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

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I actually did call to cancel a reservation about a year ago and told the CM I couldn't afford it ( my call was right around when balance was due-45 days-that might have had something to do with the serious way she interpreted my call). She put me on hold for a while then came back and said it's my lucky day and "magically" found a PIN for me. Don't know if I already had it attached to my name or if she really worked some Disney magic but it worked for me. I wasn't TRYING to get it cheaper-I was calling to cancel actually. BTW, that was when PIN codes were harder to come by and she applied a 40% off code for me. Gotta love that Disney magic!

 

[3"Mouse"keteers]

Here's what I've found that works the best for getting a pin. Sign up for the free planning video online. Even get one for each member of your family if you can. Sign up for an account on the disneyworld website, and then while you are logged in, get a price quote for the dates/hotel you are planning. I have ALWAYS gotten a pin code shortly after doing this, because they know you are considering a trip and want to give you a little extra incentive to do so!

 

[mickeyluvsjess]

I have tried most of those methods. The oddest part is although I am the one who requests the videos, makes the ressies, books the trip and is always on the Disney websites, my sister ( who is in our travel party) gets the pins. They usually are equal to the general public discounts later and I go either way but I keep trying the methods and never get one (with my name)My neighbor has no interest in Disney at all(can you imagine?) and she received one.

 

[3girlsfun]

I have checked on just doing the room ressie for our 2nd room. It only saves us the cost of the park tickets, as there is free dining attached right now. So, I can use those tickets later when I go to the Princess 1/2. However, if we were to get a 40% off code, I could most likely buy my grandmother some breakfast things for the room, sandwhich/lunch stuff, and then she would eat a small quick service meal for dinner. But, if no discount, then she can just get way too much food from the dining plan.

 

[Sandisw]

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?

I would call and simply let them know that you are not sure at this point if you will need to cancel the trip in the near future but had heard something about pin codes. Ask them to check to see if one is attached and that if you do have one that can save, the trip is definitely on.

You never know what might happen. Obviously, if there is not one, you have to then decide if you really want to cancel or keep it and hope a code opens up to the general public for your time frame.

I know the frustration as we never, ever (and still have not) got pin codes for our yearly WDW trips. I got so fed up that I bought in to DVC (at BLT!!!) and now don't have to worry about it any more!!!!!

 

[MichellelovesMickey]

I have gotten irritated about the whole PIN receiving/not receiving issue, but regardless I was going to Disney. If that meant 1 or 2 less days or staying at a value or moderate instead of a moderate or deluxe then that is what needs to be done. Disney does NOT have to offer discounts period to anyone. I have worked retail, food, hospitality, banking etc.,. and I am sooooooooooooo tired of people trying to get something they cannot afford for free or at a discount by complaining. Booking a vacation at a resort you know you cannot afford unless you get a discount and then complaining about a discount not being offered is a bit ridiculous, nobody spends that much time in their rooms anyway. Stay cheaper and if you happen to get a discount then upgrade........don't get the upgrade BEFORE you get the discount.

 

[rie'smom]

Getting a pin code is random. In 2008, I got them all the time. Since then, except for my AP discount offers, I have not received one.
I was never bitter because we always stayed where we could afford to stay. A couple of times that meant staying offsite and we had just as much fun as we did when staying onsite.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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.

Really, isn't that like going into CVS and saying, "I'm going to not buy this store-brand mouthwash unless you reduce the price"? You may be given options - buy a smaller size, delay your purchase until it's financially sensible...

Same thing with your Walt Disney World package - AND at least at CVS, you'll be talking to a Manager or Supervisor, someone with authority. As pointed out above, if you call WDW, you'll be talking to a reservationist.

 

[nafrpe]

Hey, I'm sorry if I upset some people by asking this question. I'd never have the guts to actually do this - it was my dh's idea, ok?! I just wondered if anyone had ever done it. Bratty or not, this is how people negotiate. Well, not me - I hate negotiating for anything - even cars and I never ask for an upgrade, better table at restaurant or anything.

(As for the mouthwash thing, if we're going to use that analogy, I get a discount at CVS for having a CVS card, getting two prescriptions filled there every month, stuff actually that makes sense.) I'm not sure if anyone gets how/why Disney is giving out discounts. Doesn't seem to be to reward loyalty, which is fine with me, being a first timer. But would possibly bug me long-term if I was a frequent visitor. I'm sure there is some marketing term for this - but pricing strategies that don't make sense can't be good for a brand long-term.

I didn't book a vacation that I couldn't afford and then wait for a PIN. I booked a vacation and then came here and learned so much from everyone about PINs (and frankly it just seemed weird and arbitrary how they assign them). Following all the great advice here I was able to get a PIN a few days ago for 40% off room. So we're good.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Getting a pin code is random. In 2008, I got them all the time. Since then, except for my AP discount offers, I have not received one.
I was never bitter because we always stayed where we could afford to stay. A couple of times that meant staying offsite and we had just as much fun as we did when staying onsite.

Me too, I got them in 08 and 09 but this year haven't gotten any. Maybe they figured out I was going to go anyway.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Hey, I'm sorry if I upset some people by asking this question. I'd never have the guts to actually do this - it was my dh's idea, ok?! I just wondered if anyone had ever done it. Bratty or not, this is how people negotiate. Well, not me - I hate negotiating for anything - even cars and I never ask for an upgrade, better table at restaurant or anything.

(As for the mouthwash thing, if we're going to use that analogy, I get a discount at CVS for having a CVS card, getting two prescriptions filled there every month, stuff actually that makes sense.) I'm not sure if anyone gets how/why Disney is giving out discounts. Doesn't seem to be to reward loyalty, which is fine with me, being a first timer. But would possibly bug me long-term if I was a frequent visitor. I'm sure there is some marketing term for this - but pricing strategies that don't make sense can't be good for a brand long-term.

I didn't book a vacation that I couldn't afford and then wait for a PIN. I booked a vacation and then came here and learned so much from everyone about PINs (and frankly it just seemed weird and arbitrary how they assign them). Following all the great advice here I was able to get a PIN a few days ago for 40% off room. So we're good.

I don't think you upset anyone and your post was reasonable. I think these days you are going to offend SOMEONE anytime ANYTHING is posted at all. Don't let it get you down...just move along to the next thread and shake it off.

 

[j's m]

I was happier 11 years ago, before I found Mousesavers and DISboards.
We paid full rack rate at the GF. Didn't know any better.

Now I'm mad because we always go Jersey week (this year Nov 1-7) and there are no discounts for us. But we go then so DS15 doesn't miss any days of high school. So for doing the right thing, we pay more. Don't even get me started how much more we pay for airfare, too.

 

[leahjade]

[Now I'm mad because we always go Jersey week (this year Nov 1-7) and there are no discounts for us/QUOTE]

Disney is running a business, so they offer discounts at slower times to get people into the parks. There are very few weeks that a discount is NOT offered so if you choose to visit during that time, that's your decision.

[we go then so DS15 doesn't miss any days of high school/QUOTE]
There are plenty of summer discounts offered.

 

[rie'smom]

I was happier 11 years ago, before I found Mousesavers and DISboards.
We paid full rack rate at the GF. Didn't know any better.

Now I'm mad because we always go Jersey week (this year Nov 1-7) and there are no discounts for us. But we go then so DS15 doesn't miss any days of high school. So for doing the right thing, we pay more. Don't even get me started how much more we pay for airfare, too.

It's a little early for November. The discounts are only good through Oct 2. Last year it was Sept before WDW released general public discounts for your time frame. You may get lucky. Don't give up yet.

 

[leahjade]

Now I'm mad because we always go Jersey week (this year Nov 1-7) and there are no discounts for us.

Not sure what you're talking about - these are the discounts offered last year during your time period and have been offered the past few years.

9/27/09-12/17/09 package deal ("free dining") for Disney Rewards Visa Cardholders 7/24/09, exp 9/26/09
9/27/09-12/17/09 package deal ("free dining") for general public 7/27/09, exp 9/26/09
10/4/09-12/24/09 Annual Passholder room-only rates 7/22/09, exp 12/24/09
10/4/09-12/24/09 Florida Resident room-only rates 7/23/09, exp 12/24/09
10/4/09-12/24/09 room-only discount for general public 7/27/09, exp 9/26/09, extended to 10/31/09, extended to 12/20/09
10/4/09-12/24/09 package discount for general public 7/27/09, exp 9/26/09
11/1/09-12/24/09 package deal for general public (7 nights for price of 4 or 7 nights for price of 5)

 

[Jetta8300]

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.

I COMPLETELY agree with your frustration.

Get this: I have wanted to go to Disney my whole life, have never been (until this October! yay!) I always hear about friends and other people on discussion boards talk about these discounts etc. Which is fantastic don't get me wrong, but wouldn't Disney want to offer discounts to people who have NEVER been, and want to get people started on the "Disney Train". ?? haha. It seems like most of the people who get these pin discounts have already been to Disney.

Anyway, I have called Disney a few times and VERY POLITELY asked if there were any discounts available to no avail. So yesterday my 60 year old mother in law who has NEVER been to Disney and would never want to go to Disney for that matter GETS A PIN CODE IN HER MAILBOX! HAHA! Talk about random!! And getting discounts for no apparent reason!!! You are exactly right It is very frusterating!

Yesterday I just found information online on all of the Downtown Disney resort hotels which I did not know existed. http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/ With getting NO DISCOUNTS at all, these resorts are MUCH cheaper than staying at the Disney hotels (currently booked at CSR). and the rooms look much bigger. the Lake Buena Vista hotel will save us $700 over the course of 5 days. So we will probably be switching to one of these. You should check them out. They offer transportation to the parks as well.

 

[leahjade]

It seems like most of the people who get these pin discounts have already been to Disney

I never have figured out why people get so excited about not getting a pin code. Almost all the pins are offered to the public a little later, so I don't think there's any excuse for going to WDW and paying full price (unless you go Christmas or Easter week!) once you find the DISboards. I must admit that for our first few trips, we didn't have the internet and didn't know about all these exciting price savers!

 

[Jetta8300]

I never have figured out why people get so excited about not getting a pin code. Almost all the pins are offered to the public a little later, so I don't think there's any excuse for going to WDW and paying full price (unless you go Christmas or Easter week!) once you find the DISboards. I must admit that for our first few trips, we didn't have the internet and didn't know about all these exciting price savers!

It would seem that way, but apparently I am just really unlucky. My mother in law got the 40% off pin for these days, August 15 - October 7, 2010, October 22-October 28, 2010, November 12-18, 2010, November 27 - December 2, 2010 and December 10-21, 2010. (which skips my dates) and these are the dates of the new free dining as well! So I can't use either!

On a positive note, maybe the crowds will be lighter when I go b/c people will be trying to book the room discounts and free dining.

 

[TagsMissy]

I didn't read the whole thread but one thing I can say about pins --- call Disney. I've had pins associated to my name that were not emailed to me but when I called to ask if I had anything associated to myself I've had offers listed to me while on the phone.

 

[rie'smom]

I didn't read the whole thread but one thing I can say about pins --- call Disney. I've had pins associated to my name that were not emailed to me but when I called to ask if I had anything associated to myself I've had offers listed to me while on the phone.

CMs no longer have pin info in front of them. If you get a pin, you have to give it to them and they check it against your name.
The reservations agents were getting so many calls with people asking about a possible pin, they no longer can bring up this info independently.