For the first time I was not excited to get a PIN

[iluvMainStMagic]

We have stayed in bldg 26 in Martinique (right next to bldg 25), and found it to be very convenient, but it is a "preferred location", so the room rate is a bit higher. As has already been suggested, we have also stayed just across the bridge in Jamaica (Aruba would be the same), and really enjoyed it there, too. Many of those are standard rooms (though some are "water view"), and the walk across the bridge to Old Port Royale isn't bad at all (or at least I found it to be pleasant and relaxing, I love listening to the breeze blowing through the bamboo on the little island). In fact, you could have aprox the same walk from a preferred room location, if it was in the farthest part of the farthest preferred building in Martinique or North Trinidad. Something that is really nice about CBR is that it was the first Moderate resort built, and the rooms are a little bit bigger than the other Moderates A little extra room is always nice!

This resort map link shows the different island villages in relationship to Old Port Royale. Resort Map

One other thing about this resort that is different from the others is that the check-in building (the Custom House, bldg "A" on the map) is a separate building, a little off to the side of the resort, not right beside or part of Old Port Royale ("B" on the map), so if you use Disney's Magical Express(DME) they drop off/pick up from there. We love DME and have done that with no problems, but it is something to be aware of. Arriving is not really an issue anyway because DME delivers your luggage to your room later so you don't have to deal with it (though if your room isn't ready and you check carry-ons with Bell Services, you would have to go back there to claim them), but when you leave, you have to take your luggage to the Custom House to check it for your return flight (thank goodness they have that service at the resorts! ) It would be nice to have a spot that could check luggage, near the Guest Service area in Old Port Royale, but I can't remember if there is one there. Does anyone know?? We drove last time we stayed there (Dec 2013) so I didn't notice

 

[WendyTinkerbell]

Does the pin have any resort limitations?

 

[BrittanyRose428]

Does the pin have any resort limitations?

The only one I know of is that other people cannot use a pin code with your name on it, and that is going to be the first thing they ask you when you call them to use it. So I don't know why a bunch of people were asking for that person's pin lol.

Also in regards to the over-itinerary-ness of Disney now: I've gone with no ADRs and without using Fastpass and been fine. In fact, I can count the number of times I've used Fastpass on 1 hand, and I've gone about 12 times since Fastpass was introduced. So basically Fastpass+ or any of that nonsense wouldn't be a determining factor for me.

 

[cynic710]

to my understanding disney never actually refunds money when giving a promotional upgrade like free dining or a resort upgrade, is that true? the refund is actually the upgrade, but you still spend the same amount of money, right?

 

[stevehousse]

to my understanding disney never actually refunds money when giving a promotional upgrade like free dining or a resort upgrade, is that true? the refund is actually the upgrade, but you still spend the same amount of money, right?

I've heard plenty of people getting a refund for the price difference if they have overpaid after they change to a promotion...

 

[draybook]

Yes, if you have paid in full and the promotion lowers the amount then
you will be refunded the difference.

And as for free dining, the only day that matters for qualifying is your check in day, unless they've changed that in the last 3 months.

 

[Tuvalu]

I also agree with your comment on guest service. We did not get the envelope hanging on the door the night before we left with instructions, boarding passes and ME information (in fact, we never saw any hanging on the doors) so I spent some time figuring out what time we were supposed to get on the ME bus and what to do with checking the suitcase. (first time checking luggage) Don't get me wrong, we still had a great vacation and I'm sure we will go back. Well, I know we will, as we booked a bounceback for November for 25% off. When we DO go back, I guess I will let them know what I expect for all that money we paid when we check in.

I'm sorry you did not get the Magical Express envelope, but it only contains your departure time (pick up) information, not boarding passes. As you discovered you must go to the Resort Airline Check In desk to check your luggage and receive boarding passes.

 

[iluvMainStMagic]

Does the pin have any resort limitations?

They can. PIN code promotions don't necessarily include every resort. It can depend on a variety of things, but one that I know of is, if a resort isn't booked as fully as they want for some dates, they may include it in a promo to increase occupancy. They also may limit the promo to certain room categories - when we went in Dec 2013, we were already booked at POR, but were able to change our reservations to use a Free Dining PIN that was received by another member of our group. POR didn't have any Free DP promo rooms available (in any category), so we changed to CBR, which did have promo rooms available in several categories.

We also learned that the # of rooms that can be booked with a PIN is limited to 3 - the person who received the PIN + 2 others. When booking with a PIN, they require the PIN # plus some add'l info from the PIN holder, and they have to find the PIN holder on their list or they won't let you use it. They also are very particular that the info be exactly the same as what they show on their list - for example, if you have moved, but their list shows your old address, they won't book it based on your new address, you have to give the old one. Soooo, it pays to keep the information on your account updated.

 

[iluvMainStMagic]

I've heard plenty of people getting a refund for the price difference if they have overpaid after they change to a promotion...

The only time I know of where they do not refund the full amount, is if the change is made under the 45-day mark prior to check-in. During that period, there is a Change Fee for changes that decrease the cost of the reservation....technically they do refund the full amount, but then they charge the Fee, so the guest gets the full amount back, less the Fee. But a good amount of savings can certainly make it worth the fee.
(They usually waive the fee if the change increases the cost)

 

[eliz603]

I was actually GLAD to get a PIN. It was the first PIN I'd ever received. It came via email, and we were right in the middle of trying to plan our trip. We did the 35% off OKW 1 bedroom. I'm a bit anxious about all of the changes since we were there a year ago, but I'm still looking forward to it. I told DH this wasn't a budget trip (we could have stayed in a 2 bedroom at Bonnet Creek for significantly less!), but we were trying to make it a lower cost trip than our prior visits. Just changing it up, trying not to stress, and doing a better job of going with the flow despite having FP+, etc.

This will be our last WDW trip for a while. I don't know for how long, but for at least two years if everything pans out.

 

[Mikester71]

PIN numbers are just randomly sent out. If you have put in your info to anything Disney related then they have it. It has been my experience that everyone you travel with will get a PIN except you.

When we used to get them (haven't in a while), they would always show up to our address but in my MIL's name. Weird thing is she lives in the States and us in Canada and although she came with us on our first three trips to WDW, we were the ones who always booked the trips for all of us. Weird!

 

[ginadee]

When we used to get them (haven't in a while), they would always show up to our address but in my MIL's name. Weird thing is she lives in the States and us in Canada and although she came with us on our first three trips to WDW, we were the ones who always booked the trips for all of us. Weird!

Exactly. I am the one who gets people to go, makes all the plans and bookings, and twice I got the pin with someone elses name on it and twice someone else got the pin. I guess they figure we're coming regardless. They just have to get the others. LOL...