Pin codes/AP rate/multiple seasons issue

[ZuzuPetals]

Just when you think you have WDW planning figured out...ok, here we go:

Booked a family trip for December 17-27 at Wilderness Lodge. I received a 40% PIN code via email. Was told the 40% would be good for all dates up until the 24th, the beginning of the "holiday" season. Why do I seem to remember in the past that as long as you hit the end of a discount window, you were able to keep it for the entire stay? For example, isn't it possible to book the LAST day of free dining yet keep it for your entire stay? The Pin code is good through the 23rd but I thought because I booked BEFORE then, I would be fine.

So my next question...if you book at the end of value season (dec 17) without using a discount code, am I able to keep the value rate for the entire stay? Is it just the Pin code that is messing things up? All the information I've found online says that as long as you book within the end of the window, you keep that rate...so why did my rate for the 24th jump up to $415 and no discount? I understand the no discount as the Pin says it ends on the 23rd but shouldn't I still have the rate of the season I came in on (hope that makes sense)?

NEXT question haha sorry, I'm probably making this too complex for myself. I've booked AP rates in the past (current AP holder) but never over multiple seasons. If an AP rate is released including the 17th as a date, can I keep the rate for the entire stay? Or does it black out on the holiday dates automatically? I'm so confused! :dazzle:

 

[brent2124]

Just when you think you have WDW planning figured out...ok, here we go:

Booked a family trip for December 17-27 at Wilderness Lodge. I received a 40% PIN code via email. Was told the 40% would be good for all dates up until the 24th, the beginning of the "holiday" season. Why do I seem to remember in the past that as long as you hit the end of a discount window, you were able to keep it for the entire stay? For example, isn't it possible to book the LAST day of free dining yet keep it for your entire stay? The Pin code is good through the 23rd but I thought because I booked BEFORE then, I would be fine.

So my next question...if you book at the end of value season (dec 17) without using a discount code, am I able to keep the value rate for the entire stay? Is it just the Pin code that is messing things up? All the information I've found online says that as long as you book within the end of the window, you keep that rate...so why did my rate for the 24th jump up to $415 and no discount? I understand the no discount as the Pin says it ends on the 23rd but shouldn't I still have the rate of the season I came in on (hope that makes sense)?

NEXT question haha sorry, I'm probably making this too complex for myself. I've booked AP rates in the past (current AP holder) but never over multiple seasons. If an AP rate is released including the 17th as a date, can I keep the rate for the entire stay? Or does it black out on the holiday dates automatically? I'm so confused! :dazzle:

Rate seasons change the cost of a room on a per night basis( in this case the largest jump) where the free dining promo isnt going through a rate change. In your case you talking about a $145 a night increase from the 18th to the 24th and a $165 increase from 25th to 27th. I have the same pin code and if you read it it has very specific dates and restrictions, which includes limited availablity at select resorts, which means they reserve a certain portion of the rooms at each resort and once there gone there gone. The Wilderness Lodge is also a VERY popular Holiday resort. As for what you have read online where did you read it :shrug:?

 

[zjer]

It seems like everyone is getting a pin code but me......

 

[brent2124]

It seems like everyone is getting a pin code but me......

I would share if I was aloud to........:shrug:

 

[mousefan1972]

Just when you think you have WDW planning figured out...ok, here we go:

Booked a family trip for December 17-27 at Wilderness Lodge. I received a 40% PIN code via email. Was told the 40% would be good for all dates up until the 24th, the beginning of the "holiday" season. Why do I seem to remember in the past that as long as you hit the end of a discount window, you were able to keep it for the entire stay? For example, isn't it possible to book the LAST day of free dining yet keep it for your entire stay? The Pin code is good through the 23rd but I thought because I booked BEFORE then, I would be fine.

So my next question...if you book at the end of value season (dec 17) without using a discount code, am I able to keep the value rate for the entire stay? Is it just the Pin code that is messing things up? All the information I've found online says that as long as you book within the end of the window, you keep that rate...so why did my rate for the 24th jump up to $415 and no discount? I understand the no discount as the Pin says it ends on the 23rd but shouldn't I still have the rate of the season I came in on (hope that makes sense)?

NEXT question haha sorry, I'm probably making this too complex for myself. I've booked AP rates in the past (current AP holder) but never over multiple seasons. If an AP rate is released including the 17th as a date, can I keep the rate for the entire stay? Or does it black out on the holiday dates automatically? I'm so confused! :dazzle:

The "as long as you check during value season, you get the value rate for your whole trip" loophole was closed in 2008. It used to be that you could check in Dec. 17 and get that rate for the duration of your trip. Now, each night is priced differently: season (value, regular, etc.), weekend/weeknight, discounted or not, etc. I have the same pin code and almost the same dates (Dec. 17-26, also at WL). So I got 40% off rack rate for every night except Dec. 25th. AP discounts work the same way. The dates that fall in the discounted period will get the discount; the ones that fall outside of it, don't. Hope I explained that clearly; it can be confusing!

 

[ZuzuPetals]

Rate seasons change the cost of a room on a per night basis( in this case the largest jump) where the free dining promo isnt going through a rate change. In your case you talking about a $145 a night increase from the 18th to the 24th and a $165 increase from 25th to 27th. I have the same pin code and if you read it it has very specific dates and restrictions, which includes limited availablity at select resorts, which means they reserve a certain portion of the rooms at each resort and once there gone there gone. The Wilderness Lodge is also a VERY popular Holiday resort. As for what you have read online where did you read it :shrug:?

Yes, I read the email. I see what you mean about free dining being a promitional add-on compared to a rate. But I still thought if you booked before the end of the discount window, you could keep that discount, regardless of the season the trip ended.

Aware that it is a popular resort, as that's why we booked it. We were able to get a room, just told the discount could not be applied to the entire stay. As for where I've read this online, it was on other WDW planning sites. One even suggesting as a tip, to book at the end of the value season in order to get that rate for the entire stay. I'm not saying I assumed this applied to discounts as well, but because of the nature of the Free Dining, it seemed like a real possibility to me. Even if they were not able to take the 40% off on the 23rd, because my trip was booked in the BEGINNING of the value season, I thought my rates for the 23rd-on would be at the value rate. Follow me?

Still hoping for answers on the non-PIN related questions from anyone! Is there any possible way to get a discount over the holiday season dates?

 

[ZuzuPetals]

The "as long as you check during value season, you get the value rate for your whole trip" loophole was closed in 2008. It used to be that you could check in Dec. 17 and get that rate for the duration of your trip. Now, each night is priced differently: season (value, regular, etc.), weekend/weeknight, discounted or not, etc. I have the same pin code and almost the same dates (Dec. 17-26, also at WL). So I got 40% off rack rate for every night except Dec. 25th. AP discounts work the same way. The dates that fall in the discounted period will get the discount; the ones that fall outside of it, don't. Hope I explained that clearly; it can be confusing!

Ah okay, THIS was what I was looking for! I wondered if this was the case. Any info I found online was outdated (it was on planning sites, not official wdw.) You did an excellent job of explaining (and of understanding me lol), thank you very much! That's really too bad that Disney had to catch on to that loophole and change it, haha! I'm not sure I can justify paying a non-discounted WL rate...hmm. We usually travel during off-peak but are unable to this year due to conflicts. Hmmm, lots of thinking to do! Thanks again so much and enjoy your trip in December, maybe I'll see you there! :wave:

 

[brent2124]

Yes, I read the email. I see what you mean about free dining being a promitional add-on compared to a rate. But I still thought if you booked before the end of the discount window, you could keep that discount, regardless of the season the trip ended.

Aware that it is a popular resort, as that's why we booked it. We were able to get a room, just told the discount could not be applied to the entire stay. As for where I've read this online, it was on other WDW planning sites. One even suggesting as a tip, to book at the end of the value season in order to get that rate for the entire stay. I'm not saying I assumed this applied to discounts as well, but because of the nature of the Free Dining, it seemed like a real possibility to me. Even if they were not able to take the 40% off on the 23rd, because my trip was booked in the BEGINNING of the value season, I thought my rates for the 23rd-on would be at the value rate. Follow me?

Still hoping for answers on the non-PIN related questions from anyone! Is there any possible way to get a discount over the holiday season dates?

I follow. It used to be true but sometime in the past couple of years got changed to prevent that. They will offer AP and FL resident rates but they will also end before the 23rd and resume possibly after New Years weekend.

 

[ZuzuPetals]

I follow. It used to be true but sometime in the past couple of years got changed to prevent that. They will offer AP and FL resident rates but they will also end before the 23rd and resume possibly after New Years weekend.

Yes, another poster pointed out that the loophole closed at the end of 2008. That's too bad. Saw the rates after New Years weekend drop also, more schedule conflicts for us unfortunately. May have to switch to moderate. Too spoiled by traveling in off-season with discount to travel peak-season without discounts! I understand why Disney does these things, they are a business after all, but I still get frustrated when the rates jump so much from one day to the next!

 

[jen2009]

When would the AP rates come out for December? We were given 2 AP's from Disney for having our wedding at Disney. We used them the week of the wedding and would like to use it over christmas. The CM said to keep an eye out for when they come out so I could call back and get the AP rate. Just curious around when that would be.

 

[mousefan1972]

Ah okay, THIS was what I was looking for! I wondered if this was the case. Any info I found online was outdated (it was on planning sites, not official wdw.) You did an excellent job of explaining (and of understanding me lol), thank you very much! That's really too bad that Disney had to catch on to that loophole and change it, haha! I'm not sure I can justify paying a non-discounted WL rate...hmm. We usually travel during off-peak but are unable to this year due to conflicts. Hmmm, lots of thinking to do! Thanks again so much and enjoy your trip in December, maybe I'll see you there! :wave:

Sure, no problem. Glad you could follow what I was trying to say. We were able to take advantage of the loophole for Christmas '07. We checked into the Polynesian the last day of value season (I think December 18th that year) and got the value rate through the 27th. Last year we switched to WL and had to pay the holiday rates, but got a great discount. (Disney Visa cardholder free dining) Don't forget, you will only be paying rack rate for Dec. 25 and 26 since the 40% off will include all of your dates except those. And WL at Christmas is just beautiful. :xmas: Hope to see you there! :wave:

 

[brent2124]

When would the AP rates come out for December? We were given 2 AP's from Disney for having our wedding at Disney. We used them the week of the wedding and would like to use it over christmas. The CM said to keep an eye out for when they come out so I could call back and get the AP rate. Just curious around when that would be.

Octoberish

 

[DznyGrlSD]

I would share if I was aloud to........:shrug:

Me too - I actually got 2 PIN codes sent to 2 different email addresses (they were the same pin #) but they're attached to my name so I can't transfer them.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

When would the AP rates come out for December? We were given 2 AP's from Disney for having our wedding at Disney. We used them the week of the wedding and would like to use it over christmas. The CM said to keep an eye out for when they come out so I could call back and get the AP rate. Just curious around when that would be.

Disney gives you APs for being married there?? Sa-weet!! I'm in the infancy planning stages of my "Disney Princess Wedding" and that's good to know!

 

[marcriss]

Just when you think you have WDW planning figured out...ok, here we go:

Booked a family trip for December 17-27 at Wilderness Lodge. I received a 40% PIN code via email. Was told the 40% would be good for all dates up until the 24th, the beginning of the "holiday" season. Why do I seem to remember in the past that as long as you hit the end of a discount window, you were able to keep it for the entire stay? For example, isn't it possible to book the LAST day of free dining yet keep it for your entire stay? The Pin code is good through the 23rd but I thought because I booked BEFORE then, I would be fine.

So my next question...if you book at the end of value season (dec 17) without using a discount code, am I able to keep the value rate for the entire stay? Is it just the Pin code that is messing things up? All the information I've found online says that as long as you book within the end of the window, you keep that rate...so why did my rate for the 24th jump up to $415 and no discount? I understand the no discount as the Pin says it ends on the 23rd but shouldn't I still have the rate of the season I came in on (hope that makes sense)?

NEXT question haha sorry, I'm probably making this too complex for myself. I've booked AP rates in the past (current AP holder) but never over multiple seasons. If an AP rate is released including the 17th as a date, can I keep the rate for the entire stay? Or does it black out on the holiday dates automatically? I'm so confused! :dazzle:

We had a similar situation last year except it was the first day that wasn't covered by the 40%. I made two reservations, one with the pincode and one for just the day. I made the one day with a AAA discount because the AP rates weren't out yet. When the AP rates came out, I called and there weren't any available at the Yacht Club. But the difference between the AAA and the AP rate was less than $5. So you're probably better off trying to get a discount for the couple of nights. (This was for 12/5-15/08, the 5th wasn't part of the pincode period, the vacation time was the "Value Season", not sure about the 5th specifically.)

Just to be safe, make your reservation for the other days BEFORE taking it off the whole stay if you can. This way you don't lose the resort availability in case the place is full.

 

[mousefan1972]

We had a similar situation last year except it was the first day that wasn't covered by the 40%. I made two reservations, one with the pincode and one for just the day. I made the one day with a AAA discount because the AP rates weren't out yet. When the AP rates came out, I called and there weren't any available at the Yacht Club. But the difference between the AAA and the AP rate was less than $5. So you're probably better off trying to get a discount for the couple of nights. (This was for 12/5-15/08, the 5th wasn't part of the pincode period, the vacation time was the "Value Season", not sure about the 5th specifically.)

Just to be safe, make your reservation for the other days BEFORE taking it off the whole stay if you can. This way you don't lose the resort availability in case the place is full.

The issue the OP has, though, is the days that aren't covered by her 40% off pin code are December 25 & 26, when AP or AAA discounts aren't available. Otherwise, you are 100% correct to make separate ressies in order to take full advantage of available discounts.