How does one get a "pin code"?

[phillymummer]

Hello DISers!

I have seen people mention getting pin codes in emails. How exactly does one get a pin code? Is it just by luck? Do you have to be signed up for email updates? Is it based on frequency of travel? I occasionally get emails from Disney but I have never seen a pin code. I just read in another thread that could call Disney and ask if I have a pin code attached to my name? Do I just call the Disney reservation line? Can I do it by online chat?

thanks!
~PM

 

[ChasingLeslie]

Pin codes are mysterious. Some people get them multiple times and others never get them.

I got one shortly after signing up for an account on Disney's website, but unfortunately it was for this year (and we are going next summer).

 

[dina7]

No one really knows for sure, but I have received a few different ones in emails from WDW after going on their website & plugging dates into different resorts to get prices. Even after booking with a travel agent, I have still received a couple of pin codes.

Others have suggested going on the Disney website & request the vacation planning dvd.

 

[DisBuckMan]

I've gotten one by email, and a couple by regular mail.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

No one really knows, honestly. We've taken 27 trips... Not a single code lol. I think it's just blind luck!

 

[izzylovesmickey]

I figure only Sorcerer Mickey knows the formula!

 

[nat8199]

My MIL and I both have Disney accounts. I made her hers and she doesn't even know how to log in. We travel together on separate reservations. She has received two pin codes in the last 6mo I have never gotten one.

 

[Sleepingbeauty101]

I've gotten two last year be email and two more this year by email, non of which I could use. I booked through a at and I got the planning did and the personalized maps that you could order. So I'm not sure what the lucky formula is, hopefully I can get one I can use.

 

[kiford]

I routinely get 3-4 a year by e-mail and 1-2 by mail and so does DH. I can't tell you why. We both have accounts. We go every 1-2 years. Spend lots there. We book everything online. We used to get PIN codes for value resorts, then started them only for deluxe resorts (where we always stay) but for times we don't visit and then finally got one recently for deluxe resorts during the time we actually go. So we took advantage of it. I wonder if we will now start to get more of them for the resorts we stay at and times we go.

 

[Glittercat]

I received one this past week for free dining, but it was for this Fall, and our reservations are July of next year. Still, it was cool to finally know what they are. I hope you get one that works for you!

 

[phillymummer]

Thanks everyone! I haven't gotten any emails from Disney in a very long time.... except confirmation emails for my reservation and ADRs. I even checked my SPAM folder and nothing has come. Oh well. Should I even try calling to see if I have one attached to my name? If I do and it matches my dates, can I apply it to a current reservation?

 

[DisBuckMan]

Should I even try calling to see if I have one attached to my name? If I do and it matches my dates, can I apply it to a current reservation?

Yes, and yes. You might or might not have to change your current reservation to match the pin code offer, though.

 

[Bay Max]

I got one yesterday!!! Disney trip is booked!

 

[AngiTN]

My theory, it's based on zip code, or they are part of the formula. When Disney sees a particular zip code is not well represented in their surveys, they send out PINs. When a zip code is being well represented, no PIN codes.

And I also believe there is nothing a person can do to increase their odds of getting one. Well, other than being sure Disney has their email and/or address on their files. Obviously, if you never sign up for anything you can't get one but after that, nothing you can do

 

[larissawbb]

I got one by email for 30% off room only. When I tried to book it to add a couple of days to the start of my Fall trip, I was told they had no availability left for that code. Only thing remaining for my dates was a studio at SSR. Need bigger than that. It's a mystery how they determine who to send them to. A friend gets them all the time. She went five years ago as someones guest and the reservation wasn't in her name.

 

[Bay Max]

My theory, it's based on zip code, or they are part of the formula. When Disney sees a particular zip code is not well represented in their surveys, they send out PINs. When a zip code is being well represented, no PIN codes.

And I also believe there is nothing a person can do to increase their odds of getting one. Well, other than being sure Disney has their email and/or address on their files. Obviously, if you never sign up for anything you can't get one but after that, nothing you can do

The one I got specifically referenced that I had a trip in my cart and that I'd been to WDW before.

 

[Bay Max]

I got one by email for 30% off room only. When I tried to book it to add a couple of days to the start of my Fall trip, I was told they had no availability left for that code. Only thing remaining for my dates was a studio at SSR. Need bigger than that. It's a mystery how they determine who to send them to. A friend gets them all the time. She went five years ago as someones guest and the reservation wasn't in her name.

The rooms went very quickly. When I got mine yesterday, there were a couple of Poly options and they were gone within a few hours.

 

[vikster1]

My pin codes have come in the mail. Always a flip open card type. Not an envelope.

 

[buzznina]

Over 10 years and 20+ trips and have yet to receive a PIN.

 

[margot31]

I received one just this spring in mail and email for the same code. If I had gotten one before I don't remember only cause we were not in the position to go so I really didn't look at the mail.

My grandmother even got one and she passed away in January.