Are there Canadian ticket discounts? Other ways to save?

[lcmckenzie2022]

Hi everyone!
We have a voucher from a DVC rental from the 2020 pandemic and we're now starting to plan that delayed vacation for late August 2023...and I'm already dreading the cost for everything else. The last few times we went Disney, we only had 1 kid and he was under the age of 3. I think maybe he was 3 in one of the years we went...I was always able to do a good job of budgeting things with discounts etc. But now with no fast pass (argh!!!) - and two kids over the age of 3 - my jaw is on the floor when I look at the cost of tickets + genie plus for just 4 days. It's been quite a few years and I can't remember - are there ever ticket discounts for Canadians? Or any other special ticket discounts that I should be looking out for? What about flights? Any tips on getting a good deal for flights? (Toronto to Orlando). I know things are looking pretty grim right now with flight prices, though. If anyone has any other Canadian-friendly budgeting ideas, let me know! One idea that we're going to do is buy Disney gift cards at the grocery store using redeemed PC Optimum points - will apply the total to our tickets next year. This is going to be our last trip, I think, though. It's just getting too expensive.

 

[Average Joes]

The only “savings” we could think of is to make a concerted effort to eat in the DVC room or bring food to the parks. Also driving down would help to easily access groceries, cheaper shopping, etc. Book DVC dates that flying is likely cheaper. Consider flying out of Buffalo or Detroit. I imagine you are aware of these things though.

We bought UK tickets which basically got us free hoppers and water park compared to regular price tickets but we are going 10 days. That is not really savings though just a perk unless you typically buy them. Not good for a shorter trip. There are no current Canadian ticket discounts.

With flight, parking, shuttle from airport to DVC, 10 nights in a standard DVC, and tickets we are at $9000 Canadian for 4. Then add food and expenses. This is probably our last trip.

 

[disneyfan123]

Buy the Uk tickets, drive to Buffalo and fly from there, but DVC direct and get 10% of dining and 20% off merchandise?

 

[SaraMc]

Undercover tourist saved us a bit on tickets. We’re staying at Cabana Bay this time and it’s saving us a ton of money.

 

[bardays]

I have not been able to redeem PC points for Gift cards in years. Maybe that is a restriction for BC? In the West, we have More Rewards from Save On Foods. I have redeemed the points for Disney tickets several times. Wish I knew a trick for Ontario!

 

[bababear_50]

Hi
Here are a few suggestions I gave a co worker of mine that has 3 kids now ,,,before Pandemic she had 2 kids.
She is doing her best to collect Airmiles via her sister and mum and self. (She will use them for Magic Kingdom Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party). They may not collect enough to get all 5 they need but a few is better than none.
She is an Avid PC Points collector but has to remember to redeem the points for her purchases and then use the money she was going to spend on either a vacation account or Disney gift cards. I know some people have been ok sneaking a gift card or two but I've never been able to do it at my Shoppers.
She has also asked friends and Family to give the kids Disney Gift cards for their Birthday and Christmas.
This summer they are cleaning out the kids playroom ,,washing,, disinfecting , bagging and they will sell quite a few things at their community garage sale.(all proceeds to their trip).
Each child is going to decorate a plain water bottle and fill it with found, earned coins.
From my experience as a DVC owner use your DVC the kitchen for Dinners and Snacks as they will be you biggest food cost.
I know it looks a bit daunting but pulling the family together will help everyone appreciate this trip more.

Best wishes
Mel

PS
buy small treats for the kids ahead of time and pack them. Saves a ton.
Magic neon wands at Dollar Tree or Dollarama
Bubbles etc.

 

[lcmckenzie2022]

I have not been able to redeem PC points for Gift cards in years. Maybe that is a restriction for BC? In the West, we have More Rewards from Save On Foods. I have redeemed the points for Disney tickets several times. Wish I knew a trick for Ontario!

Really?? I just go to the self-check out with the Disney Cards and then select "use my points" on check-out. How did you do it?

 

[Minniemoo15]

We found that we did not need Genie+ every day. We only bought it twice - once for MK and once for HS. We did 6 park days but the other 4 we just went without and made out fine. Especially staying DVC - you’ll be eligible for the deluxe evening hours which were incredibly quiet.

 

[bababear_50]

Just an after thought
I have only been to Disney once in Aug and it was so HOT and Humid that we swore we'd never go again in Aug. I realize people with kids sometimes have no choice , one thing that did help us was to let our sons sleep in in the morning ,,,have a resort breakfast and swim ,,, then chill by the Pool. We actually found the late afternoon and evenings better in the Parks as the strong mid day heat started to recede a bit. So far Disney is showing Extra Evening Park hours till July 2022 ,,,maybe they will have them next Aug also. We also spent a day at Typhoon Lagoon and splurged on the refillable mugs there.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/guest-services/extended-evening/
Hugs
Mel
Here's an old coupon I made and tied onto a Disney Beach towel I bought at home.(Bay).
We had a great day there.

 

[lcmckenzie2022]

I really like this suggestion! I think we might do this!! I've already been playing with ticket prices and deciding to extend our trip with 6 day park tickets instead of 4 because then I feel like we can justify going for half-days and early morning + evenings. I didn't realize how crazy expensive tickets were at 4 days and under. I'm trying to balance things budget-wise but also want to balance it with also being a nice, somewhat relaxing trip haha. We went in September back in 2018 and I also swore we'd NEVER do that again - it was just so brutally hot. I just wanted to get out of the parks by the afternoon and I didn't really enjoy myself as much as I did when we went before in December and February. So I'm definitely working these types of ideas in now for sure! But yes, now with an elementary age kiddo and a preschool kiddo, the summer is the most ideal. and also a time that has the lowest crowds - so we picked the last week of August. Hopefully that works out. Thank you so much for your suggestions!!

 

[lcmckenzie2022]

We found that we did not need Genie+ every day. We only bought it twice - once for MK and once for HS. We did 6 park days but the other 4 we just went without and made out fine. Especially staying DVC - you’ll be eligible for the deluxe evening hours which were incredibly quiet.

Well that will save me a good bit of coin! Thanks for the suggestion! I see now that when I look at pricing out tickets and Genie +, it just automatically packs it on for every day you have a ticket.

 

[bardays]

Really?? I just go to the self-check out with the Disney Cards and then select "use my points" on check-out. How did you do it?

Oh! yeah I will try self checkout for sure!! never thought of that! d'oh!

 

[Average Joes]

I really like this suggestion! I think we might do this!! I've already been playing with ticket prices and deciding to extend our trip with 6 day park tickets instead of 4 because then I feel like we can justify going for half-days and early morning + evenings. I didn't realize how crazy expensive tickets were at 4 days and under. I'm trying to balance things budget-wise but also want to balance it with also being a nice, somewhat relaxing trip haha. We went in September back in 2018 and I also swore we'd NEVER do that again - it was just so brutally hot. I just wanted to get out of the parks by the afternoon and I didn't really enjoy myself as much as I did when we went before in December and February. So I'm definitely working these types of ideas in now for sure! But yes, now with an elementary age kiddo and a preschool kiddo, the summer is the most ideal. and also a time that has the lowest crowds - so we picked the last week of August. Hopefully that works out. Thank you so much for your suggestions!!

LOL. The last time we went was mid Sept 2018 and are now going the last week of August to labour day. I hear you about the heat. I often needed a break by mid afternoon. Afternoon rain was rare to cool things down.
It was a toss up between March break crowds or melting in a longer late August trip.

 

[bababear_50]

DVC Resorts
Don't forget to have a look at the Resort activities schedule

A few things I remember from OKW
Movies under the stars
smores by the campfire
Play complimentary foosball, pool, video games, ping-pong and shuffleboard, and check out equipment for tennis, basketball and volleyball. Create one-of-a-kind crafts, and even sign out DVDs to enjoy in your Guest Room! Check out community Hall.
Take an evening cruise to Disney Springs to get a treat at Ghirardelli

And a few things from AKV
has great stuff
Night vision
smores by the campfire
movies under the stars
Story telling
baking cookies
Medallion rubbings
etc

 

[koncra]

Touring Plans website has a great ticket calculator tool that will compare ticket prices from different resellers, we've always found it helpful to save a few bucks.

Flying out of a USA airport saves TONS on flights. We live near Toronto and only fly out of YYZ if we have Aeroplan points to use... if not we drive to Buffalo or Detroit and fly from there. If you're insistent on flying from Canada make sure you check Swoop out of Hamilton and Flair out of Kitchener as well, deals can be found there from time to time.

Southwest routinely has flights out of Buffalo(direct to MCO) for under $300 USD per person.

totally agree with buying gift cards with your points, and even if you're not using points I still recommend buying gift cards before going o use in the parks so that you dont get charged the 1-2% foreign transaction fee banks charge when using credit cards internationally.

 

[youngdeb12]

Oh! yeah I will try self checkout for sure!! never thought of that! d'oh!

This may not work anymore, or at least only at certain self-checkouts. It used to work at our Superstore but then it changed and I have to spend at least that amount in groceries before it will allow me to redeem PC points. I just buy the GCs when I'm buying my groceries and make sure that I spend at least the same amount in groceries as I want to redeem for GCs.

 

[ssmurphy28]

Cost is always a big factor in our trips. Here are some of the things I have done and will try for our trip this Fall:

1. We are trying the UK tickets for the first time. This saved our family of 6 around $1500, plus we get additional flexibility with the additional days on the tickets.
2. We ALWAYS have two meals in our room each day. Usually breakfast and either lunch or dinner. We will typically only eat out once per day. We also head to Costco and pack snack bags for each day of our trip before going down. When there we order grocery delivery (2022 will have more options for this than ever before).
3. My credit card gives me 5% back for grocery store purchases. I buy Disney gift cards at Sobeys or Safeway and then call to make room payments before departure. For each $500 gift card, I get $25 worth of points. I then use the points to help pay for food/airfare, etc. I would do this to pay for tickets as well if I hadn't purchased the UK ones this year.
4. My credit card on file has no foreign transaction fees, which saves on any USD transaction before or after the vacation.

I would rather go for longer. This year we are staying 13 nights. To do that, I stay in a Value resort, only eat out once per day and have a set budget for souvenirs. I'd much rather be frugal and stay longer, than go overboard, but only get to stay for half the time.

 

[bardays]

This may not work anymore, or at least only at certain self-checkouts. It used to work at our Superstore but then it changed and I have to spend at least that amount in groceries before it will allow me to redeem PC points. I just buy the GCs when I'm buying my groceries and make sure that I spend at least the same amount in groceries as I want to redeem for GCs.

yes! that is what I remember. I have not seen Disney cards at Shoppers Drug Mart, but I have at Superstore. Will give it a whirl!

 

[Sue M]

Adding days is a good idea. 4 days really isn’t enough. If you can fly from a US airport it’s usually cheaper. We often fly from SeaTac. Spend the night before at a park n fly hotel that lets you leave car there. We used to stay at a Springhill Suites with CAA rate that lets you leave car for free. Sadly they sold that hotel to a different chain.

We eat breakfast in our room. You can pack instant oatmeal, cold cereal, bagels. DVC resorts have a great food selection in resort store. Buy milk, cream cheese for bagel. I use food court toaster.

Undercover Tourist is a good place to buy tickets. No shipping fees or vouchers. The price you see is the price. Too many online sellers add on extra fees at check out. UT is the only online seller I’ll buy from.

We’ve gone late Aug lots. And we get to parks about 30 min before rope drop. Then leave after lunch for pool break! That mid day sun is brutal. We return to the parks later!

I agree, wdw is getting crazy expensive. Paying so much more and getting less. It makes me sad, but we’re going a lot less. Used to go 2x a year. Not anymore. Not even once a year. I miss the old WDW.

 

[mort1331]

I have not been able to redeem PC points for Gift cards in years. Maybe that is a restriction for BC? In the West, we have More Rewards from Save On Foods. I have redeemed the points for Disney tickets several times. Wish I knew a trick for Ontario!

This may not work anymore, or at least only at certain self-checkouts. It used to work at our Superstore but then it changed and I have to spend at least that amount in groceries before it will allow me to redeem PC points. I just buy the GCs when I'm buying my groceries and make sure that I spend at least the same amount in groceries as I want to redeem for GCs.

As youngdeb12 says,,,put all your groceries thru, have a Disney GC that is loadable, have the cashier add the amount on the card that is equal to your amount of groceries (make sure you have that many points, or do the max you have) then redeem your points.
IE. $100 worth of groceries,,buy a $100 GC total bill $200, redeem 100,000 pc points, brings bill down to $100. So only out the amount that you would pay for your groceries anyway.