Everything You Need To Know About Discount Codes

CanadianGuy

<font color=green><br><br><font color=blue>Me and
Joined
Apr 24, 2006
Every January it begins -- the CODE frenzy for discounts for the upcoming year. There's a few things to know about how Disney parcels out discount and codes and I've tried to gather it all up in one place.

Code Terms 101

PIN - a numerical sequence that gives you access to a discount offer "code"

CODE - a three letter combination that the agent uses to book a discount offer

PIN-CODE - a three letter combination that requires the agent to enter a PIN to complete the booking process

The terminology sucks. I'd like to create new terms that make sense to everyone here and force everyone to use them. But that ain't going to happen.

If you're still confused think of it like this.

The PIN number you receive in the mail or email -- is like a password for the agent to 'unlock' your special offer code.

If you receive a PIN-offer by email or postal mail. You will have a series of numbers. That is what you give to the agent on the phone. THEY will take care of finding the right 3 letter code that goes with that PIN-offer. You needn't worry about that. These PIN codes are non-transferable.

How do these codes work and where do I find them? Are the Disney issued or from outside sources??

Disney has 'discount codes' for different reasons.. to induce guests to visit their resort properties at various times for various reasons throughout the year. Generally speaking -- they are issued for lower-traffic times of year to fill up rooms in the resort. Disney sometimes issues special codes for AAA packages. But it is still Disney that controls the codes.

There are two types of codes. General public. And codes associated with your name only, which are sometimes referred to as 'PIN-CODES' or PINS.

General public codes can be used by anyone and are listed on this site at DISCOUNTS (http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-current.htm#hm-currdiscounts-right).

For absolute clarity. A PIN-CODE is still three lettters and it is most easily defined as a code that requires a PIN. Asking someone to send you their PIN code will do you no good. They are not transferable from person to person. So please don't ask.

General public codes are also usually noted on the Disney site itself but can be harder to find if you don't know where to look there. General public codes do not require a PIN.

PIN-Codes can be used by the recipient family and nobody else. They are not transferable. Some folks have reported success in using cards that arrived at their address in other peoples names. The rule seems to be if you live at the address on the offer.. you're good. Sharing a pin code is a big no-no and generally will result in the second person being told they are not eligible for the discount.

Do they work for packages or single/seperate things/costs?

So far we've seen codes that include free dining, for 20, 30 or 40% off selected hotel rooms.. and one code that included a free parkhopping & waterparks fun n more upgrade to your base tickets.

A 15, 20, 25 ,30 or 40% off room-only code .. sometimes can be used with a package.. But when you do so, you are still only getting (x)% off the room portion of your package costs. The Tickets, dining plan and any other optional add-ons are at the normal rate unless your offer explicitly says otherwise.

At any given point in time there may be several codes that may apply to your vacation. Pick one. You can only use one discount code per reservation. Choose wisely. :)

How Do I Get "On The List" To Get A Pin Offer?

How people get selected for to receive email/postcard offers is a source of never-ending debate on these boards.

Signing up at the WDW website and giving them your email address at least gets you in the running. Ordering the vacation planning DVD does the same. Guests who have stayed at Disney resorts in the past are also key targets for future discount offers.

The theories as to how people are selected to receive an email or postcard are like belly-buttons, we all have one.

If you get lucky, you may get an email or a postcard from Disney. That email or postcard may contain a PIN (a series of numbers).. or a general public code (usually 3 letters).

At the end of the day - none of us know for sure how the selection process is done. My best guess after watching this for a couple of years now, is that it is purely random.

There is no guarantee if you do any of those things you'll get one. You could go to Disney once or once every month.. and you may or may not get a code.

How Do I Know If I Got A Code

Generally speaking an email or postcard to one of the addresses Disney has on file for you is your notification. If you've moved or you're just wondering if perhaps you have received a code but didn't know about it - you USED TO BE ABLE TO CALL the Disney Reservation Center 1-407-W-DISNEY and ask for them to see if you have a code associated with your name/address in the reservations system. They do not permit this any longer. Sorry, too many people were taking up agent's time with the "Do I have a code question" -- so they discontinued this.

[ EDIT : 2011 : It seems if they aren't too busy on the phones they will do this again. ]

... and If I do get a code, to whom do I give it to

If you're booking with a PIN from your email / postcard or with a general public code.. you tell the reservation agent at Disney reservations center. "I have a code .." and then identify if you have a PIN associated-code.. or a three letter offer code.

The postcard or email will tell you when it's good for .. and what benefits it may convey.

All general public codes will be posted on this site @ DISCOUNTS (http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-current.htm#hm-currdiscounts-right). .. along with the info about what benefits it may convey.

When you are giving them the code on the phone, if it is a three letter code offer.. say an example word for each letter. So many of the letters in the alphabet sound the same.. C,D,E,G,P,S,T,Z.. and of course Disney uses LOTS of those letters in their codes. Grrr...

Don't Post Any Codes to the Board without Moderator Approval

Before you post any three letter code to the boards, please be sure to check with one of the Resorts Board Moderators : CanadianGuy or Lynn M

Posting a non-public code is against the DIS Board Posting Guidelines

9. DISCOUNT CODES: As mentioned above, the DIS is all about planning a Disney vacation. On occasion, Disney does release discounts which usually can be obtained via a code. This information will be available in our Discounts section. However, Disney also sends mailings to specific individuals/target groups which contain a discount that can only be obtained with a PIN (personal identification number.) If you receive one of these offers, please do not share your PIN/Code on the DIS for others to use. We respect the fact that these offers are not for the general public and will remove any posts that include this information. Understand that this action is for your protection. For example, say you use Mrs. Smith's code. When you check in and are asked to produce proof that you are Mrs. Smith and cannot do so, you will be charged the full rate.


Hope this helps. Any questions - feel free to post 'em here.

Knox
 
You'd be amazed how people tend to ignore stickys...

I was.

Knox
 
I ignored stickys for a long time-even though they say "please read" Duh:confused3 I read them now that I know they have a purpose:rotfl2:
Thanks, Knox, for all the information you get out there to all of us!!
 


:thumbsup2 THX Knox! Appreciate you clearing things up and taking the time to do this! :goodvibes
 
Great explanation of the mysteries of Pins and codes :thumbsup2

Thanks for posting :thanks:

(Fellow Canadian) iluvwesties (aka Carol) :wave:
 


One unanswered question: I've heard of people calling in to ask CMs if there was a code 'associated' with their name. Is there sometimes a code you didn't receive in the mail (or they have your wrong e-mail-which is my situation) that you can ask about?
 
Wow, just our luck. We received the 40% off code yesterday. Never had one before. Our vacation next year will be October 11-18 or 19th, with no other flexibility. The code picks up starting the 19th. Ay yay yay !!!!!!
 
does anybody know the dates for the 3 letter 40% off code (this isn't the 15 digit one)

When I called I had both pins/codes attached to my name and the 15 digit code the CM told me ran from Dec 7-17 and the 3 letter digit code ends on Dec 13th (not sure what date it starts)

Anyway was just curious what the other specific dates the 3 letter code is good for.
 
does anybody know the dates for the 3 letter 40% off code (this isn't the 15 digit one)

When I called I had both pins/codes attached to my name and the 15 digit code the CM told me ran from Dec 7-17 and the 3 letter digit code ends on Dec 13th (not sure what date it starts)

Anyway was just curious what the other specific dates the 3 letter code is good for.

This is the first I have heard of this.

Thanks Knox!!:goodvibes

Glad to help.. :)
 
my mom called today to pay her deposit on a trip i had planned. She wasn't happy that I booked ASMu and asked about AKL pricing (We had met someone on train this past Sat who stayed there over Christmas and raved) so she had it in her head.

CM told her to hold and came back on phone and told her it was her lucky day she had 40 % off. My mom called my DH on her cell while CM held (so nice). My DH told her to go for it (I'm not sure why she called him LOL).

So we got 2 A and 2 children in our room for $2897 (7 nights standard view with 7 day base and DDP). That was only $307 more than my bouncback offer for ASMu that I booked during our Sept trip. Should be fun staying there with the kids.:thumbsup2

My mom is from CT and hasn't been since 06' not sure if that matters?
 
my mom called today to pay her deposit on a trip i had planned. She wasn't happy that I booked ASMu and asked about AKL pricing (We had met someone on train this past Sat who stayed there over Christmas and raved) so she had it in her head.

CM told her to hold and came back on phone and told her it was her lucky day she had 40 % off. My mom called my DH on her cell while CM held (so nice). My DH told her to go for it (I'm not sure why she called him LOL).

So we got 2 A and 2 children in our room for $2897 (7 nights standard view with 7 day base and DDP). That was only $307 more than my bouncback offer for ASMu that I booked during our Sept trip. Should be fun staying there with the kids.:thumbsup2

My mom is from CT and hasn't been since 06' not sure if that matters?

That's awesome.. the kids will LOVE AKL!
 
Excellent info! Thanks for putting this together. I never knew all of this.
 

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