"Coolest Summer Ever" Promotion Available Today

Savings from 6/16-8/9/2015

• Save 15% at Pop Century, Art of Animation Family Suites, All Star Music and All Star Sports
• Save 20% at Port Orleans Riverside, Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs and Fort Wilderness Cabins
• Save 30% at Deluxe Resorts excluding Bay Lake tower and Grand Floridian Villas and Polynesian Village Villas

Savings from 8/10-8/27/2015

• Save 20% at Pop Century, Art of Animation Family Suites, All Star Music and All Star Sports
• Save 25% at Port Orleans Riverside, Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs and Fort Wilderness Cabins
• Save 30% at Deluxe Resorts excluding Bay Lake tower and all Villas

Offer excludes Campsites, Little Mermaid Art of Animation rooms, and 3 bedroom Villas.  Must book by 6/12/2015 and there are a limited amount of rooms available under this promotion.

How do you get this offer?  Contact us at Snapshot Getaways and we do the work for you.  

Traveling in July?  Snapshot Getaways has an EXCLUSIVE promotion with travel dates during 7/18-7/25/2015 which are an even better deal than this one!  Click here for details.

Do I need a Disney Visa Rewards Card?

If you are anything like me the answer is a resounding NO! In fact I don’t need any more credit cards!   That doesn’t stop every credit card company on earth from sending me a pre-approved credit application once a week.  Even Disney Rewards Visa was relentless. The photo of Mickey on the card, designed to draw any Disney Addict in.  Oh wait, I can choose from multiple designs?  I can even pick a Tinkerbell card!  Nope, don’t need it.  They can’t make me, I’ve paid off all my cards.  I will not repeat the mistakes of my early 20’s.

I remained firm for a year.  Shredding every application that came.  Mickey’s smiling face cut into a thousand pieces.  UNTIL…What?  A $50 statement credit if I sign up?  How did they know I had a trip planned in 3 months?   That will come in handy for sure.  I will use it towards my trip.  That did it, I was done.  Now I had to open the envelope and see what was involved.  Within a few minutes I had my card design picked out (Where Dreams Come True) and the card was on its way.

Why did I give in?  The Disney Rewards Visa has great perks and no annual fee.  Here’s the scoop:

• $50 Statement Credit – Earn a $50 Disney statement credit when you first use your credit card upon account approval. Consider it you’re welcome gift, available exclusively with the Disney Rewards Visa Card. *Chase Offer as of press time, this offer may vary.
• 0% Introductory APR – Pay no interest with a special 0% Introductory APR that lasts 6 months on select Disney vacation packages. A variable APR will apply thereafter.
• Disney Parks Vacation Promotions-Available first to Disney Visa Rewards Cardholders.  Get first pick of availability for upcoming promotions at the resorts.
• Earn Rewards Everyday – Earn rewards on your everyday purchases by receiving 1%. You can redeem toward Disney goodies such as DVDs and toys. Or, you can embark on your Disney trip, and enjoy redeeming for Theme Park tickets, resort stays and much more.
• Save on merchandise – With the Disney Rewards Visa Card, you can enjoy additional savings with a 10% discount on select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at Disney Store locations or at the Disney Store online.  This includes 10% discounts at select Disney Parks restaurants and 15% discounts on select Disney Parks Tours and Events.
• More Card Perks – At both Disneyland and Disney World, say hello to Mickey Mouse with Disney Theme Park Character Meet ‘N’ Greet at a private card member location. You can also select from 8 fun card designs to personalize your Disney Rewards Visa® Card, plus enjoy no annual fee.
• Disney Cruise Line On Board Credit-You must ask for this when making your reservation, but your credit can be applied towards non alcoholic beverages.

What did I do?
First I made a initial purchase in order to receive the Disney Gift Card.
I then credited the money toward my balance due on my upcoming trip.  You could always save for some guilt free shopping at home or at the parks. I used my Disney Visa to pay for the trip.   Please note, I paid off the card at the first statement to avoid interest.  Then as my trip neared I applied online for my Rewards Gift Card.  Which I turned around and spent on souvenirs at Disney World.

Disney Devoted Disclaimer:  I don’t work for Visa.  I don’t get anything if I’ve convinced you to get a Disney Visa.  Just because the voice in my head told me to get one, it doesn’t mean you should.  If you are in financial trouble, do not get another credit card.  Do not buy a ton of stuff just to get Disney Rewards.  Do not blame me if you overspend.  Blame Disney Merchandising.

P.S. – Chase also offers a  Disney’s Premier Visa Card which gives you 2% in reward dollars on certain card purchases, and a $100 statement credit!

Mickey Mom aka Maria is mom to two boys and loves the photo meet and greet she gets with her Disney Visa Reward card!  Contact her for help with your upcoming vacations at maria@snapshotgetaways.com or her Facebook Page.

The "Cost" of Going to Disney

 

Disney can be a costly venture for a family these days.  Is it even possible to still go?

There are a few financial tips to know when planning your Disney trip.

• Yes, there is a peak and non-peak season at Disney.  Your travel agent can give you the best time to travel and save on your resort rooms.
• The more you stay, the less you pay for your tickets.  Purchasing a package over 4 days results in increased value.  
• Disney offers promotions throughout the year.  You should book in advance to guarantee your room and dining reservations, but if a promotion becomes available your travel agent can apply the discount.
• Disney's resort categories are Value, Moderate and Deluxe.  Room discounts increase as the category rises, so sometimes the best value is a Moderate.
• Keep an eye on Disney Devoted for tips from on bloggers on saving money at Disney.

Here are a few of the many benefits to staying at a Disney resort that will save you money overall:

• If you are flying into Orlando, Disney provides complimentary transportation to and from the airport at no charge.  Your luggage is even delivered to your room!
• Disney also offers free transportation throughout the parks and resorts which means renting a car is not a necessity.
• If you are driving, Disney offers free parking for resort guests at the resort and the parks.  
• You may purchase into the Disney Dining Plan.  If you love to experience Disney's wonderful dining options you can pre-pay for your dining.  There are several packages available which can save you 10-20% off purchasing meals on your own.
• Children under the age of 3 enter the parks for free. 

So what will it cost my family to go to Disney?  We will look at it from a family of 4.  A small child, teenager and two adults.   Airfare or driving expenses are not included in the quotes. Here are are two scenarios during peak season, without promotional pricing:

Quick Weekend Trip-Value Resort Package includes 2 nights, 3 days at Pop Century Resort.  Family has a 3 Day Parkhopper Pass and a Dining Plan.  The Dining Plan includes one snack, one counter service and one table service meal per person.  Taxes included.
Total $2048

7 Night Stay-Value Resort Package includes 7 nights, 8 days at Pop Century Resort.  Family has a 8 day Parkhopper Pass and a Dining Plan.  The Dining Plan includes one snack, one counter service and one table service meal per person.  Taxes Included.
Total $ 3919

So here you can see the value of a 2 night vacation vs. a 7 night vacation.  Don't be discouraged by the media telling you that the average family will no longer be able to go to Disney.  Again, these prices are non-promotional and are pretty all-inclusive.  Your travel agent can keep you updated on current promotions.

Maria is a Travel Planner for Snapshot Getaways, Blogger and loves to get the best deal value for her clients.  Would you like me to run a quote for YOUR needs?  Contact me at maria@snapshotgetaways.com.  Like my Facebook Page for news and updates.

Disney's Salute To The US Military 2014-2015 Offer

As a military wife and Disney Devotee, personally I am always glad to see these offers renewed.
They have graciously extended the military offer from August 25, 2014-October 3, 2015.  This is in conjunction with the current offer that expires October 3, 2014.

Who is eligible you ask? All current military members that are Active duty, Reserves, Coast Guard and National Guard. Also all retired military members of the US military are eligible too.
Guests who are 100% disabled with the DAVPRM status, unmarried widows, spouses and foreign military who are stationed in the US that have a CAC card with a blue stripe are also eligible.

These tickets can be purchased at any ITT office with no tax OR you can purchase them at Shades of Green if you do not have an ITT office in your area.  If you purchase these tickets at any ticket window you will be charged tax on the sale.
The person with the military ID has to be present when activating these tickets at Guest Relations but they do not have to be in the park with all guests at the same time.

Walt Disney World

4 Day Park Hopper $177.00 

4 Day Water Parks and More $177.00

4 Day Park Hopper with Water Parks and More $207.00

**These tickets cannot be used December 22 2014-January 2 2015 and

March 29 2015-April 9 2015.

Disneyland

3 Day Park Hopper $132.00

** These tickets cannot be used December 25 2014-January 4 2015 and 

March 29 2015-April 9 2015

They have the same offer for the discounted rooms as in the past.  As with all Disney offers they do have limited availability. So it really does help to be flexible with travel or the resort you would like to stay at.

And you can always do a split stay if the resort you would like is only available for a few days during your trip.  This is a fun way to get to experience many of the great resorts Disney has to offer.

Walt Disney World

30% off of Value resorts *excluding Art of Animation Little Mermaid rooms

35% off of Moderate resorts 

40% off of Deluxe and Villas

**Offer not good for the following dates-November 27-29 2014,December 24-31 2014 and

March 30-April 4 2015.

Disneyland

30% off of Paradise Pier

35% off of Disneyland Hotel

40% off of  Grand Californian 

**Offer not good for the following dates-November 27-29 2014,December 24-31 2014 and

March 30-April 4 2015.

With the military packages you can always add the Disney Dining plan to enjoy all of the scrumptious foods on property. Epcot is by far our favorite place to eat when we are at Disney.They have so many different table service options to choose from. But almost anywhere you choose to dine at Disney is going to be good!!
We try to use it as often as possible when we travel. The dining plan is very useful if you are wanting to do a lot of character meals or enjoy some of the nicer sit down meals during your stay. Plus you are pre paying for your meals so you don't have to worry about adding the cost of food in with everything else.
So you can have dinner with Cinderella in her castle or you can enjoy a Luau without having to leave Florida!

I hope that your military family can take advantage of this amazing offer and make memories with your family soon.


                              
                               Thank you to our military and their families for your service.
                          And thank you to Disney for recognizing the sacrifice of our military.


                                  


*A little about Dulcie
I am a native Floridian who has been traveling to Disney World since 1976! I am Submariners wife,Mommy to a 9 yr old "Princess" Imagineer in Training and Travel Agent Extraordinaire with Snapshot Getaways. I earned my ears 4 years ago with Disney College of Knowledge and have enjoyed every Magical booking since.
Feel free to contact me for your FREE quote today and let's start Makin' Memories the Disney way.
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Email-Dulcie@SnapshotGetaways.com