

 

[larryz]

I'm not sure you're going to get the best response from a CM by doing this. Think about it, would you respond well to a "threat"? As mild as it is ? It kind of just sounds bratty. Offers are posted for all kinds of months out of the year. Have you looked to see if any of the current offers apply to your dates?

I don't know about anyone else, but if someone called me and said that they were cancelling if I didn't give them 40% off, I'd probably say "okay, have a nice day, bye".

You don't have to couch it as a threat. I made it clear to the CM that I couldn't book at the rate she was quoting me. She made it clear that I should check back frequently, as there were discounts popping up all the time.

Ironically, I'm spending more at the YC than I would have at the WL for the package I'm getting, and that's using the 40% Monster pin...

 

[Matt'sMom]

If I were you, I'd simply wait for the December offers to be released. If room discounts or free dining become available for the dates of your stay, then you will have just as much of an opportunity to book those as anyone else. Watch the Dis forums; and sign up for the Mousesaver's email newletter, so that you will know asap when specials are announced.

Not sure what gave you the impression that those who book the reduced room rates somehow got them 'for no apparent reason'? The truth is they (or their TA) were very likely watching and waiting for offers to be announced, and then promptly booked rooms/packages using those codes while there was still availability. You can do the same thing.

What I definitely would NOT do is call some random phone center CM, and threaten to cancel my vacation. They really don't have any power to grant you a special discount if one has not been released for your dates and resort.

Here is a link to check on discounts: http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyresorts.html#codes As I mentioned, December codes are not out yet, but should be released later this Summer (August or September perhaps?).

 

[nafrpe]

Didn't mean to sound "bratty". Of course I wouldn't threaten to cancel. I would just call to cancel and give the reason as too expensive.

But as for people getting discounts for no apparent reason, although I haven't posted much, I've been reading The DIS daily for months and the criteria to get a pin seems to be somewhat random. There's a lot of speculation but I don't know if anyone has figured out any rhyme or reason to why some get pins, some get multiple pins and some never get one.

Whatever the case, I have to say it's leaving a bitter taste in my mouth about the whole wdw planning process. Why should I have to keep creating multiple email addresses, creating itineraries, filling out exit surveys (from fed ex offices) so that I can have a chance at getting a discount? I guess I'm used to rewards systems that make more sense, like airline miles, credit card rewards programs etc. where stuff is clearly spelled out and not just praying for pixie dust. (sorry, yes, I'm bitter.)

 

[leahjade]

I've never understood why people get so bent out of shape about not getting a pin - usually the same deals are offered to the general public soon afterwards anyway. It's not like a small select group gets amazing discounts that aren't available to anyone else. The only exception I've seen is the UK discounts which give 40% off PLUS free dining.

 

[friend2Figment]

You could just call and ask if you have any pins attached to your name or any adults in your room. It might not be there then but you could end up getting a discount.
We had our rooms booked on my pin 20/30/40 I added another adult to one of the rooms and not even a week later they had the 40% monster code( our dates do not work for that code).
Just tell the CM you are hoping to have a pin to save some on your room so you will have more money to spend in the parks, not that you really have to spend the savings at WDW.
If they say you do not have any discount pins do not get mad just say bummer I guess I will have to keep hoping for a little magic dust. THANK the CM no matter what.

 

[Matt'sMom]

You don't need a PIN to take advantage of 40% off rates or free dining.

While a PIN may be nice, the same discounts are usually available via public codes that anyone can use (just released a bit later). We've always been able to book the discounted rates or best special deal offered for our dates of stay... and I have never, ever received a PIN. We simply keep an eye out for the rates or codes to be released (we do have AAA Membership and Disney Visa Card, which help), and then book asap while there is plenty of availability. I have lost count of how many times I've been emailed or snail mailed regarding the recent 40% off rates, free dining, free gift cards, etc. public offers over the past several months -- could have booked any of them, if we had wanted to. These were all Disney Card &/or public codes that did not involve any PIN.

 

[msjprincess]

You don't need a PIN to take advantage of 40% off rates or free dining.

While a PIN may be nice, the same discounts are usually available via public codes that anyone can use (just released a bit later). We've always been able to book the discounted rates or best special deal offered for our dates of stay... and I have never, ever received a PIN. We simply keep an eye out for the rates or codes to be released (we do have AAA Membership and Disney Visa Card, which help), and then book asap while there is plenty of availability. I have lost count of how many times I've been emailed or snail mailed regarding the recent 40% off rates, free dining, free gift cards, etc. public offers over the past several months -- could have booked any of them, if we had wanted to. These were all Disney Card &/or public codes that did not involve any PIN.

Really? I can't recall the last time Disney offered a public code of 40% off of a value or mod.

 

[catne]

I want a pin that's 40% off a value or mod...never seen one of those discounts! Thought the 40% & better is always on deluxe

Guess I better get back to the no-pin-pity-party. We only ever received one pin...and it was the same as the general public offer. The AP discounts were better.

 

[3girlsfun]

Ok, I am going on the opposite end here than most people posting. I understand your frustration. I would love to get a pin code for our upcoming trip. We have two rooms booked at a value, and would love to get 40%off one of those rooms. The free dining is great, and we will take advantage, but, one of the people in my party is not going to the parks, and will not be eating that much, so it is sort of a wash.

It is very frustrating when I see talk about people getting 2 and 3 pins that are the exact same, meanwhile, I wait, wait, wait, for NOTHING!!!!

I agree, I am fairly new to the whole Disney thing, and the pins and discounts, but, I have yet to see a public offer for 40% off on a value!

I would call and tell the CM exactly what you just said, see what happens, and then report back.

 

[Sugar Jones]

I guess I do see your point about the randomness of the pins. It is frustrating when you don't get one.

However after all my waiting for a pin, it turned out that the current offers worked out much better for us than the coveted pincode. So I would just hold off cancelling and watch the offers and discounts and wait it out.

Maybe I was never bitter about it because we were going regardless of any pincode or even regardless of any public offer. We were going even if we had to pay full price. Or maybe because I just enjoyed the whole process of waiting for a pin or a public offer that might save me money


Good luck with the pincode and I really hope you get to take your Disney vacation

 

[Matt'sMom]

My apologies if I was confusing with the 40% off comments. We stay deluxe, which does get the 40% public codes -- no where did I read that the OP expected 40% off at a Value resort. Offers do more typically scale based on resort categories.

As for public codes that save c. 40% at the Values never happening... I'm not so sure about that. We did an ASSP once on the 'Pay for 4, Get 3 Free' deal. I think if you tally that up, it is slightly better than a 40% room rate discount in terms of savings. I think they do still bring out that offer every now and again.

 

[pinkfanatic25]

I recieved an e-mail from Disney Destinations that offered 40% off value. They keep sending it to me even though I've already taken the offer on the 2 days I could. I guess it's a pin :confused I'm kind of new to the whole planning thing even though I've been to Disney 5 times, I was never of "planning age." So I don't really get the whole pin thing, nor do I care too much right now I'm going at Thanksgiving I know my deals will be slim. Either way...

I copied and pasted this from the e-mail I got.
Save 40%
for stays most nights during these select weeks

9/1–10/9/10 • 10/24–10/30/10 • 11/14–11/20/10
11/28–12/4/10 • 12/12–12/18/10
at any of the following Resort categories:

Disney Value Resorts


Disney Moderate Resorts


Disney Deluxe Resorts


Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts


The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort


The number of rooms available at this savings is limited. Minimum length-of-stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. Savings based on non-discounted price for same room. Additional per-adult charges may apply if more than two adults per room in Disney Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. No group rates or other discounts apply. Advance reservations required. Offer is nontransferable. Offer excludes suites and three-bedroom villas.
Hurry and get your hands, paws or claws
on one of these offers by 7/10/10!

 

[OwlDisneyGirl]

It has took us 5 years from our first visit to get a pin. Then we had to wait a couple more years to get another pin (and that was after we moved).
This year we've gotten 2 pins, but the savings were the same as the public code (tested both, $2.80 in total difference on a deluxe resort).
I almost feel like they start coming after you've been a few times and they can see a pattern in how often you come, but you've gone longer than the time between your last trip. Of course, it could be like jury duty and some people get called every two years and others are never called!

 

[Luv2Roam]

I'm sure many of us have thought or said the same thing.
However I agree with others. Just wait and keep your eyes open, if there is no discount out yet you can use.

 

[PolyAddict]

I had booked the Poly for May 2008 for a trip with extended family (they were staying at value resorts), they all had pin codes, we had 10% from AAA. I waited for a general public code that never came. So, i booked the Swan for $1200 cheaper than the Poly. When i called to cancel the Poly she asked why and i told her i was dissapointed that i could not get a discount. She tried in vain to talk me out of the Swan...yadayadayada all the things i would miss out on. i had done my research and argued all her points. Needless to say, no discounts were offered and we had our 1st stay at the Swan and lllllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd it!!!!!!!!

 

[2ofUs]

We have two rooms booked at a value, one of the people in my party is not going to the parks, and will not be eating that much, so it is sort of a wash.

Have you considered CHANGING your ressie to a ROOM-ONLY for one room under the name of the person who will not be going to the parks, nor eating much? There is no reason to buy a park-pass for someone who will not use it. You could still allow another person or 2 to stay in that room, but they will be shown in your room so they get the free dining. This assumes, of course, that you don't have more than 4-5 people booked in the 'FD' room.

Unless perhaps I misunderstood your comment? In any event, it is something you may want to call and address with WDW.

 

[DisneyJB]

Just a quick note to say that discounts may not even apply to BLT. We were booked with a 1 bedroom unit for October, and when we got the White Rabbit pin, we weren't able to apply it to our reservation. I was told that only studios were available with the discount, and that BLT, being new, isn't offering many discounted rooms due to it's popularity. I hope that you'll be able to take advantage of a pin or public discount for your trip.

 

[lvloopingbag]

December is a very popular time for DVC places like BLT. The chances for a discount there will be slim. Because DVC folks get first crack at the units, quite often you will see just SSR and OKW available with discounts....