I'm going to end up with $11,450 in Disney Gift Cards. Now what?

[Rob1872]

OK, I'm assuming that my Fantasy Eastern cruise at the end of May will be cancelled in a few weeks (bye-bye 10% OBB discount and $200 OBC), and that I will also be cancelling my pre-cruise visit to WDW. (So much for an AWESOME family summer vacation. I'd even splurged on Club level rooms so I could purchase 3 extra Fast Passes a day to really make it a memorable trip!)

I had purchased Disney gift cards for the whole trip, and had been pleased at saving 8-10% by strategic buying at BJs when the gift cards were on a good sale.

Now, I'm going to end up with everything back on Disney Gift Cards. I'm trying to figure out what to do next. I don't want to take the Future Cruise Credit because then I'm locked into picking a cruise next year and we don't have a lot of flexibility in the family schedule next year.

At least Disney Gift Cards won't expire. (But they will slowly lose value as prices go up each year.) I can use them at the theme parks, Disney stores/Disney online, DCL, Adventures By Disney, and Disney Resorts.

What would you do in my situation?

 

[DLgal]

I'd be pretty mad at myself that I bought that much in Disney gift cards, to be honest. At this point, I'd want the money back in my bank account.

But just for fun, I'd just plan another epic trip for a year from now.

 

[DisneyPrincess]

I'm going to end up with over $17,000 in gift cards...I'm highly considering an ABD

 

[LAX]

As long as Disney does't go out of business, your GCs will be okay. Even the US greenback is eroded by inflation although you can argue inflation at Disney is often much faster and steeper. At 10% discount, it's actually better than if you had stashed them at the bank for a year or two.

LAX

 

[Minnie222]

Save them for a trip to Aulani!!

 

[FigmentSpark]

The trouble with Aulani is you can't buy airfare with gift cards.... can you?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The trouble with Aulani is you can't buy airfare with gift cards.... can you?

Not until Disney has an airline, probably.

 

[LAX]

Not until Disney has an airline, probably.

Does DCL accept GCs for air booked as a package through them?

LAX

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Does DCL accept GCs for air booked as a package through them?

LAX

Don't know. We usually purchase our airfare separate when cruising.

 

[soniam]

Does DCL accept GCs for air booked as a package through them?

LAX

I think I read someone saying yes, somewhere on the boards. We always book our own though.

 

[MomOTwins]

I'd save it for a cruise on the Wish! That way you get the fun of trying a new ship.

 

[LAX]

I think I read someone saying yes, somewhere on the boards. We always book our own though.

Thanks. If DCL does, may be packages including air to Aulani would too? (not a question directed to the person I quoted)

LAX

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks. If DCL does, may be packages including air to Aulani would too? (not a question directed to the person I quoted)

LAX

Does Disney sell any Aulani packages currently that include airfare? If so, I would hazard a guess that, since DCL includes airfare as part of the package total when booking a cruise, and you can use gift cards for that, any packages to Hawaii that include airfare could be paid for via gift card.

But I don't know for sure.

 

[smmco]

I've never understood why people pay with gift cards. Imagine if you were laid off from your job and it needed that 11k for bills. You're lucky you only have to worry about what vacation you can use it for.

 

[LAX]

I've never understood why people pay with gift cards. Imagine if you were laid off from your job and it needed that 11k for bills. You're lucky you only have to worry about what vacation you can use it for.

It's a risk-rewards game, IMHO. If everything works out, people can save thousands on their Disney-related vacations. It works for some, but not others.

LAX

 

[smmco]

It's a risk-rewards game, IMHO. If everything works out, people can save thousands on their Disney-related vacations. It works for some, but not others.

LAX

There are better ways to save 5% on a Disney vacation without the risk.

 

[Karin1984]

I miss Disneyland as an option.

 

[LAX]

There are better ways to save 5% on a Disney vacation without the risk.

For those that are savvy, I have read reports of well over 10% savings.

LAX

 

[spacecanada]

Adventures by Disney has the highest guest satisfaction rate of any Disney product, and they are rated one of the best guided tour companies. If you haven’t tried it yet, I would highly recommend it.

I haven’t been able to go on one yet, but every single person I know who has came back raving and has gone again (and multiple times, for some). It is an intimate way to experience a destination. Definitely give it a try!

Aulani is amazing, but you would have to stay in a suite or large villa for a long time to spend that much. Though if you eat in the restaurants every day, and add excursions, it does add up quickly. As much as I love Aulani (and have been there), I still recommend AbD or a unique cruise itinerary like Iceland or Greece.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

I would stop in Anaheim for two nights and visit Disneyland on my way to Aulani. You will have no problem spending all of that, especially if you stay at Grand Californian prior to Aulani.