Welcome to planDisney, Taylor, and congratulations on planning an upcoming visit to the
Most Magical Place on Earth. That is always an exciting place to be, especially when you are digging into the details and getting everything lined up.
Planning a Walt Disney World vacation can feel a bit daunting at first, both financially and with the number of decisions to make, but I promise it can also be an affordable, fun, and manageable process. Disney does not offer financing in the traditional sense, but when you book a Disney vacation package that includes a
Disney Resorts Collection hotel and theme park tickets, you are only required to pay a deposit at the time of booking. From there, you have complete flexibility to make payments in any amount and at any time, as long as the full balance is paid 30 days before your arrival.
When it comes to the
Disney Visa Card, this is where things can get a little confusing, so you are smart to ask. According to the terms provided by Chase, the six-month
zero percent promotional APR on select Disney vacation packages begins on the date of purchase. In Disney terms, that means it starts when the charge is first placed on your Disney Visa Card, which is typically when you pay the initial deposit to book your vacation package.
Any additional payments you make toward that same vacation package using your Disney Visa Card are considered part of that original purchase. The promotional period does not reset when you pay off the remaining balance closer to your travel date. Instead, the six-month clock starts ticking from the date you made that first payment.
This is one of the reasons the Disney Visa Card can be such a helpful planning tool. Not only does it allow you to spread out the cost of your vacation, but it also comes with some great on-vacation perks, including discounts on select dining and merchandise, special cardmember photo opportunities, and
Disney Rewards Dollars that you can use toward souvenirs or special treats. In our house, we love using those Rewards Dollars to let our kids each pick something special during the trip, which makes it even more fun for everyone.
I hope this clears things up and helps you feel more confident as you finalize your plans. If you have any other questions along the way, from dining strategies to
Lightning Lane selections, come back and see me here at planDisney.
I am always happy to help.
Brent