Your Disney Vacation: What did you pay? vs. what was it worth?

[Marionnette]

Exactly what the title says. How much is your vacation "worth" compared to what you're actually paying OOP?

• For instance, we get to stay 5 nights at the GF in an outer building/garden view room for much less than the $3700 price tag (rack rate) because we have a convention rate. We're actually paying $1232!
  
• We have a companion pass for my husband on Southwest and I'm flying on points. The fares were $128 each way pp at the time that I booked (total of $532 for 2 people) but we're only paying the 9/11 fees which totaled $22.40.
• I have 5-day hoppers that we purchased last spring, before the price hike and when eBates had an awesome cash back. Current value is $807 for 2 adults but after the ebates discount, I paid $547 (plus I got 5X "travel" points on my Chase Sapphire for the full $684 I paid Orbitz).
  
• We have a budget of $1200 for food & beverages and souvenirs, which will be paid for using Disney GCs. The Disney GCs were purchased online using Target GCs that were obtained from various rewards programs (over $1000 earned from Perk alone since December). We also will buy a TiW card for 20% off at the TS locations. I'll pay for it with discounted Disney GCs that I had obtained back when both the Pharma 5% and REDCard 5% worked in stores. Price of TiW card is $100. My OOP was $90.25 for $100 in Disney GCs back.

Total value of the trip = $6341

Total OOP cost = $1891 (will actually be lower once I redeem for more Target GCs on my rewards sites and purchase additional Disney GCs to cover the cost of the room).

So, what are you spending OOP for your trip vs. the suggested retail price for the same trip?

 

[alievans719]

I'd love to get your rates for rooms next time!

I'll try to do mine so far!

Full cost of room, dining, tickets, & MM: $3175
Cost I'm paying(FD): $2400

cost of 5 Party tickets(paying full): $435

Cost of Airfare(paying full):$610

Cost of 2 Park to Park tickets to Universal: $300
Cost I'm paying: $0(Friend works there!)

Total Savings I got from buying Target Gift cards: $80
Swagbucks Savings to Trip: $750


So total, my trip would cost $4520. I'm paying(so far) $2615. Hoping for more savings! Not as good as yours, but this is nice to have a tracker to see how much some of us are saving or see where we could save more!

 

[Allenwo1978]

Last May we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside with 3 kids 2 adults. 6 days 5 nights. Standard dining plan. Flew out of OKC. On Southwest. Had snacks and drinks for the room delivered by one of the grocery delivery services in Orlando. Basically all inclusive with the exception of Adult drinks and souvenirs at the parks. We had a grand total paid off before the trip of $5300.00 And we spent around another I would say $800.00 or so on the adult drinks for the whole trip and a bunch of souvenirs. I wish I knew the breakdown of it all. But I do know the totals. Hope this helps someone

 

[savannie]

Here is what we paid in September of last year. I'm not sure what the trip was worth, though. We just did everything as inexpensively as possible. I was pretty pleased with the results.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We are doing the magical deal at the end of August/beginning of September. It's a convention rate for hotel and tickets.

Polynesian 5 nights we are paying $1160. Actual cost when I go to the WDW site is $2482.

Beach Club 5 nights we are paying $1012.50. Actual cost on the WDW site is $2030.

Our 8 day PHs through the convention rate is $1440 for 4 people. WDW site says $1721.

We each get a free WP day with the convention tickets so that's worth about $200.

We are 15 minutes from Philly airport. Tickets for the dates and times I wanted would be $1400 for all 4 of us. We are flying out of Baltimore for $900.

So it's "worth" (not counting plane tix) $6433.00 but my package with the magical deal is around $3600 (split stay).

 

[Narnia_girl]

Exactly what the title says. How much is your vacation "worth" compared to what you're actually paying OOP?

• For instance, we get to stay 5 nights at the GF in an outer building/garden view room for much less than the $3700 price tag (rack rate) because we have a convention rate. We're actually paying $1232!
  
• We have a companion pass for my husband on Southwest and I'm flying on points. The fares were $128 each way pp at the time that I booked (total of $532 for 2 people) but we're only paying the 9/11 fees which totaled $22.40.
• I have 5-day hoppers that we purchased last spring, before the price hike and when eBates had an awesome cash back. Current value is $807 for 2 adults but after the ebates discount, I paid $547 (plus I got 5X "travel" points on my Chase Sapphire for the full $684 I paid Orbitz).
  
• We have a budget of $1200 for food & beverages and souvenirs, which will be paid for using Disney GCs. The Disney GCs were purchased online using Target GCs that were obtained from various rewards programs (over $1000 earned from Perk alone since December). We also will buy a TiW card for 20% off at the TS locations. I'll pay for it with discounted Disney GCs that I had obtained back when both the Pharma 5% and REDCard 5% worked in stores. Price of TiW card is $100. My OOP was $90.25 for $100 in Disney GCs back.

Total value of the trip = $6341

Total OOP cost = $1891 (will actually be lower once I redeem for more Target GCs on my rewards sites and purchase additional Disney GCs to cover the cost of the room).

So, what are you spending OOP for your trip vs. the suggested retail price for the same trip?

Thanks for sharing this Marionette. This is exactly the type of breakdown I hope to be able to figure out for our next trip (Dec. 2016, so no reservations yet). I'm bookmarking this for inspiration and ideas.
Question: What is TiW --and do I want it?

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks for sharing this Marionette. This is exactly the type of breakdown I hope to be able to figure out for our next trip (Dec. 2016, so no reservations yet). I'm bookmarking this for inspiration and ideas.
Question: What is TiW --and do I want it?

You're welcome. I'm always looking for ways to shave a little more off of my OOP costs.

TiW is Tables in Wonderland. It's a discount card that entitles you to 20% your bill at most TS locations. This includes alcoholic and specialty beverages and items that would be excluded on the dining plans. They automatically include an 18% gratuity to your bill, but since we normally tip 20% for good service, this isn't an issue for us.

Not everyone can purchase a TiW card. You have to be either a DVC owner or AP holder or be a FL resident.

 

[fbb]

Great breakdown, though I would count Perk/Swagbucks as regular income and regular OOP expense, since you could have spent that money/Target GC on anything.

 

[Marionnette]

Great breakdown, though I would count Perk/Swagbucks as regular income and regular OOP expense, since you could have spent that money/Target GC on anything.

Everyone uses their own accounting system. I could have used my Diner's Club points for statement credits instead of the Rapid Rewards points that got me to Companion Pass status. Should I count them as regular income since they could have been used to pay down the credit card bill instead of converting them to RR points? I guess that I could have. But I choose to consider my rewards dollars to be "free money". We have "regular income" that could be used for paying off a vacation. It's just my hobby to see how much I can get through rewards programs. YMMV.

 

[fbb]

I could have used my Diner's Club points for statement credits instead of the Rapid Rewards points that got me to Companion Pass status. Should I count them as regular income since they could have been used to pay down the credit card bill instead of converting them to RR points?

You're too savvy to have done this. The Companion Pass is everything that's great about this hobby.

 

[Narnia_girl]

The Disney GCs were purchased online using Target GCs that were obtained from various rewards programs (over $1000 earned from Perk alone since December).

Well now I am very interested in Perk. I reread a few older threads. Sounds like it was quicker/easier last year, but obviously it's still worth doing? Besides our current phones we have two old Android devices, an iPod touch and a cheaper tablet.

We have "regular income" that could be used for paying off a vacation. It's just my hobby to see how much I can get through rewards programs. YMMV.

This is my philosophy as well.

 

[29Candicanes]

Here's my breakdown:

My flights for 2 people was $535.
I paid $72 because I used $463 in reward miles.

Then my hotel was $600. (this does not include rack rates)
I paid roughly $110 for our room. I use my bf's miles totaling $475 and Orbitz gave me a $15 travel voucher.

Then the tickets.. they were $623 through Orbitz. (this does not include rack rates)
I paid $623 lol. No discount here.

Finally I scored $200 in Disney gifts card through Samslub.com.
I paid $60 total. I had $100 in Amex dollars and I used 2 special offers through Amex for $20 off.

Total cost of trip was $1,958
Oop I paid $865. Wooohoooo!!!!!!

 

[CocoTravels]

I'm also very interested in how you got this much using Perk. I have tried Perk but I did not find it worth the time as it took me forever to get just $5. Do you have tips you can share?

 

[Marionnette]

I'm also very interested in how you got this much using Perk. I have tried Perk but I did not find it worth the time as it took me forever to get just $5. Do you have tips you can share?

Perk has a lot of different apps available for iOS and android. You can have a maximum of 5 devices running per app. I broke out the old phones that I save for back ups in case someone's phone breaks and our old iPod Touches. All told, I have 11 devices running Perk Pop Quiz, Perk TV Live! and Perk TV. I sometimes switch over to Perk Screen on a couple devices and run videos on them when I have time to interact constantly with the devices. I just redeemed for a $50 GC last night and I already have enough points this morning for a $10 GC (but I'll wait until I have enough for another $50 GC).

 

[CocoTravels]

Wow! Thanks...I have just been using the video app (PerkTV I think) so this gives me some ideas. I only have 4 devices so I'll have to see what kind of set up I can create to earn something a little quicker.

 

[eliza61]

I'll put my cost in red.
Let's see. 10 day suv rental from national car service would be 537.35 free with american express points.
10 night 2 bedroom villa at boardwalk 5,350.00 free or 1100 (annual dues) dvc points. I'll use my dues as cost, as I've long since broken even on my original purchase price..
annual pass for myself 654.00 529.00 dvc member price
two 7 day parkhoppers for sons 429.00 each 407.00 each. 814.00 total undercover tourist
additional 20% off all food, alcohol, etc with tiw.

three days dinners. 500.00 free. chase visa gc from points. (cheesecake factory, darden restaurants and two target gift cards we'll turn into disney gc)
dinner at Bahama breeeze 150.00 Free. chase gc.

I don't go to target so for me to do the tc disney gift cards would not be a significant savings for me. also we love going off site to restaurants.

I use my amex and visa for literally every thing. all my bills, all shopping every thing. generally every year I get about 70-80K points.

price without discounts/perks 8049.35
Price I paid 2443.00
savings 5606.00

 

[eliza61]

question? how are people getting "convention rates" at disney hotels?

 

[Narnia_girl]

Perk has a lot of different apps available for iOS and android. You can have a maximum of 5 devices running per app. I broke out the old phones that I save for back ups in case someone's phone breaks and our old iPod Touches. All told, I have 11 devices running Perk Pop Quiz, Perk TV Live! and Perk TV. I sometimes switch over to Perk Screen on a couple devices and run videos on them when I have time to interact constantly with the devices. I just redeemed for a $50 GC last night and I already have enough points this morning for a $10 GC (but I'll wait until I have enough for another $50 GC).

I tried to PM you last night and Disboards wouldn't let me. I created an account for Perk and it asked if anyone had referred me. Since you've been so helpful I wanted to credit you for the referral (50 pts). If you have a referral code PM me and I'll add it.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

question? how are people getting "convention rates" at disney hotels?

A travel agency that can't be named on the DIS buys rooms at a convention rate and passes it on to their clients.

It's the "magical Labor Day deal" that's been mentioned. It's only for certain dates in mid-late August and early September.

 

[Marionnette]

question? how are people getting "convention rates" at disney hotels?

Well, in my case, we're actually attending a meeting at the GF. However, there's a certain TA that we cannot mention by name on the disboards. That TA obtains rooms at group rates and then sells. They only have specific dates and rooms at those rates. If you can be flexible with your dates, it can be a considerable savings.