Shareholder's discount or half board?

[marcy-h]

Nine of us are off to DLP at the end of November for the Christmas season. I'm about to book the hotel (Eurostar was booked a few months ago when the prices came out) and I'.m weighing up the benefits of the half board plan. The last couple of times I've been I've always gone for the half board however this time we are going with a friend and their eldest child is not a good eater so we're not convinced half board would be the best option this time (especially when the meals are three courses in the table service restaurants).

It's now got me thinking... if I were to purchase shares I'd get a discount in the table service/buffets restaurants (15%?). I assume this would be for everybody, all nine meals? I'm thinking this may be better value. Has anybody else done anything similar? I have never purchased shares so would not know where to start. How easy is it? Would it be sorted by the time we go in November?

Hoping for some useful advice from the experts

Marc

 

[HFJohnson]

We used the Half Board Plus option when we went in March but I found it a bit limiting and you only get a discount if you go for the full 3 course set meal or buffet in the Plus (or whichever) restaurants. We ended up going to the Agrabah Cafe, Inventions and Cafe Mickey so didn't really benefit from the full discount although it was nice having the meals mostly pre-paid in advance.

Next time I'm going for the Shareholders option so I'll be able to get a discount at any of the resort restaurants (and Annettes and Earl of Sandwich too I think) whether we have a three course meal or not.

I've read that you can use the card to take three people with you into Salon Mickey but don't know if there's a limit at restaurants.

I bought my shares a couple of weeks ago using a Halifax Sharedealing account and it was really easy. I think it can take a few weeks to get the proper card (I haven't applied yet) but I believe you can get a temporary card sent to you really quickly so you should have no problems arranging it for November.

 

[DLPdaft]

shareholders discount of a straight 15% off all your table and buffet service meals (valid for everyone in your party so long as you're paying on one bill) is always going to be better than any saving on purchasing half board vouchers.

One shareholder can enter Salon Mickey with up to 4 family members as guests, or up to 3 friends as guests.

 

[marcy-h]

Thanks for the helpful info. I just had a quick look at the Halifax Sharedealing website. I assume I have to open an account with them, pay £100 and then purchase the shares? Is that on top of the £100 I've already paid? Sorry for the many questions. I suppose purchasing the shares is an investment for the future and means many more visits to DLP (well that's my excuse)

 

[DLPdaft]

the initial £100 you deposit with the Halifax can then be used to buy you shares - if you have any money left over once you've bought your shares you can then transfer it back to your own bank account.

 

[marcy-h]

Well that's not bad at all. I think my mind's made up! It doesn't take much convincing when it comes to DLP!!

 

[HFJohnson]

You'll probably need to put in a bit more that £100 as the shares will possibly cost a bit more than that plus Halifax will only let you spend 90% (I think) of your funds when buying international shares. As DLPdaft said though, you can transfer any extra back when you're done.