******Official 2017 Free Dining Plan Watch, Wait, and Dream

[menotyou21]

Yes if you already booked before the ticket increase and add FD then you will have to pay the difference in cost for the new tickets, I've had to do this every year unless I book a BB.

This is slightly frustrating because I have read about people doing both. Meaning some have not paid the increase when switching and others have. One would have to believe both groups. In my case, I've never experienced it, but I did ask DSS on multiple occasions and they have stated I will not be required to pay the increased prices. If/when I switch to FD, I will see what happens and let everyone here know.

 

[momto4obkids]

Has anyone been able to do this lately? I tried a few days ago, and it wouldn't let me purchase a Disney GC with a Target GC (did it like crazy back in 2015 and saved a bunch).

You can't use gift cards online at Target to buy the disney gift cards anymore. But, you can go in store and do it.

 

[Lesley Wake]

So I just crunched ALL the numbers! Checking three resorts: POR, WL, and AKL. And 17 different permutations, including no offer, free DDP, free QSDP w/upgrade to DDP, different percentages of discounts. And considered the possibility of an AP with the room (assuming 5% more than GP), food and merchandise discount and free photo downloads. And compared them all to my existing booking of POR without any discounts.

So, looks like I would likely stay at POR (maybe it'll be less crowded if it's excluded from FD?); but maybe, if I decide to get a DL AP, it would not be too much more to go to WL or AKL.

Argh, still need to make decisions!

 

[Disneylover99]

I know, I don't want to change but unfortunately I may not have a choice. If DH takes a job in va then ds will miss the first 2 days of first grade (the way I have it currently booked). If it wasn't the first two days I wouldn't care but there's no way I can do that to him. I need to have a backup plan and no matter what it's going to cost me way more $$$!!! It doesn't look like WL has much available so I don't know what to do. I'm thinking AKL or YC/BC will be our backups. It's DHs 40th so he doesn't mind forking out the extra $$$ thankfully!

I did not have to pay the increased ticket price when I took off a day from my FD bb resort last week.

 

[vanjust14]

Ok so I'll just have the money refunded onto gift cards and close out that account.

Sorry, wish I had better news. If you want to check out the article I read here is the link http://www.thesimpledollar.com/disney-vacation-account-vs-online-savings-account/

 

[BuckeyeBama]

There has been some mention of the Disney Vacation Account. I just looked into it and I see that you can earn a $20 gift card for every $1000 spent (up to $500) after having an account open for 120 days. It was also mentioned here that you can save additional money by purchasing disney cards at Target with the 5% red card discount (great idea).

My question is, do you think this is the best way to save your money for a trip, as opposed to a high yield savings account( about 1%APY)? Has anyone done the math? Just curious! I'm thinking the Vacation Account seems better but the few articles I read said it was not the best way to go. Main reasons being you can't purchase airfare with it unless it is a part of your Disney package (which I would not do) , and you can't pay for anything with the account anything once you get to Disney.

Personally, I would never give my money to Disney to hold. If I need that money, I want to have access to it. But if that is not a concern, this seems like a reasonable approach. Making 7% on your money between the Target discount and this rebate makes sense. Just keep in mind that refunds are back to the gift cards, so don't throw them out until your vacation is over.

 

[menotyou21]

My question is, do you think this is the best way to save your money for a trip, as opposed to a high yield savings account( about 1%APY)? Has anyone done the math? Just curious! I'm thinking the Vacation Account seems better but the few articles I read said it was not the best way to go. Main reasons being you can't purchase airfare with it unless it is a part of your Disney package (which I would not do) , and you can't pay for anything with the account anything once you get to Disney.

I truly believe it is what works for you and your family. For me, I am only contributing to my DVA the amount I plan to spend on Disney hotel/park tickets. For me, the overall 7% savings far outweighs a savings account. You can get higher rates online, but most local banks required $10K or $50K to even get close to a 1% APY. In fact, most banks aren't offering 1% CDs for small deposits.

 

[Attracted to Beasts]

I did not have to pay the increased ticket price when I took off a day from my FD bb resort last week.

That's good to know! If we stay in NY or move to MD I can leave everything as is but if we go to VA I want to bump the trip up 3 days earlier. I was assuming it would cost me at least $200 more so I'm glad to hear you didn't have to change the price! I really just want to know where I'm going to be living already! Lol between this and FD I'm going to lose it! Hahaha

 

[Amunet]

I think people are confused if POR is included or not because the first Brazillian travel agency link didn't show it:
http://andrezadicaeindica.com.br/promocao-disney.html

 

[menotyou21]

Personally, I would never give my money to Disney to hold. If I need that money, I want to have access to it. But if that is not a concern, this seems like a reasonable approach. Making 7% on your money between the Target discount and this rebate makes sense. Just keep in mind that refunds are back to the gift cards, so don't throw them out until your vacation is over.

Very good point. If there is a remote chance you'd need the money ASAP, don't tie it up.

 

[Attracted to Beasts]

I really should just move the trip earlier regardless if I can to stop worrying but I have better dining reservations for the week we're supposed to go! Ahh FD problems!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I know, I don't want to change but unfortunately I may not have a choice. If DH takes a job in va then ds will miss the first 2 days of first grade (the way I have it currently booked). If it wasn't the first two days I wouldn't care but there's no way I can do that to him. I need to have a backup plan and no matter what it's going to cost me way more $$$!!! It doesn't look like WL has much available so I don't know what to do. I'm thinking AKL or YC/BC will be our backups. It's DHs 40th so he doesn't mind forking out the extra $$$ thankfully!

Umm, it is the 1st grade. He will be the most popular kid in class when he explains to his new friends where he has been while they were in school. And can you really fall behind in 1st grade?

 

[Moocabn2258]

Ok so I'll just have the money refunded onto gift cards and close out that account.

I believe you can request them to issue you a gift card with all of your funds on it (if that is how you want it). Or if you contributed to the fund with a credit card and want it back on original form of payment, they'll do that too.

 

[agassizsmile]

So I just crunched ALL the numbers! Checking three resorts: POR, WL, and AKL. And 17 different permutations, including no offer, free DDP, free QSDP w/upgrade to DDP, different percentages of discounts. And considered the possibility of an AP with the room (assuming 5% more than GP), food and merchandise discount and free photo downloads. And compared them all to my existing booking of POR without any discounts. So, here are the results (considering only the cost for me, not my sister, because she will pay for her tiks and food):
1) POR with free DDP (savings of $625 over POR base; of course this is very pie-in-the-sky, as all rumors seem to lead to the conclusion that POR may be excluded and even if it is included, would be free QSDP not DDP)
2) POR with 20% AP RO discount (savings of $480; now I need to decide if I will consider getting the Premier pass or not...)
3) POR with free QSDP upgraded to DDP
(savings of $435; will just have to hope POR isn't excluded)
4) POR with 15% RO discount (savings of $275; hmm, I guess if this is my only option, I'll consider it)
5) POR with no discounts.

Now I get into the interesting part, where I upgrade to a Deluxe. Costs more, but would probably turn trip from great trip to awesome one! And while I would love to be one of the people who can go every year, or even every other year, I know that's not realistic. So I probably won't be back to WDW for a while after this trip (although I said the same thing after I went to Hawaii in fall 2014, and I ended up going back a little over a year later)

6-10) WL or AKL with discounts; I think I would prefer AKL over WL; both look awesome, but I figure WL is similar to Grand Californian. Will probably resort hop to see both no matter where I stay though. It is also dependent on what discount is offered at WL; right now the GP summer discount is 15% at end of August, even though it is 25% earlier in the summer; I would expect it would be similar in September, but am still including possible other values in case:
WL, 30% AP discount (increase of $30)
AKL, 30% AP disc (increase of $125)
WL, 25% AP (increase of $170)
WL, 25% disc (increase of $285)
WL, 20% AP (increase of $315)
11) WL with free DDP (increase of $365)
12) AKL w/25% disc (increase of $390)
13) WL w/20% disc (increase of $430)
14) AKL w/free DDP (increase of $500)

Can I pls. Borrow your spreadsheet? Im not good with excel formulas

 

[Attracted to Beasts]

Umm, it is the 1st grade. He will be the most popular kid in class when he explains to his new friends where he has been while they were in school. And can you really fall behind in 1st grade?

I know, I know, but I used to be an elementary teacher so the teacher in me says he needs to be there! Im a party pooper!

 

[menotyou21]

Has anyone been able to do this lately? I tried a few days ago, and it wouldn't let me purchase a Disney GC with a Target GC (did it like crazy back in 2015 and saved a bunch).

There is an entire thread related to this. I don't recall the name.....I'm sure you can find it. Apparently some Target managers are not allowing guests to buy Disney GCs with Target GCs. The key point to argue (if needed) is that the Disney GC is considered an entertainment card and should be allowed to be purchased with a Target GC. Another key point - if you are able to pay for a Disney GC @ Target, with a Target GC, you don't receive the 5% red-card discount.

 

[Disneylover99]

I know, I know, but I used to be an elementary teacher so the teacher in me says he needs to be there! Im a party pooper!

I get it. I'm exactly the same way.

 

[anitsa123]

I think people are confused if POR is included or not because the first Brazillian travel agency link didn't show it:
http://andrezadicaeindica.com.br/promocao-disney.html

That is what is confusion to me two. I think it will be similar to last year only POR for August thru Sept then excluded for the November and December dates.

 

[vanjust14]

Very good point. If there is a remote chance you'd need the money ASAP, don't tie it up.

Thanks, I agree. After reading more into it I realized that if you needed to get the money out or cancel, you would be refunded in original payment which would be mostly gift cards to get the 5% discount. Think I will pass.

Edited to add: Thanks @BuckeyeBama , I failed at multi-quoting

 

[jessiegirl1982]

You can't use gift cards online at Target to buy the disney gift cards anymore. But, you can go in store and do it.

Yeah, but then you wouldn't get the extra 5% discount, correct?? I am just going to use the Swagbucks gift cards I get for vacation stuff from Target, and buy Disney gift cards with my Red card. I barely earn anything lately anyway from Swagbucks.