Disney Gift Cards question

[oldduhoski]

I have a few Disney Gift Cards, and I can get more before my trip (which in turn helps my kids tuition at school as a % gets kickbacked for that purpose), but I'm not clear on what they can be used for?? We booked at PP with our credit card. I guess we can purchase our tickets with gift cards, even ahead of time? What about Character meals? It says it can be used for dining, but one night we were going to go to the Rainforest Cafe, so I don't think that counts? And what about counter service places, where we figured we'd do lunches?
We're not huge shoppers, but I did want to get sillouettes of my 4 kids while we were there . . . any idea what those run (for the small size)?
Is there someplace else I'd be able to use them that I'm forgetting? I don't get a huge kickback, but it'll help me spend a little more knowing that "it's for the kids EDUCATION!"


Thanks!

Laura C.

 

[bumbershoot]

They can be used for quite a lot!

disneygiftcard.com is a really good place to start looking.

Good page from that site: http://disney.go.com/disneygiftcard/use.html#dl_details


Tickets yes!

"The Disney Gift Card can be used at any merchandise or food and beverage location except for fruit carts and outdoor vending locations, Names Unraveled, Jewel of Orleans, Silhouette Studio, Portrait Artists, Parasol Cart, Heraldry Shop, and Crystal Shops."

One exception to that exception above, they can be used at the "permanent" outdoor cart to the left of the castle at the hub. Used that cart many times for my latte and cookie fix, from my gift cards.

Thought what I bolded below is interesting:

"Disney's California Adventure® park: The Disney Gift Card can be used at any merchandise or food and beverage location except for Taste Pilots Grill, fruit carts and outdoor vending locations, Midway games, and Face Painting."

I wonder why not that lunch place?


I used them for character meals, counter service, sit-down meals...souvenirs galore.

[edited] and I also buy them when I get to the parks, because I find them to be a great budget-helper. Paying with the giftcard keeps me in check more than the debit card, and having $100 for one day on the debit card is easier for me than all the little bitty purchases adding up to $100. Easier to keep track of the big once a day, you know? Or even the big once a week!

And to have them all ahead of time, well, that's just wonderful!

You can even pay for tips at table service meals with them.



Not Rainforest, though, by the way. Though if the school sells Landry cards, that is Rainforest, [edited]


OH, and in case you didn't know, you can use them on disneyshopping.com. Check out their outlet section and their sales before you go, snag a few souvenirs ahead of time for good prices. Then after you get home, you can get a few more, of things maybe you missed while at the parks, or didn't realize you wanted until you thought about it on the flight or drive home (assuming they are on the site).

I even used a disney giftcard before our first big trip to buy myself a bathing suit with Mickey all over it! And two sundresses, too. My family thinks I'm nuts, yes, but I had fun.

Hope that helped!

 

[tink2dw]

Rain Forest Will take Disney Dollars. It is the only DTD restaurant that will, though.

 

[oldduhoski]

Thanks for all the info -- B. you could start your own Disney consulting business -- I've much enjoyed reading all of the knowledge you have about just about everything disney related!!

I had planned on getting a Landry's certificate for our meal there - interesting that they'll accept Disney's also -- now I'll have to check the return % on both of them, to see where I can get the biggest bang for my buck.

I've done the Disney outlet shopping online - nothing specific for this trip yet, though there are Christmas gifts in my attic that are going to wait out the summer - hey, Captain Jack pirate toys are worth the wait!!

Again, THANKS!!!

Laura C.

 

[KerTggr]

A lot (not all) of the exceptions noted above will take Disney Dollars. Plus you can purchase Disney Dollars with the Gift Cards. I often get Gift Cards from my friends for B-day, etc (their Daughter's school has a similar program). Before heading to DL, I go into the Disney store and basically "buy" Disney Dollars with the gift cards. Then we can use them at the carts. We don't often sit down for lunch unless it is a special occasion or we are going with our nephews. We just go by the fruit cart, corn dog cart, and churro cart during the day (not always in that order ).