Made Mickey Cry w/Vacation Kingdom Vouchers

[inkkognito]

Just wanted to share our first experience with the Vacation Kingdom vouchers that we ordered from Hotwire. When we used to do the all-inclusive packages, we weren't happy until we made Mickey cry at how well we maximized the value. We set out to do it with the vouchers, too, and I think we succeeded!
The vouchers were $31 each, so that would be $62 for hubby and I. Shipping was free, and Hotwire sent them DHL so we got them amazingly fast. There are only five or six restaurants where you can really maximize them, so we chose Canada (Le Cellier) for our first attemp. Here is the breakdown:
2 smoothes @ $3.99 each
Mussel appetizer @8.99
Scallop appetizer @ $10.99
New York Strip @ $17.99
Lobster Summer Salad sandwich @16.99
2 dessert plates at $12.99 each
Tax = $5.65, tip +13.04
Total damages = $105.61 for a "profit" of over $45 for the two of us!
I'll post how it goes tomorrow at Rainforest Cafe.
Barb

 

[SRUAlmn]

That's awesome! I've been trying different combinations to see what would equal the best savings. We got Q & C vouchers, but were considering one set of the Vacation Kingdom ones. A few questions....

1. They let you get smoothies as your 'drink?'
2. What all was included on the dessert plate?
3. Did you leave any additional tip or did you just give them the voucher? I don't understand how that works. It seems like if your meal was so much over the voucher then how does the server get a tip?



Can't wait to hear more reports- keep them coming !

 

[inkkognito]

The tip is paid for automatically (I guess by Disney) and is based on the total of your order. We ordered $86.92 in food before tax, so the server gets 15 percent of that total for his gratuity. We don't pay it; it's part of the program. Since the voucher-included tip is 15 percent of the total and we usually tip 20 percent, we added an addition $5.
I don't know if all locations let you do smoothies, but Canada did. They said it's fine as long as its non-alcoholic.
The dessert plate is an awesome combination of a piece of chocolate cake, maple creme brulee, and fresh sorbet. There were less expensive desserts, too, but we splurged since it was Mickey's pocket, not ours.
Barb

 

[jgates]

inkkognito - what was current delivery time? I hesitate since I am only 14 days out, of even joining and ordering. What did your time-frame run? If I knew I could receive them within 3 or 4 days of our departure, I might still 'go for it' and order a few.

 

[inkkognito]

Oops, had to edit as I had it backwards...I ordered on Thurs. or Fri. and had them the following Tues. or Weds,
but I don't know if that is unusual. It was through Hotwire, and I chose the standard free shipping. I didn't think we'd have them for this trip, but they arrived DHL. Our order was large, but I don't know if that makes a difference.
Barb

 

[AspiringCindy]

What other restaurants are on the list?
The vouchers are $31? and covers a meal(dinner)?

 

[fam4jc]

What are these vouchers? Do you have to join that club on hotwire to purchase them? Thanks, this is news to me you are educating me.

 

[inkkognito]

Read this thread for everything you ever wanted to know:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=435889

Be aware that there are several different kinds. The $31 ones I use are the Vacation Kingdom Lunch Vouchers. The thread has a full lit of restaurants, but only a few areworth it (like Canada, Italy, Morocco, Japan, and the Rainforest Cafe). At some of the others, you'd be insane to use them because you'd never rack up $31 per person.
Basically, you are paying $31 for a drink, appetizer, entree and dessert of your choice at any of the participating locations. Your choice is included, even if it adds up to more than what you paid for the voucher. Tax and 15 percent tip is included, too, so you pay only $31 for everything that you order, tip, tax, etc.
You usually have to join a savings club to get them. Hotwire is $7.95 a month, but you can order them and cancel the club. We are keeping Hotwire for a while, tho', as they have a variety of non-Disney gift certificates for $25 for which you get a $5 credit back, bringing the cost to only $20.
Some people buy the vouchers on Ebay, but they are usually a rip-off there (overpriced).
Barb

 

[madge]

Originally posted by jgates
inkkognito - what was current delivery time? I hesitate since I am only 14 days out, of even joining and ordering. What did your time-frame run? If I knew I could receive them within 3 or 4 days of our departure, I might still 'go for it' and order a few.

jenny--

I'd say you've got plenty of time. I ordered some last week, and they came in a matter of a few days

 

[SRUAlmn]

They also have Quick and Casual Vouchers which is what we bought. You can only use them at a variety of counter service restaurants and they only cost $11.50/each through Hotwire. Actually the first month of your Hotwire Savings Club Membership is free so you can order your vouchers and then cancel and never have to pay for a membership. Also, I got $10 back with my order, so I ordered 8 Q & C Vouchers- which would cost $92- got free shipping, and only paid $82 (you have to pay the full amount and then you get credited the $10.) My vouchers also came VERY quickly! I believe I ordered them on a Thursday and they came on a Monday. Now I'm inspired to go buy a couple Vacation Kingdom ones too If anyone has any other questions feel free to post or PM.

 

[jgates]

Thanks guys - I'll try to get on tomorrow night and sign-up. Monday is a holiday so no mail. But I would still have 10 mail days to get here before we go.

$31 is more than I even want to spend for DD & myself to eat, but it may be the only way of forcing us to a couple of nice meals other than counter service. (except for when my aunt is there a couple of days - she'll force us!)

 

[inkkognito]

This is definitely a guilt-free way to enjoy the "good" restaurants...instead of feeling guilty about ordering the most expensive items, you can feel good about it because you're getting the most value for your money and boosting the server's tip!
Barb

 

[sarahsmom73]

AWESOME! Keep it up!

 

[SRUAlmn]

I've been looking at the allearsnet website and figuring out what meals would provide the most value. The only problem is, (we're pretty big eaters) but for a lot of the restaurants I don't think we could eat a huge appetizer, a huge meal and a huge dessert each. Has anyone ever felt guilty or received negative remarks or had a server say no to sharing one voucher and splitting everything. I would feel kind of bad doing it, but I also don't want to waste food and money. DBF and I have VERY similar tastes in food so I don't think sharing would be too difficult for us to do. We may just have to order an additional drink and pay for it separately. Any thoughts? Is this 'cheating?'


PS- I just went and ordered 4 VKL vouchers from hotwire Any idea as to a place where 'lunch hours' are posted or do you suggest calling the individual restaurant? Thanks

 

[zippehsmom]

A little OT, but Hotwire usually sends out really quick. I just ordered $100 worth of Target GC's today. I hoping I receive them before we leave on Saturday 7/10. I plan to use these to get my film developed while down there at the Supertarget.
I have always received my vouchers within 7 days.

zippehsmom

 

[wonderlandaddict]

We just got back in June and used 3 Quick & causal vouchers for 6 of us at Beaches & Cream. I think alot of people share because of the way they acted, they divided the food on 2 different plates before serving. It was plenty of food!!! We also used 2 adult & 2 kids Vacation Kingdom Vouchers at Rainforest Cafe. The waiter helped us get the most for our money!! He encouraged us to order smoothies ( he served one in a large take home container) He told us to order the kids meals off of the adult menu.
Rainforest Meal
4 smoothies---guess the price at $5.00 each?
2 cheese sticks-----------------------$7.99 each
2 chicken strips-----------------------$7.49 each
2 14 oz steaks------------------------$25.00 each
2 steak & lobster (sub with grilled shrimp) $39.99 each
2 volcanos------------------------------$12.99 each
Total cost WITHOUT tax & tip------$206.92
We only paid $87.50 for the vouchers!!! The food was very good, service was excellent. We couldn't finish all of that food! We will return there again, we didn't expect to use the kids vouchers on the adult menu-that was an added bonus. It would have been a good value even if we have had to oder the kids entree off of the kids menu!!

 

[HaleyB]

If you read the main thread on these vouchers you really should have any questions cleared up.
Splitting meals is fine with the vouchers and I think more people split meals than do not. We used 3 VKL vouchers at Rain Forest Cafe between five people. We also used a bunch of the Q&C vouchers, I posted 5 or 6 receipts to the main thread...

It is a huge thread and you really don't need to read it all. Just read the first page or two then jump to the end and read backwards until you don't have any more questions (or just post and ask if you do) Some rules have changed so reading the last posts will give you most current info.

 

[Cinders]

We are keeping Hotwire for a while, tho', as they have a variety of non-Disney gift certificates for $25 for which you get a $5 credit back, bringing the cost to only $20.

Anyone have a list of Non-Disney GCs? I've been going through the big thread but its huge!!! And I'm only on page 6.

 

[Shelle&Dave]

Check this thread out:

SLN88 was kind enough to list all of the GCs

Hotwire GC thread

 

[starwood]

I see DL tickets are mentioned - does anyone know what the discount is? We're going next summer before the cruise.