Disney Pin Codes – How Do They Work?

October 18, 2013 by Christine Hardenberger

How Do Disney PIN Codes Work?

Disney PIN codes are being released!  You may have already gotten an offer for Free Dining or a Room Discount this January through March.  Everyone gets so excited when that little flyer is delivered by the postal carrier or that e-mail appears in the inbox, but what, exactly, is a Disney PIN and how does it work?

Disney PIN codes are sent out to past guests in the hopes of getting them to book again.  These Disney PINs are special offers that will allow guests to save on a Disney vacation.  The offers can be anything from Free Dining to a certain percentage off the room rate.  These offers can be booked directly through Disney or with your favorite travel agent.

Who Can Use The PIN?

Disney PIN code offers are specific to the guest to whom they were sent.  Before booking a Disney PIN offer, the agent will have to verify the name of the guest, address and ZIP code.  If these do not match, then the PIN is not valid.  Disney makes no exceptions to this.  However, this does not mean that you can’t share the love!  Most Disney PIN codes are valid for up tothree rooms.  This means that if you’d like to take along friends or family, they can take advantage of the discount, too!  The PIN code holder must be the lead guest on one of the three reservations.

I am a past guest, but I didn’t get a Disney PIN.  What do I do?

Call Disney or your travel agent!  They can check to see if a PIN is available to you.  Oftentimes, people either don’t receive or accidentally discard their Disney PIN offer.  However, the offer is still in the Disney system and can still be accessed and used.

I checked, but there is no PIN available to me.  Why?  I am a past guest.

Being a past guest does not guarantee that a Disney PIN will be assigned to you.  The PIN codes are not offered to all guests.  Don’t take it personally.  Disney’s marketing folks offer the PINs based on your past reservations.  If you took advantage  of Free Dining before, they may offer it again.  If you love to stay at the Polynesian, they may send you the offer for 40% off Deluxe Resorts.  Just because you were not offered the current Disney PIN doesn’t mean you won’t be offered the next one!  Keep your eyes open and check back as new codes are released.

Can I use my Disney PIN with other discounts?

You cannot use your Disney PIN with other Disney discounts.  Disney allows only one discount per reservation.  If you book through Disney, you get one discount.  However, travel agents may offer an additional discount on top of the Disney PIN.  This is one of the occasions where booking through an agent can save you more than booking through Disney directly.

I’ve never been to Disney before so I won’t get a Disney PIN.  What can I do to save?

Don’t despair!  Often, a few months after the PIN is released, Disney releases a similar discount to the general public.  Again, here is where a travel agent can help.  Your agent will let you know about new Disney discounts as they are released.  Many times, the best discounts are not advertised by Disney!

The truth is that there is almost always a Disney discount available whether or not you have a Disney PIN.  You just have to know where to look!

If you’ve received a Disney PIN give us a call!  We can book your reservation using your Disney PIN plus offer an additional discount  Contact MMP Travel at 800-272-7739, info@magicalmouseplans.com or Request A Quote

Christine Hardenberger (The Vacation Architect­­­­­­­) can help you navigate the travel maze.  She is the owner of MMP Travel and an authority on Disney, Universal Studios and cruise vacations.  She has been recently featured on MSNBC’s Today Travel, Trekaroo and the book Ultimate Family Travel Hacks:  How to Have More Fun, Save $$ and Avoid Melt-downs When Your Family Hits the Road.   

Do You Trade? A Review of Disney’s Trading Event

Guest Author:  Carrie Catalano

Every couple of months, Disney hosts a pin and vinylmation trading event. The last few have been held at the ESPN Sports Complex, and the one held on August 13 was no different. It was free to park at the complex and free to get in, although, from what we were told, there was no bus transportation to or from the resorts, so that is something to keep in mind.

My husband and son are vinylmation collectors, and they were quite excited for this event. They have been to a few non-Disney sponsored events, so knew what to expect from some of the people they met. The event started at 6 PM, but people began lining up at 7:45 that morning. We arrived at about 3:00 PM and were about 200th in line. Disney did have stands open selling food and drinks for those waiting, and they had fans blowing to help keep it cool, as the line was outside. Around 4 PM they passed out wristbands, so those who arrived later couldn’t cut in line.

The doors opened promptly at 6 pm, and they started pulling in people, letting in about 20 people at once. Once inside, you were lead through the merchandise booth, where you could buy a limited edition Mike Wazowski pin and Rapunzel pin, each limited to 750. They do limit the pins to a limit of two of each pin per person, which is why people arrive early. They also had 300 Disney Afternoon Vinyl Packs, for the set that is to release on Friday, so you had the opportunity to buy that early. It took us about 30 minutes to make it inside and purchase our event merchandise.

Mike Wazowski Limited Edition Pin

Rapunzel Limited Edition Pin

Newest Vinylmation Set

After you purchase merchandise, or decide not to buy merchandise, you enter the event area. From there, you could grab a table to set up your trading table, or just wander around and look at what others have for trade. They also had the pin artist on hand, signing the pins that you could purchase earlier and a table previewing some of the vinyl sets that are going to bereleased later this year.

Jonathan’s Table

The event was crowded and all 100 trading tables filled up quickly, so you also want to make sure you arrive early if you want to get a table and set out what you have for trade. All in all, it was a great night for my husband and son, and they made lots of trades and completed many of their vinylmation sets.  The event ended at 9 pm, and about 10 minutes before that time, cast members walked the floor asking you to clean up.

If you are a pin or vinylmation collector, this is an event you will definitely want to check out. It is a great way to find that one special pin you have been looking for for months, or that one last vinylmation you need to complete your set but can’t seem to get out of the blind boxes or trading boxes. At this time, there is not a date scheduled for the next trading event, but watch the Disney Parks Blog, as they tend to announce it about a month ahead of time.

July 16, 2013 – Selling Fake Disney Pins Equals 8 Years

In case you missed it, the LA Times reported yesterday that a California man was sentenced to 8 years in prison for illegally importing counterfeit merchandise from China and selling it over the internet.

The store can be found in the LA Times or click here to read the story online.