Current Pin Code environment

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

Just wondering, back about this time in 2012 when I was planning for our December trip, I seem to recall getting numerous pin code offers, through snail mail (both postcard and full brochure type) as well as many email pin code opportunities.

We are looking at going back again December of 2014 and for the life of me I can't seem to recall the last time I was sent one (other than a Disney Visa offer).

I know who gets them and when is still one of life's great unsolved mysteries, but I was just wondering if people are seeing more of them, less or about the same level as prior years.

For me, its definitely less.

[wilcat]

If memory serves I got a pin code via snail mail every month last year. Why I got so many is beyond me and I will be quite surprised if I get any this year. I was not able to take advantage of them as we will be staying offsite with friends in March. Too bad we can't share them with folks that could use them. Hang in there one may come in when you least expect it.

[dkmwong]

How do you get on the list to get pin codes? I'm never that lucky

[brownie]

How do you get on the list to get pin codes? I'm never that lucky

That is the great mystery. If anyone knows, they're not saying.

[Polynesian Dweller]

That is the great mystery. If anyone knows, they're not saying.

Only ones who know are those in Disney Marketing. It's a marketing tool and they set the criteria for who will get a pin. Meet the criteria you get one otherwise not. They do not reveal their marketing strategies so you won't know what the criteria are.

Some years I get several and some years none. All you can do is register with them and hope.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Just wondering, back about this time in 2012 when I was planning for our December trip, I seem to recall getting numerous pin code offers, through snail mail (both postcard and full brochure type) as well as many email pin code opportunities.

We are looking at going back again December of 2014 and for the life of me I can't seem to recall the last time I was sent one (other than a Disney Visa offer).

I know who gets them and when is still one of life's great unsolved mysteries, but I was just wondering if people are seeing more of them, less or about the same level as prior years.

For me, its definitely less.

I've been wondering the same thing. I received countless offers last year and now when I have a trip coming up in October I am hoping to see one, NADA zilch nothing.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

I've been wondering the same thing. I received countless offers last year and now when I have a trip coming up in October I am hoping to see one, NADA zilch nothing.

I was getting a lot of the routine ones in 2011/2012 but in May 2012 is when I think I got the free dining pin code. I think it was later released to the general public in late July or early August, but I was able to lock it in before June.

I'm not even sure if I saw a pin code offer in 2013.

[steamboat willy]

We were't planning a Disney Trip in 2013, waiting to celebrate our 30th this year, Sept. 2014. Last year we received a postcard Pin Code for Free Dining. A WDW Watercraft reunion, Edwin McCain Band at F & W Eat To The Beat changed our minds for that Oct 2013 Trip. This deal became Public as well with the same dates. Now waiting on the SAME deal to come along now that we want a FALL Pin Code offer.
What do you experts think of a FALL Room Discount or Free Dining Pin Code for this year? Waiting to make a reservation at the advice of MJ. Checking the Mailbox every day looking for that MICKEY Postcard!

[JerseyDad]

Only ones who know are those in Disney Marketing. It's a marketing tool and they set the criteria for who will get a pin. Meet the criteria you get one otherwise not. They do not reveal their marketing strategies so you won't know what the criteria are.

Some years I get several and some years none. All you can do is register with them and hope.

....guess that being a 'repeat customer' ....is not a "triggering point" in their marketing strategies ...because we've gone 11 times in 10 years ...and got ZERO Pin Code offers.

....unless? .....they figured that we'll go anyway ...and offered us nothing because of that?

....let's see what happens in 2015 if we don't make our annual trip in 2014? (btw ...not holding my breath)

[SurferStitch]

I never count on pin codes. In the 30 or so trips we've taken over the past 17 years, we've only ever received one pin code in the mail, and we couldn't use it since it didn't work with our travel dates.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

There is a general offer out for the spring with 30% off plus a free day if you book at least 4 days, I'm hoping they extend that for the fall

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

We were't planning a Disney Trip in 2013, waiting to celebrate our 30th this year, Sept. 2014. Last year we received a postcard Pin Code for Free Dining. A WDW Watercraft reunion, Edwin McCain Band at F & W Eat To The Beat changed our minds for that Oct 2013 Trip. This deal became Public as well with the same dates. Now waiting on the SAME deal to come along now that we want a FALL Pin Code offer.
What do you experts think of a FALL Room Discount or Free Dining Pin Code for this year? Waiting to make a reservation at the advice of MJ. Checking the Mailbox every day looking for that MICKEY Postcard!

I had honestly thought that 2012 would be the last year that we'd see free dining, other than for that period in Aug/Sept that they've traditionally offered it. But it was offered again in 2013, albeit fewer days and not in Jan/Feb like in 2012. So they did scale it back for 2013 somewhat. But the million dollar question remains, will they bring it back again for 2014?

Usually pin code offers don't work out for me and I never seem to get them when I actually want/need them. 2012, it finally worked out. I actually, from one perspective, don't want free dining, I prefer the room discount. But the free dining in our situation is almost too good to pass up.

To another of your points. Disney has a pretty flexible refund policy, especially if you are only booking a room. I did that in 2012, had MJ book my a room for 10 nights at POR, then later when the fee dining pin code came out, they were able to switch it over to a package deal. So you can always book a room and cancel later if the discount offers aren't there.

[iheartdisney]

Only ones who know are those in Disney Marketing. It's a marketing tool and they set the criteria for who will get a pin. Meet the criteria you get one otherwise not. They do not reveal their marketing strategies so you won't know what the criteria are.

Some years I get several and some years none. All you can do is register with them and hope.

I just don't get it. I've gone to Disney World about once every 18 months since it opened in 1971. I've never received a pin and I assumed it was because those in marketing knew that I'd be visiting anyway and didn't need to be enticed with a pin deal. But then I read, on another site, that a particular fan goes every year and gets a pin "every year."

So, there goes MY theory.

I am SO curious as to why I don't fit into the Disney marketers criteria. It can't be because I'm not "fan enough!"

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

I just don't get it. I've gone to Disney World about once every 18 months since it opened in 1971. I've never received a pin and I assumed it was because those in marketing knew that I'd be visiting anyway and didn't need to be enticed with a pin deal. But then I read, on another site, that a particular fan goes every year and gets a pin "every year."

So, there goes MY theory.

I am SO curious as to why I don't fit into the Disney marketers criteria. It can't be because I'm not "fan enough!"

I order the planning DVD every year, I think that has something to do with it.

[PopPhan]

I order the planning DVD every year, I think that has something to do with it.

Nope! I get the dvd every year as well, and have never gotten anything but the GP PIN codes.

I get more from my Chase Disney Visa.

[mickclub1955]

We go all the time. I haven't had a pin in a long, long time. We took our niece (my DW brothers daughter) 5 years ago for her graduation present. Now she gets pin codes mailed to our address. We don't get anything. Go figure!!!!

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

I just don't get it. I've gone to Disney World about once every 18 months since it opened in 1971. I've never received a pin and I assumed it was because those in marketing knew that I'd be visiting anyway and didn't need to be enticed with a pin deal. But then I read, on another site, that a particular fan goes every year and gets a pin "every year."

So, there goes MY theory.

I am SO curious as to why I don't fit into the Disney marketers criteria. It can't be because I'm not "fan enough!"

I see that your location is Georgia. Mine is Minnesota. I wonder if maybe, at least at certain times, if cold weather locations are some times targeted more so than warm locations. I know after my 1 hour commute in this morning in the snow, a pin code right now might get me right on the plane.

Its so hard to say based on all the ways we can connect with Disney. I think of just the basics, having a login on WDW website, being a past guest, ordering planning dvds, being a member of the movie club, doing Disney movie rewards, getting Disney insider, shopping at Disney store and using Disney Visa, entering all the sweepstakes, requesting DVC info and those are just the ones I associate with. Who knows which ones if any, trigger the release of a pin code.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

Of course today, my boss, not the biggest Disney fan, forwards me a pin code email offer that he received.

It was from Disney Destinations and was called "come back and get into character with one of these offers" and there was a picture of mom/daughter with Captain Hook. I was shocked because the pin code offer included free DDP thru stays as of 3/5. The room discount went into the summer.

It actually more the feel of a bounce back offer, kind of a "we want you back" pin code.

Maybe since we went in 2012 but not 2013 we'll see one later in the summer. Certainly would be nice.