If you are not already a cardholder I encourage you to look into this for some extra perks to use on your Disney vacation! We signed up for this card a couple years before we went so we had quite a few points on it before we headed to see the mouse and I was glad that we did! You accumulate points then you get a rewards card that you transfer them to. Those points turn into cash! After you convert the rewards to the card, you can now use that card like you would the VISA on anything Disney. When we converted them, I the points converted became my shopping money and I loved it! I didn't have to feel guilty about what I was spending because it was all mine to spend.
10% Discount
I learned a trick when using my Disney Rewards card. Some Disney retailers offer 10% discount when using Disney Visa for purchases $50 or more. While I was at Downtown Disney using my rewards card at The Art of Disney the cashier told me I could use the 10% discount with my Rewards card too- I just had to go get the VISA from hubby who was standing outside the shop as they require that to be present to verify before applying the discount! When ordering online from disneystore.com you can apply this discount as well, but you have to have the discount code and apply it during checkout.
Cruise Credits
While we were sailing we were offered ship $50 in credits if we paid in full with our Disney Visa we were to use toward purchases, including port adventures.
Various Other Discounts/Offers/Perks
Disney Visa offers various other discounts throughout the year, from discounts on Disney Broadway shows to specials on Disney merchandise. There is even a special character photo session available to card holders who visit Epcot where cardholders get a free 5 x 7 of the photo. We took advantage of this and received a cute family photo with Goofy and Minnie! Check out the vacation benefit- 0% APR Vacation Financing.
If you have additional questions regarding the card and its benefits, be sure to contact me. I am glad we took advantage of this opportunity and want to share this with others. Now if someone would pay the credit card for me, I'd be set! 10/2011
_____________________________________
Eating at the Parks
It's amazing how many eating options there are at the parks. Most of the prices are not bad, considering what you get for your money! Disney does a great job at making sure you do not go hungry! The kids meals alone are filled with enough food to keep a kid going, and many times they package the meal so they don't have to eat it all at once but you can stow away the leftovers. I loved to see the kids meals come with sides such as yogurt and carrots and you can bet each meal will have some sort of fruit option. The kiddos were in heaven when they got either a bag of grapes or container of applesauce with their meal. Mom was thrilled too as that meant I could spoil them later with yummies as they had nutritious sides with their meals.
Many people wonder if you can take food into the park. I found that Disney was very accommodating. Now you cannot take in a huge cooler, though who would want to lug something like that around, but a it doesn't hurt to throw some snacks, sandwiches, fruit, drinks or anything else small in a bag. My Thirty-one Picnic Tote worked perfect for this. I filled it with bottled water, juice boxes and a few little snacks and it hung nicely on the stroller handles. I even used my Tupperware Quick Shake Container filled with ice as a cooler and it worked great!
There is another option that many don't know about and it is wonderful and so worth the money. Keep in touch with me too and I MIGHT be able to get you a free one! This option is called Disney Dining Plan! There are a few plans available from snacks only to full coursed meals. They can even be used to pay for character dining or dinner shows.
This plan allows you to not worry about having money to eat on because you pay upfront for all of your meals! You choose which plan you want to purchase and when you check-in to your hotel all your food vouchers are loaded onto your "Key to the World" key (which is also your room key and tickets for the parks if you prepaid for them). You use this "key" to pay for your meals like you would a credit card, except the meal is already paid, and with each transaction your receipt will show how many meals you have left. Contact me to learn more about Disney Dining Plans. 10/2011
_____________________________________
Cruise Tips
Fun Souvenir
Want a fun souvenir for the kids? Find something that you would like to have autographed by certain or all characters on board. Place the item and marker in a zip locked bag and take it to the desk in the lobby after you board the ship. You will need to include your child's name, parent(s)' name(s), the characters you want to sign (or all), your cabin number. At the end of you cruise your cabin host will bring the item back to your room for your child.
Want a fun souvenir for the kids? Find something that you would like to have autographed by certain or all characters on board. Place the item and marker in a zip locked bag and take it to the desk in the lobby after you board the ship. You will need to include your child's name, parent(s)' name(s), the characters you want to sign (or all), your cabin number. At the end of you cruise your cabin host will bring the item back to your room for your child.
I bought mini colored canvas bags at the craft shop and clothing markers. I picked out a purple one for Sylvia and pink for Samantha (the 4 pack actually had their favorite colors in it so I was even more set). Put these in a zip locked freezer back with a marker and they were so cute when we got them back! They even wrote on the handles of the bags. We even had autographs from characters we didn't actually meet in person. When we got home I hung them up on their walls. What a cute little reminder of all the fun they had! And what a nice surprise for the kids (as I didn't tell them about them until they received them). 12/2011
