Walt Disney World: It's Not Just for Kids » discount

Disney Discount: Restaurant.com

Hedy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:16:29 +0000

At home, I’m a huge fan of getting discounted restaurant gift certificates at Restaurant.com. However, I always thought that there was no point in looking at them for Orlando, as I stay on-site at both Universal and Disney World.
This led me to do my own poking around on there, and I found that Bice at the Portofino Bay Resort at Universal Orlando is also on Restaurant.com.

While poking around there, I found that they had Giraffe Cafe at Royal Plaza Hotel. Now, if you’ve never been there (we returned a rental car there, but that’s another story for another day), it’s within spitting distance of Downtown Disney. Additional, Restaurant.com also has the Outback Restaurant and Kook Sports Bar (both at Buena Vista Palace) and Andiamo Italian Bistro, both of which are also at Downtown Disney hotels. If you’re looking to save on food, it might be worth the trek there. Restaurant.com also has Tradewinds at CocoKey Water Resort, which is very near to property.

Every month, new certificates go up on Restaurant.com. on the first of the month (they are also re-stocked, so you can pick up any which may have been sold out in the previous month.

Between now and January 31, save 80% at restaurant.com using the code DATE.

Disney Discount-Disney Visa

Hedy — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:58:14 +0000

On the April 14 episode of the DISUnplugged, the possibility of using the Disney Visa card to save money on your vacation was touched upon. I figured The Disney Rewards Visa is the official card of Walt Disney World. I am a card holder (my card is identical to the one on the left, with the 50th anniversary logo), and have been one for nearly five years. Membership has its privileges, as well as some downsides, but I think it’s worth it.

The most obvious plus of having a Disney Rewards Visa is that you earn 1% of your purchases back as Disney Dream Dollars. You can use these dollars at Walt Disney World (done it!), Disneyland, the Disney Store, Disney Cruise Line, DisneyStore.com (done it!), and over the phone to order tickets for hard ticket events (done it). Supposedly, cardholders may also use their rewards on Disney movies, music and toys, but I have never used mine for this purpose. At Walt Disney World, you can save 20% on tours (which is more than AP holders or DVC members save), have a character meet at Epcot with a free 5×7 photo, and save 10% on a purchase of $50 or more at the World of Disney.

Being a Disney Visa card holder also entitles you to hear about some discounts before the general public-the current Kids Eat free offer was available to cardholders before the general public. Additionally, I’m getting an extra $50 in onboard credit on my cruise in December just for paying with my Disney Visa. At present tome, your card also entitles you to 10% off at the Disney Store.

In my book, the main con of the Disney Rewards Visa is that at Disney you only earn 1% back on purchases. I earn 3% with my Amazon.com visa at Amazon.com, I earn 3% with my LL Bean Visa at LLBean, but only 1% with my Disney Visa at Disney. There are Disney people out there who have had issues with Chase, the bank whose card it is. I’ve never had a problem with either them or their predecessor, Bank One, and I’ve been a customer of theirs for seven years.

Edit: As of November 2011, you can get your rewards as dollars and cents as well as dollars. :)

Do you have a Disney visa? What are your thoughts on it?

WDW Not Just for Kids Review: The Fountain

Hedy — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 16:04:12 +0000

The Fountain is a, well, soda fountain at the Dolphin Hotel. After going to Fantasia Gardens, we needed to grab a cab back to AKL. However, owing to our last-minute change of plans, we had not gone to Goofy’s Candy Co as planned. We had skipped dessert at Whispering Canyon because of this plan, so I made an executive decision because I hated to disappoint my nephews because I wanted sugar.

I’d heard that the Fountain can be a good alternative to the cult favorite Beaches and Cream. We were seated immediately. I found the menu very impressive-it’s not listed on the online menu, but the special menu included a 21+ milkshake with limoncello and beer floats. Clearly, the Fountain is an ice cream parlor that is not just for kids. ;) I was thirsty, so I ordered a chocolate coke as soon as I sat down (coke+chocolate syrup). My nephews ordered dishes of vanilla/chocolate soft serve. My chocolate coke arrived-as a coke with chocolate soft serve. Oh well.

Service was quick, the ice cream was good. More excitingly, The Fountain gives a 20% AAA discount. I would definitely visit the Fountain again, preferable on a 21+ adults trip so I could indulge in alcohol ice cream goodies. The one negative came when I asked for a cab home. I specifically requested a metered cab. Forward came..a towncar. Livid was a pretty god word to describe me. I repeated my request, and had to wait 10 minutes for a cab.

Disney Discount: Restaurant.com

Hedy — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 04:43:02 +0000

At home, I’m a huge fan of getting discounted restaurant gift certificates at Restaurant.com. However, I always thought that there was no point in looking at them for Orlando, as I stay on-site at both Universal and Disney World.

However, Kim of Reward Site Round Up posted that the House of Blues, which is in Downtown Disney, is now on Restaurant.com. The fabulous folk on the Disboards have alerted me to the fact that a number of Swolphin restaurants: Garden Grove (just for dinner, not the Character meal), Kimonos, bluezoo, Il Mulino, and Shula’s. As you can easily walk from Epcot to these restaurants, it seems like a painless way to save some money on vacation.

This led me to do my own poking around on there, and I found that Bice at the Portofino Bay Resort at Universal Orlando is also on Restaurant.com.

Every month, new certificates go up on Restaurant.com. on the first of the month (they are also re-stocked, so you can pick up any which may have been sold out in the previous month. While poking around there, I found that they had Giraffe Cafe at Royal Plaza Hotel. Now, if you’ve never been there (we returned a rental car there, but that’s another story for another day), it’s within spitting distance of Downtown Disney. Additional, Restaurant.com also has the Outback Restaurant at the Buena Vista Palace, and Andiamo Italian Bistro, both of which are also at Downtown Disney hotels. If you’re looking to save on food, it might be worth the trek there.

If you’re planing on staying at an airport hotel at one part of your trip, or even eating at MCO, they have McCoy’s Bar and Grill and Hemisphere restaurant, both of which are at the Hyatt which is in MCO.

Between now and September 14, save 60% at restaurant.com using the code SAVE.

Magical Blogorail Green: Favorite Disney Activity Outside the Parks

Hedy — Fri, 27 May 2011 11:00:30 +0000

Welcome to those of you joining me from A Disney Mom’s Thoughts and those of you who have just hopped aboard. I am the second stop on our Magical Blogorail.”

This month, we are sharing our favorite Disney Activity outside the parks. Mine, which will come as no shock to my regular readers, is shopping at Downtown Disney (DTD-I’m talking about the one in Orlando specifically, but I’ll get into why I prefer it to Anaheim later on in the post). Heck, I like it so much I’ve been known to cab it over there during a non-Disney Orlando vacation. I love it for the shopping, food and theming.

The largest draw in Downtown Disney in terms of shopping has to be the World of Disney (WoD), which I usually hit at least once per trip. As a Disney Visa Cardholder, I get a 10% discount on my purchases over $50 (similar discounts are available for Annual Pass holders as well). Because of this, I usually use my WoD stop to load up on souvenirs I’ve seen elsewhere on Disney property, including jewelry, pins and pens. It’s a really cool place to look around as well.

Other places I never miss on a trip to Downtown Disney are Mickey’s Mart (an under $10 store, although it seems like every trip more and more items are ones you can get anywhere on property, maybe its new version will help), Disney Days of Christmas, Basin, and Tren-D. I had a blast at the Little Miss Matched store in December, so I am looking forward to checking it out in its new location.

Foodwise, Downtown Disney is home to three of my favorite food experiences: Goofy’s Candy Company, Earl of Sandwich, and Planet Hollywood.

There are the Downtown Disney detractors who complain that every store there sells the same stuff, I’m not saying this is wrong, but I have to admit I prefer it to Disneyland’s version. I love Jamba Juice and Sephora, but there’s a Sephora five minutes from my house-I don’t need to go to one on vacation.

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is Your Highway in the Sky.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Loop should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1^st Stop ~ A Disney Mom’s Thoughts

2^nd Stop ~ Walt Disney World: It’s Not Just For Kids

3^rd Stop ~ Your Highway in the Sky

4^th Stop ~ Magical Days with the Mouse

Final Stop ~ Adventures of a Disney Princess

Disney Discount: Room and Package Discounts (including free Dining) Now into 2011!

Hedy — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:01:47 +0000

New discounts were released today for Walt Disney World package and room-only reservations. The really exciting part is that they go into 2011, with free dining going well into 2011. The three discounts are are a room-only discount, a Disney Gift Card offer, and Free dining.

The room-only discount codes which were released today are good from 10/3/10-11/23/10, 11/27/10-12/25/10 and 1/1/11-2/16/11. The discounts are:
* Save 25% at Disney Value Resorts and Animal Kingdom Lodge
* Save 30% at Disney Moderate Resorts and Grand Floridian Resort
* Save 40% at the remaining Disney Deluxe Resorts
* Save 40% at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

The thing I find most noteworthy is that rather than just breaking down by hotel category, as Disney hotel discounts often do, the discounts name specific hotels as being eligible for a certain discount. If you’re looking to book these discounts, the codes are CM5 or AK9 for 2010 stays, and MM2 for 2011 stays. (Thanks, Mousesavers!)

The free gift card offer is good for dates from 10/3/10 – 11/23/10, 11/27/10 – 12/25/10 and 1/1/11 – 2/16/11. These require a Disney World Vacation package with a stay of at least five nights. The free giftcard levels are:

*Value resorts $200 Disney Gift Card

*Moderate resorts $300 Disney Gift Card

*Deluxe/Deluxe Villa resorts $500 Disney Gift Card

These packages must be booked by 11/21/10, and the codes are BM9 for Value resorts; PM8 for Moderate resorts; or IL7 for Deluxe/Deluxe Villa resorts. (Thanks, Mousesavers!)

The most news-worthy announcement out of today’s discounts has to be free dining. This free dining promotion is good for the dates of 10/1/10 – 10/7/10, 10/22/10 – 10/28/10, 11/12/10 – 11/18/10, 11/27/10 -12/2/10, 12/10/10 – 12/21/10, 1/1/11 – 1/5/11, 1/9/11 – 1/13/11, 1/21/11 – 2/3/11, 2/11/11 – 2/17/11, 2/25/11 – 3/3/11, 5/27/11 – 6/2/11 and 8/19/11 – 9/29/11 with a four-night vacation package. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Disney put a discount code over one year in advance. Much like this year’s free dining, guests staying at a Value Resort can get the Quick Service Dining plan, or upgrade to the standard Disney Dining Plan (DDP) for $10 per guest per night. Guests staying at a Moderate or Deluxe resort will automatically get the regular DDP. They, as well as guests staying at a Value resort, may upgrade to the Deluxe Dining plan. This offer must be booked by 12/20/2010; the codes are HJ2 for Value resort stay with Quick Service Dining; JL6 for Moderate, Deluxe or Deluxe Villas. (Thanks Mousesavers)

How to: Get the Hyatt at the Orlando Airport on Hotwire

Hedy — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:43:40 +0000

Hotwire.com can be a great way to save money on your Orlando vacation. With Hotwire, you do not see what hotel you are staying at until you pay (and it’s non-refundable). I had gotten the Hyatt Orlando through Hotwire on my trip in 2008, and wanted to do so for my upcoming trip.

I had a Costco rate for $125 at the Hyatt MCO. I hoped to get a rate through Hotwire for $99 or less.

Rate/Date 05/09-$129
Rate/Date 05/24-$129
Rate/Date 07/07$59 (3.5 *)
Rate/Date 07/09 $69 (4*)
Rate/Date 07/10 $69 (4*)
Rate/Date 07/12 $66 (4*)
Rate/Date 07/13 $69 (4*)
Rate/Date 07/14 $69 (4*)
Rate/Date 07/15 $73 (4*)

I ended up biting the bullet and buying it last night. I could see that it was a four-star hotel located in the Orlando Airport/MCO area (the Hyatt does occasionally come up as being 3.5 star). When I clicked on it, the page said that the Trip Adviser rating was 4.5, as it is with the Hyatt Orlando airport.

While I did get the Hyatt at the Orlando Airport via Hotwire, I was willing to end up staying at another Orlando Airport area hotel if that was the outcome. If you want to try bidding, please make sure this is the case for yourself as well.

Can you earn 5% Discover Card “Theme Park” cashback at Walt Disney World

Hedy — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:37:21 +0000

From July 1 to September 30 2010, those who hold a Discover Card can earn 5% cashback at Gas, Hotel, Movie and Theme Park purchases, up to $300 worth of expenses. Can you earn this 5% on Discover Card by spending money at Walt Disney World? I do not have experience with this facet; however, I have gotten 5% back at Universal Orlando. This reward was earned by charging items from my room to my on-site resort hotel, so it may be worth it to try it at Walt Disney World.

Disney Discount: Free Dining has been extended for certain dates though December 2010

Hedy — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 04:54:17 +0000

First of all, check it out, I was featured on the Dismarks Carnival! w00t!

Disney’s Free Dining promotion has been extended for the dates: Oct. 22 – Oct. 28, 2010, Nov. 12 – Nov. 18, 2010, Nov. 27 – Dec. 2, 2010 and Dec. 10 – Dec. 21, 2010. It must be booked by August 14, and you must stay at least three nights. As it is a promotion based on a package, you will need to buy at least a one-day park hopper. As with the previous Free Dining promotion, the Disney Dining Plan which you get will be tiered depending on which Walt Disney World Resort level at which you stay. See The Mouse for Less for more details.

Disney Discount: Save on your room-only reservation from 8/15-9/30

Hedy — Tue, 11 May 2010 21:39:33 +0000

From August 15 to September 30, 2010, vacationers at Walt Disney World can save on their room-only reservations using the code ID6.

* Save 30% at Disney Value Resorts
* Save 30% at Disney Moderate Resorts
* Save 40% at Disney Deluxe Resorts
* Save 40% at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
You are able to add the dining plan to these offers.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably observed that these dates are nearly concurrent with the free dining offer.

Just for fun, I ran the numbers for a seven night, eight day trip starting on August 15. I’d be a solo adult with an eight day parkhopper, using the regular DDP.

If I were to stay at a value, free dining would run me $1,050.16
Using this code, it would be $1,072.71

If I were to stay at a moderate, free dining would be $1,504.85.
The code would make the amount $1,439.99.
So either way, it wouldn’t be a tremendous difference on which plan you chose.

(Thanks Couponing to Disney for the info)