Starting to save for Dec 2020

[ktrask]

We went to Disney about 5 years ago, and this board was so helpful. Target red card saved us so much.

We are looking to go again in December 2020, and I feel like I’ve completely forgotten how to figure out how much to save etc!! DD will be 11/12 when we go again. When is she an adult on dining plan?! (We likes it as it made vacation feel all inclusive)

So much has changed in trip planning and budgeting for it I don’t know where to start. Any help is appreciated!

Family of 3...probably a week...from MA.

 

[Shughart]

Over 10 is a Disney adult. I like to buy my gift cards from Sam's but I believe you can still use the red card at Target to get the gift cards. You can combine your gift cards here
https://www.disneygiftcard.com/

 

[Cruising Engineer]

I also buy DGC at Sam's and use the DOSH app to get the additional 2%. You need to link a CC with the DOSH app first then use that CC when shopping at Sam's. I always have many things in my basket besides the DGC so it goes through before I'm out the door. DOSH has been as high as 8% early this year. Keep an eye on this thread, BJ's hasn't had an 8% off since Thanksgiving. We're hoping they are due soon. Another system is using my AmEx Blue card for 6% off at grocery stores and throw a DGC in with the shopping.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

To get an idea go to Disney website and price out a vacation for this Dec/2019. You can see the prices for the different category hotels and with or without the dining plan. Play around with the number of park days, water parks and more etc. Are you driving or flying? Remember that if you have a car you must now pay for parking at the resorts and the price is based on resort category. Of course prices are almost guaranteed to go up until next year but it is a starting point. Happy planning and saving, for me it is half the fun!

 

[Carrie Ellis]

I started planning for our trip this December a year and a half out too.

I booked our parent's RV site at Fort Wilderness 1 1/2 years before the trip! They book up fast so it is better to book and cancel if you can't go!

Since you are not going until Dec. 2020, I would highly recommend starting Shopkicks for both you and your husband. I am really working it but I am getting a Disney gift card $25, on average, every 2 weeks.

I would also give your daughter a Disney card for holidays and birthdays moving forward.

Sam's Disney gift cards ($150 amount) with Dosh when its at 8-10% is the easiest and biggest savings. I am waiting for it to jump from 2%-8% (and maybe 10 again!).

I am combining my gift cards as I go on Disney shopping manage gift cards site.

Lots of other ideas too! I would first decide when, where and how first and then ask for ideas again!

I just love saving and going!

 

[Euby]

I use Shopkick also. This past month I earned $100 in Disney Gift cards. It varies from month to month, but I know I can earn at least $50 in DGC if I dedicate a day or 2 each week to it.

 

[TJsMomSarahJane]

We're a family of three, and started planning our Sept 2020 trip about 2 months ago. We're a 2 adult, 1 kiddo family, go for 14 nights, and have purposely timed this trip to be kiddo's last trip before he becomes a Disney Adult.

In the last 2 months, we've compared various budgets (ie trip with free dining, trip getting APs, with and without park hoppers, etc.) to figure out the ballpark amounts we'll be paying. We've also made a savings-spreadsheet that lists all the things we'll have to pay out for (like flights, MNSSHP tix, souvenir money, etc.) as well as what we've saved so far. We're starting to make lists of the TS restaurants we want to go to, and which Fast Passes are our 'must get'. Yeah, I'm a list-maker.

As far as savings go, right now we're working off earning Swagbucks, converting them to Walmart gift cards, then using those at Sam's Club for their discounted cards. I've also got a savings account that I stash away around $50 a week that has been running since our last trip in April 2018.

Come this summer, we'll book as soon as the packages come out through a TA. Closer to the date, I'll pull the money out of our savings account, use a high rewards card to buy more Disney gift cards, then use that savings to pay off the credit card. Whatever isn't covered by the cards, we'll stick on a high rewards card. (If our budget goes to plan, this might be around $1k unless we get free dining, then we'll be totally covered.)