Is the Disney Club Card worth it?

[Disneyfan63]

My last trip to Disney World was in 2000, it was my second ever trip and I do not know when I'll go back. I am hoping to go next year (no plans, just dreams). Is the DC worth the $39.95/year for someone who doesn't go to Disney World often?

Jim

Disneyland: March 1-3, 1998; with mom, aunt, uncle, and two cousins; Desert Inn and Suites, Anaheim (across the street)

Disney World: April 2-5, 1982 with high school senior class; Holiday Inn, Kissimmee
October 13-20, 2000 solo; All Star Sports

 

[Figment2]

I use the DC all the time at the Disney Stores (10%). I also use it to renew my annual pass and to buy parkhoppers (gifts).

For me it's paid for itself especially since I like the Disney Magazine so much.

Cyn

 

[adamak]

Depends on how you WDW travel style is and how often you go to the store. For me, I'm a DVC member, with AP, AAA. I found that DC doesn't discount much for me. For resort, AP rate gets me the best rate. For car, well, just with the MouseSavers code saves me more. (Because DC rate usually only applies to bigger size cars...plus, National rack rate is higher than others). For restaurants, DVC rate works ok with me too. I also get discount shopping in DD using my DVC discount. So the only thing left that I can think of is the Disney Store. But I don't shop there that often.

So, I don't think I'm renewing my DC this summer, even though we go back to WDW once a year.

My adivse is... pretend you're going next year, how much will DC save you outside of your other discount (like AAA). If it can save you more than $40, then continue with your membership. Otherwise, skip it.

 

[Disneyfan63]

Hi,
Thanks for your advice. I think I'll skip the Disney Club, for several reasons. One is that I don't go into the Disney Store often enough to justify becoming a member. I've only been in the local one two or three times, one of those times to interview for a job. Second, though I loved Disney World and Disneyland, I've only been there three times in twenty years. I'm amazed at those who can afford to go each year, let alone several times a year. My October, 2000 trip to Walt Disney World set me back $1,545.00 for eight days/seven nights at All Star Sports; an Ultimate Magic Pass/Resort ID with charging privileges; priority seatings at Crystal Palace and Liberty Tree Tavern (MK, October 14, 2000), Hoop De Doo Revue (FtW, October 13); Le Cellier (Epcot, October 16); Rainforest Cafe (AK, October 18); 50's Prime Time Cafe and Mama Melrose (MGM, October 17); Sea World (October 15); transfers to and from the airport; and round-trip airfare from PHL to MCO. I spent another $500 or so down in Florida. I don't think I got a bad deal, because I enjoyed it so much I did not want to leave. I posted a trip report on America Online's WDW Trip Reports board, and am unsure if the same one would be welcome on the DIS because it is rather old. Sorry for the long-windedness, and thanks for allowing me to speak my piece.

Jim

 

[WDW2002]

I am getting a DC card for one reason only, it will pay for itself with the purchase of AP's that we will be getting for out December trip. Then any discounts I get are just icing on the cake.

 

[jeank74]

Disneyfan63,

I am pro on Disney Club because it has saved me $200 on my upcoming trip. But I do understand that people have different take on issues.

Since you are not sure whether you would visit Disney anytime soon, why don't you apply for DC when you need to? I applied mine just right before I made my reservation. I got the membership number in email within 24 hours, and I used it to receive my discount.

Also, it is refundable within 90 days. So return it even if it does not give you the perk that you want.

Just a thought!!!

 

[jlima]

I paid $39 for DC in April 01. The discount on APs at DL was $10 per person when we renewed them in 9/01; and we used the card in January at the ESPN Zone here in Las Vegas; they had a $20 for $10 game card available to DC cardholders. So, I've gotten my money back, but I'm not going to renew it.

I tried to use it for hotel rooms in Anaheim but consistently found better rates on Travelocity & Travelscape. If the best DC rate I can get is $259/night for the Grand Californian and I can get $159 on Travelscape, why pay for the DC card?

The DC discounts are few and far between. You have to really read the newsletter they send you to see if you can use it. I've actually showed it to CMs at stores on Main Street in DL in Anaheim and they don't know what it is!! "We don't take that one" - then in the next breath they offer a 10% discount if you pay with AmEx for your purchase over $50.

There are DC success stories out there; but I'm just glad I broke even. Hope this helps!

 

[Cindy B]

Ticket prices were cheaper at www.ticketmania.com

We never buy $400 worth of stuff, for the 10% off.
(At most, maybe $100 a year)


The Disney Magazine I can get at the library.


I really miss the FREE MKC card.

 

[2disneywego]

It's definitely worth it for me. I buy about $300 at the Disneystore.com every year, plus the annual trip to WDW or Disneyland. Just on the car rental, I'm saving $75.

 

[poohbear2]

If you are not sure if you are going I wouldn't purchase a DC membership. When you are sure you will be going to WDW, you can sign up for a card. It doesn't take long to receive your membership card after signing up. Also, if you belong to a credit union, you might be able to join for 29.95/yr instead of the 40.00/yr. I myself had this concern. I decided to try it for a year and see how it does for me. I used to get the free Magic Kingdom Card in the past so it was a difficult decision to make for me.

 

[Chance's Mom]

Check out www.mousesavers.com, sometimes there is a code to save $10 off the club price.

My savings since FEB 2002-

Saved $15 each on Annual Passes. If you plan your year right, you could take one trip, say the fourth week of Oct 2002, and then schedule a trip the third week of Oct 2003. As long as the dates don't overlap, you will really save on admission prices!

I got a free membership to National's Emerald Club ($50 value)
this means you do not have to use the inside desk at the airport to obtain your rental-just proceed to the cars and pick one from the Emerals Aisle (you use a drive-thru kiosk to check out)
Also, a 10-20% discount is given to DC members. This is at any National location, not just Orlando.

My latest bargain-- a new basic membership to AAA for $28 for one year! A savings of $20. There are some great bargains out there for hotels using AAA rates.

I you add this up, it is well over $100 and I haven't even gone to Disney with the card yet! So if you rent a car, buy park passes, or travel a lot-it is worth it.

Just my 2 cents

 

[Dallas_Lady]

I got a DC membership because I knew we were going to WDW this year and i wanted the benefits/discounts. I don't plan to renew it cause we aren't going to WDW next year and won't need it. I wouldn't get it unless i planned to use it at WDW as I don't shop at TDS regularly.

 

[ErinH1]

Wish I had known (or remembered) that it was refundable within 90 days because I regret buying it. I doubt that I saved more than $10 with it. We don't buy big quantities of souveniers and I believe I remember one of the gift shops saying you had to spend at least $25 to get a couple dollars off. We stay off-site from great deals I find on the web and used various discount rental car codes (also found on the web). I would have liked to have used it for the $10 or so discount for Cirque du Soleil, but alas we ran out of time, energy and $.

 

[Ratpack]

Originally posted by Cindy B
Ticket prices were cheaper at www.ticketmania.com

We never buy $400 worth of stuff, for the 10% off.
(At most, maybe $100 a year)


The Disney Magazine I can get at the library.


I really miss the FREE MKC card.

Actually, I just bought 2 adult 5 day PH and 1 child 5 day PH at the Disney store with DC and was a few dollars less than ticketmania.com. Also, got cool character tickets and didn't have to wait for them in the mail.

 

[jlima]

I really miss the free MKC card too!

The first year I had it with my job when we lived in LA, we saved $20 on APs each for the DH & myself-just because we had the card. I also saved on souveneirs in Downtown Disney in Orlando on our honeymoon in 11/91. I was so bummed when I went to HR here in Vegas to get a new one & the employee services person gave me an application for the DC instead. I hope some bean counter figures out it was a big mistake & brings back the MKC!!

 

[dunningdisney]

adamak

we just joined DVC and we were told that you receive a discount at the disney store with a DVC membership--just show them your membership card

 

[nicknamy1996]

We paid $31.96 for our DC card.

So far (we joined in April) we've got...


*4 free tickets to Lilo and Stitch (about $30 value)
*saved $45.58 on AP's
*2 Disney club magazines $3 each? (loved them both cover to cover)
*saved $15-20 at the Disney Store.

Thats about $100 so far. (With 9 months and one trip to WDW to go!)

So it depends on your situation.