How does one access Pin Codes?

[McIsaac]

Our family trip is planned for April 28-May 5..we are budgeting where possible..do you know if there are any pin codes for dining (since we don't have a meal plan) during that time? how do I sign up to receive pin codes?? Thanks so muchhhhhh!!!

 

[ccudmore]

I'm not sure what you're refering to as a PIN code for dining. Are you refering to one that gets you free dining?

PIN codes are pretty much random. Create an account at the Disney web site and maybe you'll some day get a PIN from them, maybe not. I get a couple a year but know people whov'e never received one. They ones I get are sometimes for room discounts, sometimes for free dining. The free dining is often offered for everyone as long as there's availability. Note: Free dining means you have to pay full rate for the room. So sometimes it's cheaper to use a room discount promotion instead of free dining.

 

[minnie mum]

PIN codes are the mother lode. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. 6 numbers on the 649. You can't ask for one. You can't sign up for one. You can't beg for one. Well, you can, but it won't do you any good.

The best you can do is sign up for the disney newsletter. Perhaps send away for the vacation planning video. Do something to bring yourself to the attention of the Disney marketing fairies. Then hope.

If you want a discount, then the best thing to do is just check frequently to see what is currently available for your dates. Of course nothing is guaranteed. And a PP was correct: free dining means paying rack rate for your room. A good room discount will frequently be more value, depending on the level of resort you want and the number of people on the package.

 

[Sue M]

I think they send pin codes more to people who haven't been in over a year to entice them back, or new customers. As mentioned sign up on WDW web site for anything you can find. Newsletter, etc. Request planning DVD. Browse vacation prices on Booking section of web site.
In a few weeks you may get a pin code on your e mail. It will be from Disney Destinations. So enable that on your mail server. With some I hear it can go into their junk mail.

Good luck. I never get pin codes I think it's because we go every 6 mos. Maybe if I skipped a year I'd get one

Also look for discounts under their Specials on the web site. Mousesavers.com is also a good web site to track promos.

As mentioned, depending on which resort level, and how many people, free dining or room discount, and paying for DDP will be the better deal.

For us, - 2 people, free dining is better at moderate resorts, but room discount and buying DDP is cheaper at deluxe resorts.

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

In case you didn't know about it, there is a room discount offer available (up to 30%) for Canadians during the time you are going.
http://bookwdw.reservations.disney....tionCode=fy12q2q3roomCA&market=fy12q2q3roomCA

 

[McIsaac]

all signed up...actually received a notice about free dining but we already had our room booked through our TA for a discounted rate..ah well great to know! Thank you so much

 

[dancin Disney style]

I think they send pin codes more to people who haven't been in over a year to entice them back, or new customers.

Good luck. I never get pin codes I think it's because we go every 6 mos. Maybe if I skipped a year I'd get one

.

Sorry going to blow your theory out of the water.....
We go every year 1-3 times. Only once have I received a PIN code but my DH gets them all the time. He's already had 2 this year. His name is always on the reservation....I do the booking though. The really unfortunate part is that we can never use the codes....they just don't jive with the dates we visit. The current PIN(free dining) that DH has we actually could use but I've run the numbers and I think we are better off staying offsite and paying for meals...due to a convention that we are attending for the first few days we would end up with a lot of unused meal credits.

 

[ChisJo]

Its the million dollar question for me - I have been trying to get a pin code for 10 years now....for some reason, they don't send them to me.

 

[WDW1st-timers]

I have been getting pin codes every 3 -4 months for the past few years. Actually my daughters email also has had pin codes waiting for her too. Not sure how we got on the list, but I am happy to get them as we do go to Disney every year for 2 to 3 weeks.

 

[branmack]

Sorry going to blow your theory out of the water.....
We go every year 1-3 times. Only once have I received a PIN code but my DH gets them all the time. He's already had 2 this year. His name is always on the reservation....I do the booking though. The really unfortunate part is that we can never use the codes....they just don't jive with the dates we visit. The current PIN(free dining) that DH has we actually could use but I've run the numbers and I think we are better off staying offsite and paying for meals...due to a convention that we are attending for the first few days we would end up with a lot of unused meal credits.

I also do all the bookings and my husband always recieves the pin code emails too

 

[ph-mtl]

I also do all the bookings and my husband always recieves the pin code emails too

My Husband also did not all the bookings. I had signed up
with my work e-mail and had order a DVD. I had received a Pin Code
for Free Dining for May. So we have booked for that time. We were not
going to go in May as we were there in Dec and Also May of Last Year.
But seeing that it is free Dining We are booked and paid in Full for May 16th
for 10 Days.

 

[Polydweller]

Pin codes are a marketing tool to try to sell rooms. They are not random, though they can feel like it, but rather used to target certain groups that Disney marketing identifies. If you meet the criteria for that promotion you get a pin, if not you don't. And only Disney marketing knows the criteria.

Some years I get several, some years none and we go at least once per year. Sometimes I get them after we have booked, some years before. Some years I get them immediately after we get home, some years months later. Basically there are no hard and fast rules. In fact, for every reason somebody gives on boards like this for getting on I can give an example of how that's not true. You just identify yourself some way and hope one comes.