Disney Savings Plan

disney savings plan

Update: July 25, 2017 – As of today, Disney has permanently closed the Disney Vacation Account, and is no longer accepting new sign ups or deposits. If you have a Disney Vacation Account, you should have received an email from Disney with refund options.

Planing for a Disney vacation can be fun, but paying for one? Sometimes, that can be down right painful. Introducing the Disney Vacation Account!

A while back, Disney quietly introduced the Disney Vacation Account, a way for all of us to save for future Disney vacations. If you happen to be traveling to Disney sometime soon, it usually isn’t a big deal, as you can just make payments on your upcoming trip. But if you plan on going to Disney World with your family in 2017, or maybe Aulani next Summer, that just doesn’t work. Disney releases rates and packages for most resorts one year at at time, and usually only about 6 months before that year is to start, so if you want to do Disney in 2017, you are going to have to wait until the Summer of 2016 to even book your trip, when at that point, you can start making payments. To solve your problem, consider the Disney Vacation Account.

What is the Disney Vacation Account?

The Disney Vacation Account is on online savings tool, run by Disney, to help you save for your upcoming Disney vacations. Consider it like your Christmas Fund, but for Disney instead.

How does the Disney Vacation Account Work?

Disney suggest three steps to get you started:

  1. Estimate Your Budget – Good first step, know how much to save. While Disney doesn’t offer the best estimator tool, they do offer an outline of what you should include. Feel free to contact us here at Mouseketrips, we would be happy to give you a rough price for your vacation and other needs.
  2. Open your Disney Vacation Account – Set up your plan with a Credit/Debit card. You can set up automatic deposits from your card, or do them manually when you have some extra cash you want to put towards your trip.
  3. Track your Plan Online – Keep track of your progress online to make sure you are on schedule to meet your Disney savings goal.

Of course, there is a fourth step, book your Disney Vacation with Mouseketrips, of course.

What Disney Destinations can I use the Disney Vacation Account for?

Fortunately, Disney has plenty of places to spend your money. Or should that say “unfortunately”? When you set up the plan, you do not have to indicate where you are going to spend your money, it is just a general Disney savings account, and can be used at the following Disney destinations:

  • Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida
  • Disneyland® Resort in California
  • Disney Cruise Line®
  • Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai`i
  • Adventures by Disney®

What forms of Payment can I use to fund my Disney Vacation Account?

Disney accepts quite a few forms of payment, including most major credit or debit cards:

  • Disney Visa Card
  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • Discover Card
  • American Express
  • Disney Gift Cards

Please note that if you do ask for a refund (see below), said refund will be refunded back to the form of payment, so keep any used Disney Gift Cards around just in case.

What Benefit do I get from using the Disney Vacation Account?

Other than thinking it is kind of cool to have Mickey holding your money for a while, there are some decent benefits, including free money!

Just by using the Disney Vacation Account, you will be eligible for a $20 Disney Gift Card for every $1,000 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.

So, for example, you book a $3,000 Disney Cruise, you would receive a $60 Disney Gift Card to use on your Disney Cruise!

What if I decide not to go to Disney?

Well, honestly, who would decide that? If for some reason, you come to that conclusion, no problem! You can ask for a full or partial refund of your money at anytime, and bam, all that Disney savings is back in your hands.

Can I use Mouseketrips to book my trip if I used a Disney Vacation Account?

Absolutely. Just let us know when it comes time to make any of your payments on your Disney vacation that you have been using the Disney Vacation Account, and we will take care of you.

Some Miscellanious Disney Savings FAQs you will find interesting:

  • Are my funds safe? – All contributions to your Disney Vacation Account and all contributions made to other Disney Vacation Accounts in the Program are deposited with a bank in a non-interest bearing deposit account that is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).
  • Who can start at Disney Vacation Account? – Anyone that is a resident of one of the 50 states of the United States, Puerto Rico or Washington, D.C. (subject to change) and is of majority age.
  • What is the least/most amount of money I can have in my Disney Vacation Account? – Disney requires a minimum $10 deposit, with a daily maximum of $1,000. You cannot excede $25,000 in your account.
  • Can I give my Disney Vacation Account to someone else? – Not really. You can do one of two things though, you can ask for a full or partial refund, or you can use your Disney Savings Account to make a payment on someone else’s Disney reservation.
  • What can I use my Savings to pay for at Disney? – Just about anything you can add onto your package can be paid for with the Disney Vacation Account, including airfare, transfers, Disney World Dining plans, park passes, etc.
  • What can I Not use my Savings to pay for at Disney? – Anything charged to your room, or purchases made while on vacation, whether on a cruise or at Disneyland or Walt Disney World cannot be paid for with savings. However, if you have extra money in your account after paying for your vacation, you can order a Disney Gift Card with that extra money, or you can ask for a refund and use that money to pay for anything additional on your vacation.

Well, that about does it. Of course, if you have any questions, feel free to ask here or email your Mouseketrips agent, they will be able to walk you through any problems or questions you may have. That is why we are here.

Would you use the Disney Vacation Account for your next Disney vacation?

One response to “Disney Savings Plan”

  1. Al Lipscomb Avatar
    Al Lipscomb

    Great idea, information and idea!! Thanks!

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