Disney gift cards accepted?

[Monny2AE]

I'm trying to budget for our trip and I'm thinking of buying some Disney gift cards. I'm going to designate one each for my kids for souvenirs but I was wondering if I could put $$ on one for our dining too. We're not doing the dining plan this time and are buying all meals out of pocket.
Do most restaurants and kiosks in the parks accept Disney gift cards?
I like the idea of having $$ set aside before our trip rather than charging everything to our credit card and getting the bill after we get home!

 

[dawnbu40]

I have done this before and it works great! I purchase gift cards and make an envelope for each day of our trip. I include the gc and cash and any left over $ is carried over to the next day. (I keep them in the safe) I've never had any problem using a gc at a cs or ts or even at a cart in the parks!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I was thinking of doing the same thing. I think it's a great idea

 

[Monny2AE]

I have done this before and it works great! I purchase gift cards and make an envelope for each day of our trip. I include the gc and cash and any left over $ is carried over to the next day. (I keep them in the safe) I've never had any problem using a gc at a cs or ts or even at a cart in the parks!

That's a great idea to do a daily budget. Why didn't I think of that! I was worried if we lost it we'd be stuck penniless and charging on our credit card

Thanks so much!

 

[M5ward]

I buy two substantial gift cards for each trip...that way I can carry less cash. I have never been told I couldn't use the gift card at any restaurant. At the end of the trip, I keep the last receipt which gives me the remaining balance on the card. Once home, I put the card and receipt in my Disney wallet, and tuck it away for my next trip. You can use them at Disney stores and online, but they never expire so I just keep it for next time.

 

[bubblycoconut]

I have done this before and it works great! I purchase gift cards and make an envelope for each day of our trip. I include the gc and cash and any left over $ is carried over to the next day. (I keep them in the safe) I've never had any problem using a gc at a cs or ts or even at a cart in the parks!

I've been thinking about doing this as well. At first I was going to get one gift card for the entire trip but then decided it would probably be a better idea to get one for each day instead.

Does anyone know if a lost gift card can be replaced? I thought I read somewhere that it could be if you had the number from it but I can't remember.

 

[M5ward]

I've been thinking about doing this as well. At first I was going to get one gift card for the entire trip but then decided it would probably be a better idea to get one for each day instead.

Does anyone know if a lost gift card can be replaced? I thought I read somewhere that it could be if you had the number from it but I can't remember.

You need the original receipt to get a lost or stolen gift card replaced. I always pack the receipt in my luggage just in case.

 

[bubblycoconut]

You need the original receipt to get a lost or stolen gift card replaced. I always pack the receipt in my luggage just in case.

Awesome! Thank you! Since we will be spending quite a bit on dining this trip I like the idea of buying a gift card(s) ahead of time and getting the reward points before we leave. I thought about doing this for the resort room too but was worried about losing the money if we lost the card. I will be sure to keep the receipt incase anything happens to the card.

 

[wdwluver]

I've used gifts cards my past two trips to cover dining/tips and miscellaneous purchases. I don't do a pay as you go, though with the cards. I usually just put a credit card on my account and charge everything to the room. Then the night before we checkout, I have them apply the gift card(s) to our balance.

 

[3boymthr]

They also take Disney Dollars. The beauty of these is that they will give you cash as change so if you are running under budget you can buy small items with them and get cash as change. I also think I read somewhere that they will change them back to cash for you at the front desk of the Disney Resorts.

 

[winterman]

Here's a thought that allows you to double dip. I buy the Disney gift cards thru the disney shopping website and use the Chase disney card for payment.
The purchase is recorded as a charge on the Visa and earns some dollars.

Have a great trip.

 

[Monny2AE]

Wow everyone thanks!
I'll be buying them online with my Disney Visa to get more points and making sure I bring my receipt in case they get lost.

Y'all are chock full of good advice!

 

[bubblycoconut]

Does anyone know if you can add more money to them after you purchase them? The ones on the disney world site only go up to $100 and I would like to have more then that on them.

 

[winterman]

Use disneyshopping.com You can get many dollar amounts.

 

[MyHappyPlaceWDW]

I ordered mine the other day. It will be so much easier keeping track of money spent for 3 kids. And not have all that loose change. I cant wait.