PIN code mysteries

[oceanmarina]

Can someone de-mystify this PIN code offer process for me. I have never (after 2 Disney cruises and 3 WDW trips all biooked directly through Disney) gotten a pin code. Do you have to be 5 trips and over to WDW to get a pin code?



For this trip I was waiting and waiting for a special offer on the Disney web site for this summer and DH said why don't you call. I did call and they had a PIN code offer for my brother (who has not been to WDW since we were kids in 82) at my old address!!They let me use that 30% PIN offer (lucky for me or else my trip would still not be booked).



I just don't understand this process. I usually get coupons at stores I shop at. I know disney has my address.



Also does a PIN code come in the mail or do you just have to call up for them?



Thanks,

Marina

 

[becpee]

I got a pincode for WDW and have never been, have been to DL a couple of times, registered on the Disney website and mysteriously had a pincode show up in my inbox.
Unfortunately we couldn't use it

 

[AStamm]

It's a complete mystery, but I tend to think they give them more frequently to those people who go less often as an incentive to come on back. DH called a few days ago to see if we had one to use on our June trip and was told no. Didn't stop us in the least from still planning on going (although we did decide to stay off-site since we've used all our DVC points for the year).

Sure it would be nice to give us a break, but Disney's smarter than that--they know that we're averaging 3-4 times a year to WDW/DL and will come anyhow.

 

[Scraggy]

I have never received a pin no matter what I've tried. The pin fairy just doesn't think I deserve one, I guess.

I've always had to use publicly announced offers.
I've never gone without some sort of discount though.

 

[Aliceacc]

We've gotten them twice: 40% in 2008 and 30% this year.

Our 2008 PIN came in January, after we had booked our trip (through AAA) in August. This year's came shortly before Christmas, after booking (through Dreams Unlimited) in June of last year. (When we went in 2009, they had the 4/3 offer after the economy crashed: book 4 nights and get 3 free. That's how 2 teachers have booked Deluxe three times.)

Some things that may have helped our chances:
- we have a Disney Visa and use it when we can. Not only does it keep our name in the Disney computer, but we accrue Disney points-- spending money for our trips
- I love to play out options on the Disney reservations site when I'm considering a trip. I play with the dates and the types of resort, in an effort to find the best deal. I save the ones I'm considering. I think it gives Disney the correct idea that I'm really trying to find a bargain, and the fact that I keep coming back lets them know I'm serious about planning a trip.
-Both times I've ordered the free maps from Disney. I only order maps when I'm seriously considering a trip.

To be honest, this year I had a plan B. If some sort of a deal hadn't come through, we had reservations at the Dolphin using the teacher's discount. That's my plan B for the future-- their Deluxe Alcove rooms can accomodate my family of 5 for the price of a Disney moderate (which can't-- my son is too big for the POR trundle.) As luck would have it, our 30% PIN makes the two resorts pretty much the same price, so this time we'll get to try the Beach Club.

Best wishes!

 

[eeyorethegreat]

I used to get them quite often never being able to use them. Then for years I didn't get any. A couple moths ago I got one of course for a time I couldn't go. I have never actually gotten a PIN I could use because our travel availability is so specific.

 

[goofy's_gurl]

This year and last year I got 30% codes for rooms..!! I just booked my vacation for Christmas time!

 

[LilGMom]

Can someone de-mystify this PIN code offer process for me. I have never (after 2 Disney cruises and 3 WDW trips all biooked directly through Disney) gotten a pin code. Do you have to be 5 trips and over to WDW to get a pin code?



For this trip I was waiting and waiting for a special offer on the Disney web site for this summer and DH said why don't you call. I did call and they had a PIN code offer for my brother (who has not been to WDW since we were kids in 82) at my old address!!They let me use that 30% PIN offer (lucky for me or else my trip would still not be booked).



I just don't understand this process. I usually get coupons at stores I shop at. I know disney has my address.



Also does a PIN code come in the mail or do you just have to call up for them?



Thanks,

Marina

I don't think there really is a method or process for getting a PIN code. We've been over 25 times, have signed up for all of the free vacation DVDs, have the Disney visa, I save WDW vacation possibilities on the WDW website, etc. and have never ever received a PIN code. We have some close friends that go as often as we do and they have gotten a few PIN codes. I've read, on here, of family members that have never been but have gotten PIN codes. It seems, at least to me, to be randomly generated from a master list of people that they have that have have stayed on WDW property and have at least inquired about booking a WDW vacation.

 

[OhMari]

My hotmail account which is under my dh name gets them all the time. My e-mail account with Charter has never gotten one. I have used that account with Disney for over 10 years. I have used pin codes 3 times. Once with the 40 percent off, twice now with the 30 percent off.

 

[erincon23]

I had never gotten a PIN code, and didn't know what they were until I started reading about them here. So I tried pricing out some reservations online, ordered the DVD.... and got one for free dining, a few months later for a room discount, and a third a few months ago for something else -- of course, we weren't able to go. We're now planning to go spring of 2013, but I'll bet we won't get any PIN codes for that time because it will be in the spring break time-range. I'll look out for them, though, and call to see if one is available, because we want to stay on property for the first time in 16 years (I've stayed at Pop when I traveled by myself and with a friend, but as a family, no).

 

[ceecee]

We have gone for the past 14 years and have gotten two codes (3rd and 4th year) none since. We have gotten good deals with the packages and free dining though.

 

[buckeev]

I don't think there really is a method or process for getting a PIN code.

Me thinks you nailed it there! We have received several Disney offers, and a VERY attractive one from Universal in addition to the WDW ones.
I'm on the web sites often and also try to call "just to say HOWDY" to the friendly CMs on Disney's phone lines.
The Free Dining ones-pin codes or public offers- are still our favorite, mainly because of the crazy expense of character meals!

 

[jamounger]

We used to travel to WDW 1-2 times a year and I would never recieve pin codes. Finally I had enough and wrote to Disney and told them I was "breaking up" with them since they were not rewarding my loyalty with pin codes yet sending every pin code to a coworker of mine that only been once. I recieved a response about the randomness of the codes. When I planned my next vacation it was a cruise( I recieved a discount for being a previous passenger) I wrote them again. I had read of cut backs and layoffs at the same time at WDW. I wrote that I was sorry that their numbers were down but since they weren't showing me the love I had to plan an alternate vacation. I told them that my X amt of vacation dollars could have helped them a little. I didn't recieve a reply but have recieved every single pin offer since then.