What does everyone think of this Disney Pin Code "Lottery?"

[02AggieGirl]

I really hate this idea! I don't do Hotwire and I won't do Disney like this either! First of all, non-refundable is just out of the question for us. We've had to change far too many trips b/c of DH's work to be able to risk that. Secondly, we are a family of 5, so our options for values and moderates are limited to: Family Suites, Ft Wilderness Cabins, or POR if they don't take away the trundle beds. I wonder if the first 2 options would even be included in this deal b/c they are more than the value and moderate rooms? Lastly, I am a planner and not being able to choose my hotel ruins a lot of the fun for me!

 

[Tinknalli]

I wouldn't do it for a long trip. However in an instance like we are in for April, we are going on a cruise and just need a place to sleep the night before we might take it. The rack rate for the date be need at ALL Stars is $185 for the friday night we need. I'd do it for $100 for that night. Will have to wait and see how this pans out.

 

[mommy*RN]

Is there a limit to the number of people for this PIN code? Just wondering how it would work for my family of 6?

 

[stitch34]

I think it's a lousy offer. I wonder if many will be turned off from it mainly due to the not refundable part of it, or needing to have it all paid up front... not everyone can put a full payment down at once.
Nah, I like having some flexibility to switch my plans if I want, change my mind on which resort I want, change my dates, etc.
Could be a good deal for a value, yes... but I'd hate not knowing where they are putting me. And I do think they will put people in moderates. the values are the best value, and they do fill up..... would hate to get stuck at POR or CSR or even CBR, as really am not a fan of huge resorts.
values... we really love Pop... and also like Movies. Would hate to be put into Music. For us we have our fav resorts and want to stay where we want, not some luck of the draw where they put us.

 

[ElizabethB]

They are taking the idea from cruise ships. On a ship, there is often an option to book and pay for one category of cabin, with the possibility of an upgrade -- its called the "guaranteed cabin category". Book and pay for an inside cabin and you will at least get an inside cabin -- but you might get upgraded to an outside cabin. We did it once, we got the category we booked -- no upgrade, but we also got assigned to a connecting room in our category, which is undesirable unless you have family next door. So, we never booked the guaranteed cabin category again. We prefer to pick our category and book the exact cabin that we want.

And, I cannot see us ever taking advantage of the Disney value/moderate lottery. To me, the only way it would work is if you can book a value at the very lowest discounted price available by pin code or to the general public and then have the possibility of an upgrade to a moderate. That might make it worth doing the nonrefundable thing. Otherwise, I would just book the category I want at the lowest price I can find and keep my refundability option.

Cruise ships do not charge a higher price if you book the guaranteed inside cabin category rather than the actual inside category, which is what Disney is trying to do. I do not think that will work. The only way the offer is remotely attractive is if you have paid the lowest possible price for a value resort, and pay for the "chance" of an upgrade by paying in full in advance with non-refundability.

One thing I can say -- Disney seems to have a whole team of marketing execs working on creative (some might say sneaky) ways of trying to reduce discounting.

 

[mom2rtk]

One thing I can say -- Disney seems to have a whole team of marketing execs working on creative (some might say sneaky) ways of trying to reduce discounting.

I'm not surprised. They have made it very clear that they want to do away with the big discounts. Their desire to do so does not make it happen though. Only numbers will tell. Either people will respond to these attempts or not. I think not. I predict this going over like a lead balloon.

We typically stay value, so I guess there's a chance we could get an upgrade. But no way would I do this:

1) I like the dedicated bus service at POP, so I don't even want to stay at a different value.

2) We stayed at Coronado Springs once, and I didn't like the layout or bus service arrangement. To be honest, the room wasn't that much better anyway.

3) I would definitely be out with the "pay up front" requirement.

4) My biggest complaint is the "no refund" detail. Not gonna happen. Who's going to do this, especially knowing that an acceptable discount might come along in a bit anyway.....

 

[catrax]

I think I would be willing to pay up front with no refunds as long as it was free dining and trip insurance would cover any emergency situation, or if they would allow a postponement. Though it doesn't much matter since I didn't get the offer

 

[MushLRC]

I would not do this myself. I'm a bit of a control freak and it's not worth it to me to give up that much control over my magic

 

[carrie1626]

I've never gotten a PIN
GO FIGURE!

ANd now I'm waiting to see what the next deal is. My dates are 10/31 - 11/7 and as of today- nothing

 

[mom2rtk]

I think I would be willing to pay up front with no refunds as long as it was free dining and trip insurance would cover any emergency situation, or if they would allow a postponement. Though it doesn't much matter since I didn't get the offer

I thought the same thing about needing trip insurance. But that would negate a decent amount of any savings, so what's the point?

I can honestly say for the first time in my life, I'm glad I dont' get PINs. This one would have just ticked me off!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I really hate this idea! I don't do Hotwire and I won't do Disney like this either! First of all, non-refundable is just out of the question for us. We've had to change far too many trips b/c of DH's work to be able to risk that. Secondly, we are a family of 5, so our options for values and moderates are limited to: Family Suites, Ft Wilderness Cabins, or POR if they don't take away the trundle beds. I wonder if the first 2 options would even be included in this deal b/c they are more than the value and moderate rooms? Lastly, I am a planner and not being able to choose my hotel ruins a lot of the fun for me!

I agree, this pin is so freaky weird. It is very much like Hotwire which I've done in the past and not been happy with. I can't imagine giving Disney the reins in choosing my resort for me. No thanks. The non-refundable part is ridiculous too. Case in point...last October we were booked for our trip and two days before we left I was in the hospital with horrific food poisoning. We canceled because there was no way I'd be up to going. What if I'd have chosen this wacky deal from Disney?? I'd be crap out of luck.

I think it's a lousy offer. I wonder if many will be turned off from it mainly due to the not refundable part of it, or needing to have it all paid up front... not everyone can put a full payment down at once.
Nah, I like having some flexibility to switch my plans if I want, change my mind on which resort I want, change my dates, etc.
Could be a good deal for a value, yes... but I'd hate not knowing where they are putting me. And I do think they will put people in moderates. the values are the best value, and they do fill up..... would hate to get stuck at POR or CSR or even CBR, as really am not a fan of huge resorts.
values... we really love Pop... and also like Movies. Would hate to be put into Music. For us we have our fav resorts and want to stay where we want, not some luck of the draw where they put us.

Totally agree. Who can pay their entire trip up front? I don't think this deal will go over too well and I can't help but think this is their way of phasing out deals.

One thing I can say -- Disney seems to have a whole team of marketing execs working on creative (some might say sneaky) ways of trying to reduce discounting.

Oh yes, I completely agree.

I'm not surprised. They have made it very clear that they want to do away with the big discounts. Their desire to do so does not make it happen though. Only numbers will tell. Either people will respond to these attempts or not. I think not. I predict this going over like a lead balloon.

We typically stay value, so I guess there's a chance we could get an upgrade. But no way would I do this:

1) I like the dedicated bus service at POP, so I don't even want to stay at a different value.

2) We stayed at Coronado Springs once, and I didn't like the layout or bus service arrangement. To be honest, the room wasn't that much better anyway.

3) I would definitely be out with the "pay up front" requirement.

4) My biggest complaint is the "no refund" detail. Not gonna happen. Who's going to do this, especially knowing that an acceptable discount might come along in a bit anyway.....

Yup, Iger and Rasulo stated that the days of the discount are going away. It appears they're making good on that statement, especially if they take away free dining too. Time will tell I suppose but I don't think it bodes well for those of us who've been able to go to Disney with a discount.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yup, Iger and Rasulo stated that the days of the discount are going away. It appears they're making good on that statement, especially if they take away free dining too. Time will tell I suppose but I don't think it bodes well for those of us who've been able to go to Disney with a discount.

Well, if this is how they think they're going to make that happen, then I'm not worried. Better go finalize all my December plans.

 

[Madonna3]

4) My biggest complaint is the "no refund" detail. Not gonna happen. Who's going to do this, especially knowing that an acceptable discount might come along in a bit anyway.....

People who don't know any better and think they might get something for nothing.

 

[sjs314]

This is not an offer I would ever use. DH has out and out refused to ever stay at any of the Values, especially after our DS stayed at ASsports and hated it. I am on the fence I might be willing to try a value but only certain ones, not being able to chose is certainly a big downside to this offer. Now the chance of maybe getting a moderate at that price is tempting but one has to remember there is only a "chance". Not to mention I am sure there are moderates out there that many do not like either. I have only stayed at POFQ and Coronado both of which I liked.

Also having to pay up front for the entire stay is out of the question for many who visit WDW, the average family pays a deposit and then pays off the trip over time not all at once.

No I would not take this offer. Then throw in the no changes/modifations, no refunds? Goodness one thing I like about Disney is the ease of being able to make changes.

I would love to hear from some people who have taken the leap and booked under this pin and see what resort they ended up with and if they were happy they took the offer.

 

[jdd]

Does this pin code have a set number of people for the room. I have 5 in my family so if I did this code they would have to put me in an allstar suite or port orleans for 67 a night...Sounds like a good deal for me

I'd love to hear from someone with a family of five, that has called about this pin. Do they make you book 2 rooms, or just guarantee POR?? (I'm thinking they wouldn't put you in a suite, since it's more expensive than a moderate...)

I'd also like to see them do this with a mod/deluxe lottery. That would be interesting...

 

[yooperfan]

A couple of thoughts. I wonder if they will look at the info they have on repeat guest and put guests that normally stay value into mod to try to get them hooked. Also, think about the money they will pull in off the prepaid vacations from their banks.

 

[mom2rtk]

I would love to hear from some people who have taken the leap and booked under this pin and see what resort they ended up with and if they were happy they took the offer.

Good question. Everyone posts when they get PIN codes and took advantage. Has ANYONE here her actually booked off of this PIN?????

 

[THERESA522]

Like a lot of you, I was intrigued too with this. I got the PIN, but there's no way I would use it with kids, for a number of reasons...

I won't book a vacation, pay in full months & months in advance, with no chance of a refund!!!!!

And, while I don't mind the values at all, there are some MODERATES that I wouldn't want to stay in!

I think if I was travelling for an adults only vacation, I'd be more willing to try it, just for the "fun" of it.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

I would never use this type of code. No way. I like staying at different resorts at the moment, and I have a lot more of them to try out.

 

[TandLMommy28]

I wouldn't do it. For one, I don't think I'd like not knowing what resort I was going to get. But if it were just that gamble, I think I might go for it. A Disney vacation is what you make of it, and I'd hate myself if I was the kind of person who's trip could be ruined by staying at ANY onsite property!

THe bigger gamble to me is "no refunds". OUCH. What if someone gets sick? What if there's a family emergency? A job loss? What if you book six months out and then find out you're pregnant and would rather not go during your pregnancy? Life is too unpredictable for a vacaiton with no refunds.