Vent about PIN codes

[Beeble]

I'm taking my first WDW trip with my family this November, and I've been very excited about the planning and preparation. The PIN situation has really put a damper on my mood, though. We're going whether or not we get a PIN or a discount, it just means the difference between WL and CSR.

It seems that >75% of people are getting PINs, and I've been trying the tricks for about two months. The arbitrariness of it all is what is really frustrating. I do the exact same thing as everyone else, and nothing. It seems mean-spirited of TPTB that there is some secret trick, and you have to get lucky to save hundreds of dollars.

Be that as it may, I'm sure that at some point in the next few months there will be a discount for the general public and I will get to upgrade to WL. Anyway, thanks for giving me a forum to vent!

 

[swald91]

Don't feel too bad-we've been so many times & NOTHING! I try to check out what deals they have & try to get a discount b/c we never get a pin/code, EVER. I think Disney knows we will return regardless...so don't get too frustrated-considering this is your 1st trip there are many of us out there that are in the same boat...keep your fingers crossed & have a great trip-that's what we plan to do!!!

 

[wdwnomad]

No reason to feel bad at all. You need to remember that the vast majority of Disney public don't know about the disboards. Those people aren't getting any either because have no idea on how to get a pin.

 

[d96j97]

I am sooooo with you on this one! I don't begrudge anyone who has gotten a PIN code at all...I just think it is CRAZY for the "tricks" that people are trying and within an hour or so...they are posting that they are getting this trememdous deal! I've been adding, deleting, re-adding, and swaping saved vacations for weeks now and NOTHING!!! The only PIN code we've gotten was last year during FREE dining which we were unable to take advantage of because we can't take our boys out of school. We're trying very hard to go in June but without a PIN code, we'll probably have to stay off site or possibly All Stars. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the WL and would love to stay at 40% off like many others are.

Come on PIN code, I know you're out there. Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for some pixie dust!

BTW...congrats to those of you who did get the codes!

 

[maiapapaya]

OMG, I'm jumping on the bandwagon! I'm getting so ticked it's putting me off of Disney. I get that pins are supposed to be a special promotion & marketing tool, but the way they hand them out really makes no sense.

Last year we decided to bring our kids to WDW for the first time. I put a ton of work into the planning etc. My sister & BIL invited themselves along. I made everyone's reservations and about a month later SHE got a pin. We did all benefit from that because our reservations were linked. But she just keeps getting them like they're handing out candy.

I finally got an email from Disney Destinations (my one and only ever). It thanked me for ordering the DVD and asked me to refer others to order it. I referred my sister (thinking that might trigger a pin). She ordered the DVD and the next morning SHE got a pin!

I've been pricing out packages, saving quotes etc. I told my sis to go on the reservation site and check something out. She did and, yep, the next morning SHE got another pin!!! It's crazy.

My DH refuses to go back this year if we have to book at rack rate since we know so many people who have received the 40% off offer, most of them multiple times. I don't get it. My sister and I are essentially the same demographic (age, geographic area, number of previous visits) with the exception that we have kids ... which means WDW would actually make more money off of us if they got us to book.

 

[Danibelle]

I got a PIN ONCE for WDW and couldn't use it. I have been wishing for another one since. Since Dec. 09, I have been offered 4 PIN's (but for Disneyland which doesn't do me any good at this point!). I just book at AStar's and Mods. I may never get to stay at my fav WL or Poly. Oh well. I can always use my Marriott points!!

 

[Kayleebug]

I got one PIN by postcard at least 6-8 years ago. That was it! I have tried every trick I can think of, but no PIN! VERY frustrating!!!!!!

 

[jbmgsdmom]

I'm with all of you! I have done all the tricks and nothing. Tonight I received a Disney Destination email and was excited thinking it was a PIN because of the heading but no luck. Instead, I received Walt Disney Letterhead! Seriously! The last time I changed our searches and received the survey, I told them that I keep hearing about this PIN and that we are a family of 5 heading to WDW in Oct, please sprinkle us with some pixie dust. We'll see what happens. I just hope they keep up with the general public offers this fall. Free dining would save us a ton!

 

[BigKids]

Got our first PIN yesterday! It was for Disneyland hotels, but we'd already booked for Beach Club Villas.

 

[Music City Mama]

I've done everything over the last few months to get a PIN. I ordered the DVD, saved vacations/deleted vacations at different level resorts and dates. I've chatted with CMs online. I've taken exit surveys online and on the phone. I give up. Not gonna happen for us and I'm cool with it now -- it's just infuriating to me that there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it.

 

[RachaelRol]

I got one in October for 40% of deluxe, but it's only good through June and we can't go until August.

I did the tricks in hope of getting the other pin that is good until December. Nothing yet.

Good luck to us all!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

I've done everything over the last few months to get a PIN. I ordered the DVD, saved vacations/deleted vacations at different level resorts and dates. I've chatted with CMs online. I've taken exit surveys online and on the phone. I give up. Not gonna happen for us and I'm cool with it now -- it's just infuriating to me that there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it.

Hi just noticed you said you'd chatted with cast members on-line! I cant find how to do that (I did once and now I think I'm just being bewildered but I cant remember what I did!!!) Can you enlighten me ? Pleeeeease!

 

[Misti]

30+ trips over 25 years and I've never received a pin. Maybe in my case they know I'll come no matter what. I understand your frustration. It seems whatever demographic they're targeting, I'm just not it.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I've received 3 PIN codes so far this year and none of them are applicable to the time we are planning to go (September).

I went ahead and booked, and if a better deal comes along, hopefully they can amend our ressie.

Trust me, I'm right there with you on the upgrade! I NEED a discount to get a more preferred hotel. DH became a resort snob on our first trip and ONLY wants to stay at a mod - we can only afford a value on this trip. FD or a great PIN and we can stay where he wants too.

 

[livie1205]

I have never done anything extra and we get pins all the time...I got 4 in the past 6 months alone including the one that is good for most of 2010...I dont know if doing all the extra stuff really helps.We do live in Florida so maybe that helps.I wish we knew what they look at to send pins.I know there are alot of pins that come out that the public can use so if you keep looking maybe you can still find one.I just check mousesavers all the time to see what they have comming out.

 

[Music City Mama]

Hi just noticed you said you'd chatted with cast members on-line! I cant find how to do that (I did once and now I think I'm just being bewildered but I cant remember what I did!!!) Can you enlighten me ? Pleeeeease!

To my knowledge, it's not an option, you just get lucky and and a pop-up window comes up stating that a CM wants to know if you have any questions for them.

The first time it ever happened to me, I wasn't even signed up on the site yet, so I REALLY don't think receiving a PIN has anything to do with chats. I've been on that site so many times and it's rare that I'll get the chat pop-up -- but, I have expressed to them my concerns about possibly not being able to afford the trip, etc. (on the off-chance they could somehow "recommend" you for a PIN). They've all been very nice and I did chat w/ a CM one time who said the PIN offers are just based on their "current marketing efforts". I really don't think they can make it happen. They even gave me the advice of signing up on the website, check all the communication options, etc. -- BUT, when I was having that particular conversation/chat, I was logged in -- so, obviously they didn't even know who I was/that I had an account, etc.

 

[JKSWonder]

I have received two in my lifetime.

One that we used last October for kids stay, play & dine free. And one just today for 20/30/40 off resort prices. That one I'm sure was a result of following the board suggestion of searching and saving some dates on the disneyworld website. I did that and the pin email came about a week later, mentioning specifcially the dates and the resorts I looked at, although included other dates into 2010 as well. We are not using it though, since we are taking the Disney cruise in 2010 and I can't justify two trips in one year.

My mother has received two in the regular mail, which is weird because she has never stayed there or booked a trip there. The most she did was by MVMCP tickets one year by credit card when we stayed off-site one time. One of these was mailed in her name to my house! And I was told I couldn't use it!

I agree there is no rhyme or reason to the way it works and I can totally understand your frustration.

 

[kymma]

I've tried all the tricks too and still no pin code for me.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

:

To my knowledge, it's not an option, you just get lucky and and a pop-up window comes up stating that a CM wants to know if you have any questions for them.

The first time it ever happened to me, I wasn't even signed up on the site yet, so I REALLY don't think receiving a PIN has anything to do with chats. I've been on that site so many times and it's rare that I'll get the chat pop-up -- but, I have expressed to them my concerns about possibly not being able to afford the trip, etc. (on the off-chance they could somehow "recommend" you for a PIN). They've all been very nice and I did chat w/ a CM one time who said the PIN offers are just based on their "current marketing efforts". I really don't think they can make it happen. They even gave me the advice of signing up on the website, check all the communication options, etc. -- BUT, when I was having that particular conversation/chat, I was logged in -- so, obviously they didn't even know who I was/that I had an account, etc.

ok thanks for info-at least I know I havent totally lost my marbles

 

[zoie101]

OMG, I'm jumping on the bandwagon! I'm getting so ticked it's putting me off of Disney. I get that pins are supposed to be a special promotion & marketing tool, but the way they hand them out really makes no sense.

Last year we decided to bring our kids to WDW for the first time. I put a ton of work into the planning etc. My sister & BIL invited themselves along. I made everyone's reservations and about a month later SHE got a pin. We did all benefit from that because our reservations were linked. But she just keeps getting them like they're handing out candy.

I finally got an email from Disney Destinations (my one and only ever). It thanked me for ordering the DVD and asked me to refer others to order it. I referred my sister (thinking that might trigger a pin). She ordered the DVD and the next morning SHE got a pin!

I've been pricing out packages, saving quotes etc. I told my sis to go on the reservation site and check something out. She did and, yep, the next morning SHE got another pin!!! It's crazy.

My DH refuses to go back this year if we have to book at rack rate since we know so many people who have received the 40% off offer, most of them multiple times. I don't get it. My sister and I are essentially the same demographic (age, geographic area, number of previous visits) with the exception that we have kids ... which means WDW would actually make more money off of us if they got us to book.

did uou check to see that you received their emails and special promptions... I had the same luck as you and checked my settings and changed so that I get the emails... and I finally did.