Disney Vacation Account question

[dominiondad]

I'd like to establish a Disney Vacation Savings Account to consolidate all of the gift cards I've purchase in anticipation of a future trip. When I try to set up the account, it seems to be forcing me to make a contribution via a credit/debit card. Has anybody figured out a way to start the account without anything other than gift cards?

 

[supersnoop]

I saw someone mention that you can establish the account by scheduling the credit card to deposit money on a date scheduled in the future, then load a gift card and cancel the scheduled deposit. But I have no firsthand knowledge of how to accomplish that.

 

[grubens]

I set up an account for this same purpose and had the same issue. I could not figure a way around it, so ended up just making a $10 initial deposit on my credit card. I figured I would spend $10 in cash at the Parks anyway, so it was a pretty small pre-payment for the convenience of consolidating all the $50 gift cards I had accumulated.

 

[themommy]

I also just opened mine with a $10 payment from my bank account card. Then I just used gift cards after that. I saved a ton of money that way. $150 worth of gift cards at Sam's Club is $143. So I saved $7 on every $150. Then the vacation acct. gave me $20 for free for every $1000 I put in and used on my vacation. Just remember that if you have to get a refund, the money goes back to where it came from. ie...use a gift card and it will be refunded back to the gift card. Keep your gift cards just in case!

 

[ValpoCory]

If you are staying on DVC points, can you use a Disney Vacation Account to pay your room charges?

 

[3PrincessesAndaFrog]

Wow...I didn't know this existed. Where can I access this account? And can anyone do it?

It sure would be a great way to save for a vacation or even a family reunion vacation.

 

[mom2alix]

If you are staying on DVC points, can you use a Disney Vacation Account to pay your room charges?

Unfortunately, no. It's not really for room charges, more for packages and cruises. We can't use it to buy DVC or pay dues either.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I also set up my initial account with a $10 amount to my CC then the rest loaded with Disney cards.

Heather

 

[MaleficentRN]

If you are staying on DVC points, can you use a Disney Vacation Account to pay your room charges?

4-6 weeks before your trip, call them and request a gift card of your balance. You can use that gift card to settle your room charges before check out.

 

[ValpoCory]

4-6 weeks before your trip, call them and request a gift card of your balance. You can use that gift card to settle your room charges before check out.

OK, thank you.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

4-6 weeks before your trip, call them and request a gift card of your balance. You can use that gift card to settle your room charges before check out.

I believe there is a lifetime limit of $500 in gift cards issued per account. Also, funds placed on the card don't count towards the $20 bonus for each $1000 spent. So while not useless, it is somewhat limited in its utility. -- Suzanne

 

[Eighty8Keys]

I believe there is a lifetime limit of $500 in gift cards issued per account. Also, funds placed on the card don't count towards the $20 bonus for each $1000 spent. So while not useless, it is somewhat limited in its utility. -- Suzanne

That's my understanding as well. Since we plan to charge all meals to our rooms and this will total more than $500, we'll just bring gift cards with us to pay down the balance of our room charges and use the funds in the DVA for our tickets and the hotel itself.

 

[Marionnette]

Unfortunately, no. It's not really for room charges, more for packages and cruises. We can't use it to buy DVC or pay dues either.

You can use it to pay your dues!!! There's a thread about it on the Member Services forum and I can confirm that it worked for me today!

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

I am wondering if it would help us. We are Dvc member so I don't have to worry about the hotel per se. We just have to pay for dining plan and tickets. Can I just apply enough in the account for those and still purchase them through Disney?

 

[leholcomb]

I am wondering if it would help us. We are Dvc member so I don't have to worry about the hotel per se. We just have to pay for dining plan and tickets. Can I just apply enough in the account for those and still purchase them through Disney?

Yes! Your account number is processed like a gift card. You just call Disney and apply your funds toward your DDP and tix.

 

[jdmccon7]

#1 Reading the fine print on the Disney Vacation Account, it lists included hotels but Old Key West isn't included. We are staying at OKW in June with a package, paying cash. Does the fact we have a package mean I can pay for hotel + tickets, in other words the package, via DVA?

#2 In case I go ahead and open the DVA only to find out later I can't use it for my trip because of our hotel choice, has anyone asked for a refund? How quickly did you get it?

I plan to call Disney and ask the same questions. I will post what they tell me...but I expect there could be conflicting answers depending on which CM I get.

 

[mkmwall]

Does anyone know if I could set up a Diney Vacation Account with all my $50 gift Cards from Target and use the account to just purchase park tickets? We are staying offsite. We are a group of 7 people. I know I could buy from undercover tourist for cheaper but don't want to carry around $3000 worth of $50 gift cards for just food, etc.

Thanks

 

[Marionnette]

Does anyone know if I could set up a Diney Vacation Account with all my $50 gift Cards from Target and use the account to just purchase park tickets? We are staying offsite. We are a group of 7 people. I know I could buy from undercover tourist for cheaper but don't want to carry around $3000 worth of $50 gift cards for just food, etc.

Thanks

You can, but it would have to be an online or phone purchase. You would not be able to take your DVA number to a ticket booth or Disney Store and make your purchase there.

 

[SUSIEQ]

I saw someone mention that you can establish the account by scheduling the credit card to deposit money on a date scheduled in the future, then load a gift card and cancel the scheduled deposit. But I have no firsthand knowledge of how to accomplish that.

This method works.