Have you used a disney layaway plan ?

[laurap614]

We would love to plan a trip to disney sooner than later and I was thinking of creative ways to save. I read online some certified disney travel agencies set up layaway plans. Has anyone done this? Can you recommend one?

 

[Suz D]

There is no need to go through a travel agent for that. You make your reservation directly with Disney with a $200 deposit. Then you just make payments to them until you are 45 days out from your trip. The balance is due at that time.

 

[disneychrista]

Why not set up a dedicated savings account and then put a set amount each week/month/whatever in that account.

 

[Marionnette]

We would love to plan a trip to disney sooner than later and I was thinking of creative ways to save. I read online some certified disney travel agencies set up layaway plans. Has anyone done this? Can you recommend one?

No, I haven't. I would never give money to a travel agent for a trip that was years in the future. I can put that money aside myself and have quicker access to it if I needed it.

If you really want to tie up your money, why not just by Disney gift cards from Target with the 5% to 10% discount you get using the RedCard and pharmacy rewards?

 

[arihillfarm]

No, I haven't. I would never give money to a travel agent for a trip that was years in the future. I can put that money aside myself and have quicker access to it if I needed it.

If you really want to tie up your money, why not just by Disney gift cards from Target with the 5% to 10% discount you get using the RedCard and pharmacy rewards?

Travel agencies are not legally allowed to hold money for clients in a "layaway" type plan. Anytime a client calls and says I want to pay $XX towards my trip, that payment is made via a debit or credit card (or gift card or Disney rewards card) immediately to Disney, which is not any different than if you did it yourself except that you didn't have to spend the time online or on the phone dealing with it. That money is no more tied up than if you paid for 1/2 your trip at booking. Either way, to cancel and get a refund you'll still have to wait for Disney to credit your account or gift cards, minus any cancellation penalties that may be imposed by Disney.

For my own trips, I always pay the deposit only and set aside funds in a savings account until final payment, but plenty of clients want to make "payments" along the way and for some people, that works better for them.

-Astrid

 

[Marionnette]

Travel agencies are not legally allowed to hold money for clients in a "layaway" type plan. Anytime a client calls and says I want to pay $XX towards my trip, that payment is made via a debit or credit card (or gift card or Disney rewards card) immediately to Disney, which is not any different than if you did it yourself except that you didn't have to spend the time online or on the phone dealing with it. That money is no more tied up than if you paid for 1/2 your trip at booking. Either way, to cancel and get a refund you'll still have to wait for Disney to credit your account or gift cards, minus any cancellation penalties that may be imposed by Disney.

For my own trips, I always pay the deposit only and set aside funds in a savings account until final payment, but plenty of clients want to make "payments" along the way and for some people, that works better for them.

-Astrid

I complete understand this. However, my point was: Why tie your money up with Disney (via a travel agent or directly)? If you can set money aside to give a TA every week (or month, or however often you wish), then you can put it aside in a savings account where you will have immediate access to it without having to wait for a refund of any kind.