Disney fans looking to make the most out of their money have no doubt thought about getting the Disney Visa Card. But how much money does it really save you?
This rewards card specifically caters to travelers who visit Disney properties often or indulge in all things Disney. The card especially comes in handy for Disney World vacations, as it provides tons of perks that can make your vacation more affordable while providing you with some exclusive benefits. Let’s get into some of the specifics of just how much this card can help you during a typical Disney World trip!
Before we tally your potential savings, we should go over what the Disney Visa is. There are currently two versions: the Disney Visa and Disney Premier Visa. The regular Visa has no annual fees, while the Premier card charges a $49 annual fee but gives you enhanced perks.
Below are some of the offerings you can get with each card:
Disney Visa
- No annual fee
- A welcome bonus of $200 statement credit after $500 in 3 months
- Disney Rewards Dollars that can be redeemed for Disney theme park tickets, Disney resort stays, dining, shopping, and more. These are NOT redeemable for airline statement credit.
- 1% (1 Disney Reward Dollar per $100) on all purchases
- 10% off select dining and merchandise
- Access to special photo-op locations
- 15% off some guided tours
- Standard Visa protections
- 0% for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages
Disney Premier Visa
- $400 statement credit after $1,000 in 3 months
- 5% on Disney+ / Hulu / ESPN+ purchases
- 2% at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most U.S. Disney locations
- 1% on everything else
- The same Disney redemption options, plus the ability to redeem Rewards Dollars for a statement credit on airline purchases (if bought directly from the airline)
- All the same 10% dining and merchandise savings as the regular Visa
- 10% off select recreation experiences when paid with the card
- Access to special photo-op locations
- Access to limited-time Cardmember offers, such as travel, entertainment, and shopping
- 0% for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages
While these benefits can shift year to year, the core perks largely stay the same. But how do they translate into practice?
Let’s lay out some actual savings. Let’s say you’re spending $150 to $300 on souvenirs. With the 10% discount, you’re looking at a MINIMUM of $15 saved. The math obviously changes based on your actual souvenir spending numbers, but the idea stays the same. These smaller savings certainly add up, especially when buying that mega souvenir.
Not every Disney restaurant accepts the 10% off, but many do — especially at Disney Springs and the nearby resort hotels. Once again, you’re looking at incremental savings that add up. Let’s say a family of four spent $50 per person for dinner, you’re looking at a savings of $20.
Those savings surely add up, though, as it’s unlikely you’ll only eat once during your trip (please don’t do this).
Dining savings could end up being the most notable deal when it’s all said and done — possibly saving you hundreds of dollars.
Vacation package financing is MASSIVE for many families. For some guests, this is the biggest money-saver. Disney Visa Cardholders often get promotional APR financing on Disney World vacation packages.
While this doesn’t reduce your trip cost directly, it saves you money because YOU AVOID INTEREST that you would’ve paid on a different card.
Instead, you can plan payments more comfortably, and if you’re someone who usually carries a balance, this perk can save you hundreds compared to standard credit card interest rates.
The Disney Visa also allows you to turn your regular purchases like groceries and gas into rewards — aka money back in your pocket. For example, if you put $1,000 per month of everyday spending on the card, you’d be getting $120 back in Rewards Dollars per year with the regular Visa and $240 to $300 back with the Premier Visa.
Every Rewards Dollar is $1 in Disney money that you can use on food, merch, and even park tickets. Look, that’s real, tangible savings. That’s the kind of savings that can totally change how you do a Disney World vacation.
Ultimately, the average guest using a Disney Visa isn’t probably saving thousands of dollars, but they are saving hundreds, and that savings number can get astronomical depending on how strategic you are.
If you’re already the kind of person who goes to Disney regularly, buys Disney merch, or eats at discount-eligible restaurants, the card pays for itself pretty easily.
Do you have a Disney Visa? Share your experiences with it in the comments below and continue to follow us here at AllEars for all the latest Disney World planning tips!
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What are your favorite ways to save money at Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
we have been using our Disney rewards card for over twenty-five years. We visit Disney every three years and have accumulated over $2000 for our current trip. We pay down the trip with half and use the rest for food.
We pay off our card every month to avoid finance charges which would counter any rewards savings.
we use the rewards when we go to WDW for dinners which is really nice to feel like we are getting some free dinners. We usually use the rewards for one trip in a year – for our upcoming trip we have about $600 in rewards – that is not too shabby