Time to buy tickets....WWYD???

[kristenrice]

The Facts
1. DVC Members
2. First trip planned for November 7-12, 2013...just 2 adults, no kids
3. Second trip tentatively planned for October 19-24, 2014...same 2 adults, DD11 and DD9 at time of travel. *If we do not go in October, we will go in June or April of 2014...I know, it's backwards planning but we haven't officially nailed down the dates. We've just narrowed it down to our top three choices.

Option #1
1. Go through E-bates and use Orbitz to buy 2 5-Day Park Hoppers ("Buy 3, Get 2 Free" deal) for $636.88
2. After using them once, bridge them to DVC AP's at a total cost of $213.00
2a. Buy $200 in Disney Gift Cards from Target using RedCard and pay $190 and use them towards the upgrade.
2b. This brings actual cost of upgrade to $203

3. By using E-bates, I will earn a 5.25% rebate ($33.44) which I can use towards paying off the purchase of the gift cards at Target.

TOTAL NET COST FOR OPTION #1: $806.44

Option #2
1. Buy $900 in Disney gift cards from Target for a total cost of $855.
2. Call DVC Member Services and ask to be routed to the ticketing office where they can process 18 gift cards as payment. (*This information has been confirmed*)

TOTAL NET COST FOR OPTION #2: $860.26

It's not quite the no-brainer that it appears to be. First of all, I am sure that there will be a ticket price increase between now and November. This could hurt my savings if the price of the 5-day park hopper goes up LESS than the cost of the AP. On the other hand, if the 5-day park hopper price goes up MORE than the cost of the AP, it will increase my savings. There is also the possibility (however unlikely) that they may change the policy on ticket upgrades. The bridging process may not go as planned either which could be costly from a time management standpoint. Option #2 is definitely easier, but it also does not produce as great of a discount. One other thing to consider is that e-Bates could have Orbitz as the "Daily Double" which means my rebate would increase from 5.25% to 10.5%. If I could catch that deal again, before the ticket price increase, I could get my total cost under $800 for 2 AP's.

So, you savvy budget-boarders....What Would You Do?

 

[ManyMinnie]

The Facts
1. DVC Members
2. First trip planned for November 7-12, 2013...just 2 adults, no kids
3. Second trip tentatively planned for October 19-24, 2014...same 2 adults, DD11 and DD9 at time of travel. *If we do not go in October, we will go in June or April of 2014...I know, it's backwards planning but we haven't officially nailed down the dates. We've just narrowed it down to our top three choices.

Option #1
1. Go through E-bates and use Orbitz to buy 2 5-Day Park Hoppers ("Buy 3, Get 2 Free" deal) for $636.88
2. After using them once, bridge them to DVC AP's at a total cost of $213.00
2a. Buy $200 in Disney Gift Cards from Target using RedCard and pay $190 and use them towards the upgrade.
2b. This brings actual cost of upgrade to $203

3. By using E-bates, I will earn a 5.25% rebate ($33.44) which I can use towards paying off the purchase of the gift cards at Target.

TOTAL NET COST FOR OPTION #1: $806.44

Option #2
1. Buy $900 in Disney gift cards from Target for a total cost of $855.
2. Call DVC Member Services and ask to be routed to the ticketing office where they can process 18 gift cards as payment. (*This information has been confirmed*)

TOTAL NET COST FOR OPTION #2: $860.26

It's not quite the no-brainer that it appears to be. First of all, I am sure that there will be a ticket price increase between now and November. This could hurt my savings if the price of the 5-day park hopper goes up LESS than the cost of the AP. On the other hand, if the 5-day park hopper price goes up MORE than the cost of the AP, it will increase my savings. There is also the possibility (however unlikely) that they may change the policy on ticket upgrades. The bridging process may not go as planned either which could be costly from a time management standpoint. Option #2 is definitely easier, but it also does not produce as great of a discount. One other thing to consider is that e-Bates could have Orbitz as the "Daily Double" which means my rebate would increase from 5.25% to 10.5%. If I could catch that deal again, before the ticket price increase, I could get my total cost under $800 for 2 AP's.

So, you savvy budget-boarders....What Would You Do?

When you figure in the discount you got at Target, the tickets come out to about the same price.

I'd go with option #2, since time is money at Disney. It has a lot less potential for something to go wrong and you won't be spending time at a ticket booth/guest relations getting tickets bridged, etc.

 

[HM]

I'm for Option 3. Just buy the AP tickets at Guest Services when you get to WDW in November. I don't think the savings are worth all that extra work (and worry).

 

[taaren]

I'd go with option 2 as well. There's just too many ifs in option 1. And I was one of those people last year who went from a 10-day hopper, to adding WP&M at the park (we waited bc we were unsure of weather on a winter trip), then upgraded to the special DVC AP's. The WP&M upgrade took awhile, the DVC AP's did not. It depends on the CM you get and what kind of line there is, but as a previous poster said, time is money and I would have rather had more time in the parks IF I had known in advance that the APs were offered or that the weather would be good enough for the water parks.

Since you already know you want AP's, just lock them in now at today's prices with the Target discount.

 

[cvjw]

I'm for Option 3. Just buy the AP tickets at Guest Services when you get to WDW in November. I don't think the savings are worth all that extra work (and worry).

Agreed, except I think you should just call member services and buy them. Your time is worth something too!

 

[sweetdana]

Option 3... as well.. I barely followed 1.. Not sure 60$ PP is worth the hassle..


You can actually buy them online by following the DVC log in page and the DVC discount pops on them.. print, and pick them up at guest services..

 

[shopn24seven]

I say buy GC at Target, get your 5% off, take them check in and get your tickets. Not that hard.

 

[Comeundone87]

About once a month Orbitz cash back is doubled to 10.5% through ebates. IF you wait until one of those dates to purchase you would double your cash back. Therefore it would drop your total below $800. And depending on when you purchase the tickets through ebates, you could potentially have that cash back in hand before you go to WDW.

 

[a1tinkfans]

OmGosh.....Im impressed
If it were me Id just be going thru the mousesavers Link for UT and paying on my charge card (getting my swest points) and being happy I got a discount

Too much "thinking" for me to do it any other way


Have an awesome trip/s....