Anybody use the new Disney Vacation Account fund yet?

[jacksgirl]

I was considering it, but wondered if anyone had any experience with it. Our trip in November of this year, so I'll have to set it up soon if I'm gonna since it has to be active for 120 days in order to get the bonus gift cards. Any thoughts? I'll wind up with about $5,000 total in the account, so that would be $100 in bonus gift cards.

 

[Marionnette]

I was considering it, but wondered if anyone had any experience with it. Our trip in November of this year, so I'll have to set it up soon if I'm gonna since it has to be active for 120 days in order to get the bonus gift cards. Any thoughts? I'll wind up with about $5,000 total in the account, so that would be $100 in bonus gift cards.

I opened one back in the fall and I used it to pay my DVC dues in January. It was pretty easy to use but it is also prone to the same IT problems that other Disney websites have. I could not log into it at all one day last week.

As for the bonus GCs, you will only get them for each $1K SPENT, not for every $1K that you deposit. So, once you have spent $5K on qualifying purchases, you can request your bonus. It can then take 4-6 weeks to receive your GCs.

 

[jacksgirl]

I need to count up my days to make sure I have enough time to get my bonus cards. My package total will be around $5,000, so if I pay for it all with the DVA, my bonus cards should be $100. Do special event purchases like SoA and MVMCP count toward the amounts for bonus cards too?

 

[Marionnette]

I need to count up my days to make sure I have enough time to get my bonus cards. My package total will be around $5,000, so if I pay for it all with the DVA, my bonus cards should be $100. Do special event purchases like SoA and MVMCP count toward the amounts for bonus cards too?

I know that ticket purchases count. I believe that tours also count toward the total. You cannot use the account to pay for souvenirs or food once you are at Disney but you can use it to pay for the dining plans.

 

[nalajms]

Just to be clear, you just have to have the account opened for the 120 days before requesting the bonus. You do not need to wait till 120 days before spending to get the bonus. You can open it today and spend the 5k next week, then request the bonus after 120 days.

Edited to add: Be sure to read post #12.

 

[Jaime4004]

Thank you! That was my exact question, i was searching around to find the answer.

Hmmm... lost the quote somehow, but that was thank you to nalajms!

 

[CMouser]

Does anyone know when you actually receive your bonus? Our trip is mid-may and I requested them in mid -feb? Thanks

 

[jacksgirl]

The site says you receive them 4-6 weeks after requesting.

Soo...I'm super excited. I just bought $500 in Disney gift cards from Raise.com for $475.00, opened a DVA account, and transferred the GCs to the DVA account - all in about an hour's time. First purchase from Raise, but I was very pleased. On to Disney savings

 

[sunflare]

deleted. is there no delete function? I hate cluttering up threads...

 

[Jing]

Just to be clear, you just have to have the account opened for the 120 days before requesting the bonus. You do not need to wait till 120 days before spending to get the bonus. You can open it today and spend the 5k next week, then request the bonus after 120 days.

My reading comprehension may be off, but I thought spent money before 120 days did not count toward the bonus. If it does, awesome.

I have been buying the disney GCs from target a bit at a time and depositing in the DVA while continuing to save in my savings account. I was waiting until the 120 day mark in late June to start buying tickets and make payments on our room reservation, but with MNSSHP going on sale soon and fall discounts that may make a deluxe split-stay possible likely being announced in May, I would love to plunk down the money now if it will go toward the bonus!

 

[nalajms]

My reading comprehension may be off, but I thought spent money before 120 days did not count toward the bonus. If it does, awesome.

Agree, the wording is not specific. Others had reported last year that they received bonus on spending that was done prior to 120 days.

 

[canyoncam]

My reading comprehension may be off, but I thought spent money before 120 days did not count toward the bonus. If it does, awesome.

I have been buying the disney GCs from target a bit at a time and depositing in the DVA while continuing to save in my savings account. I was waiting until the 120 day mark in late June to start buying tickets and make payments on our room reservation, but with MNSSHP going on sale soon and fall discounts that may make a deluxe split-stay possible likely being announced in May, I would love to plunk down the money now if it will go toward the bonus!

Agree, the wording is not specific. Others had reported last year that they received bonus on spending that was done prior to 120 days.

You do have to have it open 120 days BEFORE spending. I messed up and spent $160 on a room only reservation and though I think knew at the time that i wasn't quite at 120 days I figured that was money I already had towards Disney. Then I forgot about that amount until I had spent a total of $5000 form the account. I requested my refund Gift Card and was surprised to see only $80 on it instead of the $100 I expected. I contacted DVA and this is the response I received.

Thank you for contacting us with your inquiry. Your Disney Vacation
Account must be active for a minimum of 120 days at the time of spending
in order to receive this bonus. Your account was opened on 2/8/14, 120
days would be 6/7/14. Your first spend from the account, $160.31, was on
5/10. That amount is not considered when calculating your bonus. Your
other transaction of $4886.46 on 12/10 qualified you for the $80 bonus.
Please let us know if you have additional questions.

Sincerely,

Disney Vacation Account Guest Service

 

[nat8199]

I haven't ordered my bonus, yet, but I have put in and then spent over $5000. I used raise to buy target cards, then target to buy disney, and then put them into my DVA. It worked really well for me and total made almost 15% in increased value, credit rewards, and then the bonus. Love it.

 

[MrBean]

Agree, the wording is not specific. Others had reported last year that they received bonus on spending that was done prior to 120 days.

You have to wait 120 days before you can request your reward, but from my experience, I have gotten rewards for everything I've paid using it.

For instance I purchased PAPs for the family just a few days after opening the account, and the 2% for that was definitely included in my first reward giftcard (I've gotten a few more cards since then).

EDIT: As a caveat, my account is over a year old now, so things definitely may have changed

 

[jmartinez1895]

I just opened my account today because I am hoping to be able to take a trip in Sept of 2016. This way I have for sure hit the 120 day mark. I called before opening because I could not find any info of the site about the rewards. The lady I spoke to on the phone ( I know they are not really known for their accuracy) told me that with the rewards the account has to be open for at least 120 before it will accumulate rewards. She said any purchases made during the first 120 days will not could toward the reward threshold.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

You do have to have it open 120 days BEFORE spending. I messed up and spent $160 on a room only reservation and though I think knew at the time that i wasn't quite at 120 days I figured that was money I already had towards Disney. Then I forgot about that amount until I had spent a total of $5000 form the account. I requested my refund Gift Card and was surprised to see only $80 on it instead of the $100 I expected. I contacted DVA and this is the response I received.

Thank you for contacting us with your inquiry. Your Disney Vacation
Account must be active for a minimum of 120 days at the time of spending
in order to receive this bonus. Your account was opened on 2/8/14, 120
days would be 6/7/14. Your first spend from the account, $160.31, was on
5/10. That amount is not considered when calculating your bonus. Your
other transaction of $4886.46 on 12/10 qualified you for the $80 bonus.
Please let us know if you have additional questions.

Sincerely,

Disney Vacation Account Guest Service

You have to wait 120 days before you can request your reward, but from my experience, I have gotten rewards for everything I've paid using it.

For instance I purchased PAPs for the family just a few days after opening the account, and the 2% for that was definitely included in my first reward giftcard (I've gotten a few more cards since then).

EDIT: As a caveat, my account is over a year old now, so things definitely may have changed

What a mess and I think this is among the most confusing aspects. I am one that I *know* has earned a $20 prior to the 120 days and spending it. I have replied to other threads to advise this as well so I surely hope they didn't change what they do "behind the scenes" as the wording has been the same.

Me details are this: I have two DV Savings accounts. I opened one on 6/9/14 and the other on 6/19/14 as it just seemed easier at that point to keep two separate cruises budgeted that way. On the 6/19/14 account it was for our Wonder cruise in 12/2014. I made my first payment of $840 on 9/20/14 to pay off the cruise which was only 90 days out, not 120 days. I then made another payment of $160.00 on 10/7/14 which put me at 120 days and then my magical "request a bonus" button popped up on the website. I earned $20 for this account and clearly the $840 was prior to the 120 days. I've always understood it that you could pay/spend from it prior to the 120 days and it would count but you just can't request any bonus cards until 120 days and not a day sooner as it won't even show the link online. I'm glad there is another poster than can confirm she/he also received the bonus as well based on my same scenario.

I actually just called them as I haven't received my $140 for my Norway cruise and I requested them on 3/12/15 and it said 2-3 weeks I believe. The cm also stated it's usually no more than 3 weeks (and I've seen 4-6 in some places too) but they can't log in to the account or even see anything so she was sending my information to the back office. I asked this same question above and she was pretty certain if you spend the money before your 120 days you will not earn the bonus card. I didn't want to push it, just asked her for her take on it but I think they need to make this very clear or change the terminology.

Since I don't have my new batch of earned gift cards I can't vouch for how much I'll get and what is legit but I did spend $1000 in my other account for Norway prior to 120 days so I'll either have it and they are incorrect or I won't have it and be disappointed, lol. I'll update once I hear more or receive them.

Heather

 

[canyoncam]

What a mess and I think this is among the most confusing aspects. I am one that I *know* has earned a $20 prior to the 120 days and spending it. I have replied to other threads to advise this as well so I surely hope they didn't change what they do "behind the scenes" as the wording has been the same.

Me details are this: I have two DV Savings accounts. I opened one on 6/9/14 and the other on 6/19/14 as it just seemed easier at that point to keep two separate cruises budgeted that way. On the 6/19/14 account it was for our Wonder cruise in 12/2014. I made my first payment of $840 on 9/20/14 to pay off the cruise which was only 90 days out, not 120 days. I then made another payment of $160.00 on 10/7/14 which put me at 120 days and then my magical "request a bonus" button popped up on the website. I earned $20 for this account and clearly the $840 was prior to the 120 days. I've always understood it that you could pay/spend from it prior to the 120 days and it would count but you just can't request any bonus cards until 120 days and not a day sooner as it won't even show the link online. I'm glad there is another poster than can confirm she/he also received the bonus as well based on my same scenario.

I actually just called them as I haven't received my $140 for my Norway cruise and I requested them on 3/12/15 and it said 2-3 weeks I believe. The cm also stated it's usually no more than 3 weeks (and I've seen 4-6 in some places too) but they can't log in to the account or even see anything so she was sending my information to the back office. I asked this same question above and she was pretty certain if you spend the money before your 120 days you will not earn the bonus card. I didn't want to push it, just asked her for her take on it but I think they need to make this very clear or change the terminology.

Since I don't have my new batch of earned gift cards I can't vouch for how much I'll get and what is legit but I did spend $1000 in my other account for Norway prior to 120 days so I'll either have it and they are incorrect or I won't have it and be disappointed, lol. I'll update once I hear more or receive them.

Heather

It is a mess and I feel sorry for anyone who might get caught having spent a huge amount expecting the GC rebate on that amount. I just feel it is best to advise people to wait the 120 days. Fortunately for me it is only a matter of $160 I have to now add and spend to get my next $20.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

It is a mess and I feel sorry for anyone who might get caught having spent a huge amount expecting the GC rebate on that amount. I just feel it is best to advise people to wait the 120 days. Fortunately for me it is only a matter of $160 I have to now add to get my next $20.

I agree especially if you have nothing to lose by waiting. I also feel for those that had to pay off a cruise or WDW vacation prior to the 120 and didn't earn that portion.

Has anyone *not* received what they expected by spending prior to the 120 days? Just curious

Heather

 

[dunangst]

I opened one back in the fall and I used it to pay my DVC dues in January. It was pretty easy to use but it is also prone to the same IT problems that other Disney websites have. I could not log into it at all one day last week.

As for the bonus GCs, you will only get them for each $1K SPENT, not for every $1K that you deposit. So, once you have spent $5K on qualifying purchases, you can request your bonus. It can then take 4-6 weeks to receive your GCs.

It says you can't use it for DVC dues in the terms and conditions. Did you pay by phone or online?

 

[Marionnette]

It says you can't use it for DVC dues in the terms and conditions. Did you pay by phone or online?

I called Member Accounting, told the CM that I had a GC for paying my dues and I gave her the full account number. It worked fine. A lot of DVC members mentioned doing it on the DVC Member Services forum before I tried it.