OK, help me plan some great deals we can use at DL this summer!

[limace]

We are planning to stay for a week in a suite near the park, with lots of park time, plus a probably LegoLand trip and a day at the beach. I'm doing all sorts of little things to accumulate money for the trip, and also want to start picking up some gift cards and coupons that will be useful near the part. We won't be on a severe budget, but want to pay cash for this trip and not worry about money while we're there. I like the idea of having stuffing my Passporter full of gift cards that we can use when we are. I know some of this is more budget board related, but I'm really looking for DL specific suggestions, and that board is very WDW focused.

So:
-restaurants.com. I've looked a little, but am not really sure which of the Anaheim restaurants listed are close to the park and have great food. We'll have a car so are happy to drive nearby. What do you recommend from their list?
-I'm accumulating Disney gift cards slowly. Picked one up from Disney Movie Rewards, buying them instead of anything impulsive when I'm shopping, I'm also earning money via Quick Rewards surveys that I'll cash out in Disney cards, and am picking up MyPoints rewards. I don't think they can be used for Disney-any other thoughts here?
-What restaurant rewards programs should I join now so I can get free/discounted meal coupons when I get there?
-We thought we'd use some AmEx rewards for a Cheesecake Factory gift card, if they discount the purchase of these again. Other ideas?
-I found the coupons on the Orange County Visitors Assoc website and will keep an eye on those.
-is it worth picking up an Entertainment Book for the area?

Other suggestions?

 

[skiingfast]

Restaurants.com often has deals and offers for House of Blues in DTD and Fire and Ice in Gardenwalk. Though the deals are less common in Summer.


Mypoints usually has a reward for Rain Forest Cafe.

 

[DizMe]

Just thought I'd mention that you can use mypoints for a Rainforest Cafe gift card. That's what I usually use it for. It can also be used for any Marriott property (including FFI) and Hyatt, or it did last I checked.

 

[mbdisney]

I was wondering what types of gift cards you earn through Disney Movie Rewards that can be used at DLR? I've found Disney Store gift cards, but nothing more. Can Disney Store gift cards be used at World of Disney?

 

[limace]

I was wondering what types of gift cards you earn through Disney Movie Rewards that can be used at DLR? I've found Disney Store gift cards, but nothing more. Can Disney Store gift cards be used at World of Disney?

A while back, they had a $20 card for 750 points-it's a Disney gc, says valid at all locations. Sounds like I got lucky!

 

[limace]

Just checked, and currently no House of Blues or Fire and Ice on restaurant.com. How about some of the more local places? We love good food, and tend to avoid chain restaurants, though we'll do more chain restaurant dining on this trip because of the gift card deals we're getting.

 

[nikkislaght]

wildatwork.com has a lot of discounts and deals.
you will have to sign up to get the deals, but its free and very easy..

My work place is not a member, but my husbands is, and I signed up using my name and they did not verify it.


Take your own lunch into the parks.. they allow small soft sided "6 drink" coolers. we took lunch in everyday. tuna salad packs,, fruits . slim Jims . cheese sticks. fruit leather, etc that we bought from home.. each week before our trip I would add one or two of these items to my cart and after a few weeks had enough food for 6 people for 7 days.. had a full case to take down, but room for souvenirs on the way home.



Hope this helps

 

[Ingrid0382]

My husband and I signed up for the birthday club at Patinagroup.com. Patina owns several restaurants in Downtown Disney. If you have a birthday around the time of your trip, it's worth looking into. They email you a $30 gift certificate to use at one of their restaurants around your birthday and it's good for 60 days after. So even if you have a birthday in the family a month or so before your trip, you can still use this.

Mimi's cafe is one of our favorite restaurants within walking distance to the park. If you sign up for their email club, they immediately send you a coupon good for a free breakfast when you buy one at regular price. Their breakfasts are huge and I don't think we pay more ten dollars for a meal. It usually comes with a free gigantic muffin (which I usually take to the park with me to snack on later) and juice. But don't sign up until you're getting ready for your trip because it's only good for two weeks after you sign up. They send out new coupons each week for different things, right now I have one in my inbox for BOGO for any lunch or dinner entree. The food really is very good and Mimi's is about an eight minute walk from security, give or take. It's right next to Howard Johnson's.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[mydisneymoney]

I am not sure how big of a town/city you live in but if you are looking for cash that you could use to buy gift cards or help pay for your trip many smaller towns have online virtual yard sales on facebook that you can sell some of that stuff you have lying around the house collecting dust. You post a picture of your item and once someone agrees to buy it you can agree to meet at a safe place to exchange money and the item (if you don't want someone coming to your home). We had a garage sale last year so we really do not have enough stuff to have another one this year but I do have things that I can sell to put towards my disney fund. Just an idea.

 

[Jennifer2983]

My husband and I signed up for the birthday club at Patinagroup.com. Patina owns several restaurants in Downtown Disney. If you have a birthday around the time of your trip, it's worth looking into. They email you a $30 gift certificate to use at one of their restaurants around your birthday and it's good for 60 days after. So even if you have a birthday in the family a month or so before your trip, you can still use this.

Mimi's cafe is one of our favorite restaurants within walking distance to the park. If you sign up for their email club, they immediately send you a coupon good for a free breakfast when you buy one at regular price. Their breakfasts are huge and I don't think we pay more ten dollars for a meal. It usually comes with a free gigantic muffin (which I usually take to the park with me to snack on later) and juice. But don't sign up until you're getting ready for your trip because it's only good for two weeks after you sign up. They send out new coupons each week for different things, right now I have one in my inbox for BOGO for any lunch or dinner entree. The food really is very good and Mimi's is about an eight minute walk from security, give or take. It's right next to Howard Johnson's.

Hope this helps a little.

This is a GREAT Idea just did it!!!! Thank you

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[DBMC]

My husband and I signed up for the birthday club at Patinagroup.com. Patina owns several restaurants in Downtown Disney. If you have a birthday around the time of your trip, it's worth looking into. They email you a $30 gift certificate to use at one of their restaurants around your birthday and it's good for 60 days after. So even if you have a birthday in the family a month or so before your trip, you can still use this.

Mimi's cafe is one of our favorite restaurants within walking distance to the park. If you sign up for their email club, they immediately send you a coupon good for a free breakfast when you buy one at regular price. Their breakfasts are huge and I don't think we pay more ten dollars for a meal. It usually comes with a free gigantic muffin (which I usually take to the park with me to snack on later) and juice. But don't sign up until you're getting ready for your trip because it's only good for two weeks after you sign up. They send out new coupons each week for different things, right now I have one in my inbox for BOGO for any lunch or dinner entree. The food really is very good and Mimi's is about an eight minute walk from security, give or take. It's right next to Howard Johnson's.

Hope this helps a little.

Awesome! i just signed up for the patina group. Thanks.

 

[cooniez]

My husband and I signed up for the birthday club at Patinagroup.com. Patina owns several restaurants in Downtown Disney. If you have a birthday around the time of your trip, it's worth looking into. They email you a $30 gift certificate to use at one of their restaurants around your birthday and it's good for 60 days after. So even if you have a birthday in the family a month or so before your trip, you can still use this.

Mimi's cafe is one of our favorite restaurants within walking distance to the park. If you sign up for their email club, they immediately send you a coupon good for a free breakfast when you buy one at regular price. Their breakfasts are huge and I don't think we pay more ten dollars for a meal. It usually comes with a free gigantic muffin (which I usually take to the park with me to snack on later) and juice. But don't sign up until you're getting ready for your trip because it's only good for two weeks after you sign up. They send out new coupons each week for different things, right now I have one in my inbox for BOGO for any lunch or dinner entree. The food really is very good and Mimi's is about an eight minute walk from security, give or take. It's right next to Howard Johnson's.

Hope this helps a little.

Darn! Great suggestion, but all the birthdays in our family (Sept., Oct., Nov., and Feb.) either just passed or would be too far away from our June trip. I will keep this in mind in case we ever plan another trip during close to our bday months.

 

[Ingrid0382]

Glad I could help It's nice being able to give advice after getting so many wonderful tips from everyone else

 

[Mommb]

If you may be going to Legoland and your kids are not members of the Lego Club, be sure to have one of them join (it's free) -- the semimonthly magazine often has a "free kids admission with adult admission" coupon.

 

[msheriffm]

I live in NorCal and have visited Disneyland 5 times since I have had children. I have never been very impressed with any of the Disney restaurants, not that they are bad, just nothing to brag about. Our family has enjoyed eating at the restaurant in the Pirates of the Carribean (atmosphere). Our favorite meal is usually at Goofy's Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel). In downtown Disney we have enjoyed the Rainforest Cafe and there is an Italian restaurant that we like but it can be a little pricy. We stay at the Disneyland Hotel so don't leave the property to eat. At home we have a Cheesecake Factory - great food and huge portions.

 

[mysteriouspnai]

For mypoints, I typically get gas giftcards for rewards. I like to save my money for food within the parks and try not to spend too much time outside the parks, so rainforest cafe is typically a no go for me.

Another thing that isn't necessarily a deal but more of a money saving option is bring food and snacks into the park. For budget trips, I eat breakfast at the hotel, one meal brought into the park, and one meal at the restaurants inside the park. You carry a heavier backpack taking some food in, but for me, it's worth the extra money-saving.

Good luck!

 

[limace]

Thanks, all, and keep 'em coming!

We'll be staying 7 days this time, so we'll have lots of extra time to run for dinner off property. While there is some food I enjoy in the parks, I sure don't want to eat it (or pay for it) exclusively for 7 days :/.

We'll be getting a suite with at least a fridge and a microwave (though if I can switch to a great rate at the WorldMark Anaheim, with a full kitchen, I'll jump at it), and we'll definitely be picking up food for breakfasts and snacks.

Anyone have any recs for restaurants locally that aren't chains? Cheesecake Factory et al are fine and filling, but I find them to be way more expensive and less well prepared often than the local ethnic restaurants. I've been searching restaurant.com and then looking up some of the places on Yelp, and am starting to get some ideas.

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

Not a huge food money-saver, but I wanted to get in on this great thread.

If you get a fountain soda at a DL restaurant that is self-serve, you can get one free refill. They will check (and mark, I think) your receipt. And (as most of you know) free coffee all day with your receipt at Market House on Main Street.

 

[megaron1]

Not a huge food money-saver, but I wanted to get in on this great thread.

If you get a fountain soda at a DL restaurant that is self-serve, you can get one free refill. They will check (and mark, I think) your receipt. And (as most of you know) free coffee all day with your receipt at Market House on Main Street.

To go along with this and save even more, they will give you free ice water and you can bring your own single serve flavor packets (about $2 for 10). A fountain drink will run you about $3, so this will save you a ton. We are going in July and this is how we plan to save some money to spend on good food instead!

 

[scoker]

Look on Ebay for buy one get one free coupons to Legoland. I paid a few bucks for 3 coupons that were good for children or adults. Paying for those coupons saved our group of 6 over $200 at the ticket booth.