What would be the way to pay the lowest for my short trip?

[trouttigger]

DH & I will be in Orlando for a conference at the beginning of June. I'm so excited that my dream of spending 1 day at EPCOT with him is coming true. Our hotel will be Caribe Royale, where the conference will be held. Mousesavers rate was lower than the conference rate.

EPCOT tix - Should I get gift cards from Sams (they seem to no longer have the $500 card)? Should I go thru Undercover Tourist? Also, we have Magicbands from previous trip (2 years old).

For dining, we have a ressie at Le Cellier and plan to snack around the world. On Sunday we're having tea at the Grand Flo. Should I use Gift cards or Disney Visa?

I know someone out there has all the research under their belt. TIA for sharing your knowledge.

 

[Marionnette]

DH & I will be in Orlando for a conference at the beginning of June. I'm so excited that my dream of spending 1 day at EPCOT with him is coming true. Our hotel will be Caribe Royale, where the conference will be held. Mousesavers rate was lower than the conference rate.

EPCOT tix - Should I get gift cards from Sams (they seem to no longer have the $500 card)? Should I go thru Undercover Tourist? Also, we have Magicbands from previous trip (2 years old).

For dining, we have a ressie at Le Cellier and plan to snack around the world. On Sunday we're having tea at the Grand Flo. Should I use Gift cards or Disney Visa?

I know someone out there has all the research under their belt. TIA for sharing your knowledge.

1-day tickets are not discounted, even by UT. You're better off getting discounted GCs and using them to pay for everything. The Disney Visa is, at best 2% back in Disney rewards dollars. Use it to buy the GCs at Sam's. That way you will get the discount on the GCs plus 1%-2% back on your card.

 

[lanejudy]

One day tickets aren't discounted, and in fact can cost more through ticket brokers. Get it directly from Disney.

As to what saves you the most... it might depend what you have available to you. If you can purchase discounted Disney gift cards at Sams using your Disney Visa, that is probably going to give you the biggest savings compared to just one vs the other. Disney Visa will only give 1% on purchases at a warehouse club; some people prefer to use other credit cards that offer greater rewards. I would plan to use the gift cards for dining/snacking as well.

Your MB should still work for gate entry. The battery may not work for the long-range things like ride photos.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[trouttigger]

So glad that MB will still work! Thanks for advice. I was hoping that Disney Visa would give a discount at Disney restaurants.

 

[Marionnette]

So glad that MB will still work! Thanks for advice. I was hoping that Disney Visa would give a discount at Disney restaurants.

Some restaurants, not all. Le Celier is lunch only. The GF Garden View Tea Room does not participate.

https://disneyrewards.com/walt-disney-world-perks/

 

[trouttigger]

Some restaurants, not all. Le Celier is lunch only. The GF Garden View Tea Room does not participate.

https://disneyrewards.com/walt-disney-world-perks/

Thanks for the link. We are actually having lunch at Le Cellier. Does anyone know if I MUST pay with Disney Visa, or could I pay with gift cards and just SHOW the Disney Visa?

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks for the link. We are actually having lunch at Le Cellier. Does anyone know if I MUST pay with Disney Visa, or could I pay with gift cards and just SHOW the Disney Visa?

I've never used it for dining but I know that in order to get the merchandise discount, you need to pay with the Disney Visa, not just show it.

 

[miztressuz]

Thanks for the link. We are actually having lunch at Le Cellier. Does anyone know if I MUST pay with Disney Visa, or could I pay with gift cards and just SHOW the Disney Visa?

Per the fine print, "Must use your valid Disney Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card at time of purchase. " just showing the card hasn't worked in quite a while. From my recollection of the last time I got it on merchandise it was before they came out with the dining perk

ETA: Forgot to mention, I've used it with the Rewards Redemption Card without issue. Only one restaurant the waiter thought it had to be the Visa card, I assured them it says the redemption card is valid as well, they went off to check and must have got the right answer cuz I got the discount when they came back with the slip. I think this was the 2014 trip I used it last.

 

[LovesTimone]

Thanks for the link. We are actually having lunch at Le Cellier. Does anyone know if I MUST pay with Disney Visa, or could I pay with gift cards and just SHOW the Disney Visa?

must pay with it...

 

[trouttigger]

Good news! Sams has the $500 gift card again; however, the set of $150 is actually discounted slightly more, so I'm going to get those. AND, with Discover Card's 5% cashback bonus on wholesale clubs right now, I'm close to 10% discount. I'll pay with Disney Visa at Le Cellier for 10% there.