Saving for Disney

SamandChel

Active Member
How do you save for Disney?

I automatically take a withdrawal every paycheck and put it into a vacation account. I use a local credit unions vacation savings program. The benefit of this is a 1.5% apy along with a bonus of $5/500 saved. And If the account stays over $3000 your apy Is increased by .5%.

Also by having my credit card cash back automatically deposited every 3 months into the vacation account they double my cash back value. Normally 2% taken to 4% cash back.

I have never seen a program like this anywhere else so was wondering if there was anything like it or maybe better? They are discontinuing the program in March in favor of a new program which cuts everything in half.
 

DManRightHere

Well-Known Member
I find credit cards cashback the best IF you pay it off every month.

I constantly open and close credit cards to utilize introductory offer. Sometimes you have to spend a lot to get the bonus so it helps if you can make big purchases for someone else or a company and get reimbursed.

The best credit cards I have are..

Chase Freesom.
-6 months out of the year you can get 5% on gas. It also has a 3 month period for grocery stores. Also no annual fee.

Bank of America Cash Rewards
-3% on gas, 2% on grocery, 1% everything. No annual fee.

Bank of America Better Balance
- they give ou $25 every 3 months of paying more than your minimum balance. I charge only my internet bill on this card which is $34.99. The cash back makes my i ternet average $26.66
No annual fre

I personally would have never got a Disney credit card, but I had the regular and premier when they offered the $200 gift card upon opening and spending like $500.

I cancelled the premier when the annual fee was approaching. 2% just is not worth it for me.

Additionally, all the credit cash back can be treated like cash (usually). So if you invest it in a savings account or something there is more money!

I'm actually interested in that Disney savings plan. I think it was a $20 gift card for every $1,000 you save? That is 2% right there. Next trip I may look into putting the money in a couple months before and get the gift cards. If it works that way...

I know, my method is a lot of work, but I enjoy doing this.
 
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mavlax20

Active Member
I started putting money into the Disney Vacation Account this month. As mentioned above, for every $1000 you spend, you will get a $20 gift card. So when I book my vacation, if it is $4000 at least, then I get an instant $80 gift card, which would go a long way at the parks if I choose to spend it there. Whatever money I have left in the account after booking and paying for Disney, I can request to have sent to me as a gift card, or I can leave it there to save for the next Disney trip.
 
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WedwayPM

Active Member
Whenever we come into unanticipated income, like extra overtime, side work for my DH or sales of my artwork, we buy Disney GCs. That way we don't do something mature and responsible with the money like pay a bill or reduce our debt or something. o_O In about 6 months We were able to save enough for a 7 night trip at Pop for 4 this coming September. May not be the best method but it works for us!
 
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Monkee Girl

Well-Known Member
So many great ideas here. Here is what I do:

I also have the credit union/vacation club thing going on. Since the money is taken out before I get my 'bill paying' money, I never see it and feel tempted to use it.

I have the Disney Chase card as well. Since I don't use my points for the Disney Store or anything, I usually get a nice sized rewards card for my trip. Last year, I incorrectly estimated the arrival time for my card and it arrived too late for my trip. Most likely being mailed while on the road TO Disney. But instead of getting a new card at the park, I let it go and will add on last years points to that card. So I'll have an even nicer sized card for my up and coming April trip.

Birthdays and Christmas always get me gift cards.

I am a change horder. I have been trying not to spend so much non bill stuff on a credit/debit card so I try to pay with cash in order to budget myself. All that change I collect goes into piggy banks (They are actually superman banks) and before the trip, I take them to the bank to cash in. Last year I had $80 in changes. This was a nice bonus. This year will be even better because I decided to make it a competition to see if I could beat $80, lol In addition to this, I tried doing the same with loose dollars. I have a Peter Pan tin that i hide the gift cards in so if I get dollars or fives, I stash them there. Figured it would help with the tip money.

Oh, and I don't know if it counts as a saving technique. But I do appreciate that we can pay the trip off in installments. That way we can pay as much or as little we want through the year. My trip balance is dues Feb 17th. But I just mailed my remaining check today. Very pleased that all I have to do now is save my 'mad money.'
 
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Disnee4Me

Well-Known Member
I use both Disney Visa and Discover card. My two DSs are in college locally with part time jobs and they also use the two cards also and pay their portion of their charges. I like that Discover runs promotions each quarter (right now on gas). For instance, I currently have $700+ on my Discover. I can go to BJs Wholesale buy seven $100 gift cards for $651, cash out $650, plus charge the gift cards on the Discover and earn more $$$$s.
 
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RScottyL

Well-Known Member
They have a Disney Vacation Account that you can set up:

https://disneyvacationaccount.disney.go.com/

Use your Disney Vacation Account savings to book your vacation online or over the phone through Disney. Note that Adventures by Disney vacations must be booked by phone.
You'll be eligible for a $20 Disney Gift Card for every $1000 you spend on qualified vacation purchases with your Disney Vacation Account prior to December 31, 2017 (date subject to extension), up to a total $500 in Disney Gift Card(s) per household. Your Disney Vacation Account must be active for a minimum of 120 days at the time of spending in order to receive this bonus. Request your Disney Gift Card(s) 4-6 weeks in advance of your vacation date to allow time for delivery to your mailing address. See FAQs for complete details.
Enjoy your vacation knowing that you've saved in advance!
 
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mavlax20

Active Member
I actually signed up for the Disney Vacation Account last month...have some money there and have planned out my deposits each month until the trip...great way to really save up money.
 
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bee

Well-Known Member
We just got a Disney Visa and have been using it for almost everything, including our internet and health/dental insurance bills. Over four months we accumulated $55 in Disney Dollars. Since we are going so soon we will just use it for a meal or two on our trip. We also buy discounted gift cards at Target with our RedCard when there is room left in the monthly Target budget. I should note that we pay off both cards in full every month; otherwise the savings would not be worth the interest charges. We also have a direct deposit into a savings account every week.
 
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mavlax20

Active Member
So....am I the only one that eagerly awaits payday, not to pay bills, but to add money to my Disney Savings Account? I'm ahead of my pace, which feels great, but wanted to know if I was the only one that felt this way.
 
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