Using Disney Reward Dollars

[KrzyKtty101]

I have over $600 in Disney Rewards at the moment. I was going to pay for my cruise balance in Disney Discount Gift Cards from BJ's in order to save some money. Would it be better to use the Disney rewards to pay down some of the trip balance, or use it for onboard purchases? I was thinking of saving it for the onboard purchases in order to maximize the saving potential from the gift cards.

I've never been on a cruise before in my life, let alone a Disney one, so I'm not sure how much I should budget for the cruise itself for a family of 4, only one of whom drinks alcohol.

Or maybe I should just save the rewards for the 3 night weekend getaway to WDW next late August.

 

[Debonna]

How many nights is your cruise? Do you plan on doing any adult dining, activities like tastings, and/or shore excursions? These types of onboard items can add up, and you can just go apply your rewards card (all or some) to your balance at guest services while onboard the ship. If you have anything leftover on the card, then save it for your next WDW trip.

 

[unrequited23]

Also, your gratuities will also be charged to your stateroom account unless you decide to prepay them.

 

[Geomom]

We use our Disney rewards $ to pay for our Disney port adventures, tips, drinks, bingo, etc. Last cruise one of our port adventures was cancelled so we ended up with zero bill, and money put back on the rewards card

 

[CamColt]

Seems like it would be the same either way. If you use the rewards for the cruise you can buy gifts cards for your on board account, or if you pay for the cruise with your gift cards you can use the rewards for the cruise. Either way something will be "pre paid" 600.00 and the rest would be discounted.

As noted above your on board account covers everything on the ship, tips, purchases, adult dining, alcohol, specialty drinks/coffees, some snacks in bars, excursions, any rentals on CC, etc... With a family of 4, $600.00 is very possible (at least my family of 4, LOL).

With that said, if saving the rewards mean an EXTRA trip next August, save it!

 

[KrzyKtty101]

How many nights is your cruise? Do you plan on doing any adult dining, activities like tastings, and/or shore excursions? These types of onboard items can add up, and you can just go apply your rewards card (all or some) to your balance at guest services while onboard the ship. If you have anything leftover on the card, then save it for your next WDW trip.

4 nights 5 days. Probably no adult dining this time but might do a couple's massage. I have preteen and teenage kids And don't want to ditch them for a long dinner our very first time. I want to try hyperspace lounge, but I am the only drinker.

Haven't found a Nassau excursion to do, and want to snorkel on Castaway. Taking recommendations lol