Reservations & PINs - walk me through the process?

[Chynasmom]

I'm looking at an October 2012 trip, staying at the Fort Wilderness Cabins. I signed up on the Disney site a while ago and have received several discount PINs for 2011, so I'm reasonably confident I'll get something for 2012 (assuming they continue the PIN program). But we're going, regardless.

So - do I make my reservations whenever the 2012 rooms become available (and when is that, generally?) and then apply a PIN if one comes up? Or do I have to wait until I get a discount offer and THEN make the reservation? And if I make the reservations first, should I go with a just-room reservation, in hopes of a room discount (which, if I get this right, can't be used with a room/tickets/dining* package) or get the package and then I'll be able to separate things out if I use a discount PIN?

Finally, there's a possibility that my FIL will be joining us but driving in with his own camper. If I make his reservation too (since we'll be paying for him), will that impact our potential PIN-use?

*I haven't actually decided whether we'll be using a dining plan - it will be our DD's first trip (she'll be 4), so we'll definitely be doing at least a couple of character meals. I realize that the cabins have kitchens, but frankly, doing a lot of cooking takes away some of the "vacation" for me!

Thanks!

 

[Granfan]

I would make room only because you can call and make it far ahead plus you only have to pay about $200 deposit to hold it. If you get a pin later you can apply it or cancel and rebook. You can probably wait several months and not risk unavailability.

 

[lilclerk]

I got about 12 PINs last year, and haven't gotten one this year so don't be too PIN-confident Luckily my friend got one and he's coming on this trip, so we were still able to use it.

Room rates for the next year tend to come out in August.

My philosophy on when to book is, if you're going to go on the trip whether you're able to get a discount or not, book whenever you're confident in your dates to ensure you get the resort you want. If a discount comes up, you can certainly call to have it either applied to that reservation, or you may have to change resorts/room categories in order to get it.
If you're only going to go if you get a discount, wait for the discount to come out. You're only artificially inflating the resort's booking numbers and possibly decreasing the chance of a discount being offered. Booking way ahead and "holding" the room really doesn't hold anything. If that resort/room category isn't available for whatever discount is offered, you'll have to change resorts anyway.

Also, you can definitely use a room discount and turn it into a tickets/dining package. Only the room portion will be discounted though.

 

[Chynasmom]

Thanks! We're absolutely going, so I'll just keep my eyes peeled for when 2012 is open for booking.

 

[canozuk]

sorry, I am new to all this. where do you sign up to receive PINS?