******Official 2017 Free Dining Plan Watch, Wait, and Dream

[squirrel]

One more thing this site is great for Target or Walmart gift cards which you can then spend for a Disney one at the store. 2 surveys a day nets me about 50 a month. http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/tallen5466

No referrals are allowed. Better delete quick before you get points.

 

[babydoll65]

I did not have to pay the increased ticket price when I took off a day from my FD bb resort last week.

She's talking about switching resorts, in that case you will pay the increase since she will give up the bounce back offer to take the gp offer

 

[momto4obkids]

Yeah, but then you wouldn't get the extra 5% discount, correct?? I am just going to use the Swagbucks gift cards I get for vacation stuff from Target, and buy Disney gift cards with my Red card. I barely earn anything lately anyway from Swagbucks.

Yes, you don't get the 5% off if you pay with gift cards.

I've been cashing out for Walmart gift cards on Swagbucks and using those at Sam's Club to buy their discounted Disney gift cards.

 

[traciruns]

This is off-topic, but I'm curious if anyone here has ever rented points from DVC or David's. I'm considering making a switch since we are currently booked at POR and it appears it won't be included (and may be QS even if it is). Good experience? Decent savings? I already have a DVA started using the gift cards purchased at Target as described above....can that be applied or would I just need to get it refunded to the gift cards? Thanks for any help! And thanks to Black for coming through with some information! Your intel really helped me secure FD back in 2014 on our last trip!

 

[randye1]

There has been some mention of the Disney Vacation Account. I just looked into it and I see that you can earn a $20 gift card for every $1000 spent (up to $500) after having an account open for 120 days. It was also mentioned here that you can save additional money by purchasing disney cards at Target with the 5% red card discount (great idea).

My question is, do you think this is the best way to save your money for a trip, as opposed to a high yield savings account( about 1%APY)? Has anyone done the math? Just curious! I'm thinking the Vacation Account seems better but the few articles I read said it was not the best way to go. Main reasons being you can't purchase airfare with it unless it is a part of your Disney package (which I would not do) , and you can't pay for anything with the account anything once you get to Disney.

 

[Cbtexan04]

I just read an article on this. One of the downfalls of the account is you cannot pay for other things, like off-site rooms or airfare not booked as part of a Disney package. You also cannot use the account to pay for anything once you get to Disney ( food, souvenirs, etc).

That being said, if you have the account open for 120 days, you could just buy+add your gift cards on day 121, pay your vacation, and get the $20/$1000 gift card, right? That would mean literally no risk, and your money isn't tied up until you're ready to pay.

 

[jods]

I know, I know, but I used to be an elementary teacher so the teacher in me says he needs to be there! Im a party pooper!

I feel the same way. It's missing routines, getting to know the kids, setting up of supplies, etc. Especially if it's a new school. I also work in education so that may be why I share your views. My ods wouldn't miss the first few days either if given the choice.

 

[momto4obkids]

This is off-topic, but I'm curious if anyone here has ever rented points from DVC or David's. I'm considering making a switch since we are currently booked at POR and it appears it won't be included (and may be QS even if it is). Good experience? Decent savings? I already have a DVA started using the gift cards purchased at Target as described above....can that be applied or would I just need to get it refunded to the gift cards? Thanks for any help! And thanks to Black for coming through with some information! Your intel really helped me secure FD back in 2014 on our last trip!

you can't use the DVA to book through David's. You will still be able to use the DVA to buy your park tickets though.

 

[Cbtexan04]

This is off-topic, but I'm curious if anyone here has ever rented points from DVC or David's. I'm considering making a switch since we are currently booked at POR and it appears it won't be included (and may be QS even if it is). Good experience? Decent savings? I already have a DVA started using the gift cards purchased at Target as described above....can that be applied or would I just need to get it refunded to the gift cards? Thanks for any help! And thanks to Black for coming through with some information! Your intel really helped me secure FD back in 2014 on our last trip!

I have both rented and sold points to David's. The process is super easy, I definitely recommend it. As for whether it will save you money, that's going to depend on a variety of things you'll have to price yourself. I would suggest checking out DVC rental store to see their pricing compared to David's (though they should be pretty close).

 

[squirrel]

Yes, you don't get the 5% off if you pay with gift cards.

I've been cashing out for Walmart gift cards on Swagbucks and using those at Sam's Club to buy their discounted Disney gift cards.

At least you have options for Swagbucks. Up here in Canada I have little choice for place to redeem. I'm mostly doing Starbucks as I can at least get drinks or snacks at the parks with it. Amazon is the only other one I have been redeeming Gift Cards for. They use to have Best Buy, but it's gone now.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I know, I know, but I used to be an elementary teacher so the teacher in me says he needs to be there! Im a party pooper!

I used to be in the Army. I gave up shooting people and blowing up things when I moved on from that career. Just sayin', you don't have to hold onto all of that baggage.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I have both rented and sold points to David's. The process is super easy, I definitely recommend it. As for whether it will save you money, that's going to depend on a variety of things you'll have to price yourself. I would suggest checking out DVC rental store to see their pricing compared to David's (though they should be pretty close).

I agree, David's is awesome, but only if looking for rooms other than the studios. You are never going to get those at David's.

 

[jessiegirl1982]

That being said, if you have the account open for 120 days, you could just buy+add your gift cards on day 121, pay your vacation, and get the $20/$1000 gift card, right? That would mean literally no risk, and your money isn't tied up until you're ready to pay.

Thinking the same thing... how long does it take for them to issue the GC? I already have an old account that is still active so I could do this with $2000 and get an extra $40 when it is time to pay off my package.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Have been away less than 24 hours and there are 30 new pages!! Anyone care to share the latest?

 

[Cbtexan04]

Thinking the same thing... how long does it take for them to issue the GC? I already have an old account that is still active so I could do this with $2000 and get an extra $40 when it is time to pay off my package.

I'm not certain how long it would take to receive the gift card, but on the site's FAQ they said you should request it 4-6 weeks before your trip. I'm assuming that's how long it would take to get it (YMMV?)

 

[Susan Doeberl]

Now that we're going to have to stay off property I'm not sure what to do with my Disney vacation account. Can I use that money to pay for food in Disney? Can I pay for my annual passes with it? Or do I just cancel the account and get all that money back on gift cards?

Get it on GC and buy your ticket and meals with it.

 

[vanjust14]

That being said, if you have the account open for 120 days, you could just buy+add your gift cards on day 121, pay your vacation, and get the $20/$1000 gift card, right? That would mean literally no risk, and your money isn't tied up until you're ready to pay.

Yes, as far as I can tell. I haven't done it myself but your statement seems correct if you absolutely, positively know you will be going to Disney and will be sticking with that package through Disney. I think if you are holding out for other deals, might cancel, etc it becomes less desirable because your refund will be GC's if that is how you paid. If you are able to book a better deal later but already paid in full with GC's you will only get GC's back. This may work for some, others not.

I also just read (regarding the vacation account):
"account holders can request a refund in the form of a Disney gift card after booking a vacation. The limit on refunds is $1,000 every 90 days and take 4-6 weeks to process"

 

[xxDisneyDancerxx]

Curious, if FD is blacked out of all of October, are the room only discounts also blocked usually? If the dates are true, out dates won't be included and still hoping for some sort of discount.

 

[randye1]

We have used this several times and it works well for us open a Disney vacation account with $20 from your credit card and put your money into your high yield savings account and hold it there until ready to book. then take out $200 go to target and get Disney gift cards with that money. That will hold your reservation until 30 days out, at 45 days withdraw the vacation balance and buy the rest of your Disney GC that way your money will only be locked in for a short time instead of a year or so. Best of both worlds interest from the savings account and red card savings plus the bonus for the trip. I know it is a gamble for the last month or so but how many times do you cancel a vacation 45 days before you go? Even if you have to postpone the money will still be there for the Disney trip.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

This is off-topic, but I'm curious if anyone here has ever rented points from DVC or David's. I'm considering making a switch since we are currently booked at POR and it appears it won't be included (and may be QS even if it is). Good experience? Decent savings? I already have a DVA started using the gift cards purchased at Target as described above....can that be applied or would I just need to get it refunded to the gift cards? Thanks for any help! And thanks to Black for coming through with some information! Your intel really helped me secure FD back in 2014 on our last trip!

Honestly, depending on your timing... too late. You're within 7 months, so I would expect availability to be limited at best.