Overview –
Disney Rewards Visa Card: This free credit card earns you back an unlimited 1% in all card purchases. Disney Rewards can be redeemed toward most anything Disney, including movie tickets, Disney Store Purchases, and Disneyland (& WDW) purchases without any block out dates! 15.24% APR interest rate.
Disney Premiere Visa Card: This credit card has a $49 annual fee, but earns you back an unlimited 1% in all card purchases and an extra 1% at gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, and all Disney locations. Disney Rewards can be redeemed for pretty much anything Disney as well as toward airline travel. 15.24% APR interest rate.
Disney Vacation Account: This is essentially a savings account with perks. The Vacation Account helps to estimate your cost to get you started, and then creates the plan to save at your own pace, up to 5 years in advance of your vacation. You can make instant or scheduled automatic contributions using your debit or credit card (or even Disney Gift Card). You have the ability to track your progress, check your balance, and update your savings goals. The money can be fully withdrawn at any time.
Perks –
Disney Rewards Visa Card: Free character Meet & Greet at a cardholder location. Get 10% off of dining locations at Disneyland. Also get 10% off of select merchandise at Disneyland, the DisneyStore.com and the Disney Store, when $50 minimum is spent, at Disneyland. Get 20% off of tours at Disneyland. Receive special financing on Disney vacation packages. *Also good at WDW.
Disney Premiere Visa Card: Same as the Rewards Visa, but there are 8 Premiere only Disney card designs
to choose from.
Disney Vacation Account: You are eligible for a $20 Disney Gift Card for every $1000 you spend on qualified vacation purchases with your Disney vacation Account – up to $500 maximum per household. Some additional requirements apply – see Cons below.
Pros –
Disney Rewards Visa Card: It’s free (no annual fee), has great perks, cute card designs, and rewards can be used toward any Disney item. Currently, you can earn a $50 Disney Gift Card after your first purchase on this card.
Disney Premiere Visa Card: You get basically double the rewards, plus the ability to use them towards airline travel – and 8 extra cute card designs. Currently, you can earn a $100 Disney Gift Card after your first purchase on this card.
Disney Vacation Account: It appears to be a simple way to save with no interest charges or other fees. $20 Gift Cards on $1000 saved. And 24/7 guest service is provided.
Cons –
Disney Rewards Visa Card: Rewards don’t add up quite as quickly, and you can’t use them toward airline travel. High interest rate.
Disney Premiere Visa Card: Costs a $49 annual fee. High interest rate.
Disney Vacation Account: There is a $500 limit in rewards. Your account must be active for a minimum of 120 days to receive benefits. And gift cards must be requested 4-6 weeks in advance.
*My preference for “saving” for a trip to Disneyland is the Disney Premiere Visa Card, which I pay off in full each month – so as not to have to pay interest. Before, I used the Rewards Visa, and would earn enough to cover food and merchandise purchases for our Disneyland trip. But with the new Premiere card, in the last 13 months I have earned over $700 in Rewards – which should cover all of our park tickets for our next trip. Also, I have never used rewards to airfare, but I very much like having that option!*
To get more information on the Disney Rewards Visa or Disney Premiere Visa card, click here. And, to get more information on the Disney Savings Account, click here.
