Just had LONG talk with supervisor about codes

[taximomfor4]

Ok, I was curious so I called to see if they would let me book (I'm going next year, NO way of going this year). I called and asked for package quote. I said I wanted Aug 16-21, two adults, hopper and waterpark on my ticket for 5 days. I asked for WL Woods view (after being given room choices). She quoted me $2081.42. I asked her if this was with 40% off the room and she said yes. I also asked her if I had any pins on my name that would give a better discount and she said no. THEN I went to WDW site. The SAME package on WDW with NO discount is CHEAPER! It came out to $1961.52. So how many people who got the code compared it to the site? I find it odd that a 40% code is MORE!

The 40% would not come off yours, because your dates are not during the promoted checkin dates. Try again, checking in later in August.

Beth

 

[dopeyfanatic]

As for the person who says Disney deserves this for sending out random discounts, well, I'm sure they aren't random! Marketing departments do not just draw names out of a hat.

It appears to be very random who gets them. I know who people who have gone multiple times a year for years and never got one, and people who have gone once and got one. And everything in between...AP holders, non AP....

 

[dopeyfanatic]

The 40% would not come off yours, because your dates are not during the promoted checkin dates. Try again, checking in later in August.

Beth

According to something else I read, the checkin started on the 15th. I said the 16th so I should qualify. Checkout date doesn't matter, but that was within the dates I saw posted. Also, she TOLD me that was 40% off. Even if it wasn't, why is it more when you call?

 

[CanadianGuy]

The 'something else' you read was wrong. The dates for this promotion are noted in the thread about it on these message boards.

02/25-03/07 - Peak Season Rate before discount
05/28-06/03 - Summer Season Rate before discount
08/21-10/06 - Value Season Rate before discount
10/21-11/03 - Regular Season Rate before discount
11/11-11/16 - Regular Season Rate before discount
12/09-12/22 - Value Season Rate before discount


If your check IN date doesn't fall within one of those ranges, you will not get the discount... but the stupid system they use will say that code was successfully applied even when it wasn't.

It's amazing to me that we've been preaching that same message for over a week.. but some people just assume this is good for 'whenever' -- I can assure you that you can search these boards all over and the only exceptions to the dates above are when you check IN on the dates above and then extend your stay beyond the discount period. They let you keep your initial rate for your entire stay.

You did the right thing to check online.

As for why it's more when you called, that's cause they love to put trip insurance on every quote.. you have to ask to have it removed. It adds about 120$ with taxes usually.

It's silliness for the most part but some people like it.

 

[goodferry]

Totally off topic, but regarding the trip insurance, we kept it for our trip in December 05. Our first day, my daughter was bit by something and developed cellulitis in her leg (infection) The trip insurance ended up reimbursing us for having a doctor come to our room and see our daughter ($400) send her medication($30) and it even paid for a days park hopper, with very little effort on my part.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

I thought I was using the correct dates, however regardless, she was more than happy to give me the discount...... Maybe I should call back and ask her name so everyone knows who to talk with!!!

 

[RachaelRol]

I literally just got off the phone with CRO. I tried to book a package for December 9th. Any hotel, stated I was looking to use the 40% discount code.

I was immediately asked for my pin, which I don't have.

This was the 4th time I called and was told no each time. Boomhauer and Taximom , you are not alone...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I should answer that by saying I have never once, in any way shape or form, been nasty to ANYONE at Disney. Just not the way I am.

All I want, honestly, is an answer. Why are some people getting this general discount, and why am I not? I tihnk I have every right to ask. Again, for the 5th time, I'm not asking why I didn't receive the pin code. I want to know why is it, that others that haven't received the code are being told that they DON'T need thr code to get the discount, yet I (as well as others) are being told something else.

Bad analogy with the Mickey ears thing. We're not talking about a $4.00 hat. We're talking about over $1,000.

I must have misinterperted your post then, what I got out of it was that they owed you an explination & you were going to get it. It isn't a matter of the money, if it is a Wishes promo, which none of us know for sure a yes or no... you cannot demand to know why some get & some don't.. that was why I used the hat.. Would it sound any better if I said,.. "why am I not getting to sleep in the castle?" Do you get what I am saying. I understand what you are saying.. why are some able to book without pin & others not.. that is the million dollar question. Disney doesn't owe you or any of us a reason why.. could be the wishes.. could be some of the computers aren't programmed properly...therefore not asking for he pin & letting the ressie go thru.. which is a CM screw up but not the CM that is on the phone.. but the CM's that program the computers.. no one knows the real reason. Have you gotten to book with the code yet? If you did get the code discount without the pin would you pursue wanting to know.. I don't blame you for being upset & frustrated... but Disney owes us nothing as to why... Why do I never get a code or pin.. I live less than 3 hours away, I go on an average of every six weeks... do I get anything special.. NO.. my TA got my ressie for me with the code... was I demanding an explination from Disney last week why I never get anything from them? Why do some of us get rooms with AP discounts yet others are told.. sorry sold out or not available.. that has happened to me.. my friend would call & get her ressie, I call 10 minutes later.. and I get nothing??? Disney is a business, they are not catering to us.. they cater to no one.. they have so much business, they do not need our little group of DIS'ers... they will survive without us...

 

[jnorth1007]

I compared mine to the website which is how I realized that she hadn't removed the vacation insurance. The difference is about $500. Maybe the price she quoted you included the dining plan and you didn't include in on the website or it could be a difference in the room views. I know that she gave me a room at POR for 87.00 a night instead of the usual 139.00 a night. I am waiting to hear back from my TA what the actual difference is on my Dec trip because I had to let her call back with my information and change it cause I had booked that one through her. I'll let ya know when I find out though.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I thought I was using the correct dates, however regardless, she was more than happy to give me the discount...... Maybe I should call back and ask her name so everyone knows who to talk with!!!

Are you going to call back and try to get the discount on different dates?

 

[LorieR]

I called last night to book November 13-20. I asked to use the code for room-only and was told that it was not availalbe. He said it was only for specific people in specific areas!! I booked with AAA discount just in case. I will hope that something better comes along in the meantime!! I was upset about not getting the 40% discount especially when I see how many people had no trouble at all!!

 

[Gillian]

It appears to be very random who gets them. I know who people who have gone multiple times a year for years and never got one, and people who have gone once and got one. And everything in between...AP holders, non AP....

It may not be tied to anything we normally think of. It might not be related to # of visits, level of resort, AP status. It could be home zip code, age of oldest child, date of last visit, or some strange statistic that most of us wouldn't think of. Perhaps Disney cross referenced their database with an outside database to come up with a list. Who knows?

I just don't believe that it's random.

 

[CanadianGuy]

this is what I was told too...

I was only allowed to use a code for a package deal (kinda equal to free dining if you ask me....)

so I went ahead because we do it that way anyway.

We even get great airfare from WDW travel...last year 129 on Air Tran from KC!!

so...he told me NO for the room only but I could use the code for the package.

I did not give him a PIN but he looked up my name and address and said

"you qualify for this one..."

as I have been pretty lucky in the PIN codes before...

saving me 30% on room only for March with PIN

DisFan:

Unless my math is wrong - the dates you're travelling in mid-March do not qualify for *this* promo. So you were informed more or less correctly for THIS PinCode.

There is another code out there.. the 30% off code -- that we know a LOT less about. Cleary that's the one you got.

J

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Just a thought, but here goes. Disney has been known to offer upsell rates, where the better deal will just pop up on the CMs screen. Is it possible that this is what is happening. It is just luck of the draw if the offer pops up when you call? I know lots of people who have been offered upsells, I never have in 10 years of visiting. I did recieve a postcard from Disney in January, not for the 40% off though. When I first called to check availability with the 40 % off, I was told it was not available to me. When I called asking to book with code XXX, the CM did find the discount available for me. Could it be a pop up thing?

that is a good thought.. you are correct.. they do have upsell pop ups.. not that I have ever been offered one of them but would love to!!!

 

[jnorth1007]

Okay one more thing, these are the dates that are printed on my postcard that I recieved today for the 40% off. And the person who was booking for Aug doesn't fall within them.

Now - Feb 7
Feb 25 - Mar 7
May 28 - June 3
Aug 21 - Oct 6
Oct 21 - Nov 3
Nov 11 - Nov 16
Dec 9 - Dec 22

I hope this helps but you would need to move your vacation by a whole week to recieve a discount if any. These are the dates specifically printed on my card so I would shoot for staying within them if you wanna get the code to work. I hope it does because I would love to see everyone get what they want at the price they want.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Updated the original post with news that a memo was circulated at CRO today indicating that under no circumstances are CM's to offer this booking code without the PIN.

See here.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1339138

 

[faindrops27]

Canadianguy,

Disney. Should hire you, as thier legal representor.

 

[kribit]

I think he's a Disney Travel Agent in disguise.

Thanks Canadian Guy...I've sadly, admittedly been glued to these posts and you've done a great job updating them.

 

[hniki234]

Man, these codes are confusing! I was lucky enough to get an email with the 40% off code. Mine said it was for a resort, but now I'm reading that there are codes for a package, too?! It makes me wonder because the CM I was talking to tonight asked us if we wanted to book a package instead of a room only. I don't know if that means we could've gotten a discount on tickets to or what. My DBF was actually the one that called (I've lost my voice due to a bad cold), so I wasn't able to hear all of the conversation. I'll have to call back tomorrow and ask.

I don't understand why some people without the pin are getting the discount and some aren't. I guess that's just the way it works sometimes. I'd be upset to read about everyone else getting a great deal, too. Disney is doing something right, though. My DBF and I just went this past December and had no plans to go back any time soon. We're both graduating in May and will be starting our first real jobs in August, so we weren't sure when we could go. Once I got that 40% off, it was a MUST! So Disney got two people who weren't considering a trip to go! (We also ended up planning a quick trip in March!)

For those of you who didn't get a code, I'm sending your way! I hope something comes up to make your trip cheaper!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Canadianguy,

Disney. Should hire you, as thier legal representor.

Disney had their chance.. I applied for the Canadian Pavillion at Epcot many years ago when I was young and foolish. They didn't think I had the 'right stuff'.

I'd kill to work there.. but then I'd probably end going postal so it's best I work in radio now.



Thanks for the kind words. I'm tryin to stay on top of this because as many have noted -- Planning a Disney vacation is crazy enough without all this mess.

J