Do I have this order correct? Purchasing

[jordanfsl]

This has been a very helpful board for planning, so I appreciate the help in advance. Booking a trip on the Dream for January 2023 and thinking that I can do the "order" of things this way....seems the easiest:

1. Purchase enough Disney gift cards via Red Card at Target.
2. Book direct online with DCL using card #'s above, choosing room.
3. Call Costco (longtime Exec members) and transfer to them, within 30 day window.

I think that works, or am I missing something?

thanks!

 

[Mommb]

That should work. It would be helpful to combine the gift cards on Disneygiftcard.com before using them. Not only will that expedite the booking process, but it will give you fewer cards to keep track of. You will need to hold onto the cards (or online card numbers) in case you or Disney cancels the cruise, since refunds go to the original method of payment (last in, first out).

Note that to book a cruise, you need pay only the deposit, typically 20% of the fare. You can pay more, or you can ask Costco to use the gift cards when you make your final payment a few months before the cruise.

 

[lanejudy]

A reservation cannot be transferred if paid-in-full. I can't tell if you planned to pay the whole amount. I suggest making a deposit with gift cards at booking, transfer to Costco, then you can still use Disney gift cards to pay the balance through Costco.

Also note that if you end up cancelling, any refund will go back to the gift cards.

 

[Erica Ladd]

Sorry - total noob. What’s the benefit of transferring or going thru Costco? Debating a membership…

 

[paladin732]

Sorry - total noob. What’s the benefit of transferring or going thru Costco? Debating a membership…

7-8% back as a Costco gift card + if you are a costco top tier member you get 2% back in a "voucher" at the end of the year

 

[Rob1872]

Also note that if you end up cancelling, any refund will go back to the gift cards.

This is an important comment. I felt really clever 3 years ago as I was buying gift cards at a discount whenever they went on an extra good sale at BJs using a credit card with extra bonuses for warehouse stores, etc. I ended up with about a 8-9% discount on the gift cards. Then we had the COVID cancellations and I was stuck with a zillion dollars of Disney gift cards. Finally used them last month on an Eastern Caribbean but I had never considered that there was a possibility of the cruise being cancelled and my not being able to use those gift cards.

 

[jordanfsl]

That is super helpful info on NOT paying in full until it is transferred, thank you.

No worries on having all the gift cards, have young children so that money is getting spent at some point between Disneyland/World/cruises over the next several years.

 

[jordanfsl]

7-8% back as a Costco gift card + if you are a costco top tier member you get 2% back in a "voucher" at the end of the year

That plus the 5% Target savings does help soften the blow a bit.

 

[jordanfsl]

Trying to make my deposit payment for about $1900 online, but the system is saying the balance on the card (1k) is too low. What the heck, there is no way to use multiple cards when first booking online? Or am I missing something….

 

[Rob1872]

Trying to make my deposit payment for about $1900 online, but the system is saying the balance on the card (1k) is too low. What the heck, there is no way to use multiple cards when first booking online? Or am I missing something….

As I recall the system limits you to only a single source of payment for the initial deposit when using the website. I remember years ago having to call and speak to a cast member to process several gift cards as a deposit. (Fortunately several years ago when you could actually get through on the phone.)

 

[jordanfsl]

Not a great system!