*** The Official August 2018 Thread*** - let's have some fun....

[Livelovedance]

Sorry if this sounds stupid, but what does saving them on the site do? You still have access to the physical card, correct?

Not stupid at all! Saving them on the site allows you to transfer balances and track your usage. I use it mostly to combine multiple card amounts to one card. It’s also a good “safety net” if you lose a card because you can immediately transfer the balance of a lost card to a new one. You still use your physical card.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I just checked, and they're not returnable.

That stinks!

I just went to Target and bought $1750 worth of gift cards - but saved $87.50 off that price with the red card!! That's almost a full meal at Disney for my family!

 

[Livelovedance]

That stinks!

I just went to Target and bought $1750 worth of gift cards - but saved $87.50 off that price with the red card!! That's almost a full meal at Disney for my family!

I love buying Disney gift cards at Target. That 5% really adds up! The only issue I have is often the Disney cards are hard to find. I guess everyone’s got the same idea! If I know I’m planning a trip I try to buy some whenever I’m there just in case they’re not available when I need them.

 

[DisneyObsessed87]

I love buying Disney gift cards at Target. That 5% really adds up! The only issue I have is often the Disney cards are hard to find. I guess everyone’s got the same idea! If I know I’m planning a trip I try to buy some whenever I’m there just in case they’re not available when I need them.

You can also buy the Disney Gift cards online at Target. You still get 5% off with your redcard.

 

[Livelovedance]

You can also buy the Disney Gift cards online at Target. You still get 5% off with your redcard.

Thank you, I didn’t even think about buying online!

 

[ColonelHathi]

So quick question. We always do the Disney gift cards, and I'm planning on buying them through Target as usual. $2000 worth of gift cards = $100 of savings!!

But, I hate that we are going to have 20 gift cards. That always annoys me. So, if I consolidate them on the Disney gift card website, what is the limit for one card? Is it $1000? I can't remember.

Sam's Club saves like 6-7%, so like Tom, I get mainly $500 cards from Sam's Club unless there is a good deal at Target (like Black Friday 10% off or something), consolidate them onto 1 card online. The limit is $1,000 I believe (I haven't gone over on one consolidated card/payment). If you try to go over I am sure the site would tell you though. I also consolidated 2 x $25 gift cards for each kid into one each for them. Our TA mentioned it (paid for our resort/tickets with Disney CC also), and I am now using it for our trip expenses too.

Yes the max per card is $1,000. I keep the ones with a balance saved on the site along with the physical card. I also tend to bring a blank card and keep it in a separate place so that if a card gets lost I can quickly log on and transfer the remaining balance and not loose the money. You can save up to 5 cards on the my gift card website at a time.

That 's such a great idea! I love that!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Sam's Club saves like 6-7%, so like Tom, I get mainly $500 cards from Sam's Club unless there is a good deal at Target (like Black Friday 10% off or something), consolidate them onto 1 card online. The limit is $1,000 I believe (I haven't gone over on one consolidated card/payment). If you try to go over I am sure the site would tell you though. I also consolidated 2 x $25 gift cards for each kid into one each for them. Our TA mentioned it (paid for our resort/tickets with Disney CC also), and I am now using it for our trip expenses too.



That 's such a great idea! I love that!

Yes! I just got done consolidating them online. Got 18 cards down to 2!

The limit is definitely $1000.

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Sam's Club saves like 6-7%, so like Tom, I get mainly $500 cards from Sam's Club unless there is a good deal at Target (like Black Friday 10% off or something), consolidate them onto 1 card online. The limit is $1,000 I believe (I haven't gone over on one consolidated card/payment). If you try to go over I am sure the site would tell you though. I also consolidated 2 x $25 gift cards for each kid into one each for them. Our TA mentioned it (paid for our resort/tickets with Disney CC also), and I am now using it for our trip expenses too.



That 's such a great idea! I love that!

You get 6-7% off Disney gift cards at your Sam's? Am I understanding what you were saying? If so, you are lucky! My Sam's only takes 3% off now; it keeps going down. I go to Target for those now.

 

[Aladora]

You get 6-7% off Disney gift cards at your Sam's? Am I understanding what you were saying? If so, you are lucky! My Sam's only takes 3% off now; it keeps going down. I go to Target for those now.

It could be worse...there are no Sam's or Targets in British Columbia and possibly in Canada!

 

[ashnicole]

Thanks for the info about Target! I always forget about that 5%. Can you pay for the room in gift cards?

 

[Livelovedance]

Thanks for the info about Target! I always forget about that 5%. Can you pay for the room in gift cards?

Yes! The last trip I booked I paid both the deposit and balance with gift cards. Also, if we’re staying on site and have gift cards on the trip, I usually charge everything to the room, and then go to the desk every once in awhile to pay the charges with the gift cards before they are charged to the credit card on file.

 

[ashnicole]

Yes! The last trip I booked I paid both the deposit and balance with gift cards. Also, if we’re staying on site and have gift cards on the trip, I usually charge everything to the room, and then go to the desk every once in awhile to pay the charges with the gift cards before they are charged to the credit card on file.

Awesome, thank you! I will definitely do that! I’ve started to add it up and the savings adds up quickly!

 

[luvmy2babies]

For instances where the MB reader was down for payments, do you know if Apple Pay would work? I don't like going with my cards if I can avoid it, but I would most definitely have my phone. Or was it cash only?

They said "tap and pay" had been failing. So I imagine anything you have to tap might be suspect. Cash and a card you can swipe or insert is safest. I didn't try to purchase anything with my band today so I don't know the status.

 

[luvmy2babies]

Despite 2 of our favorites we had planned to ride today being down (People Mover and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin) we had a great day at Magic Kingdom. We did most of our favorite things and we will have another day there before the trip is over. We were originally going to DHS today; but since we skipped it the first day, we switched things up. The People Mover came back online; but we were pretty tired so on our way out. We were in the fast pass line for Buzz when it went down. The worker said our fast passes would automatically turn into a special one we could use on any attraction except certain ones (Mine Train, meeting talking Mickey, and a couple of others I couldn't hear). I was skeptical; but we went on. We decided to go to Under the Sea. Of course Mickey didn't turn green. I wasn't surprised. I explained the situation and they let us through. The weather was beautiful right up until we were leaving. Started storming on our bus ride back.

I had to bring some work with me and was up late so we're going to bed early tonight. We had a great food court dinner and are now waiting on our Prime Now order. My determination not to over order on the groceries worked too well; so I ordered a few more supplies.

Tomorrow is our unplanned/free day so it is between Blizzard Beach and a pool day followed by the evening at a to be determined park.

I didn't try to buy anything with my magic band today. Not even here at our resort.

 

[Monykalyn]

You get 6-7% off Disney gift cards at your Sam's? Am I understanding what you were saying? If so, you are lucky! My Sam's only takes 3% off now; it keeps going down. I go to Target for those now.

The rate is higher if ordering online, then you can use a CC with the best rewards so those do add up. I just cashed in some CC rewards (used that card to buy Disney gift cards among other things) for a Carnival GC to go towards our cruise.

As the MB issue-it usually is just a few hour issue-like it is usually up and running within a few hours. I wouldn't be afraid to use the MB if you want to pay. In all our onsite trips only once was there an issue with the system being down.

On another note-DD managed to trade shifts on August 5th-so she booked us the Wild Africa Trek!!! So dang excited!! With the astounding CM offer we got all 3 of us for the cost of paying for one regular price!!! I'm too much of a cheapskate to ever pay regular price so this is great for me And a great 25th anniversary present to ourselves.

Tomorrow is our unplanned/free day so it is between Blizzard Beach and a pool day followed by the evening at a to be determined park.

Have a great time! we love Blizzard Beach, but I think we are going to go back to Typhoon Lagoon this time as it has been a few years since we've been. Have free tickets to use. Would love to try Volcano Bay, but free vs paying for water park-cheapskate comes through again

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

HOLLYWOOD studios. Not bad today. Probably around a 6.

Slinky dog. Whoa that thing felt much faster and intense than it looks.

Rock and roller coaster, yeah my necks dead for about a week

Great time!

 

[DisneyObsessed87]

Despite 2 of our favorites we had planned to ride today being down (People Mover and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin) we had a great day at Magic Kingdom. We did most of our favorite things and we will have another day there before the trip is over. We were originally going to DHS today; but since we skipped it the first day, we switched things up. The People Mover came back online; but we were pretty tired so on our way out. We were in the fast pass line for Buzz when it went down. The worker said our fast passes would automatically turn into a special one we could use on any attraction except certain ones (Mine Train, meeting talking Mickey, and a couple of others I couldn't hear). I was skeptical; but we went on. We decided to go to Under the Sea. Of course Mickey didn't turn green. I wasn't surprised. I explained the situation and they let us through. The weather was beautiful right up until we were leaving. Started storming on our bus ride back.

I had to bring some work with me and was up late so we're going to bed early tonight. We had a great food court dinner and are now waiting on our Prime Now order. My determination not to over order on the groceries worked too well; so I ordered a few more supplies.

Tomorrow is our unplanned/free day so it is between Blizzard Beach and a pool day followed by the evening at a to be determined park.

I didn't try to buy anything with my magic band today. Not even here at our resort.

Thanks for sharing your day! Nice to read along. I love the Disney waterparks. We are doing Typhoon Lagoon this trip.

The rate is higher if ordering online, then you can use a CC with the best rewards so those do add up. I just cashed in some CC rewards (used that card to buy Disney gift cards among other things) for a Carnival GC to go towards our cruise.

As the MB issue-it usually is just a few hour issue-like it is usually up and running within a few hours. I wouldn't be afraid to use the MB if you want to pay. In all our onsite trips only once was there an issue with the system being down.

On another note-DD managed to trade shifts on August 5th-so she booked us the Wild Africa Trek!!! So dang excited!! With the astounding CM offer we got all 3 of us for the cost of paying for one regular price!!! I'm too much of a cheapskate to ever pay regular price so this is great for me And a great 25th anniversary present to ourselves.

Have a great time! we love Blizzard Beach, but I think we are going to go back to Typhoon Lagoon this time as it has been a few years since we've been. Have free tickets to use. Would love to try Volcano Bay, but free vs paying for water park-cheapskate comes through again

I always wanted to do the Wild Africa Trek! It looks amazing!

HOLLYWOOD studios. Not bad today. Probably around a 6.

Slinky dog. Whoa that thing felt much faster and intense than it looks.

Rock and roller coaster, yeah my necks dead for about a week

Great time!

I can't wait to ride Slinky Dog! Rock n roller coaster has never been my favorite. I always feel beat up afterward.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

I am loving seeing the "live" reports! We leave in 17 days and I can't wait!

If anyone can tell me what Jedi Training sign ups are like at HS this week (what time you arrived/ signed up and were there a lot of time slots left to choose from) I would seriously appreciate it! I'm hearing that it hasn't been too hard to get a spot at least from lunchtime on, and I'm hoping that's true.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

I seriously miss the old Star Wars fireworks show. There’s barely any fireworks in this show.

Why did Disney change it. It was the best one I’ve ever seen like 2 years ago

 

[Monykalyn]

I am loving seeing the "live" reports! We leave in 17 days and I can't wait!

If anyone can tell me what Jedi Training sign ups are like at HS this week (what time you arrived/ signed up and were there a lot of time slots left to choose from) I would seriously appreciate it! I'm hearing that it hasn't been too hard to get a spot at least from lunchtime on, and I'm hoping that's true.

My DD says the sign ups (as of Sunday when she last worked) were still slow. She has her last shift at Jedi August 5th so if you remind me I can give an update then too. But as of now-slots aren't usually filling up until noon, and even then there's random afternoon slots left. I think she said there was one Monday this past several weeks where they were pretty busy.