The whole PIN thing makes me angry

[dskib]

I've gotten PINS in the past and seemed to have dropped off the radar, so maybe that's why I'm annoyed, but the more I read, the more annoyed I get.

Simply stated, I don't think it's right that the person in the room next to me got 40% off or free dining and I had to pay full price because I didn't receive some random email! Seriously. It's one thing to have a public promo with a "book by" date. Everyone has the opportunity. But the PINs are different. It's like they are selecting who they feel deserves a discount.

Don't like it. So now here's hoping I get a PIN for those blocked out weeks in October!

Deb

 

[LaurieN]

I'm with you, it does seem quite unfair if you think about it. I guess that's just me being bitter since I didn't get a pin yet for our Nov trip. I have gotten them in the past when I wasn't able to use them, but now that I'm able to NOTHING.
I'm sure there are many that will not agree with you (or me) but that's just the way it goes.
I have to add that we will be taking our trip weather we get a pin or not. It would be nice to know that I am paying the same price for the same service as the person in the room next to me.
Laurie

 

[Addicted2Dis]

I agree - the PIN situation is frustrating. I won't lie - in previous years I've benefited from a good PIN. Not having one this time around - I feel overlooked. Being a "loyal Disney customer" makes it even worse - you start to feel like your loyalty is being ignored. But, that's the side of the fence I'm on today. Truthfully, if I get a PIN in the mail, I would be so excited! I understand not wanting to pay full price - it's a painful thing!!! I'm holding out

 

[mb_uh]

I think that if you think about it this happens for all travel related issues.

Go to any hotel in America unless it is always 100% full and you find

1. People that payed rack rate
2. People with a AAA or other special discount
3. People who got a discount code advertised
4. People who got it through Priceline for whatever they bid

The variance in rate could be tremendous for basically the same room, same for airfare, and clothes ( I get coupons from some dept. stores because I have a credit card). This is really not that different.

It may not be fair but I think that it must work to encourage people who were not planning a trip to come.

P.S. I have never used a pin so I am not biased. The ones I have gotten have not been that great.

 

[Chelley00]

I took my mom for her first trip in October. I booked it, paid for it. Since that time she's gotten 3 pins. I've gotten 0. She actually got a pin while we were planning because I signed her up for an account.

 

[Linda T.]

I got a code for free dining for July of this year, but I very much agree with you about the pin codes. They are very frustrating! I lucked out and am very thankful but if I didn't get a pin code, my family would not have been able to go. So I hope all of you get your pin codes for the time frame you want or Disney releases a public code soon so you can all use it. Crossing my fingers for all of you!

 

[dskib]

I think that if you think about it this happens for all travel related issues.

Go to any hotel in America unless it is always 100% full and you find

1. People that payed rack rate
2. People with a AAA or other special discount
3. People who got a discount code advertised
4. People who got it through Priceline for whatever they

It may not be fair but I think that it must work to encourge people who were not planning a trip to come.

P.S. I have never used a pin so I am not biased. The ones I have gotten have not been that great.

I still think PINs are different. I can join AAA, find an advertised code, and use Priceline. Those things are available to anyone who chooses to use them. PINs are selective.

So, yes, I'm jealous that I'm no longer a chosen one, and I sit here hoping for a PIN as we speak. But I still think it's not right. Time and time again I read about people who get PINs after they've already booked, so I don't believe that it's just for people they don't think will go otherwise.

Deb

 

[su_A_ve]

Folks - it all comes down to just ONE word: MARKETING

I for one, been down there many times. However I've only gotten ONE pin in my life (even though we have 3 accounts registered, several itineraries, etc.). I've done standard ressies, AAA ones, conferences, even a bounce back. And just one PIN that I could not use cause the reservation I had was actually a better deal (bounce back) than what the PIN offered.

 

[Missytara]

I can say I have been coming down the exact same week since 2000. I have always booked my package right through Disney. I never got a reduced rate or a discount. On top of that, I paid almost double occupancy to go alone. But I still felt for the value, I was getting a lot of bang for my buck.

I didn't even know what a pin was until I joined this board about a year and a half ago. I didn't know what free dining was, discounts, etc.

I still feel like when I book it through the site w/o a discount, it is still a very good deal. Now, the last two years I have had codes, so I have been happy. This year it doesn't appear like I am getting one either, but I still happy.

 

[KikiFan]

There have been times I didn't get a pin, so I found a way to get the rate I needed, Triple A, Priceline etc. That's just the way life is, there's no guarantee its going to be fair. It's not as if it's just a Disney thing. All hotels have a variance in prices depending on how/when someone booked it. Even department stores mail out special coupons to certain people. It's just a fact of business.

Just make sure you've done all you can do to make it more likely to get a pin. Sign up on the website, price out trips, order maps, and videos etc. Right now with all the discounts they're handing out, it seems like you should be able to trigger a pin code.

 

[dskib]

There have been times I didn't get a pin, so I found a way to get the rate I needed, Triple A, Priceline etc. That's just the way life is, there's no guarantee its going to be fair. It's not as if it's just a Disney thing. All hotels have a variance in prices depending on how/when someone booked it. Even department stores mail out special coupons to certain people. It's just a fact of business.

Just make sure you've done all you can do to make it more likely to get a pin. Sign up on the website, price out trips, order maps, and videos etc. Right now with all the discounts they're handing out, it seems like you should be able to trigger a pin code.

You name it, I've done it. I'm just frustrated. I've always gone off peak when PINs and promos seem to abound, and this year, nada.

I even set up account for everyone in the travel party from 3 different family member's houses.

 

[jimmysmom74]

I was lucky and I got a PIN for Oct this year. I kinda wonder if Disney sees are travel habits and gives PINs to those who they don't think will travel without them.
Maybe if they see you have paid full price- they won't send out
Maybe those newbies that call and inquire, but don't book, get it to push them to go
Maybe they know they have us hooked so they skip us-we show up anyways!!

Just a thought!

 

[TinkWink]

Don't let it make you angry!!! Anger is not fun or magical.

Keep in mind: Disney is a BUSINESS. They like to make lots of $$$. Disney makes more money off of me if I am spending time at their Resort than if I stay home or vacation elsewhere.

Sending PINs is not some sort of goodwill gesture. It is a marketing ploy to entice you to visit WDW.

It is not a reward. It is not a matter of deserving one.

And let me tell you, PINs WORK! My husband and I talked briefly about a family vacation with our toddler this year. The NEXT DAY (Mouse ears hear a lot!) we got a mailer with a PIN code. Try this on for size: it came to my husband's name (I booked and was the primary on our only other WDW trip), at our new address (only a few months old) that I had never registered with Disney in any capacity. I'm sure they sent it to him since he was a guest on another reservation a few years ago, and hadn't visited since. We booked a trip within a week of receiving the PIN code. So it worked!

There are lots of affordable options for some Disney magic. Don't let the good fortune of others specifically selected to be drawn in with discounts get you down!!

 

[robinb]

Keep in mind: Disney is a BUSINESS. They like to make lots of $$$. Disney makes more money off of me if I am spending time at their Resort than if I stay home or vacation elsewhere.

Sending PINs is not some sort of goodwill gesture. It is a marketing ploy to entice you to visit WDW.

It is not a reward. It is not a matter of deserving one.

Exactly. Disney also markets PIN codes to people who they think would not normally book during a certain time period. It makes ZERO sense for Disney to send discount codes out to people who are already willing to pay more. So ... if you're sitting on a rack rate reservation and expecting a pin code you will probably be disappointed. I'm not saying it never happens because I'm sure it has. However, Disney isn't marketing to people they already have in their pocket (except AP holders).


OP and everyone else ... I am sorry you are sad and angry. I hope a public discount becomes available for you.

 

[Mom of 3 Princesses]

I received a PIN this year as well.

I am sorry that you are frustrated, and it does seem unfair. Although, you yourself have used a PIN and paid less than the person next door for the same services.

That being said, it is a marketing ploy. I have not been to Disney in 11 years, I just do not have that type of disposable income. We travel to other places as well, so there is the matter of time as well.

I would probably not have gone to Disney for another 11 or MORE. Actually, to be honest, I probably would not gone to visit Disney and if I DID, I would never have purchased a dining or even CONSIDERED staying onsite... EVER.

But we are staying onsite, with a Dining Plan, in a Deluxe resort because WE DID get a PIN. Who knows, maybe we will return. Maybe we will if we have so much fun we are willing to find time and use money that we usually set aside for other things if we have such a great time this time around (even if we don't get another PIN)

Maybe, or maybe not. BUT, it got us there, in turn our "little Contribution" Although NOT full price does help to continue and maintain the magic that Frequent visitors want and demand from the Disney World.

Just my .02.

 

[disneychic2]

Actually, we had a ressie at Pop Century (with free dinning) and received an email offering to upgrade us to either OKW or SSSR. Turns out they were going to run a promotion for their value resorts and bumped us up to make room for people to take advantage of the special. At least that's what we figured.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

Have you called? I've never seen anything in my email or by mail but I've been doing a lot of activity online with my account on the Disney site. I had my DH call today and I had a pin for % off so we can get 35% off at CBR for our dates, slightly better than the current public offer. She asked DH what we were looking for and he told her that we were hoping for free dining. We also checked my parents and grandparents who are going with us but no one else had a code. I'm hoping that maybe we'll get one of the free dining ones going out March 1st and it will be good for Sept. maybe even because he called, not sure if it helps or not but worth the try.

 

[ajh88]

OP - I feel your pain! I'm not angry but it does get frustrating. I get PIN codes at my address all the time for my sister who has never gone. My parents have been twice and they get codes relatively frequently.

I won't say I've never gotten one - I have had codes attached to my name when I've called, but I've never gotten one via snail mail or email.

I understand the folks who say it is marketing and that they try to get people to book who otherwise wouldn't. However, many of the other examples used here (such as department stores that send out coupons) are companies that provide incentives to their LOYAL customers to keep coming back. That's why the AP discounts and Disney Visa discounts don't bother me - I could choose to show my loyalty through one of those programs and I don't but I understand there are discounts for those people who do participate.

Macy's has never sent me a coupon to come shop there because I don't ever shop there, KWIM? They don't try to entice me to come beyond their public sales. IMHO, they could market general public discounts to those people who have never visited or who haven't been in a long time...I believe many people don't even know about those. Then make codes available to return visitors (akin to bouncebacks only you don't have to be there to book)...ALL return visitors, and do away with PIN codes altogether.

Of course, if they have empty rooms in the resorts, they want to fill them somewhow.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I've gotten PINS in the past and seemed to have dropped off the radar, so maybe that's why I'm annoyed, but the more I read, the more annoyed I get.

Simply stated, I don't think it's right that the person in the room next to me got 40% off or free dining and I had to pay full price because I didn't receive some random email! Seriously. It's one thing to have a public promo with a "book by" date. Everyone has the opportunity. But the PINs are different. It's like they are selecting who they feel deserves a discount.

Don't like it. So now here's hoping I get a PIN for those blocked out weeks in October!

Deb

Deb:

If that was all there was to it - I could see why you might think that.

But think about your plane ticket. You may have bought on sale or in a discounted window and got your seat for $199 .. The guy beside you might have bought his 2 days ago and paid $867.

Think about a car rental. If I'm an GOLDEN Emerald Aisle member (or whatever) - I might get the same SUV you rented for $399 for the week... I might get that for $199. Doesn't make me a smarter consumer necessarily. It means that based on my business profile to that company, they believe offering me the discount will result in even more business down the road.

Same here.

Add to that, the travel industry is all demand based. And when demand slacks, out come the deals.

Now.. I wouldn't worry too much about this because I really do think that "public" free dining will be offered at some point in the not too distant future. I don't have some deep inside track or anything. I just have been on these boards a few years now and you learn the patterns.

PINs go out in Jan and Feb and everyone gets worked into a lather about it.. and by the second week of April, the same PINs are now a public offer with slightly different dates and way more availability. You can almost set your watch by that pattern in the 5 years since I've been here.

So perhaps the worst case here is that the person in the room next to yours got to book their vacation a few weeks earlier than you.. at roughly the same price??

Is that so bad.. really? In the grand scheme of life the universe and everything?

PS> And don't even think about the family in the room above you who paid full price for everything cause they booked it 3 weeks before they went. Remember.. LOTS of people are never even made aware that Disney discounts are even a possibility.

 

[scribega]

CanadianGuy, I was about to make that same point about airline tickets. They can change hourly so I can book at 9am and someone else book the exact same at 2pm on the same day and the price is different. Just the way it is.

We have been going to Disney every year for a few years now. We have received PINs and also have had TA discounts access. Every year that we have gone we have booked using a general public code.