New Disney World PIN Code for January to June 2021
Walt Disney World has released a new PIN or Unique Offer Code, targeted to select guests for January to June 30, 2021. In this post, we’ll cover details, commentary about the dates, what a “PIN code” is, and strategy for scoring one. (Updated December 17, 2020.)
To quickly recap, at the beginning of last month Walt Disney World extended the up to 40% off “Rediscover the Magic” discount for Annual Passholders, Floridians, and other Southerners; there was also the awful Magic Is Here “deal” for the general public. All of these discounts are still bookable and have travel dates through Christmas 2020.
Fast forward to today, when Walt Disney World released a slew of discounts for Winter and Spring 2021 for the general public (up to 35% off), Florida residents (up to 35% off), and Annual Passholders (up to 40% off). This new PIN code takes discounts even further into next year, with similar deals through Summer 2021…
Before getting ahead of ourselves, let’s also quickly recap what PIN or Unique Offer Codes are, how to receive them, etc. for those newcomers to the wonderful (and sometimes obsessive) world of Disney discounts. PIN codes are the most exclusive and elusive form of Walt Disney World discounts. They are targeted, non-transferrable discounts sent to a limited number of recipients that offer deep-discounts for select travel dates or early booking of a special offer.
They are elusive in the sense that receiving a PIN code email or mailer can feel like the Golden Ticket landing in your hands. Honestly, part of the allure of PIN codes is the mystery and intrigue. We’ve tried to “demystify” the process with our Tips for Receiving PIN Codes for Walt Disney World, which offers strategy for increasing your odds of receiving one.
Unfortunately, even if you do everything right, follow all of those steps, and finally manage to score the Golden Ticket, you still might end up being shut out of the sweet, sweet PIN code land.
All too often, PIN codes are erroneously sent out with the wrong or outdated addresses on file. This is especially problematic for us, as we’ve had approximately 32 addresses in the last few years (gotta stay one jump ahead of the lawmen!) and no matter how many times we update this with Disney, they occasionally revert to the old info.
If a PIN code is sent to you but assigned to the wrong address, there’s no way to remedy that. (Aside from just rolling with it and using the wrong address.) This wasn’t such a big deal “back in the day” (~5 years ago) when they were sent exclusively by U.S. mail, as you simply didn’t receive the PIN code mailer if it went out to the wrong address. Blissful ignorance!
Now, it’s entirely possible you’ll receive the offer via email but won’t have the right combination of last name and zip code to unlock the page. This might seem we’re fixating on a problem that’s unique to us, but it happens far more than you might think. (So we can commiserate with anyone who has had this problem. It’s always better to know you’re not alone!) But we digress.
It’s worth noting that pretty much the opposite problem is also possible: that you did not receive this offer but are eligible for it.
It’s not uncommon for PIN codes to be caught by spam filters, sent to old email addresses, or just not received for one reason or another. So basically, just like all correspondence from Walt Disney World! That’s a big part of why we’re posting this–as a heads up so you can scour through all of your email accounts to see if you received this but somehow missed it.
Anyway, we didn’t receive this PIN code at all. Not misaddressed, not to our old college email addresses that now collect dust, not caught in our spam filters. Nothing. After years of receiving almost every PIN code, this is the second consecutive one we have not received.
For some reason, we’ve fallen from the Walt Disney World discount algorithm’s good graces. Now we know how Paris Hilton felt when her 15 minutes were over. (Okay, we’re still nowhere near as cool as post-fame Paris Hilton.) Let’s try that again: now we know how Kevin Federline felt when his 15 minutes were over. (Whoa whoa whoa, not that uncool!) But we digress. Again.
December 17, 2020 UPDATE: Several readers have reached out to us letting us know they received PIN Code offers from Walt Disney World this week. In reviewing those, it appears to be a wider release of this exact same offer that was originally sent out two months ago.
Essentially, this is a heads up. If you have not received this PIN code, check your spam folder or other email addresses–it might be there. If you received the offer two months ago and couldn’t book your preferred resort or room choice for some reason, check again–it appears Disney has added room inventory to the discount.
Below is a look at the PIN code email that was sent out…
While Disney’s Riviera Resort is advertised in the email (as are Saratoga Springs and Grand Floridian, this offer applies to all of the following resorts:
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort — Reopening February 9, 2021
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort — Reopening November 1, 2020
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
As you can see, savings range from 25% to 35% off, depending upon the resort tier. That makes it better than the general public discount and about on par with the Floridian discount that was just released. Of course, the key difference here is that this includes late Spring 2021 and early Summer 2021 travel dates, which are not covered by the earlier releases.
If past precedent is any indication, those travel dates won’t receive wider releases until the first week of January 2021.
The fact that this PIN code is for relatively remote dates is interesting. In the past, Walt Disney World has often used PIN codes as a way of filling a limited assortment of otherwise unsold rooms at the last minute or for a scattering of dates. Deeper discounts than normal, but also far fewer options.
For instance, last spring we received a PIN code for great rates at the All Star Resorts. The catch was that the code was only valid for a handful of weeknights, some of which were less than a month away. That’s a pretty extreme example, but not altogether uncommon. Historically, Walt Disney World has used PIN codes similar to how they’ve used Priceline Express Deals.
This expanded booking window along with the widely-targeted PIN code that was sent out last month suggests to us that Walt Disney World is tinkering with its approach to PIN codes. It’s too early to say what Disney is trying to do or why, but it’s fascinating nevertheless.
We’d speculate that it comes down to boosting the occupancy rate without releasing sales to the general public. The underlying motivation could be not drawing too much attention to marketing, trying to attract fewer first-time visitors while there are so many cuts/compromises, or even bumping up numbers to have more certainty, which in turn helps justify reopening more hotels. Who knows.
Ultimately, we’d anticipate that Walt Disney World will continue fine-tuning its approach to discounts during this temporarily abnormal time. It’s likely Disney will continue to slowly roll out more discounts of this variety as long as Americans are apprehensive to travel, the parks are operating at lower capacity, with temporary safety measures in place, and without certain entertainment.
If anything, our expectation is that Disney will accelerate discounting and get more competitive with pricing as it becomes increasingly clear that travel is going to take a while to rebound. While 35-40% off hotel rooms is fairly unprecedented for spring and summer, the underlying rack rates are still pricey and Walt Disney World is coming nowhere near its occupancy targets for weeknights (or even non-holiday weekends) right now. We’ll keep you posted on additional discounts as they’re released!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Did you receive this PIN/Unique Offer Code discount? Were you terms or booking dates any different from this? Do you “normally” receive PIN codes, or is it rare/unprecedented? If you booked this, what did your savings end up being? Happy with the available rates, or hoping for better deals to come? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I received a pin and also can’t unlock it. We just returned from Disney 2 weeks ago. I haven’t gotten a pin code in about 8 years. We have made 6 trips the last 3 year’s and this was the first since 2012.
On hold for 2 hours only to be disconnected. After another 3 hours on hold I was able to get a 35% discount at the Contemporary Resort (3-main tower/lake view rooms). When the cast member checked the Beach Club Villas for a discount on the second half of our stay I was told there were no discounts available but to keep checking back (sure I’ve got nothing better to do than to sit on hold for the day…argh!). I asked to speak with a supervisor and shared with her my disappointment about being disconnected after holding for 2 hours and the possibility of missing out on the discount due to no fault of my own. She gave me the 35% discount on our rooms at BCV (2-deluxe rooms and 1-1 bedroom). Total savings for 7 night, 3 room, Contemporary/BCV stay in March 2021 is $5500. Now that’s some major pixie dust!
I received a pin code also. Tried to open it twice didn’t take but I had my last name in all caps, typed it in normal; Maaaaaaa and it worked perfectly. Applied it online myself and just save $542 on the week of my son’s birthday.
I received the pin code and while it didn’t work on the preferred Caribbean beach room I had already booked (5/30-6/5/21) I switched to a 1 bedroom villa at old key west for $398 a night. It was quoted at about $215+ savings per night for that room/timeframe. Since we skipped our land/sea trip this year I figured splurging a little in a bigger room for our family of 5 was worth it. Much better then the $660/night I paid for a Studio villa at the Poly a couple years back. Gives us something to look forward to! Also nice that we can get a deal for after the school year ends for once and not in middle of summer.
Oh and from an algorithm standpoint we have visited WDW about every 9-10 months for the past 7 years and live in NW Indiana.
I received a unique code yesterday, but when my travel agent tried to have it applied to our reservation she was told it was only eligible for a pirate room at the Caribbean Beach Resort. We booked a preferred room, so I was pretty bummed. I personally do not like the pirate rooms.
I booked a new reservation at Caribbean for a standard view king room using the pin code and it worked. I had the option of most standard, preferred, and pirate rooms. Maybe it just depends on travel dates as to which room types are available? Maybe try to search as a new reservation and see if it looks differently than when modifying for the heck of it.
We are going in February and staying at the caribbean beach. We received a PIN code yesterday and are unable to use it since the discount only applies to pirate rooms at the far end of the resort. We looked at other resorts but the code is very limited unless you want to spend a fortune to stay. You would think they would open it up more given the circumstances.
Katie, that is not the way every Disney offer is. I have been coming to Disney for years and have utilized many offers. The difference here is not of the exceptions were laid out. In the past, we were told which rooms were not part of an offer. This time, non of the exceptions stated to me on the phone yesterday or today were listed online. I was allowed to hold on the phone for 2 hours yesterday to then be told the system crashed and that I needed to call back. I called back and held for another 2 hours to then be told my room did not qualify because it was club level. I was then told to call back today because there would be a note in my account allowing the discount. I called back today spending another 3 hours on the phone to be told that it was not the club level, but that our room was in the main building and could only be in an outer building. The stories kept changing. The Chapeks and Igers do not care about the Disney fans anymore. There are so many people that are tired of their business tactics. They have let so many cast members go because of expenses. Maybe they should cut back on the salaries of the CEOs and big wigs and be more like the late Mr. Walt Disney that was not motivated by greed.
After spending two days with a total of 7 hours on the phone with Disney…holding for hours…told to call back…them having to consult with supervisors, it was all for nothing. It would be nice if when offers are given, they would list the exceptions. We have reservations in late February through 1st week in March to stay in the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. We have a theme park view in the main building. They stated that the particular room we have is not included in the offer. We would have to give up our room and moveto the outside buidlings. We were not willing to give up our room, so no offer for me. REALLY!?! Just another bait and switch and plot by Disney. Walt Disney would be SHOCKED to see how the misers are running Disney. He wanted everyone to enjoy it. The selfish Chapek/Igers of today do not care about the people…only their bank accounts…so sad.
I know it’s frustrating, but that’s literally how every WDW discount is. The discounts are specific to a certain room type at a resort, if offered at all. It’s really not uncommon for there to be no discounted rooms at certain resorts for certain dates.
I’d speculate that a PIN is also a way to “test” a discount response before releasing to the public, especially in these uncertain times.
By that, I mean they have a ton of data as to how the public reacts to different discounts and PINs. They can look back and say, “when we sent 35% off PINS to XXX number of customers, we averaged a response rate of xx% new bookings. When we did a public discount of xx%, we typically saw a xx% boost in bookings.”
The public willingness to travel in the first half of 2021 is very much an unknown. But measuring the response rate to the PIN codes may help that determine the appropriate level of public discounts. (ie, if there is a better than expected response rate to the PINs, maybe they can be less generous with public discounts. If the PINs result in fewer than expected new bookings, then they better be prepared to offer very generous public discounts).
Anyway, no matter what.. it suggests there will be broad and deep discounts in 2021 for the general public eventually.
We got the pin code and like you it didn’t work. It says it doesn’t match their records. It happened on the last pin code too.
I also got the PIN discount and can’t open it. I received a PIN maybe a year ago and it worked when I booked a May 2020 trip. I’ve tried maiden and married last name but no cigar. Oh well, I guess a quick trip isn’t in my books 🙂
I got the unique offer code but just moved and it’s for the old address, guess this is motivation to change my address on Disney. Heartbreaking!
$150/night at All-Star movies (I looked at a week in Feb for reference) is just still so cost prohibitive when our family needs two rooms. We just cancelled a resort stay at Pop to stay off site in a 3bdrm condo for $120/night. Sometimes the bubble seems worth the extra cost, but with limited experiences our family just can’t say yes even with the PIN code discounts! For me personally, having a car right now feels the most comfortable for transportation (even though we are big fans of WDW transportation)- I do realize everyone has different levels of what they are comfortable with as they travel. It was a hard decision to make, I honestly don’t know how families can afford to really enjoy WDW anymore. We love the parks so much but each year feel more and more like we can’t justify the price increases.
Did you look at Presidents’ Day week? Because $150/night for ASM is over double what I saw with the AP discount.
Either way…$120 per night for a 3BR condo is much better value for money than what you’ll get from a Value Resort, especially with almost no on-site perks right now. Have fun!
I thought about that later, it must have been that week.
We along with several friends got the offer. We also received the first one as well as ones in the past. We are in Central Illinois and have been yearly or every other year visitors with our last time being 2019. Unfortunately we are looking at a Fall 2021 trip and with 3 families are thinking 3 bedroom grand villa which are excluded in these offers. But if a fall offer is extended we might consider going back to the one or two bedrooms combos.
Again if memory serves me right, even when using this code we got a better deal when we actually talked with a guest representative at Disney.
This is the first tume I remember receiving a PIN offer. We would either have to fly or make a 17 hour drive, so I’m not sure the discount is worth it for us
Do Florida residents get these codes?
So. I received an offer code today and I have tried every combination of ZIP Code and possible last name and I cannot seem to unlock my offer
The same thing is happening to me too. I can’t unlock my offer with either my maiden name or married name, and I’ve tried all the zip codes I’ve ever lived in.
Same here and it could only be one of two zips. Got an offer in early Sept and it worked fine.
If you’ve ever stayed in a room with family members (or maybe other non-related guests too?) try their last name with your zip code (or their zip code). Mine turned out to be connected to my adult daughter’s last name. She doesn’t have her own My Disney Experience account and has never booked anything with Disney, but has traveled with me several times. This happened with the last PIN too, no rhyme or reason.
Can someone help me with the email address that Disney uses to send these out? I have gotten them in the past and I did receive the first one sent out this year but I cannot locate the sender address in my email. Is it Disney Destinations? Thanks everyone!
Yes, I received mine this morning from Disney Destinations
Disney Destinations [email protected]
Aw man, we haven’t received the last two either. But, we did already have a trip booked when the last one was released, and have now gotten back from the trip, so perhaps the algorithm considers us to be a lost cause.
Hey Tom! Kind of ironic that you have not received the last two PIN codes as these are the first two I have ever gotten. Maybe they gave me your spot on the offer list!