Disney Gift Card?

[aubriee]

I guess I've never really paid attention to everything on the WDW site. I was just prowling around over there and noticed that you can order Disney gift cards directly from the web site. It said though that they can be used at select locations at WDW. Does anyone know where they can and can't be used? I was thinking about getting one for my next trip and maybe using it at the Food & Wine Festival booths and for restaurant tips (and maybe extra drinks--I'm on the DxDDP). Would I be able to use it for this? I hate carrying cash into the parks and these gift cards seem like a good alternative. What places can they not be used? Also if you don't use the total that's on them, do they expire or can I use them on another trip?

 

[madalex]

The Disney gift cards can be used anywhere at any of the parks or resorts where credit cards are accepted (which means just about everywhere). Some notable exceptions include the Swan and Dolphin restaurants (but it can be used at the gift shops at those hotels), the funnel cake stands at both Epcot and the Boardwalk and some of the moving souvenir carts that come out just before the parades. The gift card can be used at the Food and Wine Festival booths.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I got some to. They can be used just like a CC for anything Disney. Idk about Swan & Dolphin. I don't go there.

 

[Hallowishes]

hmm i would say its probably not a good idea to get the disney gc. i think you are better off with cash. most of the carts at world showcase do not accept credit cards (so they would not accept gc either) most of the places to drink at EPCOT only take cash i know, i was bummed on my trip last year

 

[dawnbu40]

I always purchase Disney gift cards to use on our trips and I've never had a problem. We've used them at popcorn carts, booths around World Showcase, for tips at TS, shopping... you name it! I find it much easier to budget this way and any remaining money is left for another trip!

 

[madalex]

hmm i would say its probably not a good idea to get the disney gc. i think you are better off with cash. most of the carts at world showcase do not accept credit cards (so they would not accept gc either) most of the places to drink at EPCOT only take cash i know, i was bummed on my trip last year

This has not been my experience. I'm not sure which carts or places to drink you are referring to, but I have been able to use a credit card/gift card/room charge at almost every Epcot store, restaurant, booth and cart. The only exceptions being the funnel cake stand by the American pavilion and the traveling carts that come out just before Illuminations.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Agreed. While there are a few carts (movable carts) that aren't set up to accept anything but cash, I never had trouble using my Disney Gift Card to pay for any food. Granted, I did have a little cash in case I wanted a soda from a cash-only cart - but the GC works fine.

 

[dd50]

If you don't use all of it can you turn it in for the cash? I want to get my kids these but one DD may not use hers or not all of it.

 

[twinkle49]

My mom gets one every time we go, we use it for everything in the parks including dinners, hotel gift stores, soda/ice cream carts. the only places they haven't accepted them are at the Swan and Dolphin. We find that it is soo much easier then carrying cash on us. hope this helps.

 

[leelip1982]

Last year at the food and wine I used the gift card for the booths. I had no problems and was able to use it every where. I loved not having to deal with change and when I ran low I put more money on the card at the world showcase.

 

[angel0321]

You won't be able to turn any available balance on a GC into cash. Your DD could keep the balance and spend it at Disney store or online once you're home.

Another option, if the above won't work for you ~ would you or someone in your party be looking to buy more items while you're on your trip? Example: DD has $25 left on her card, but she'd done purchasing and *really* wants the cash. Someone else wants to buy that (insert gift item) they can't live without. Could you do an intra-family trade, where DD gets cash from person using remaining balance on GC? Our family does silly things like this, so no one 'loses' the value of a GC.

 

[dd50]

You won't be able to turn any available balance on a GC into cash. Your DD could keep the balance and spend it at Disney store or online once you're home.

Another option, if the above won't work for you ~ would you or someone in your party be looking to buy more items while you're on your trip? Example: DD has $25 left on her card, but she'd done purchasing and *really* wants the cash. Someone else wants to buy that (insert gift item) they can't live without. Could you do an intra-family trade, where DD gets cash from person using remaining balance on GC? Our family does silly things like this, so no one 'loses' the value of a GC.

Thanks, I was thinking that. For her I will probably just give her cash and I know the other 2 will spend theirs because money burns a whole in there pocket.

 

[TStrickland01]

very easy to use during the IFWF. Used during the past 3 years and better than a credit card or cash. It let me set a limit, know my balance and easily conduct the transactions. Absolutely the way to go. BTW just as easy to get them from guest services at any of the parks when you get there.

 

[aubriee]

very easy to use during the IFWF. Used during the past 3 years and better than a credit card or cash. It let me set a limit, know my balance and easily conduct the transactions. Absolutely the way to go. BTW just as easy to get them from guest services at any of the parks when you get there.

Thanks everyone! I think I may go this route. I'd like to get it before I go so I could have everything paid for in advance. I hate coming home to a credit card bill, plus I want to use my Disney Visa to pay for it to accumulate the points. I go several times a year, so seldom buy any souvineers anymore, plus I'm on the DxDDP, so I'd only need it for tips, the F&W Festival booths, and maybe a few alcoholic beverages (I'm not much of a drinker). There is no expiration date on them though? so if I didn't use it all, I could use it later on another trip?

 

[winterman]

I'd like to get it before I go so I could have everything paid for in advance. I hate coming home to a credit card bill

This is the first time that we have gotten a Disney gift card to use on our trip. It was easy to buy at DisneyStore.com and shipping is free. We did it because it helps us pay for more of our trip 'upfront'. I have read on the Disboards before that it can be used almost everywhere on property but we do always carry a little cash anyways.