Disney Vacation Account questions

[MinMou]

I was getting ready to open an account, but I got cold feet, since I didn't want to make any payment commitments without more info. So this is what I am puzzled about:

The budget questions included questions about airfare and souvenirs. If you aren't buying a package that includes airfare, and/or if you are planning to buy souvenirs in advance, does it make sense to include those in your account? How does that money get back to you to buy your airfare, for instance?

What happens if you miss a payment?

Is there a downside to using this kind of account?

 

[Marionnette]

I was getting ready to open an account, but I got cold feet, since I didn't want to make any payment commitments without more info. So this is what I am puzzled about:

The budget questions included questions about airfare and souvenirs. If you aren't buying a package that includes airfare, and/or if you are planning to buy souvenirs in advance, does it make sense to include those in your account?

No and sort of yes. The money in the account can only be used for Disney purchases. If you buy airfare directly from the airline or even through one of the discount travel websites, you can't use the DVA to pay for it. But if you're buying your souvenirs ahead of time from the online Disney store, you can use the DVA account number as a form of payment in the gift card line.

How does that money get back to you to buy your airfare, for instance?

It be refunded to the original form of payment or you can request a Disney GC for the overage.

What happens if you miss a payment?

This isn't a credit account. It's a "savings" account that pays zero interest and is not subject to the same terms that bank accounts operate under. If you neglect to add money, you just have less money in there to apply to your vacation payment.

Is there a downside to using this kind of account?

It is harder to get your money back than with a bank account. There are limits on where it can be spent. It ties your funds up in Disney money. That means that, unlike a real savings account, you don't have immediate access to cash if you have an emergency.

But on the plus side - it allows you to combine a lot of Disney GCs in one place so that you can make an online payment for tickets or room reservation. And, you get a $20 Disney GC for every $1000 you spend from the account.

 

[MinMou]

Marionette, thank you for your detailed response. That got me thinking and now I have a couple more questions.

Do they track whether you actually reserve a trip? They ask when you plan to travel and then it comes up with a budget based on you having all the money in place 2 months in advance (which you would need for a cruise). But if I said I was travelling in Sept and I was really travelling in July, would anyone check?

And could I make one payment with the total amount? This way I could earn savings in a regular savings account, but still earn the DIsney GCs?

 

[Marionnette]

Marionette, thank you for your detailed response. That got me thinking and now I have a couple more questions.

Do they track whether you actually reserve a trip? They ask when you plan to travel and then it comes up with a budget based on you having all the money in place 2 months in advance (which you would need for a cruise). But if I said I was travelling in Sept and I was really travelling in July, would anyone check?

And could I make one payment with the total amount? This way I could earn savings in a regular savings account, but still earn the DIsney GCs?

They really don't care when you will actually be traveling. That's just a budgeting tool that they provide so that you know how much you will need to save with each deposit.

I'm not sure about making one big deposit. IIRC, there was a limit as to the amount you can put in each day.

 

[IndianaRRT]

And could I make one payment with the total amount? This way I could earn savings in a regular savings account, but still earn the DIsney GCs?

We just opened one to save for our DD's high school graduation trip in 2017. From what I read, you are limited to $1000 deposit per day.

 

[MinMou]

Thank you both

 

[SUSIEQ]

But if you're buying your souvenirs ahead of time from the online Disney store, you can use the DVA account number as a form of payment in the gift card line.

I did not realize that you could do this. Thanks for the info.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Just returned last Saturday from our Easter trip. Now I'm starting to plan for our 2016 spring break trip (last week in April).

If I open an account at the end of the month for an April 2016 trip, how do the payments work? I'm assuming I can use the funds this summer to pay our deposit when CRO releases their 2016 package rates. Then use the account to pay off the balance in February. Is that correct?

Also the 180 day mark for our ADRS will be in October. Can I use funds in the account to pay for Wishes,Illuminations dessert parties, and hoop DE doo? What about memory maker?

I just trying to figure out if the funds in the account can be used to cover extras prior to the final payment date.

 

[Fire14]

Just returned last Saturday from our Easter trip. Now I'm starting to plan for our 2016 spring break trip (last week in April).

If I open an account at the end of the month for an April 2016 trip, how do the payments work? I'm assuming I can use the funds this summer to pay our deposit when CRO releases their 2016 package rates. Then use the account to pay off the balance in February. Is that correct?

Also the 180 day mark for our ADRS will be in October. Can I use funds in the account to pay for Wishes,Illuminations dessert parties, and hoop DE doo? What about memory maker?

I just trying to figure out if the funds in the account can be used to cover extras prior to the final payment date.

I just bought memory maker myself and it gave me option for dva other stuff can't help w sorry

 

[MinMou]

Just returned last Saturday from our Easter trip. Now I'm starting to plan for our 2016 spring break trip (last week in April).

If I open an account at the end of the month for an April 2016 trip, how do the payments work? I'm assuming I can use the funds this summer to pay our deposit when CRO releases their 2016 package rates. Then use the account to pay off the balance in February. Is that correct?

.

I havent' used the account, but you can set your account up to be weekly, biweekly or monthly. It will ask when you are travelling, and divide up the time remaining between now and 2 months prior to your trip, and tell you how much you should deposit for each payment.

 

[SUSIEQ]

But if you're buying your souvenirs ahead of time from the online Disney store, you can use the DVA account number as a form of payment in the gift card line.

Has anyone else had luck using their DVA# to pay on Disneystore.com? Thanks.

 

[Disneytwinsmom]

This is great information. I was looking for answers to some of these questions on their website and couldn't find them. If you book through a TA how do I use the account that way?

 

[JUST STARTING]

This is great information. I was looking for answers to some of these questions on their website and couldn't find them. If you book through a TA how do I use the account that way?

I recently booked my 2016 cruise through Dreams Unlimited but I had to call Disney myself to make the payments with my Disney Vacation Account. It was very easy and they even emailed my travel agent an email with the payment information.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Instead of opening up another thread on the subject, I thought I'd ask my question here . I tried to open my Disney vacation fund account to compile my gift cards together. However, when I'm opening it, it is making me put in a credit card number/info to initially fund the account. Gift cards are not an option. Do I have to open the account initially with "real" money and then I can add gift cards to it or am I doing something wrong? Thanks for any help!

 

[LoriKutchey]

I believe your initial deposit has to be with a credit card

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Ok, thanks!

 

[lgpav1]

I just put a number in and will save what I want. Also I am doing one-time deposits, based on $$ I have at the time.

 

[nalajms]

Do I have to open the account initially with "real" money and then I can add gift cards to it or am I doing something wrong? Thanks for any help!

Someone posted that you can schedule it for a recurring payment starting at a later date. Then go in and cancel the recurring payment.

 

[davper]

Instead of opening up another thread on the subject, I thought I'd ask my question here . I tried to open my Disney vacation fund account to compile my gift cards together. However, when I'm opening it, it is making me put in a credit card number/info to initially fund the account. Gift cards are not an option. Do I have to open the account initially with "real" money and then I can add gift cards to it or am I doing something wrong? Thanks for any help!

I just opened a DVA. Yes it did ask for a CC and planned out a series of deposits from your CC. Just go through the motions to setup the account with the first payment starting someday in the future. Then after the account is setup, delete the automatic deposit plan and make deposits at will.

My first deposit was a Gift Card.

 

[Micahisgood54]

I am doing it and you can pull the money out at any time, you dont have to do Air fare through it. you could can do everything else through it though!