Disney Gift Card Deals

[mhartman09]

This isn't really gift card related, but I would love some insight from you savings pros here. Trying to maximize savings/return on our tickets using some of our rewards credit cards. Was going to purchase 7 day park hopper (4 day + 3) from UT, then possibly upgrade at Disney to an AP.

We've never considered APs before because we've only been to DW once, but when looking at the prices it makes sense this time around since we are planning two trips within 12 months of each other. With APs we'd even be able to add in a third trip somewhere along the line. I've been reading info on APs and noticed there is a promotion ending today for a 13 month AP instead of 12. Trying to decide if it would be worth it for us to just go get the APs now instead of waiting to upgrade.

The promo ends today and with price increases looming, I'm hoping to decide something today. I wanted to use my rewards card, which codes UT purchases as travel for extra points. It does not code purchases direct from Disney as travel, so there would be less return on that purchase. I'm assuming you can only purchase APs directly from Disney, correct? Just looking for some insight from the experts.

 

[eeyoresmom]

This isn't really gift card related, but I would love some insight from you savings pros here. Trying to maximize savings/return on our tickets using some of our rewards credit cards. Was going to purchase 7 day park hopper (4 day + 3) from UT, then possibly upgrade at Disney to an AP.

We've never considered APs before because we've only been to DW once, but when looking at the prices it makes sense this time around since we are planning two trips within 12 months of each other. With APs we'd even be able to add in a third trip somewhere along the line. I've been reading info on APs and noticed there is a promotion ending today for a 13 month AP instead of 12. Trying to decide if it would be worth it for us to just go get the APs now instead of waiting to upgrade.

The promo ends today and with price increases looming, I'm hoping to decide something today. I wanted to use my rewards card, which codes UT purchases as travel for extra points. It does not code purchases direct from Disney as travel, so there would be less return on that purchase. I'm assuming you can only purchase APs directly from Disney, correct? Just looking for some insight from the experts.

I do believe UT does codes under travel. I always purchase their biggest dollar savings ticket, use it once in parks then upgrade at guest services to the AP. Where are you finding info on the 13 month AP? I know they were running that promo a few months ago but I was told it expired.

 

[mhartman09]

I do believe UT does codes under travel. I always purchase their biggest dollar savings ticket, use it once in parks then upgrade at guest services to the AP. Where are you finding info on the 13 month AP? I know they were running that promo a few months ago but I was told it expired.

I actually read about the 13 month promo on some other threads here on the Dis. However, someone just replied to me they were pretty sure that promo is only for renewals and not new APs. If that's the case, then it wouldn't do me any good anyway. Guess I'll stuck with my original plan to buy from UT, then upgrade on our trip. If I upgrade on day 1 I would get all the AP perks, like photopass downloads and discounts, right?

 

[eeyoresmom]

Yes you will

 

[kristenrice]

Can you still use Target gift card to buy Target gift cards (in order to combine smaller ones) on the website? I have 6-7 smaller ones that I want to combine to a single, larger one.

 

[Lain]

Can you still use Target gift card to buy Target gift cards (in order to combine smaller ones) on the website? I have 6-7 smaller ones that I want to combine to a single, larger one.

Yes, but you need to have an add-on item in your order. I did this last week. Also remember Target .com limits you to using just 4 gift cards per payment.

 

[kristenrice]

Yes, but you need to have an add-on item in your order. I did this last week. Also remember Target .com limits you to using just 4 gift cards per payment.

Cool! Thanks! I can always find something to add.

 

[bbsearchlight]

IMPORTANT! Disney price increases will be tomorrow, February 12. If you still need tickets, make sure to purchase them tonight!

 

[bbsearchlight]

Although the price increases tomorrow, any tickets bought now expire on December 31, 2017. You may still be able to get the old tickets through 3rd party vendors (undercover tourist) but you won't be able to pay them with Disney gift cards.

 

[disfanforlife]

Although the price increases tomorrow, any tickets bought now expire on December 31, 2017. You may still be able to get the old tickets through 3rd party vendors (undercover tourist) but you won't be able to pay them with Disney gift cards.

So will MYW tickets that I bought last year from UT still be able to be used anytime? I hate to worry that they are going to stick an expiration date or tickets purchased previous to this announcement....

 

[maburke]

So will MYW tickets that I bought last year from UT still be able to be used anytime? I hate to worry that they are going to stick an expiration date or tickets purchased previous to this announcement....

I think they will allow those to keep the perks they have, like no expiration date. But tickets sold by Disney from tomorrow forward will expire.

 

[anricat]

I think they will allow those to keep the perks they have, like no expiration date. But tickets sold by Disney from tomorrow forward will expire.

This is new, right? I have tickets I bought last year prior to the price increase and we aren't going until October. (I bought them directly from Disney.) I'm pretty sure I remember that those don't expire.

 

[maburke]

This is new, right? I have tickets I bought last year prior to the price increase and we aren't going until October. (I bought them directly from Disney.) I'm pretty sure I remember that those don't expire.

Correct.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I actually read about the 13 month promo on some other threads here on the Dis. However, someone just replied to me they were pretty sure that promo is only for renewals and not new APs. If that's the case, then it wouldn't do me any good anyway. Guess I'll stuck with my original plan to buy from UT, then upgrade on our trip. If I upgrade on day 1 I would get all the AP perks, like photopass downloads and discounts, right?

I would double check that. On the Disney website it looks like the 13 for 12 thing is good for new APs as well

 

[amalone1013]

I actually read about the 13 month promo on some other threads here on the Dis. However, someone just replied to me they were pretty sure that promo is only for renewals and not new APs. If that's the case, then it wouldn't do me any good anyway. Guess I'll stuck with my original plan to buy from UT, then upgrade on our trip. If I upgrade on day 1 I would get all the AP perks, like photopass downloads and discounts, right?

We bought APs at the end of October for the first time, to help meet our CSR minimum spend (plus it made sense, similar to your circumstances), and we activated them 2 weeks ago and still got the 13 months. I think I asked online via chat before buying, if they were bought in the period they would still get 13 months and I was told yes (I think at that time the promo ended before we planned on activating them, then they extended it).

 

[mhartman09]

Thanks for the responses on the APs. I actually just decided to go ahead and order the 7 day hoppers from UT now. We'll just upgrade to APs the day we get there for our trip. It's my understanding since we ordered from an authorized seller, we should be able to get the current gate price of the 7 days hoppers as of the date of the upgrade to apply towards our APs and just pay the difference.

 

[kristenrice]

Well, it finally happened....Disney has priced the tickets out of reason for my family. We will still take advantage of our DVC, but it looks like it will be non-park trips and more time at HHI. We have a trip planned for 2019 already with extended family (who were smart enough to buy their 7-day tickets from UCT) but I didn't have the funds on hand yet. When I saw that a 7-day park hopper is now over $500 (incl tax), I immediately went to UCT and bought 2 for the "kids" since they are still only $419 (total). I saved over $200 on those two tickets, but I had to borrow from the girls' college account to get them.

I know that Disney is a business and they need to make money, but the cost of tickets has gone up so much and so fast that there is now no way I can justify going there as a family anymore...and that breaks my heart. I still think it is "the happiest place on earth", but now, I cannot afford to share it with my family. I think it has become the exact OPPOSITE of Walt's vision...

 

[bbsearchlight]

I do agree that the price increase was steep. A 4 day ticket went up from $325 to $350, an increase of $25. They also did the increase a week earlier than usual, just to cut off the people who were waiting until the last week.

 

[momtwoboys]

Well, it finally happened....Disney has priced the tickets out of reason for my family. We will still take advantage of our DVC, but it looks like it will be non-park trips and more time at HHI. We have a trip planned for 2019 already with extended family (who were smart enough to buy their 7-day tickets from UCT) but I didn't have the funds on hand yet. When I saw that a 7-day park hopper is now over $500 (incl tax), I immediately went to UCT and bought 2 for the "kids" since they are still only $419 (total). I saved over $200 on those two tickets, but I had to borrow from the girls' college account to get them.

I know that Disney is a business and they need to make money, but the cost of tickets has gone up so much and so fast that there is now no way I can justify going there as a family anymore...and that breaks my heart. I still think it is "the happiest place on earth", but now, I cannot afford to share it with my family. I think it has become the exact OPPOSITE of Walt's vision...

on UCT the 4 day hopper with 3 days free costs 418.00 per adult. that ends up being a 7 day hopper they still have them in stock

 

[eeyoresmom]

I would double check that. On the Disney website it looks like the 13 for 12 thing is good for new APs as well

Does anyone know own where this states this?I can not find it on my phone at least.