A got a Disney Store Card when I wanted Disney Dollars -what can I do?

[JELBoggio]

My uncle purchased Disney Store Cards for my two kids to use for our upcoming Disney trip, which was very nice of him. When he asked what he could get them, I mentioned Disney Dollars, but he got confused and purchased cards instead. I tried to exchange the cards for disney dollars at the Disney store today, but you cannot use the Disney Store Cards to purchase the dollars.

I was really hoping to use these in Disney World since we really do not buy much (except costumes at Halloween) at the Disney store. Is there anywhere at Disney World that we could use them? Do I have any options here? Does anyone have Disney Dollars lying around at home, but would prefer a Disney Store Card and we could do an exchange? Just tossing out ideas here...

[byoung]

There a Disney store at DTD. :banana: :Pinkbounc :banana:

[RyMickey]

Maybe you could buy something at the Disney Store, return it, and then a couple days later go back and use the cash to get Disney Dollars...a little sneaky, but it would work.

[WebmasterKathy]

There a Disney store at DTD. :banana: :Pinkbounc :banana:


A HUGE Disney Store!!! ENORMOUS!!!

I'm sure they'd enjoy spending their gift cards there. :sunny:

[RyMickey]

There a Disney store at DTD. :banana: :Pinkbounc :banana:

However, it's a "World of Disney" store, not a "Disney Store." Would they accept the op's gift card? Remember "Disney Stores" aren't actually run by Disney anymore...they outsourced the stores located in malls to the Children's Place company. Therefore, I'm not certain that the Downtown Disney store would accept the gift card.

[JELBoggio]

That would be fine if I could use them at World of Disney - I'll have to read the fine print on the back of the cards (which are currently in my DH's wallet) or I'll call the World of Disney directly.

I can't buy something and them return it for Disney Dollars as another diser mentioned because they treat the disney dollars as cash since you would then be able to convert the disney dollars into cash. That's why they wouldn't let me exchange the gift cards for Disney Dollars. Frustrating.

I feel bad because my uncle bought them so they can use them at Disney World to buy whatever they want - not limiting them to any one place. He generously gave my two kids each $50 worth. Now it seems that I may be stuck using them at the local mall!

[cherylp3]

unfortunately you can not use credit to pay for disney dollars . You can only use cash.

What does the gift card look like. I've seen disney selling blue gift cards with mickey on them.

-Cheryl

[jodistar]

If the Gift Cards were bought at the Disney Store - I believe that they will not accept them at the World of Disney Stores....I asked once (went to the New York store) and was told they do not accept gift cards from the Disney Store because WOD is owned by Disney and The Disney Store is owned by The Children's Store - not sure if things have changed since then.

[Costumesaremylife]

My cousin just had this same dilemma. She just used the Disney store card to buy disney dollars at our local store. It was in Burlington MA

[canwegosoon]

If you don't have your tickets, I believe you can still buy tickets at the Disney Stores.

[JELBoggio]

I've bought my tickets already for the parks, so I can't buy them, but that was a great idea. It doesn't look like I can use them at the World of Disney. I wish I was as lucky as a previous poster's sister who got to buy disney dollars with the cards. There is another disney store about an hour's drive from my home, maybe it's worth a trip to see if they can do it there. Can't hurt to try.

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions! :grouphug: If anyone has any more, I'd love to hear them!

[JELBoggio]

unfortunately you can not use credit to pay for disney dollars . You can only use cash.

What does the gift card look like. I've seen disney selling blue gift cards with mickey on them.

-Cheryl

One gift card is the disney princesses and the other is Mickey.

[DisneyFan09]

I am a manager at a Disney Store and I can't tell you how much of this we had happen this season. After several incidents with unhappy guests we made sure that when guests asked for a gift card they knew that it could only be used at the stores. It was amazing to see how many people would have accidentally bought gift cards.

Anyway, if you go to the store where the cards were issued (or any store for that matter) and explain what happened they should allow you to purchase Disney Dollars with the gift card, that's what we did at our store. If you get someone who says no, ask for a manager. Most of us at the stores will do whatever it takes to make our guests happy, even if it means breaking the rules a little!! (If all else fails throw a big fit and I guarantee they'll do it. It's unfortunate but true that the guest who screams the loudest usually leaves the happiest!!)

Good luck and be sure to update us on how it was handled!!

[cstraub]

You could sell them on ebay and then take the money and buy disney dollars. Here are some currently selling:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2 F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=disney+store+gift+card&category0=

I'm sure you could sell them very easily. :goodvibes

[JELBoggio]

I am a manager at a Disney Store and I can't tell you how much of this we had happen this season. After several incidents with unhappy guests we made sure that when guests asked for a gift card they knew that it could only be used at the stores. It was amazing to see how many people would have accidentally bought gift cards.

Anyway, if you go to the store where the cards were issued (or any store for that matter) and explain what happened they should allow you to purchase Disney Dollars with the gift card, that's what we did at our store. If you get someone who says no, ask for a manager. Most of us at the stores will do whatever it takes to make our guests happy, even if it means breaking the rules a little!! (If all else fails throw a big fit and I guarantee they'll do it. It's unfortunate but true that the guest who screams the loudest usually leaves the happiest!!)

Good luck and be sure to update us on how it was handled!!


When we tried this at one Disney store, she said that the computer wouldn't allow it. That there was no way to process buying Disney Dollars with a Disney Gift Card. Do you know if this is true? That was one of her reasons on why it could not be done. I just want to be armed with all the info I can before I try again. Thanks for your managerial input!

[liv4god4evr]

Here's another idea... Usually if you have the reciept from when the gift cards were bought, they will refund your money in cash. If you feel comfortable explaining the situation to you uncle and getting the reciept from him you might be able to get a cash refund then buy the disney dollars with the cash. If you don't want to make him feel bad for the misunderstanding, you could tell him you have to have the reciept to be able to use the card. :rolleyes:

Anyway, good luck and have a great time!

[canwegosoon]

I live in an area that I could go to the store and wait for someone with a large order, ask if they would be willing to buy disney dollars, and you would give them the gift certificates. Do you live in a place like this? I would go during the day and look for a mom who isn't too stressed out. I would think that the manager or sales clerk could verify that the gift cards are good and their value.

[JELBoggio]

I live in an area that I could go to the store and wait for someone with a large order, ask if they would be willing to buy disney dollars, and you would give them the gift certificates. Do you live in a place like this? I would go during the day and look for a mom who isn't too stressed out. I would think that the manager or sales clerk could verify that the gift cards are good and their value.

Great idea! Thank you! I'll still give exchanging them another try, but if that doesn't work I could certainly try the above!

[DisneyFan09]

When we tried this at one Disney store, she said that the computer wouldn't allow it. That there was no way to process buying Disney Dollars with a Disney Gift Card. Do you know if this is true? That was one of her reasons on why it could not be done. I just want to be armed with all the info I can before I try again. Thanks for your managerial input!

I think unless the store you were in has been remodeled they all have the same registers and you can pretty much make them do anything you want. Ours definitely don't prevent you from using a gift card on anything. I would maybe call first and talk to a manager and I am sure they would do it for you. I wish I had a gift card in front of me so I could read the fine print on the back but if I recall there is nothing on them that says they can't be redeemed for Disney Dollars but I could be wrong. Read the back of yours and see what it says.

[JELBoggio]

I think unless the store you were in has been remodeled they all have the same registers and you can pretty much make them do anything you want. Ours definitely don't prevent you from using a gift card on anything. I would maybe call first and talk to a manager and I am sure they would do it for you. I wish I had a gift card in front of me so I could read the fine print on the back but if I recall there is nothing on them that says they can't be redeemed for Disney Dollars but I could be wrong. Read the back of yours and see what it says.

I checked the back and there is nothing on it that says that they can't be redeemed for Disney Dollars. I'll let you know what happens. Thank you!

[roadtripper]

Just changed a Disney Store gift card into Disney dollars yesterday at the Disney Store in Northborough MA. The girl at the register had to check with the manager, but she did it!

[JELBoggio]

Went to a different Disney store today and the manager exchanged the gift cards for Disney Dollars without a problem! :cheer2:

A big thank you to DisneyFan09 for your managerial input and also to CostumesAreMyLife and roadtripper for sharing your exchange success stories! You guys are the reason that I tried again! :banana:

Also thank you to all the other DISers who responded with ideas for me! I truly appreciated it! :sunny:

[Unregistered]

I'm glad to hear things went well and that "guest" service is alive and well at the Disney Store!!

[Costumesaremylife]

Yay! Glad you got your Disney Dollars!

[dreamscometrue47]

So glad it turned out perfect for you!!!

and on a side note, the Disney store in Burlington MA has been closed down for some time..... :sad1: Thank goodness we still have one at the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua NH!

[doombuggy]

This happened to me in 2004. I used to work at TDS and I transferred to WDW. My mgr at my F/T job bought me a $50 gift card, not realizing that I couldn't use it in WDW. If she had told the cashier at TDS that she was buying it for me, they would have set her straight in an instant. :)
Her intention was for me to use it towards WDCC (I was finishing off the Robin Hood collection). I didn't have time to exchange it (and probably didn't even think if that) before I moved. I ended up using it just fine anyway. :teeth:

I always used to explain to the purchaser that the card was good only in the store - it was always that way, even before TDS was purchased by The Children's Place. Glad it worked out for you. :sunny:

[Costumesaremylife]

So glad it turned out perfect for you!!!

and on a side note, the Disney store in Burlington MA has been closed down for some time..... :sad1: Thank goodness we still have one at the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua NH!


Just to let you know, the store in Burlington has moved and is down near the food court. It is much smaller. I was told they were only there temporarily because of a space remodel, but I think that may have not happened. The store is there though. I was there last week.

[Poohnatic]

Glad it worked out for the OP. I think the confusion arose because the Merchandise gift cards cannot be used for park passes or Disney Dollars. Those are the cards given out when returning an item w/o a receipt.

Suzanne