I Can't Believe Disney Would Stoop This Low!!!

[rao363]

So as I had posted earlier, I received a CODE offer to my secondary email. I have never booked a trip using this email or my married name, I have only used my main email and my maiden name (for 5+ trips in the past 5 years.) I ordered Vacation DVD’s, The Maps, and “Saved” Vacations to both emails, so I found it was funny that the offer went to this one. This is what the offer said:

Stay in the middle of the magic at select Disney Resort hotels.

Disney Value Resort $100*per night plus tax
in a standard room.
For stays most
Sunday–Thursday nights
10/1/12-10/4/12 and 10/8/12-10/31/12.

Disney Moderate Resort $174*per night plus tax
in a standard room.
For stays most
Sunday–Thursday nights
10/1/12-10/4/12 and 10/8/12-10/31/12.

Disney Deluxe Resort $330*per night plus tax
in a standard room at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge or Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
For stays most
Sunday–Thursday nights
10/1/12-10/4/12 and 10/8/12-10/20/12.

*Minimum length-of-stay requirements may apply. Additional per-adult charges apply if more than two adults per room.
Ask about other dates, accommodations and packages including Theme Park tickets at varying rates!
Sounds like some % off your room right?!? If I wasn’t a Disney Freak, I would have figured this email was going to save me some money, therefore, I would have clicked “BOOK NOW” and called it a day. But myself and every other Dis’er knows better than that!! We want details like how much % off the room,etc. When I checked on the internet what the rate would be using this offer, the rate was EXACTLY the same as if I didn’t have a code! I figured something was wrong and decided to call the number they provided on the email and gave the cast member the Code attached. I was shocked when he said to me, “Wow, I have never seen this before…this is not an actual discount; this email is just offering you to come to Disney and pay the “RACK RATE” for the room”!!! I started to laugh hysterical at the guy! I said, you have to be kidding me, why does this email make it seem like an offer, giving me date time frames, saying minimum nights required..etc, he told me he didn’t know!!!! I couldn’t believe it!!! Then I said, can you check and see if I had a PIN attached to my name, he told me he checked already and their was none. I said, “How did you check, when I didn’t give you or the automated system my name or anything??” He quickly changed the topic and said, “Let me check your household, what’s your last name and zip code?” Instead of arguing, I just gave him the info, but there was no PIN. He asked if I ever visited Disney World, I told him not under my married name or this email, and he told me “Oh that’s probably why their was no discount on that offer, you have technically never been here before, I told him that makes no difference, because I received nothing on my other email either!!

I will be calling back again later just to confirm this “No Offer” Offer, but if it’s true, Disney is really trying to get slick with making you think your getting and deal when you’re really not and I feel bad for the people that will be taken advantage because I am sure there is going to be MANY!!!!

 

[Disney Bunny]

So as I had posted earlier, I received a CODE offer to my secondary email. I have never booked a trip using this email or my married name, I have only used my main email and my maiden name (for 5+ trips in the past 5 years.) I ordered Vacation DVD’s, The Maps, and “Saved” Vacations to both emails, so I found it was funny that the offer went to this one. This is what the offer said:

Stay in the middle of the magic at select Disney Resort hotels.

Disney Value Resort $100*per night plus tax
in a standard room.
For stays most
Sunday–Thursday nights
10/1/12-10/4/12 and 10/8/12-10/31/12.

Disney Moderate Resort $174*per night plus tax
in a standard room.
For stays most
Sunday–Thursday nights
10/1/12-10/4/12 and 10/8/12-10/31/12.

Disney Deluxe Resort $330*per night plus tax
in a standard room at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge or Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
For stays most
Sunday–Thursday nights
10/1/12-10/4/12 and 10/8/12-10/20/12.

Disney is really trying to get slick with making you think your getting and deal when you’re really not and I feel bad for the people that will be taken advantage because I am sure there is going to be MANY!!!!

Okay, how do you figure that anyone is being taken advantage of here? It's not like you would be paying MORE to stay at Disney if these are the rack rates for those dates. I don't really see it as being particularly deceptive as nowhere that I can see are they telling you that this offer is a discounted amount. They simply made an offer of a certain amount during a certain time frame and it is up to the individual to decide if they want to accept it or not.

 

[TinyDancer]

My BFF got the same email!! It made you think you were getting a pin code and then NOTHING.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Okay, how do you figure that anyone is being taken advantage of here? It's not like you would be paying MORE to stay at Disney if these are the rack rates for those dates. I don't really see it as being particularly deceptive as nowhere that I can see are they telling you that this offer is a discounted amount. They simply made an offer of a certain amount during a certain time frame and it is up to the individual to decide if they want to accept it or not.

I think OP is saying it's deceptive because Disney is sending it out as a pin code. Most of us here on the Dis know that if you get a pin code, it's usually for a discounted price on the rooms (other than rack rates). So when people see this email, they will think its a pin code for a discount, when in fact it's not. If anyone can book and get the same rate (pin code or not), then that can be deceiving. True, you aren't going to pay more, but it's the idea that Disney is trying to pass if off as a pin code when it's not.

 

[rao363]

Okay, how do you figure that anyone is being taken advantage of here? It's not like you would be paying MORE to stay at Disney if these are the rack rates for those dates. I don't really see it as being particularly deceptive as nowhere that I can see are they telling you that this offer is a discounted amount. They simply made an offer of a certain amount during a certain time frame and it is up to the individual to decide if they want to accept it or not.

Really, Lets be honest...if you got this email...you WOULDN'T think you are getting a discount???

 

[rao363]

I think OP is saying it's deceptive because Disney is sending it out as a pin code. Most of us here on the Dis know that if you get a pin code, it's usually for a discounted price on the rooms (other than rack rates). So when people see this email, they will think its a pin code for a discount, when in fact it's not. If anyone can book and get the same rate (pin code or not), then that can be deceiving. True, you aren't going to pay more, but it's the idea that Disney is trying to pass if off as a pin code when it's not.

EXACTLY!

 

[TaraPA]

Okay, how do you figure that anyone is being taken advantage of here? It's not like you would be paying MORE to stay at Disney if these are the rack rates for those dates. I don't really see it as being particularly deceptive as nowhere that I can see are they telling you that this offer is a discounted amount. They simply made an offer of a certain amount during a certain time frame and it is up to the individual to decide if they want to accept it or not.

Agreed. Nowhere do I see an offer of a PIN or discount, so I wouldn't have assumed it.

 

[smitch425]

I think OP is saying it's deceptive because Disney is sending it out as a pin code. Most of us here on the Dis know that if you get a pin code, it's usually for a discounted price on the rooms (other than rack rates). So when people see this email, they will think its a pin code for a discount, when in fact it's not. If anyone can book and get the same rate (pin code or not), then that can be deceiving. True, you aren't going to pay more, but it's the idea that Disney is trying to pass if off as a pin code when it's not.

OP, correct me if I am wrong, but I am guessing there was no 15 digit "PIN" code in the email,right? I have gotten several emails just like this in the past with a 3 digit code. It is just a code Disney uses for that particular timeframe.At no time did I ever think Disney was trying to pull a fast one. Anyone with half a brain would do the math to see if it was any sort of discount before shelling out thousands for a vacation, and if they didn't then that's on them.

 

[TaraPA]

There was no PIN code in the email. I have gotten several emails just like this in the past. At no time did I ever think Disney was trying to pull a fast one. Anyone with half a brain would do the math to see if it was any sort of discount before shelling out thousands for a vacation, and if they didn't then that's on them.

Disney is a business, bottom line. Of course they're going to send emails with offers to stay with no discounts to potential new customers. Not everyone is as discount savvy as us Dis-ers. Most of my friends go to Disney on rack rate, and would book from that email in a heartbeat. Disney knows what it's doing & to say they're "stooping to a new low" is absurd.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

OP, correct me if I am wrong, but I am guessing there was no 15 digit "PIN" code in the email,right? I have gotten several emails just like this in the past with a 3 digit code. It is just a code Disney uses for that particular timeframe.At no time did I ever think Disney was trying to pull a fast one. Anyone with half a brain would do the math to see if it was any sort of discount before shelling out thousands for a vacation, and if they didn't then that's on them.

I received a no discount pin code once and it did come with a 15 digit pin code. I think it's pretty deceptive. Sadly, I haven't received a pin since.

 

[LJSquishy]

I get emails like this all the time, and I do not think it comes across as being a special offer/PIN. The email just shows you that for the quoted room rates, it is for travel during such and such time frame, since after all, prices will be different throughout the year because of peak/off-peak seasons. It also says minimum length of stay MAY be required, not that it is required necessarily.

 

[Ciorsdah]

Hi. Reading the emboldened text, it doesnt read like an offer at all, it reads like a standard sales advert. Seems like Disney have pulled together an eflyer and stuck it to an email.

Sorry to disagree, but that is not deceptive email.

 

[rao363]

No, There was no 15 digit code #; There was a 3 digit code #, which I thought was odd, but figured it was the new style promotion emails for 2012.

Good for you all that received this email and didn’t fall for the “fake offer” though I find it very hard to believe that you didn’t think it was a PIN when you received it the first time!

Here is the Bottom Line: I am not saying that Disney is the biggest scum on earth, but you cannot honestly tell me that this wouldn’t be considered a deceiving email for some people. Case in point…Don’t make the subject of the email “Check Out This Magical Offer “Smith” Family!! For anyone who has EVER received a PIN though email, you know that the subject is very similar, if not, the exact same wording as an email with a PIN. Another issue, it was a “GAME ON” email…not that makes a difference, but the boards have been blowing up with “I got 30% off my room with my game on email/mail” Or “I got free quick service dining with my game on email/mail.
If this email was intended to inform me of Disney’s Room Rates for the selected month that I had a “saved” vacation for, why not send me the standard recap email of the info. that I had inputted such as travel month, hotel,etc. Ya know, the one that says something like “Thanks for inquiring about a stay at the Polynesian Resort this October 2012. Here is some additional info. that you may find useful”. (FYI, I also received this email too, a couple days ago.)

Will I never return to Disney because of this, ABSOLUTELY NOT! But I do think they should remove the word “offer” from this email or whatever else needs to be done to clearing state that it’s not a discount,etc.

 

[acwsmom]

I'm sorry but I have to nicely disagree with everyone who says it's not deceptive. I used to get pin codes all the time. Then, starting last summer, they disappeared. However, I have gotten two mailers at home and several emails since then. But they're all "offers" for full price (or whatever special happens to be going on for the public at that time).

I can see how several of you would say it's not deceptive if the email never says "special offer" and it never mentions a discounted price. But several of my emails have actually used those words. My latest email has "Don't miss out on this enchanting Disney offer, xxxxxx family!" as the subject. Then, in the main part of the email it says "For starters, the best way to get the most magic out of that visit is with an offer like the one we're giving you over there on the right." You look to the right where it gives the per adult/child package price and just below it, it says "The number of packages available at this rate is limited." Doesn't that make it sound special and like you're getting a deal that others don't have access to? And as an English major from forever ago, saying a rate is limited to a number of packages means just that - that only people receiving that email can get this "enchanting Disney offer."

I'm sorry but that's deceptive and actually made me pretty angry when I opened it. I can handle my constant emails saying "here's a look at your Disney resort" when I save packages under my name. I wouldn't expect an offer in that email (although I've had a few in the past come in that way too).

 

[babyrich]

So as I had posted earlier, I received a CODE offer to my secondary email. I have never booked a trip using this email or my married name, I have only used my main email and my maiden name (for 5+ trips in the past 5 years.) I ordered Vacation DVD’s, The Maps, and “Saved” Vacations to both emails, so I found it was funny that the offer went to this one. This is what the offer said:

Stay in the middle of the magic at select Disney Resort hotels.

Disney Value Resort $100*per night plus tax
in a standard room.
For stays most
Sunday–Thursday nights
10/1/12-10/4/12 and 10/8/12-10/31/12.

Disney Moderate Resort $174*per night plus tax
in a standard room.
For stays most
Sunday–Thursday nights
10/1/12-10/4/12 and 10/8/12-10/31/12.

Disney Deluxe Resort $330*per night plus tax
in a standard room at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge or Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
For stays most
Sunday–Thursday nights
10/1/12-10/4/12 and 10/8/12-10/20/12.

*Minimum length-of-stay requirements may apply. Additional per-adult charges apply if more than two adults per room.
Ask about other dates, accommodations and packages including Theme Park tickets at varying rates!
Sounds like some % off your room right?!? If I wasn’t a Disney Freak, I would have figured this email was going to save me some money, therefore, I would have clicked “BOOK NOW” and called it a day. But myself and every other Dis’er knows better than that!! We want details like how much % off the room,etc. When I checked on the internet what the rate would be using this offer, the rate was EXACTLY the same as if I didn’t have a code! I figured something was wrong and decided to call the number they provided on the email and gave the cast member the Code attached. I was shocked when he said to me, “Wow, I have never seen this before…this is not an actual discount; this email is just offering you to come to Disney and pay the “RACK RATE” for the room”!!! I started to laugh hysterical at the guy! I said, you have to be kidding me, why does this email make it seem like an offer, giving me date time frames, saying minimum nights required..etc, he told me he didn’t know!!!! I couldn’t believe it!!! Then I said, can you check and see if I had a PIN attached to my name, he told me he checked already and their was none. I said, “How did you check, when I didn’t give you or the automated system my name or anything??” He quickly changed the topic and said, “Let me check your household, what’s your last name and zip code?” Instead of arguing, I just gave him the info, but there was no PIN. He asked if I ever visited Disney World, I told him not under my married name or this email, and he told me “Oh that’s probably why their was no discount on that offer, you have technically never been here before, I told him that makes no difference, because I received nothing on my other email either!!

I will be calling back again later just to confirm this “No Offer” Offer, but if it’s true, Disney is really trying to get slick with making you think your getting and deal when you’re really not and I feel bad for the people that will be taken advantage because I am sure there is going to be MANY!!!!

I received the same exact offer except it came in the US Mail. My DH looked and said, hey we got a discount! I read it and said... no we didnt, I just priced a vacation earlier today and it was the same exact price as this.

I guess they are just enticing us to make a reservation. Yeah, it is lame.

 

[kcmickey]

Unless you have recieved this offer, you don't realize that it completely MIMICKS a PIN code offer!!!! I recieved this exact same thing in the mail 2 or 3 weeks ago. It had "Game On!" on it and everything which is the exact same thing many disers have recieved that contained an actual PIN. I think it's fine if they want to send a flier but it was the exact same appearance as a PIN code. I quickly figured out it wasn't when I noticed the 3 digit code at the bottom. There is/was another thread just the same as this one that someone else started and that person was told that recieving this flier was a "stage 1" mailer and that often times a "stage 2" mailer will follow with an actual offer. Let's hope that's true for us!!
OP, I feel your pain

 

[yooperfan]

I feel by stating minimum nights may be required they cross the line. Really, they are just letting you know what rack rate is but saying you can only stay at rack rate if you stay a min. Number of nights? Makes no sense to require a min. Length of stay if it's not intended to look like a discount

 

[MissManda]

I do believe that this sort of email is deceptive. I received the same email yesterday and when I first saw the title "Check out this magical Disney offer, xxxx family", my heart skipped a beat. I thought I had finally gotten a PIN code. That excitement turned to disappointment when I realized it wasn't really a pin.

To me when they call it a "Resort Offer" that makes it sound like you are getting something special, when in fact its regular rack rate. My offer is for June and I recognized right away that the rates were not discounted so I was not "fooled". Also, the week we are going falls under their discounted room rate special. So, should I have gotten this email offer and booked it, I would have been paying a lot more money for my trip.

I can see how someone who is not as well versed in Disney planning could be fooled by this email and think that they got something special when in fact they did not.

Oh well...still patiently waiting to see if I can get a PIN for free dining (that would save us more than the room discount!). Good luck to all the others wishing for a PIN.

 

[smitch425]

Unless you have recieved this offer, you don't realize that it completely MIMICKS a PIN code offer!!!! I recieved this exact same thing in the mail 2 or 3 weeks ago. It had "Game On!" on it and everything which is the exact same thing many disers have recieved that contained an actual PIN. I think it's fine if they want to send a flier but it was the exact same appearance as a PIN code. I quickly figured out it wasn't when I noticed the 3 digit code at the bottom. There is/was another thread just the same as this one that someone else started and that person was told that recieving this flier was a "stage 1" mailer and that often times a "stage 2" mailer will follow with an actual offer. Let's hope that's true for us!!
OP, I feel your pain

I got the 3 digit flyer in the mail, but as I do with everything, I checked it out before getting my hopes up. It was not a discount. Was I bummed, well, yeah, but did I think Disney was "stooping"? Nope.

I can't remember how much time had passed (3-5 weeks??), but I DID recieve a 15 digit PIN code via email shortly after for 10% of my room. So for anyone who recieved the 3 digit email, keep an eye out for a PIN. It is probably coming soon.

 

[hollywoodpc]

Sadly , a friend just returned home from his trip . Had a BounceBack offer for 35 % at Deluxe Hotels . Asked for AKL Standard . Got a quote of $306 per night WITH TAX for a 7 night stay . Yes . That was a 35 % Bounceback offer . When the cast member was asked about the normal price for that time ( 1st week of December ) the cast member had no idea what the rate was . He was sure of one thing though . And that was $ 306.00 per night at 7 nights with a bounceback of 35 % .Hmmmm . It hurts me to say that some Cast Members are capable of such low brain power . That makes the regular rate at about $475.00 a night ! And AKL at that time is $305.00 plus tax rack rate . Go figure and pay attention.