You can use Disney gift cards in the parks! Buy them at a Discount!

[StitchSpawn]

You can use Disney gift cards almost anywhere in the parks, CS, TS, snack carts, merchandise. You cannot use their gift cards at T-Rex or Rainforest Cafe, because they are not owned by Disney. So, anything not owned by Disney you can't use the gift card, anything owned by Disney you can and that's most everything in the park.
1. This isn't going to save you a lot of money, but anything counts right?
2. Make sure you have time to have the card delivered to you before your trip. I'd buy it at least a month out or more.
3. The larger the amount the more you save, but it's better to not get more than you need, then money on the card will go wasted.

http://www.giftcardgranny.com/store/disney-gift-cards/

I bought a $200 and change gift card for $185. Plan to use it in the parks, and I know I will spend more than that, but I didn't want to spend more and waste money either.

 

[wacowgirl]

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing that! I would have never have thought of that on my own.

 

[Disneyevery2years]

Took advice from disboards..paid $6300 for our(2 family) trip for 12 days for FD.......got $756 in free gas buying Disney gift cards @ giant eagle grocery store. Every $50 spent on gift cards I got .20cents off per 30 gallons of gas.Everyone is saving!!!

 

[WildabouttheMouse]

You can use Disney gift cards almost anywhere in the parks, CS, TS, snack carts, merchandise. You cannot use their gift cards at T-Rex or Rainforest Cafe, because they are not owned by Disney. So, anything not owned by Disney you can't use the gift card, anything owned by Disney you can and that's most everything in the park.
1. This isn't going to save you a lot of money, but anything counts right?
2. Make sure you have time to have the card delivered to you before your trip. I'd buy it at least a month out or more.
3. The larger the amount the more you save, but it's better to not get more than you need, then money on the card will go wasted.

http://www.giftcardgranny.com/store/disney-gift-cards/

I bought a $200 and change gift card for $185. Plan to use it in the parks, and I know I will spend more than that, but I didn't want to spend more and waste money either.

I am one of these people who thinks if something looks too good to be true it most likely is. Why are these cards discounted, and from what I read on the web site may not be able to work in the parks. What is the deal with these cards? Can they be used at all places in WDW and are they good cards?

 

[StitchSpawn]

I am one of these people who thinks if something looks too good to be true it most likely is. Why are these cards discounted, and from what I read on the web site may not be able to work in the parks. What is the deal with these cards? Can they be used at all places in WDW and are they good cards?

Thats a good concern, especially if your considering buying one with a lot of money on it. I bought my from ABCGiftCards.com, but you can also buy them off ebay. However, with anything you want to make sure you are getting what you pay for. ABCgiftcards is an acredited business with the BBB and my card says I can use it at any Disney location. On ebay, of course, you want to make sure you are buying from a reputable seller.

People a lot of times get gift cards as gifts or with promotions, sometimes through their jobs or school or special functions and they have no need for them, so a business like ABCgiftcards will buy them from you. You don't get all the money on the card. They only pay you a percentage of it, because they turn around and sell them for a cheaper value too and they also have to make a profit. People sell cards on ebay for with the same concept.

Here is more info:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bROJR-9s6fI&feature=player_embedded

 

[StitchSpawn]

Understand the difference between a gift cards and merchandise credits:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIdKqAN2Ra0&feature=related

Basically you can't use them online, but I was posting this as a way to save money in the parks. However, you may want to make sure you are getting a "gift card".

I also saw that you cannot use these to purchase admission tickets into the parks, but I'm not going to do that either.

 

[WildabouttheMouse]

Thank you, for answering my question I understand now. I was considering buying from Disney the gift cards to use in the parks towards any tips and other purchases while we are there. I thought they would be better to carry then cash and cheaper in the long run then credit cards.

 

[Disneyevery2years]

Took advice from disboards..paid $6300 for our(2 family) trip for 12 days for FD.......got $756 in free gas buying Disney gift cards @ giant eagle grocery store. Every $50 spent on gift cards I got .20cents off per 30 gallons of gas.Everyone is saving!!!

 

[StitchSpawn]

troll...or very annoying poster...

 

[StitchSpawn]

Thank you, for answering my question I understand now. I was considering buying from Disney the gift cards to use in the parks towards any tips and other purchases while we are there. I thought they would be better to carry then cash and cheaper in the long run then credit cards.

In my opinion the safest types of payment in the parks is gift cards and having your KTTW (room key) connected to a credit card or debit card. Gift cards are great, especially if you get a discounted one, but if you loose it in the park, then it can't be replaced. Anyone can pick it up and use it. So be careful. I leave my debit card in the room safe and have it connected to my KTTW card and I can use it to make purchases in the parks. If you loose your KTTW card, Disney can replace it quickly; if you loose your debit card in the parks, you can call your bank, but they can't exactly replace it right away. And I bring in one credit card for emergencies. Everything else stays in the safe or I don't bring it.

 

[Dynamite626]

I agree with leaving gift cards locked up in room. Last year I lost my gift card with over $650 left on it. I was lucky. An honest CM found it and turned it into guest services. I recieved it as a promotion so it was linked to my name and resort. Never again will I carry a gift card to the parks.

 

[Marty Moose]

Can't you use gift cards to pay down the balance charged to your room key? I did this one trip with my Disney Rewards card and assumed that gift cards could be used the same way? Is this correct?

 

[cglaura]

Can't you use gift cards to pay down the balance charged to your room key? I did this one trip with my Disney Rewards card and assumed that gift cards could be used the same way? Is this correct?

Yes, this is what I do. I either put a Gift Card or Traveler's Check (after cashing) on my room. You can put the gc right on the room, so you don't have to pay down the balance, it will just be automatically applied to the credit from the gift card / cash balance. Keep the card though, if anything is left over it will be refunded to the original gift card. If cash from travelers check, you will be refunded cash.

 

[Marty Moose]

Yes, this is what I do. I either put a Gift Card or Traveler's Check (after cashing) on my room. You can put the gc right on the room, so you don't have to pay down the balance, it will just be automatically applied to the credit from the gift card / cash balance. Keep the card though, if anything is left over it will be refunded to the original gift card. If cash from travelers check, you will be refunded cash.

Thanks! I was planning to do this in November, but was getting a little nervous reading some of these posts! I didn't realize they could refund the gift card balance though...that's great!

 

[Phatoomch]

I should have looked further than the end of my nose!

I've just posted a thread asking this question but you've answered it for me. Thanks!!

 

[cjnix29]

I was able to use my disney rewards card at Rainforest Cafe. If they accept this, wouldn't they accept a gift card?!

 

[im4kycats]

OK, sorry if this is a hijack of the thread, but I have a related question. I purchased several of the discounted gift cards at Sam's and they come with a free Disney Store gift card. Is there any where at Disney World that would be considered the Disney Store? We used to have a Disney Store at our mall, but it closed two years ago. I have used a couple online, but I would like to use them in person if I can.

TIA!

 

[StitchSpawn]

I was able to use my disney rewards card at Rainforest Cafe. If they accept this, wouldn't they accept a gift card?!

I'm not thoroughly familiar with disney rewards, but if your talking about the Disney Rewards Visa card, that is a credit card, not a gift card. If that's what it is, you basically paid with a visa credit card that gives you rewards for using the card, in that case, disney related rewards, but it is just like any visa credit card, & a credit card is not like a gift card. If that is what you are talking about.

 

[lizabu]

You can use Disney gift cards almost anywhere in the parks, CS, TS, snack carts, merchandise. You cannot use their gift cards at T-Rex or Rainforest Cafe, because they are not owned by Disney. So, anything not owned by Disney you can't use the gift card, anything owned by Disney you can and that's most everything in the park.
1. This isn't going to save you a lot of money, but anything counts right?
2. Make sure you have time to have the card delivered to you before your trip. I'd buy it at least a month out or more.
3. The larger the amount the more you save, but it's better to not get more than you need, then money on the card will go wasted.

http://www.giftcardgranny.com/store/disney-gift-cards/

I bought a $200 and change gift card for $185. Plan to use it in the parks, and I know I will spend more than that, but I didn't want to spend more and waste money either.

I followed the link you posted and scrolled down and there are reviews from people who bought these cards who say they are merchandise return cards and can only be used in Disney Stores and are not accepted in Disney Parks

 

[Marty Moose]

I'm not thoroughly familiar with disney rewards, but if your talking about the Disney Rewards Visa card, that is a credit card, not a gift card. If that's what it is, you basically paid with a visa credit card that gives you rewards for using the card, in that case, disney related rewards, but it is just like any visa credit card, & a credit card is not like a gift card. If that is what you are talking about.

I'm not familiar with what cards are accepted at the Rainforest Cafe, but I'm pretty sure the op was referring to the Disney Rewards card that is loaded with points earned by using the Disney Rewards Visa...not the Visa card itself? In that aspect, I was under the impression that it was to be used just as a Gift Card would be?