It's Back-January Trip-A-Day Contest!

[NJlauren]

i just had a fedEx delivery and i had a small freak out... It wasn't anything saying I won but this could be a long month.........

 

[disneynan]

i just had a fedEx delivery and i had a small freak out... It wasn't anything saying I won but this could be a long month.........

I love the anticipation LOL

 

[vicky33006]

Ahhh. I think I entered twice today by accident. I can't remember if I entered last night before I fell asleep (after midnight). I think I did. I didn't want to miss out though and so I tried again thinking it would tell me I can't enter again if I did for the day.. And it let me. I don't want to break the rules! Anyone know if I entered twice if it would tell me? I'm not loving the way to enter as much this year since I feel like I'm not sure I entered correctly each day! Stress!

 

[nicunurse]

Ahhh. I think I entered twice today by accident. I can't remember if I entered last night before I fell asleep (after midnight). I think I did. I didn't want to miss out though and so I tried again thinking it would tell me I can't enter again if I did for the day.. And it let me. I don't want to break the rules! Anyone know if I entered twice if it would tell me? I'm not loving the way to enter as much this year since I feel like I'm not sure I entered correctly each day! Stress!

So I know this is going to make me sound crazy..as crazy as only you other dis fans would understand...I have a desk calendar and in order to make sure I enter daily (and only once) I enter...then I put an X over the date...its right next to my computer.

 

[Miss Whimsy]

Ahhhh I totally forgot about this this year, thanks so much for the reminder everyone!

Last year I mentioned the sweepstakes in passing to two of my friends at work, and they both threatened to enter every day just to throw off my chances even though they had no interest in going. Jerks! I'm not telling anyone this year lolol.

 

[vicky33006]

So I know this is going to make me sound crazy..as crazy as only you other dis fans would understand...I have a desk calendar and in order to make sure I enter daily (and only once) I enter...then I put an X over the date...its right next to my computer.

I think I need a system like this! I figured I could probably never forget seeing as I'm a bit psychotic, but I might possibly enter more than once if I forget I've already entered. Now I'm worried I broke the rules. I don't understand why they wouldn't have a system that tells you you've entered more than once in a day. I could have sworn they had that last year. Oh well..... Looks like I need a system like yours!

 

[wendow]

Well, today I was able to enter and I'm believe that it went through.

Went to the website and logged in for me. Click on the enter button, agree to the terms and then it said "verifying" and then it stated "Thanks for entering"

Yay - I feel better now that it says verifying as it had never said that to me before.

Good luck to everyone entering - surely hope we have some DIS people win this contest.

Mine said 'verifying' today also. I don't remember that from the last couple of days. I did the log out/log back in thing...

 

[disneynan]

So I know this is going to make me sound crazy..as crazy as only you other dis fans would understand...I have a desk calendar and in order to make sure I enter daily (and only once) I enter...then I put an X over the date...its right next to my computer.

I love it - what a great system!

 

[jsgrand0]

Ahhh. I think I entered twice today by accident. I can't remember if I entered last night before I fell asleep (after midnight). I think I did. I didn't want to miss out though and so I tried again thinking it would tell me I can't enter again if I did for the day.. And it let me. I don't want to break the rules! Anyone know if I entered twice if it would tell me? I'm not loving the way to enter as much this year since I feel like I'm not sure I entered correctly each day! Stress!

It will not tell you that you already entered! I wish it did! I accidentally entered twice on the first day (trying to figure out the issues we were all experiencing!) It let me enter though. Wondering if they automatically eliminate anyone who has double (or more) entries!

 

[Axelrodb1]

Does anyone know,what happens if a passholder wins? Do they forfeit the park tickets? I personally would still want them especially if they don't expire!

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

It will not tell you that you already entered! I wish it did! I accidentally entered twice on the first day (trying to figure out the issues we were all experiencing!) It let me enter though. Wondering if they automatically eliminate anyone who has double (or more) entries!

Same here. I had so many glitches, I may have entered 4 times trying to figure it out!
Hopefully they realized the issues and cut us some slack!

 

[cristen72]

Any way to roughly estimate the taxes due?

 

[arbolita]

Any way to roughly estimate the taxes due?

It will vary depending on what tax bracket the winner is in.

 

[cristen72]

It will vary depending on what tax bracket the winner is in.

Thanks. I thought maybe there was a percentage of the estimated value of the trip that could be calculated as a rough estimate. I didn't think about it being based on the winners tax bracket.

 

[Hi Pluto]

I read somewhere on the Dis, that the Cinderella suite is actually the least expensive rooms at Disney. Something about state law requiring the winner to pay sales taxes on prizes, so during the "Year of a Million Dreams" to prevent the winners from having to pay the tax on winning the night in the suite, it was valued at like less than $1.

Disney is so wise. I guess that makes a lot of sense. I'd love to be sitting in the boardroom when they had the discussion of how much they should value the suite at. That may be why they never offer it for sale (even if they had the availability) because then it would mess up the taxes for everyone else.

~Cari~

 

[PlutosBone17]

Thanks. I thought maybe there was a percentage of the estimated value of the trip that could be calculated as a rough estimate. I didn't think about it being based on the winners tax bracket.

Rough estimate in taxes you'd pay is somewhere between $1,500 - $3,000, but this all depends on your tax bracket. It's the same as having your work write you a bonus check for $7,100. I won a trip to the Super Bowl a few years ago. Prize was valued at double this contest. Tax man wasn't very nice.

Prize values are usually based on normal retail value which is a little silly since none of us pay full price to go to Disney!

I believe stroke of luck contests like this in Canada are tax free! That's double lucky if you win!

The value of this trip is about $7,100.

My guess at the breakdown:
$2,400 - 4 nights accommodations, between Castle and upgraded room at a deluxe hotel
$1,500 - park tickets
$2,400 - airfare
$500 - $500 gift card
$300 - welcome basket and cinderella slipper prize

The wording states that the prize value is an estimate that varies by the date you go.

I would love to pay the tax bill on this one because we are going anyway and would love the once in a lifetime experience!

 

[3PrincessesAndaFrog]

Any way to roughly estimate the taxes due?

"Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): US$7,181.40, which will vary
depending upon point of departure and seasonal fluctuation of hotel rates
and airfares."

The Official Rules state the above...so it looks like depending on where you fly from and what hotel is selected the above could change.

But since it is a prize package, I "googled" it and it said it would be considered additional income. So you may want to adjust your tax withholding when you win to compensate for the extra income so you are not penalized for not withholding enough.

Also, someone mentioned "Actual Value" based on discounts Disney offers....it does say will depend on "fluctuation of rates" so I expect Disney will issue the 1099 with Actual Value and you can keep track when you make reservations to ensure Fair Market....

 

[hsmamato2]

I can't seem to log into my acct..... not sure why?

 

[disneynan]

"Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): US$7,181.40, which will vary
depending upon point of departure and seasonal fluctuation of hotel rates
and airfares."

The Official Rules state the above...so it looks like depending on where you fly from and what hotel is selected the above could change.

But since it is a prize package, I "googled" it and it said it would be considered additional income. So you may want to adjust your tax withholding when you win to compensate for the extra income so you are not penalized for not withholding enough.

Also, someone mentioned "Actual Value" based on discounts Disney offers....it does say will depend on "fluctuation of rates" so I expect Disney will issue the 1099 with Actual Value and you can keep track when you make reservations to ensure Fair Market....

I read somewhere that if you are issued a 1099 from a sweepstakes prize, that you could somehow have the $$ figure decreased if you could prove that you would be able to take the same trip at the same time for less than than the reported figure. As someone said in a previous post, none of us pay rack rate, so if we were aware of any type of Disney promo happening during our trip like free dining or had a PIN code, then maybe the final tally could be decreased.

 

[3PrincessesAndaFrog]

I read somewhere that if you are issued a 1099 from a sweepstakes prize, that you could somehow have the $$ figure decreased if you could prove that you would be able to take the same trip at the same time for less than than the reported figure. As someone said in a previous post, none of us pay rack rate, so if we were aware of any type of Disney promo happening during our trip like free dining or had a PIN code, then maybe the final tally could be decreased.

Yes...you can request from the issuer with proof that they adjust the 1099 to Fair Market Value...if they do not comply you can contact the IRS and request a form to adjust called "Form 4598, Form 1099 Not Received or Incorrect".

Knowing that Disney does this quite frequently, I expect that Disney tries to accommodate Fair Market Value. And don't forget even if a Disney rate is offered, they can be limited supply....they are often offered "while rooms are available" or "limited availability" so there may be an offer out there you would need to prove that it was available for your dates and room option.

We tried to use a 35% off during August one year but no rooms were available for the time frame we wanted and the hotel we wanted. So we adjusted our days and hotel to get the better deal.