I rushed to join the Disney Club before they stopped issuing memberships because I am taking my Dad and step-mom to DisneyWorld (took them to DisneyLand in Dec 2001 and they loved it!) in the summer of 2003. Thought I would be getting some great deals but it seems most of the discounts are for Disney merchandise and on site hotels. (We've already booked a villa in the area.) The DC discount for tickets is apparently no better than AAA (which I could've gotten anyway without paying the $39.95 fee to Disney!). Can someone make me feel better about my joining? Does anyone have any tips for getting my money's worth? Thanks for any help and advice. Oh yea and is it true what I hear about the ticket prices going up soon (Universal has done it already, I think)?

For the info you want, try www.mousesavers.com and www.disboards.com

Discounts on admission tickets are not widely available and tend to be very small (3%?). The best use of the Disney Club is to obtain discounts on hotels but even then similar discounts are available to the general public. I believe there are some dining discounts available perhaps the card will help that way. But definately check wdwig.com or wdwinfo.com for more details.

It is a simple fact of life that most discount packages you buy into are opportunities for places that can't do a full business to gather more new business. Most really good and popular hotels, restaurants, and certainly Disney World itself do not need this help so you won't get much advantage, unless you are looking for less popular places. And for the main point, most of those "less popular" places are less popular for a reason.

The annual pass usually provides decent discounts.

What's the big deal? Did you ask what you were getting before you bought it?

You may be entittled to special perks when you get there--ask at the info booth or security when you get there. Who knows?

If you split the cost between dad and step mom you are all out only about $13. Will that ruin your vacation?

Did you try calling and seeing if they could refund your fee (on a pro rated basis)?

Top this exciting topic off

This person seems to need help. Will top it off so someone in the know can help.

The only "big" deal that you will get is a discount on the park tickets. If you're going to do a hopper, your best bet is to go to a Disney store before you trip and buy them there.

You can also use your card for a 10% discount on food at the Rainforest Cafe and Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney. National Rental Car will also give you a discount and upgrade you for free to their Emerald Club.

Being part of the Disney Club, you will get a montly newsletter with coupons that you can use. Most of these don't amount to much, say 10% off an order of fudge at so-and-so candy store, but if it's something you would buy anyhow, you may as well get a discount.

Sadly, you probably won't save more then you spent for your membership.

Thanks for the replies (especially the "helpful" ones"). I am living overseas now and cannot just make a phone call to find out more- Fodors and other websites are a big help to me. I have looked at the mousesavers, disboards, etc. but did not ask about the Disney Club. I will do so and hope to find out more about the discounts. I am actually treating my Dad and Step- Mom to the trip so any deals I can get will be a great help! If I don't get any deals, it's just a wasted $39.95 but NO it won't ruin my vacation OR my life! 10% off at Rainforest Cafe will probably amount to around $30 anyway considering the number of people in my party! LOL... Thanks again for all your help and wish me luck in my deal hunting!

Sue,
Definitely try www.disboards.com. These boards are incredibly helpful and I'll bet they have some good info for you there (no sniping or obnoxious posts either!). Good luck.

The phones don't work over the ocean?

You mean like that previous one? When did these boards get so mean!! If you have nothing valuable to contribute, go back to work.

Dear "What?",
Of course the phones work but I can't use the toll-free number and I have to find out the long-distance number and THEN I have to shell out about $3.50 per minute (international call rate from where I live to the states) and THEN I will probably be put on hold for a half hour and lose all the $39.95 and THEN SOME! Does that explain it to ya?