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

[disneydreamer1980]

this may be a stupid question, but why purchase gift cards to pay the vacation?

Because you can get them at a 5% discount using your redcard at target

 

[disneydreamer1980]

and at other stores sometimes you can accumulate gas points and such saving money on other things when you buy GC

 

[Elsaalltheway]

this may be a stupid question, but why purchase gift cards to pay the vacation?

Becuase if you use a target red card you get 5 percent off. So with each 100 gift card I get. I save five dollars.

 

[v0mich01]

Because you can get them at a 5% discount using your redcard at target

This. It isn't a ton, but 5% is something

 

[Susan Doeberl]

Try a different web browser. The site doesn't always play nice with the browsers. I alternate between Firefox, Chrome & Safari.

Thank you. One I cleared everything and went through dining reservations I was able to get in and get booked.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

This. It isn't a ton, but 5% is something

Thats true. Our trip is just over 2k so that means two 20 dollar gift cards, then another fifty bucks so that 140 off. That is enough for a meal or two.

 

[anorman]

I have the same reservation, essentially, and was thinking about upgrading to the full quick serve plan or the regular dining plan, is that what you did?

When I booked it initially I added the full regular dining plan and over 6 night stay it is saving me $400 for my family of 4. Since the promotion is over, I'm not sure what the rules are. Best to talk to a person at Disney.

 

[v0mich01]

off topic, but are bouncebacks offered every visit?

 

[Alicialee05]

Another way to save if you have Discover card is to get disney GCs from sams club. 5% cashback on warehouse purchases through the end of March, and then it starts again in April.

I haven't tried it yet myself, but I would assume GC purchases would track through discover.

 

[anorman]

No problem at all.

So, you've done this?

 

[Elsaalltheway]

off topic, but are bouncebacks offered every visit?

You may not get anything in the room but you can always call and see what is offered, if there is an offer. It could be free dining or it could be a room discount.

 

[Christi Rose]

I got a Discover card this year specifically for buying gift cards. I was going to order Disney GCs from Sam's Club but it was going to charge me shipping (and I'm actually a Sam's Club member). I did BJ's Club instead which has free shipping and doesn't require membership. They sell the $100 card for $94.99 and then with the 5% cashback that brings it down $90.24. (Plus new Discover cards get double cash back, so its 5% cashback now and then a bonus 5% cashback at your one year anniversary.) Note: the 5% cashback is limited to the first $1500 in eligible purchases per quarter.

 

[babydoll65]

off topic, but are bouncebacks offered every visit?

Usually guests staying between 8/1-10/31 will have the opportunity to book the free dining bounce back offer for select dates the following year, after 10/31 it becomes a room discount bounce back. It's normally found in the welcome packet in your room but many times gets misplaced. Just call from your resort phone ext 8844. I've been booking the free dining bounce back offer for years, beats waiting for a gp offer.

 

[Alicialee05]

I got a Discover card this year specifically for buying gift cards. I was going to order Disney GCs from Sam's Club but it was going to charge me shipping (and I'm actually a Sam's Club member). I did BJ's Club instead which has free shipping and doesn't require membership. They sell the $100 card for $94.99 and then with the 5% cashback that brings it down $90.24. (Plus new Discover cards get double cash back, so its 5% cashback now and then a bonus 5% cashback at your one year anniversary.) Note: the 5% cashback is limited to the first $1500 in eligible purchases per quarter.

good to know on BJ's!
if someone is interested in doing this, they could do $1500 by next friday for Q1 and then it starts over again April 1, so you could do another $1500.

 

[heath92681]

So, you've done this?

Yes!

 

[MickeyPlanning]

Really hoping for free dining 11/16-11/22. Currently booked at Contemporary- Garden Room. Looking at other options of resorts. Are the Polynesian Deluxe Studio rooms usually included? Which resort/ room would be the better option? 2 Adults/ 2 Kids (4 and 6).

Does anyone know if these are both typical free dining options?

 

[efoote01]

Where is the thread about the vacation account program? I am planning to pay our vacation with discounted giftcards but this seems to have an added bonus!

Thanks

 

[heath92681]

Does anyone know if these are both typical free dining options?

Poly studios were available for FD last year.

We stayed in the garden wing at CR with 3 adults 2 kids and loved it. Plenty of space.

 

[Sharongal74]

this may be a stupid question, but why purchase gift cards to pay the vacation?

If you have stores that do gas perks, keep a look out for when they do specials for .20 off weigh the options of which saves you more money. I buy airline gift cards also. Lots of ways to save a few hundred on a trip.
I may need to get a discover card for the cash back!

 

[randye1]

Where is the thread about the vacation account program? I am planning to pay our vacation with discounted giftcards but this seems to have an added bonus!

Thanks

https://disneyvacationaccount.disney.go.com/
here is the link, we have used it multiple times with no issues