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All too often, PIN codes are erroneously sent out with the wrong or outdated addresses on file.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 just got off the phone with Disney, who advised me that there are currently no discounts being offered that go through June. We have a trip scheduled in May and I specifically mentioned the PIN code. I was told to call back after Thanksgiving, as the discounts right now are only through April. I’m not a WDW aficionado, so I don’t know what’s what; but I’ll call back after Thanksgiving and see what, if anything, happens.
Received my second PIN code in a 6 week period. I make all the reservations but could only unlock this one with my sister in law’s last name ( she travels with us at least 1 trip per year).
Unfortunately all of these are just cruel teases ( similar to having my VGF waitlist granted for Nov 9th) until Cuomo relaxes our state quarantine policies
Just saved an additional $230 on our bookings (beyond what we had saved with the general public deal). VERY excited!!! Pin code arrived this morning. We had saved less than 15% at POP with the public code and saved 25% with our pin. We had saved 20% with the general public code at Coronado and saved 30% with our PIN. This is on par with what we saved last year with the military discount, so I was VERY excited! I probably wouldn’t have even opened the email but I’ve been reading your blogs lately and had my eye out!! SO happy!
I received this PIN deal but was disappointed to find out that the general discounts WDW offers for the same time period are better than the PIN.
I had the exact opposite experience!! Our PIN offer was much better. We had already rebooked with the offers that came out (the “up to 35%“ saved us 15-20%) and were happy with those savings. I got a pin code today in the email and saved $230 MORE on our trip. It probably depends on which resorts you’re looking at!
Maybe this is a sill question, but, since Disneyland is closed, are AP discounts at WDW extended to Disneyland APs (obviously not for access to the parks, but…to book a hotel or anything else, for example ?) I’m in WA, so we don’t make it diagonally to the opposite side of the whole country often. I’m just curious. I know it’s a long shot. 🙂
Seven years ago we took our kids to WDW
for the first time and have been back 3 times since. When I need an
“escape,” I jump on the website and compare dates/ hotel prices for our family of 5 for future trip planning or just for fun. All that to say, I’ve NEVER received a PIN code despite doing all the things you say to do, Tom – except I got one last week!!! . . . One week after we bought a new MasterCraft; therefore, no Disney trip for us this year! I’m kind of irritated. Lol
Does begging for a PIN in booking chat ever work? Asking for a friend. 😉
See Ann Browning’s post of Oct. 23rd.
Looking around Disney’s site in the middle of May, and trying to enhance my email chances, I went all the way up to checkout for Yacht Club in May, discovering:
That the 7-day ticket limitation was gone; I was automatically offered a 9-day pass; and
The full Park Hopper options were offered, all the way up to Park Hopper Plus.
Now, if only I can get that PIN email….
Quick question – my bro-in-law received the code (and it works!) but we didn’t. We are planning a trip together in May. Can he reserve multiple rooms with the same discount? Would they just be under his name, but other family members can use it?
I received this pin code email, maybe about a month ago…maybe a little longer. I clicked on the link and it took me to the page where I put in the code, my last name, and my zip code. Just got a message that the information did not agree with their records. Could not get any further. We have lived at this same address for the last 32 years.
I got an email from Disney Destinations – “Save on Select Disney Resorts” and I was all excited that I got a coveted PIN. But sadly, no … it was just a promo for the “Save Up to 35% on Rooms in Early 2021” offer that was released last week.
I got Disney juked … Oh well, the APH discount is better anyway.
I received this pin code today…very excited but then very disappointed since it is only eligible up to June 30th. This is the second time I have received a Disney pin code. We are from Canada and cancelled our trip this August due to COVID. I am hoping that we can reschedule to 2021 but due to my son’s school schedule we typically do Disney in late August. I know Tom loathes the Florida summer heat but for some of us on the East Coast of Canada…the hotter the better. I might book on spec with the hope of changing my reservation and perhaps with some Disney magic…keeping the discount. If the pandemic is far behind us of course.
I got this exact email but it doesn’t have a code to use and the website is letting me apply it without a code. Weird
Yes. It just goes straight to the website and it allows you to use it, but it doesn’t give you a prompt where you see the actual pin code and you have to enter your name and zip code
Is your deal valid through April 17? If so, you received the general public offer: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/40-percent-off-disney-world-hotels-spring-2021/
For some reason, Walt Disney World recycled the PIN code design when sending out the regular promo notification. This PIN code discount is valid through June 30, 2020.
I just received a pin code in my email yesterday. But it was to book a trip between January- April only. Not until June 30th which I was hoping for. Needless to say the prices of the deluxe resorts even with the discount are outrageous
I received the code. Was willing to book a full week at a deluxe/villa resort the second week of May. There are no studio availability (except BC that is only about 10% off) no thanks… not paying 450+ a night. Hoping for more availability opens up!
I received a code but it was in our son’s name and address so I couldn’t use it
I would call if your son is allowing you to use it. You should be able to
I was happy to find I received a pin code, but then was unable to unlock it. We have lived at the same address for twenty years, so I Know it is correct. Disappointing as we live in Washington state and have been wanting to book.
I had the same thing happen and I sent an email to customer service. They called me back and said I can definitely use it I just have to call to book.
Hey guys, the planning video is gone. According to the chat, they’ve removed it during COVID.
Do they ever discount the campsites at ft. Wilderness, or is it always only the cabins?
Only very rarely are the campsites discounted. There is one right now for residents of southern states, through Dec 25 offering 15% off campsites, but availability is pretty limited. I see lots in early November though! I booked us in a FHU for $95/night.
I actually just checked mine and the pin worked. However, please tell me how $1,664 a night at Coronado Springs or $332 at the Fort Wilderness cabins during the last week in July for 2 adults and 2 kids a discount. Are they kidding?
Would you be able to tell me what’s in the subject line of these code emails so I can search my spam?
I know! I have been amazed with the 40% pass holder discount that most things are STILL out of budget!
Is that $1,600 the fanciest suiCoronado has or something?? That can’t be right.
I did receive this pin code offer but like you said when I clicked on it and put in my information it said it didn’t match, which is odd because we haven’t changed addresses, so I was thinking of calling and asking about it, because none of my information has changed.
However I wasn’t sure that I would be looking to book another trip so soon after our Dec trip so I will see.
I did not receive a pin, but have reservations for January 2021. I called reservations, and after being on hold for 2 hours and 7 minutes I was helped by a CM. I told him
I had reservations and had heard a new discount is being offered and I wanted to see if I would be eligible for that 30% discount for the Caribbean. He checked and said yes we were eligible for the discount and rebooked us with the 30% discount.
By the way he also said we had a package that included our 9 day park ticket with park hopper! I said oh, does that mean Park Hopper will be back soon? (We are also going in Nov 2020). He said they are very optimistic Park Hopper will be back by Jan 2021.
I then asked about the dining plan for a January, and he said they have not received any information about dining plans returning.
Then I asked about taking the money we were spending on park tickets in Nov and Jan, and said we would be paying much more than an annual pass for those tickets, and is there any way we could purchase annual passes. He said “let me check”. When he came back to the phone he said he was sorry but they have not been released to sell annual passes yet, but to keep checking, even on the first day of our November trip, to see if we could upgrade to an annual pass.
Hope that info helps.
Ann Phillips Browning
I’m so happy you posted this! We have February reservations, and I contacted them via chat to see if the discount could apply to us ( since we still have a balance) and the said I needed to call. I figured it was a long shot it would work, so decided not to sit on hold for hours. BUT!!! After seeing your post it think I will give them a call today!