Why does no one answer postcard question?

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

I've read several different threads now where someone specifically asks another DIS'er HOW they are receiving postcards. (See the thread below where someone asked if anyone had recently received a code. Two different DIS'ers specifically asked what everyone was discussing and no one even acknowledged their questions!) There is mention of being on a list and then they go on to compare how good one deal is to the next. There is also mention about codes being "attached" to names when a DIS'er calls reservations to check. We've been to Disney 14 times in the last 15 years, and stayed on property for all except one of those trips. We also have always booked directly with WDW Travel. I still have NO CLUE what you all are talking about. What postcards? What codes? Why a PIN? And most importantly, with all the information that is freely shared on this board, why does no one seem to answer the question about postcards when it is asked? Someone please elaborate. I'm not asking for you to share the PIN itself, but it would be nice if someone at least explained the process to be on the "list" to be placed in the draw to begin with. Thank you. ~Ev

 

[n2mm]

First of all, know one knows why some folks get them while others do not. WE have been to WDW more than 60 times, averaging 5-6 trips a year. A member of most of Disney web sites, registered to everything, fill out all surveys and give disney my email on a regular basis. We are AP holder, 12 years now and have never gotten a postcard.

HOWEVER, my daughter got one last week. she has not traveled under her name since 1997. Since 1998, we have made all reservations for her, since hubby was a CM for 8 years. Plus we used our CM and AP room discounts for her often too. So all of her reservations have been added on to me. SO disney thinks, she has not been there for 9 years, since she has not booked a ressie under her name since then. I think the postcards go to folks who DO NOT go on a regular basis, not the ones who go all of the time or at least once a year. SO if I'm right, you need to not go to WDW for a very long time, but most of us are not willing to do this. BTW: my grandson got one when he has 5 in his name. No logic on this one, except he was an AP holder then. (However, I've been an AP holder 12 years and have never gotten one.)

 

[tinkamom]

The pin code is a code, just for you, that WDW sends to some people. If there is a code that was sent to you, it will be in WDW's computer attached to your name. That is why people will ask if a code is attached to their name. You never know...a post card could get dropped or lost in the mail! I hope this clears it up for you. I don't think anyone really knows how to get on their "list" or how to increase their chances of getting a code.

 

[kapica3]

In all the times we've been to WDW I think I received a Post card once.

On the other hand, my MIL who was visiting from Poland and was on a trip with us a few years ago (reservation made in my name - she was just listed as someone in the room) has since received 2 postcards (sent to my address), go figure.

 

[tripplanner2]

First of all, know one knows why some folks get them while others do not. WE have been to WDW more than 60 times, averaging 5-6 trips a year. A member of most of Disney web sites, registered to everything, fill out all surveys and give disney my email on a regular basis. We are AP holder, 12 years now and have never gotten a postcard.

HOWEVER, my daughter got one last week. she has not traveled under her name since 1997. Since 1998, we have made all reservations for her, since hubby was a CM for 8 years. Plus we used our CM and AP room discounts for her often too. So all of her reservations have been added on to me. SO disney thinks, she has not been there for 9 years, since she has not booked a ressie under her name since then. I think the postcards go to folks who DO NOT go on a regular basis, not the ones who go all of the time or at least once a year. SO if I'm right, you need to not go to WDW for a very long time, but most of us are not willing to do this. BTW: my grandson got one when he has 5 in his name. No logic on this one, except he was an AP holder then. (However, I've been an AP holder 12 years and have never gotten one.)

I think you are right. My DSIL went to WDW 2 summers in a row and then skipped 2 or 3 years. She got a post card at the end of last summer.

 

[princessvacg]

I do know that disney also targets zip codes in certain areas. Last year several people in my neighborhood, including myself, received disney postcards with a pin. The year before that I booked a trip through disney and then cancelled it to book at the swan/dolphin with the teacher rate. The next week I received a postcard with a pin from disney for the same time I had my origingal reservation.

 

[cobbler]

Notice the pattern in above posts: Those that hadn't been in a couple of years received one.

Not that it is always the case but if you are already going regularly . . . .

Its totally random and there is no rhyme or reason as to who receives one and why.

 

[minechuchie]

Not really sure how I got on the list to recieve postcards, but I have received a postcard every year for the last couple of years. Sometimes they come twice a year. I just received one last week. (Can't use it Dsis is pregnant and can't go) I usually go to the world once a year, and we usually have reservations for between 5 and 9 people. I used to belong to the no longer exsisting Disney club. Maybe that is the reason I get them I really don't know. Maybe it is Disney sees how much money I have spent there and figures keep her coming back... . Any way my point is not any of us really knows the how or why, just the luck of the draw I guess. Good luck Terri

 

[Seahunt]

I checked and compared AP vs postcard rates for a person who posted on the board last week who had received a postcard and wondered if that was a good rate or not- the postcard rate was about $30 more per night than the AP rate. So over her 5 night stay she would have saved $150 with the AP rates over the postcard rate BUT she would have had to purchase an AP to get the AP rates ....

 

[angel's momma]

We booked our first trip early in 2004 for Dec. We received a card that fall. Saved us enough money that we extended our stay.

We booked our Fall 2005 trip early in the year also. We received a card that summer. Saved us enough money that my parents decided to go too.

We booked this Dec's trip last Oct. We received a card recently, but it's for this spring. Has me considering taking a quick trip though....

 

[Wiggle]

I used to work very closely with our corporation's marketing department, and we did postcards all the time, similar to Disney. I will betcha that each mailing that Disney does has a very specific purpose (ie - see how well this rate plan would be received) and its recipients all have something in common demographically. Maybe a certain home zip code, maybe a certain income range, maybe more than two children under 10, maybe northeastern residents named Linda who have been to WDW four times in the past six years but not once in the past 12 months and who drive blue SUVs. There's a reason they ask you so many questions.

Check out what Angel's Momma just said...the postcard's offer has her considering taking a previously unplanned trip. Marketing at its best!

 

[safetymom]

It also is helpful if you need an answer to a question to try doing a search. Many times you can get the answer to your question that way.

 

[Aisling]

Just to add my experience--

First WDW trip in 2000, no codes, no discounts, totally oblivious to all the tips, and went through our local travel agent. No postcard.

Next trip in 2002, I used a AAA code for the BC, then used the AP code, then used a general code. Saved a ton of money. Well, lo and hehold, a month before we were to leave for our BC trip, I got a postcard in my name (I'm the booker in the family), called, and saved another $50 with the code on the postcard.

I'd always read that disney sends postcard codes to entice people to go to WDW. Well, that can't be true, since they already had me!

Also, after our AKL trip in 2004, after about a month, we got another postcard code, which we weren't able to use.

I really don't think there's any logic we can figure out. It must be an undecipherible disney criteria that has no rhyme or reason unless you're in that marketing room,

But I do call when I'm planning a trip tp see if there's a code attached to my name. So far, nothing.

Good luck

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

I just recieved a post card asking us to come back in May since the last trip they had on record (we have been several times since though) was May 2000. And, of course, I can't use the postcard on such short notice! Rats!