How to Get a Disney World Unique Offer or PIN Code Discount for 2024
PIN or unique offer codes are among Walt Disney World’s best hotel discounts. In this post, we’ll offer info about how to receive these targeted resort savings & improving your odds of scoring them, what they look like, steps for redeeming, current 2024 deal dates, and more. (Updated December 20, 2023.)
If you’ve never heard of PIN codes or have not received an email from Disney about a “PIN code,” this all might sound unfamiliar, so let’s start with the basics. PIN codes are the most exclusive of Walt Disney World discounts–they are targeted, non-transferrable discount offers sent to a limited number of recipients that offer deep-discounts for select travel dates or early booking of a special offer.
Part of the reason you might not have heard of PIN codes is because that’s not the terminology Walt Disney World uses these days. PIN codes are now “Unique Offer Codes” (or UOCs) but are still known as PIN codes among many Walt Disney World fans. (I also still call it “EPCOT Center.” I guess I’m old school.) Whatever you know them as, 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…
This is in large part because how Walt Disney World unique offer code recipients are selected is a process that is shrouded in secrecy. Some fans speculate that it’s based upon a complex algorithm that takes into account various factors in order to ‘nudge’ certain potential visitors to book a Walt Disney World vacation. The kind of cold and calculated Internet processes that likewise dictate what you see on your Facebook feed or what you see when searching Google.
Others think it’s more random, either determined by a roomful of manatees who push around name and discount balls, or through luck of the draw. If you travel to Walt Disney World regularly but have never received a PIN code, you’re probably disinclined to believe the “luck of the draw” explanation.
Me too. That seems like a fairly quixotic explanation for a company that is technically savvy and leverages data to its advantage. I don’t think it requires much cynicism to realize that nothing Walt Disney World does in the realm of discounts is random. I probably sound like a broken record with my “Walt Disney World does not offer Free Dining out of corporate benevolence” but that’s true, and it bears repeating.
Walt Disney World offers discounts to meet hotel room occupancy targets during times of the year that would otherwise not be as busy, and targeted discount offers like PIN codes are an even more sophisticated approach to offer discounts to certain guests while excluding others.
The goals? Only offer the discount to a very limited number of potential guests, and also (and this is key!) use surgical precision to target those guests who are less likely to book a trip without a discount offer. The discount is a carrot to lure unsuspecting(?) guests to visit Walt Disney World.
December 20, 2023 Update: The newest Unique Offer Code for Walt Disney World hotel stays encompasses pretty much the entirety of 2024, which makes it fairly atypical. This PIN code offerings savings of up to 35% off for those who receive it.
Expect savings to be tiered, meaning up to the 35% off is for Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas, with up to 30% off Moderate Resorts and up to 25% off Value Resorts. Even within each tier, maximum savings will vary by each specific hotel and could fluctuate for different date ranges.
This Unique Offer Code is valid for stays most nights:
- February 25 to March 28, 2024
- April 8-24, 2024
- June 30 to August 1, 2024
- September 2-12, 2024
- October 25 to November 3, 2024
- December 8-25, 2024
PIN codes have been very hit or miss since March 2020, but in the past, I don’t recall one of these targeted offers ever being released over a year in advance. To the contrary, there were times when we received a PIN code for dates a few weeks in the future–many of our last minute trips in the past were thanks to a deal we couldn’t refuse via PIN codes.
Another positive about this PIN code beyond the date range is that there have been several reports of people who received the PIN code in someone else’s name being able to call and get it reassigned to them. This might sound like an odd scenario, but it’s actually pretty common for past guests to receive PIN codes for their family members who previously traveled with them.
Previously, if your last name and ZIP Code didn’t match the PIN code, you were out of luck. We’ve received several PIN codes addressed to our parents–or even in Sarah’s maiden name–that we have been unable to use over the years. Thankfully, it appears Cast Members are now able to correct and relink PIN codes in the system if you call.
Honestly, this is more like the current 2024 Walt Disney World Bounceback Discount, but via email and for fewer dates. From what we’ve seen, that Bounceback is still the better (or at least equivalent) discount. But of course, you need to do a current stay in order to qualify for that. (Conversely, you need to win the PIN code lotto to qualify for this. At least Bouncebacks are consistent and predictable!)
In any case, be on the lookout for this 2024 Walt Disney World PIN code. You might’ve already received it in the last few days, so check your spam folder if you haven’t seen it. If you didn’t get one, don’t feel too badly–they’re fairly rare. Also, don’t lose hope–these often go out in waves, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see them hit inboxes between now and the start of 2024.
Failing that, more general public discounts will be released on January 3, 2024. We already know that one of these deals will be for Disney+ subscribers (we’d recommend signing up for a month of that as targeted deals usually offer superior savings), but we’re expecting several other special offers, too.
Free Dining is the big one many Walt Disney World vacation planners are hoping to see return. See our 2024 Free Dining Deal Date Predictions for the likelihood of that making a comeback in January 2024–or at all. There’s exhaustive commentary about when Walt Disney World is most likely to release Free Dining and potential travel dates, along with the why of it all.
In our experience, the best unique offer code deals tend to be more last minute, with more restrictive dates–they’re basically trying to fill a small number of unsold rooms shortly before the travel dates. Deals with a broader range of dates tend to be slightly better than general public discounts, and targeted as an incentive to those Disney deems less likely to book a trip.
You might wonder how Disney determines who is ‘less likely’ to book a trip. Well, for starters, past behavior is the best indicator of future behavior. If you visit Walt Disney World like clockwork at the same time every single year, you’re unlikely to receive a PIN code.
By contrast, if you visit sporadically or express interest in visiting but don’t follow through, you are (statistically) more likely to need to be incentivized. Enter PIN codes.
Unfortunately, if you’re like me, you are (sadly?) predictable. You visit Walt Disney World often, often at the same time (or times) every year, have an Annual Pass, are a D23 Member, etc. You are an easy denial according to the algorithms. (Darn you, Skynet technology!)
This was my realization several years ago, but not wanting to let those stupid sentient computers defeat me, I started scheming, trying to think of workarounds. Like all inhuman systems, I figured it could be gamed. I started creating new Disney.com accounts, signing up for random things, and really going through the motions to let Disney know I was interested–but without booking any trips.
It worked. For a while, we were receiving about 4-6 PIN code offers per year. This number has decreased dramatically since then, primarily (I think) because I stopped trying to get them. Then last year (ironically as “research” for another blog post–which has coincidentally turned into research for this one), I started doing some of the things that I thought caused me to receive PIN codes in the past, and I started receiving new unique offer codes.
Here are some of the things I did (this is not a step-by-step list of things you must do–all are optional), and what I’d recommend doing if you want to increase your owns of receiving a unique offer code from Walt Disney World:
- Go through the resort booking process on DisneyWorld.com while logged into your My Disney Experience account(s) for dates that actually interest you, going all the way to the confirmation screen–but not actually booking.
- Make an Advanced Dining Reservation (ADRs) for a random dates (request an unpopular one and cancel shortly thereafter)
- Create a new My Disney Experience account for a different email address you own. (Do not tie your AP or park tickets to this account.)
- Sign up for any other Disney-related account you find and always specify that you’re open to receiving communications from “the Walt Disney Family of Companies.”
- Sign up for Disney Movie Insiders.
- Register for Disney+.
Be sure always be sure to use your actual name, email address, and your valid mailing address rather than using fake names or burners. Most offers are sent now via email, but some are still via snail mail. Regardless, PIN codes are tied to your name, email, and ZIP Code. If your details don’t match what you received, you may not be able to use the PIN code.
Once you receive a PIN code, you can go to this website to enter and view the offer. Another thing you might want to do is call (407) 939-7875 and see if you have any PIN codes tied to your account. There have been times when PIN code offers have gone to my spam folder or paper mailers didn’t make it to us for whatever reason. PIN codes are tied to you, so even if you don’t have the actual code, as long as you provide your info, a reservations agent can retrieve one for you–if you have one.
I should also note that while PIN codes are exciting and there’s a lot of hype to them, they are not always the end-all, be-all of discounts. Sometimes, we receive PIN codes that are amazing–exceptional offers that it’d be insane to pass up. Other times, they are only slightly (if at all) better than a general public offer. Recently, it has seemed like the better the offer, the more restrictive the travel windows. In other words, you won’t always be able to–or want to–take advantage of a PIN code offer, but it’s better to receive a discount offer you won’t use than not receive an offer that you’d like to use!
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
Do you agree or disagree with our advice about the best ways to increase your chances of receiving a ‘unique offer code’ for Walt Disney World? Do you receive these PIN codes often? If so, are they typically good offers, or do you usually pass on them? Any questions about the PIN card madness? Hearing your feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts or questions below in the comments!
I commented last year that we tend to get two PIN codes each year, but we have received three this year already, and it’s still February. We did go to WDW in 2015 and 2017, which is a fast turnaround for us, and perhaps that made a difference. We have not done any of the things that Tom suggests to prime the pump. My theory is that since we have used PIN codes for our last five resort reservations, we have let Disney know that they make a difference in our case. That is, if you want PIN codes, one way to get them is to use PIN codes. We won’t be going again for a few years, so we’ll see if the codes keep coming.
“My theory is that since we have used PIN codes for our last five resort reservations, we have let Disney know that they make a difference in our case.”
I think that’s a sound theory. My underlying theory is that Disney offers PIN codes to guests it “needs” to incentivize for one reason or another. I think past bookings from PIN codes would be another such basis for that. Good point!
Hi Tom,
Just wondering if Canadians are able to recieve pin codes? We have done many of the things you list in the article and we go to disney almost every year. It would be great to recieve one sometime!
“Just wondering if Canadians are able to recieve pin codes?”
I’m not entirely sure. I know special offers vary by country, and it wouldn’t surprise me if PIN codes are United States-only. I don’t know for sure, though.
2209 No 9 1/2 St
Do they offer pin codes for Disneyland?
Do you normally wait any specific period of time in between making an ADR or FP+ selection and canceling it? Or is it okay to make the reservations and then cancel immediately? Since you said this alone was sometimes enough to trigger the algorithm, I figured you had some experience 🙂
Thanks!
Those pin codes are dangerous. I got one a few months ago for an amazing deal at a WDW resort. The timeframe just happened to include my anniversary in January. It was so perfect…except that my annual pass was supposed to expire in December and I had not intended to renew it. But, the code was such a good deal, and it was our anniversary, and it happened to fall during festival of the arts… In short, the great deal that should have saved us money has resulted in us renewing our annual passes, booking that January trip, and then booking another trip for May. Disney really knows what they’re doing with those things.
I was very surprised to receive a pin code a few months ago. Made me feel pretty special! However, when I compared the offer with places I would like to stay at (at the time of year we typically vacation), renting DVC points proved to be the better deal more often than not. Yes, the value resorts cost less, but when I factored everything else in, my family gets more bang for the buck renting DVC points.
I visit yearly in the Fall or Winter, usually October, and they send me the PIN codes for the hot months.
We’ve received two of these codes. Both times I went into the My Disney Experience to check prices for hotels, etc. but didn’t book. Those pins turned up in my inbox a few days later.
Thanks for these tips! I went through the booking process for the dates we want to go, but did not actually book. I also went through the process of booking a dining reservation for one of the dates without actually booking it (I didn’t want to put in my credit card info). A couple of days later I received a unique offer code in my email!
One side note – apparently the Disney Vacation Account program is being discontinued.
Thanks again!
I made our Disney World reservations in December 2016 to go October 2017 for Halloween. I received a Unique Offer Code to “come back” between 5/28 and 8/31/17. We hadn’t even been yet. I do get UOC about 4 times a year. I would guess it’s because I am a Disney Dreamer and get the Vacation Planning Video (which consisted of a flier from Disney Destinations giving me my personalized planning web page.), I’m always planning vacations and not purchasing them. The last time we were there was Halloween 2015 for our 25th Anniversary.
I used to get the free dining plan or up to 30% off of your room for September and October. I haven’t gotten that one in several years.
please tell me how to get the pin codes. Thank you
Can someone let me know if PIN codes are valid for those of us coming from the UK? Our last WDW holiday was in 2016 (Wilderness Lodge) and we spent the equivalent of $9000 on flights, hotel, and tickets. A discount would be most welcome! We’re planning on returning in Sept 2018 but our room prices aren’t yet available.
I have received over 90 special Disney World pin codes since 2014. And I’m pretty sure I get them because we went on a $$kabillion dollar 14 day Disney World vacation in October of 2014.
I just clicked on the link for “Disney Vacation Account” and the site says the program is being discontinued.
I have received some of the same ones discussed by others here, in the last year and a half. They are generally slightly better than what’s available to the general public but more restrictive on the dates. I even got one last month for a gift card if I listened to a 20 minute talk on DVC.
I’ve been receiving pin codes every 2-3 months via snail mail & almost every 1-2 months via email since my last trip oct 2015!
Just got one today for CBR 130$/night for July, def last minute! I started planning for that trip by getting the free DVD planner & randomly will price out trips to Disney online every few weeks. It’s odd bc I have a friend who also received the DVD, prices disney trips & actually goes to Disney & she’s never received a pin code!
I think that’s the point–she “actually goes to Disney.” Disney knows they don’t have to “hook” her, she’ll come without needing to be tempted. But you haven’t been in 1.5 years and Disney wants to incentivize you to book another trip.
Is it only USA citizens that can receive PIN codes?
We have gotten a pin code to upgrade from a room only in POFQ to Yacht for very little difference in price. Any tips on getting an upgrade pin code when you’ve already booked a trip? We’ve pretty much retraced our steps and booked the same room only with no discount at POFQ for the same week. I’m hoping since it’s a small and popular resort they want to tempt people like us to move up and out so they can lure others in. What do you think?
We actually received a Unique Offer Code about 2 months ago via regular mail – in the time waiting for Free Dining to open up. It was called Return to Magic summer offer, and was couched as a “come back and visit us again” offer. It was essentially the same dates as the current summer offer that ends 8/31, but with a 5% bump to the regular summer room offer.
Tom – the interesting thing with it is that it came in my wife’s maiden name (which is also odd, since we’ve been married for nearly 9 years and she hadn’t traveled to Disney under her maiden name since probably high school). I called Disney and asked about it, and the cast member brought it up and said we could use it and saw my wife’s maiden name and married name. So I don’t know if two offers were sent, one under each name, and the one never got to us but was in the system, or if they linked it somehow.
My wife was able to put in the code online though, put in her maiden name, but then book a reservation under her married name by selecting her profile since she was logged in to her Disney account. We have since cancelled the reservation, since it was made as a backup reservation to have in case we didn’t get free dining (which we didn’t get, but we were able to find an Annual Passholder discount that was better and we’ll get the good discounts that come along with it as well – we were able to book this before I purchased the annual pass – none of us have an annual pass, I purchased it once we made this reservation and the wife and kids will use regular tickets).
I’m sure if the Codes you guys have received in your wife’s maiden name were actually worth pursuing, you probably dug even deeper than we did, so I’m not trying to teach the teacher here. However, I did want to point out that it appeared we’d be able to utilize a discount in my wife’s maiden name, although it may have been the product of a fluke or something else entirely.
On a similar note, which may go towards how the online system works in these cases – while logged in to a relative’s account who is an annual passholder, we were able to book a room using the AP discount but only selecting our profiles as the people staying there and NOT selecting the actual annual passholder (we are in her friends and family list that’s connected on My Disney Experience). I know that the annual pass would be required at check-in to keep the discount, but it was interesting that we were able to do this.
Finally, along those lines, it didn’t seem to matter whether I was logged in to my Disney account, my wife’s, or my relative’s, if I went to the Unique Offer Code site and put in the code and my wife’s maiden name and our zip code, I was able to go through the booking/searching process with that discount available as a potential option/choice.
Sorry for the lengthy post, but hope this helps someone.
This is really helpful! I booked a Disney trip for my whole family about a year and a half ago, and I just used variations on my email for everyone’s accounts. My sister, for some reason, has gotten a TON of these codes sent to her! Her name is the same as my maiden name so I may have to try this for our upcoming trip. Thanks again!
Just to try to clarify – I wasn’t saying we could use someone else’s discount – just that when I called Disney about the discount coming in my wife’s maiden name, they were able to see her married name in the system too, I believe since she has an account and since that’s the name she traveled under last year. I was told it wouldn’t be an issue and we could use the discount.
As to being able to schedule under someone else’s account using the passholder discount – we’d still need to show the annual pass at arrival to actually get the discount. Additionally, anyone can sign up for the AP room discount by calling, which is actually what we ended up doing, just to play it safe, and cancelled the one we made online, even though I was told by a Guest Relations supervisor she could see that one. So we weren’t really using someone else’s discount, just using the online system to try to get something we could get over the phone (this was all on the day Free Dining was released, so after 4 hours on hold, including one disconnection, the systems were down and they couldn’t do anything that night – which is why we tried to grab something through the online booking, just in case).