200.00 Gift Card Question

[BetsyS]

I just booked the 4/3 deal and the CM stated that - I can't use the $200.00 gift card on food (only tips and merchandise). Is this correct?

 

[justtobeme2]

No, you can use the card to buy food but you can't use it to pay for the dining plan. If you already have the dining plan you can use it for tips, which is what we are going to do.

 

[BetsyS]

Thank you for your reply. I called and requested to speak with Guest Services, the previous CM was very rude and quick to give out incorrect details. He stated that "tips only-that's why Disney has a dining plan!". I didn't want the dining trip for this trip. I'm a very experienced WDW visitor and was not about to be HARD SOLD on DP. I'm happy to find out that it does include food. Thanks again.

 

[snykymom]

I just used my $200 card to pay for many of our meals (also wasn't on the DP) - I didn't want to forget to use it, so I pulled it out every time until it was gone. There was nothing that I tried to buy with it that was disallowed - food, tips, upgrading tickets to park hopper, etc.

The only reason that you can't use it to pay for the DP is that final payment for the DP is due before you check in.

 

[su_A_ve]

Easiest is to have the front desk apply the GC to your stay. Then you use your KTTW...

 

[vt_disney_fan]

I just used my $200 card to pay for many of our meals (also wasn't on the DP) - I didn't want to forget to use it, so I pulled it out every time until it was gone. There was nothing that I tried to buy with it that was disallowed - food, tips, upgrading tickets to park hopper, etc.

The only reason that you can't use it to pay for the DP is that final payment for the DP is due before you check in.

So you WERE able to use the GC to upgrade tickets to park hoppers? I ordered base tickets with my package, and had asked the CM if I could upgrade to PH tix when I check in, using the GC, and she said that I couldn't, b/c it couldn't be used to pay for any portion of a package. But since my package will be paid by the time I check in (since it has to be paid 45 days in advance), I WON'T be using it to "pay" for my package, but to pay for extra add-ons to tix.

You didn't have any trouble doing this? Did you do it at resort check-in?

 

[su_A_ve]

So you WERE able to use the GC to upgrade tickets to park hoppers? I ordered base tickets with my package, and had asked the CM if I could upgrade to PH tix when I check in, using the GC, and she said that I couldn't, b/c it couldn't be used to pay for any portion of a package. But since my package will be paid by the time I check in (since it has to be paid 45 days in advance), I WON'T be using it to "pay" for my package, but to pay for extra add-ons to tix.

You didn't have any trouble doing this? Did you do it at resort check-in?

The card is active at check in. Any upgrades done at check in are payable at checkout. This will be automatically charged to the credit card on file by 11pm the night before your checkout.

You can apply payment with your GC or a Disney Visa rewards card to any outstanding balance, however you must do it by 11pm the night before, or get them to not process fast checkout.

 

[snykymom]

So you WERE able to use the GC to upgrade tickets to park hoppers? I ordered base tickets with my package, and had asked the CM if I could upgrade to PH tix when I check in, using the GC, and she said that I couldn't, b/c it couldn't be used to pay for any portion of a package. But since my package will be paid by the time I check in (since it has to be paid 45 days in advance), I WON'T be using it to "pay" for my package, but to pay for extra add-ons to tix.

You didn't have any trouble doing this? Did you do it at resort check-in?

The card is active at check in. Any upgrades done at check in are payable at checkout. This will be automatically charged to the credit card on file by 11pm the night before your checkout.

You can apply payment with your GC or a Disney Visa rewards card to any outstanding balance, however you must do it by 11pm the night before, or get them to not process fast checkout.

Actually, there was a manager there who did the upgrade at check-in. I also gave her the GC to pay for the upgrade right there at check-in. It was no problem at all.

I know that I could have put the upgrade on the room, but I didn't want to wait until check-out, because I wanted to use the express check-out. So I had my credit card put onto my KTTW card, and carried around the GC. I used the GC rather than my KTTW card for everything I bought until it ran out, and then I started running the credit card.

My concern was that I'd forget about the GC or forget to go back before check-out, and not use the GC. Even though it didn't expire, I didn't want to "pay" the extra $200 on my credit card.

This method worked beautifully for me.