What are these discount codes for that everyone talks about??

[edk35]

What are they...how do you get them...and do you have to join something to get them??

TIA

Denise

 

[TiggerPiglet]

Every so often discount codes are put out for specific times of year and are only available for a specific time. So, when they come out, you have to be on top of it, to make sure you can get the discount. www.mousesavers.com is the site I usually check for discount codes.

 

[WillCAD]

Disney release discount codes in a variety of places. They are typicaly three-letter codes that you can use to book a room at the discounted rate. All you have to do to use a code is to call Disney to book your room, and before you tell the CM your dates, tell them "I have a discouont code." Then tell them the 3-letter code and they will enter it into the computer along with your dates. If the code is available for your dates at your resort, the rate will appear on the CM's computer.

General public codes are usually published in newspaper and magazine ads. Some codes go to specific publications, such as Spanish-speaking newspapers, and others go to more mainstream publications like major newspapers (New York Times, etc).

Then there are codes restricted to certain membership groups, such as AAA or WDW Annual Passholders. To use these codes you have to be members of the group and show proof of membership at check-in.

And finally there are person-specific codes, which are sent out by postcard or by email. Codes like these have a PIN associated with them so that only the person who got the postcard can use them. I don't know how strictly they enforce that, however; it may be possible for someone to use a postcard or email code that was sent to someone else.

 

[edk35]

thanks so much for explanation. I always hear about people using codes and didn't know exactly where they got them. I wonder how you get email and postcard codes sent to you. I hope I get them.

Denise

 

[seashoreCM]

I wouldn't blindly take a code somebody got from a friend of a friend and try to book a room with it.

You need the entire advertisement or blurb or postcard that describes the rules and conditions.

You don't want to arrive at the resort and suddenly find out you need an annual pass or need to answer some questions in Spanish (RE the Spanish newspaper's ad) to check into the room.

You get postcards based on Disney's profiling of you, either from past visits or from information Disney got from banks, insurance companies, credit card companies, etc. because you did not opt out after reading the latters' privacy and information sharing notices.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

I would expect, that if you failed to fulfill the code requirements you would either get the room at the best discount you did obviously qualify for such as AAA or AARP, or be given a refund of your deposit to walk away.

 

[Ted and Holly]

I wouldn't blindly take a code somebody got from a friend of a friend and try to book a room with it.

You need the entire advertisement or blurb or postcard that describes the rules and conditions.

You don't want to arrive at the resort and suddenly find out you need an annual pass or need to answer some questions in Spanish (RE the Spanish newspaper's ad) to check into the room.

You get postcards based on Disney's profiling of you, either from past visits or from information Disney got from banks, insurance companies, credit card companies, etc. because you did not opt out after reading the latters' privacy and information sharing notices.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

I would expect, that if you failed to fulfill the code requirements you would either get the room at the best discount you did obviously qualify for such as AAA or AARP, or be given a refund of your deposit to walk away.

I have used a code from a Spanish newspaper. I was never quizzed on my Spanish speaking ability.

When you read Mousesavers, the stipulations will be listed under each code. Obviously, if it is an Annual Pass rate, you will need an Annual Pass to take advantage of it. Mary is very good at listing this and even posts comments on certain codes and peoples' success in using them.

Ted

 

[WillCAD]

I also used a code from a Spanish newspaper (the late great CVZ code for a Sept 2001 trip - first time I ever got a value resort for $49!) Codes published in magazines or newspapers are general public codes; that is, they are open to anybody, without regard to membership in some group. The only exception is if the advertizement actually says that there is a restriction on the use of the code.

Restricted codes, such as postcard, email, or AP holder codes, always have their restrictions listed very clearly wherever they are advertized.