Using the DVA to pay for expenses onboard

[Krissy22222]

I understand that to apply funds from your DVA to onboard expenses, tips, etc, for an upcoming cruise, you can call Disney prior to your cruise and have funds transferred. Do you have to specify a certain amount to be placed onto your shipboard account? And when using your DVA funds to pay for expenses on board, if all the funds are not used, how are refunds handled? How much time does it take for the refund to be processed, and where does it go? Do you need to call after and request a refund?

 

[jtba]

I understand that to apply funds from your DVA to onboard expenses, tips, etc, for an upcoming cruise, you can call Disney prior to your cruise and have funds transferred. Do you have to specify a certain amount to be placed onto your shipboard account?

yes. best to do it in increments of $1,000 so as to make calculations for the $20 bonus cards easier.

And when using your DVA funds to pay for expenses on board, if all the funds are not used, how are refunds handled?

they go back into your DVA automatically.

How much time does it take for the refund to be processed, and where does it go?

prior to my cruise last year, i called to move some money into my onboard account. there was some money left over after the cruise. on the fourth day after my cruise ended, the refund showed up in my DVA.

Do you need to call after and request a refund?

nope. it just goes in automagically.

 

[Krissy22222]

Wow, thanks for all the good info, do you also know, are we permitted to withdraw cash for tips etc, from our room account using DVA funds?

 

[jtba]

that i do not know. sorry!

 

[pillow]

Just want to add that if you find you didn't preload enough, customer service onboard can call shoreside for you and have your DVA funds moved to your onboard account (just be sure to take your DVA account # with you). And note that shoreside isn't open on Sundays.

Jodie

 

[anricat]

Just a heads up, after two weeks post-cruise, I didn't have my refund (a whopping $20). I called and my issue was "escalated." Later that day, i received an email that they would be processing my withdrawal. It arrived a few days later. Not sure what happened, but just make sure you double check that you got your refund.

 

[Krissy22222]

Also, how far out do you need to call and have funds tranferred? If I do it the week prior to the cruise, will that be enough time? Thanks all for your responses, they are really helpful!

 

[pillow]

Also, how far out do you need to call and have funds tranferred? If I do it the week prior to the cruise, will that be enough time? Thanks all for your responses, they are really helpful!

Yes, that should be fine. The only issue is that it won't leave you enough time to request and receive the bonus gift card before you leave (assuming your preload puts you over another $1K threshold).

 

[TrySomethingNew]

Our refund came pretty quickly. We also had the bonus gift card still to use, so.....we ended up going on a DL vacation since we had "leftover" funds after our cruise. Just be aware of the potential temptation of any leftover funds. (DL was great, btw)