Disney Giftcards and paying off at end of day?

[mickeyluv'r]

I'm not sure where you are getting your gift cards, but you could try getting a few in smaller denominations for mobile ordering. Use the big ones for bigger ticket items like TS meals. More or less that is what I have always done.

I keep track of balances by 1. ) marking the card with a mini-sharpie, and/or 2.) wrapping the most recent receipt around the giftcard. The balance of the giftcard is printed on the bottom of the receipt.

 

[Moliphino]

I'm not sure where you are getting your gift cards, but you could try getting a few in smaller denominations for mobile ordering. Use the big ones for bigger ticket items like TS meals. More or less that is what I have always done.

You can't use gift cards at all for mobile ordering at this time. Credit card or dining plan credits only.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm confused why this is necessary to do at the end of every day? I just gave my gift cards I had saved up to them the day after we checked in and they used them at the end of the trip?

Because Disney charges the cc when Disney wants to charge the cc. So you want to pay it off before their systems decide to charge the cc.

I personally would just pay as I go. I still wear a lanyard that holds everything important. Witz-brand hard waterproof case from the lanyard of my choice (usually ravenclaw school tie style) holds ID, insurance card, CC, some cash, a GC if I’m using one, and DVC card. Same as I ever carried.

I’ve never once been worried about somehow losing this. (I switched to the “see it safe” Witz lanyard “pouch” after the then-husband lost his and our son’s Disneyland APs from the flimsy Disney lanyard pouch...Disneyland charges for replacement APs...)

 

[KateMW]

I just gave them the gift cards when we got there?

 

[LovingPooh]

We use gift cards to pay off balances about every 3 days. Just an excuse to get another snack too if you are staying at the Polynesian....dole whip anyone?!

 

[sam1998]

Can you not charge to your room doing mobile ordering?

 

[Moliphino]

Can you not charge to your room doing mobile ordering?

Nope, it goes directly onto the credit card on file not on the room.

 

[DVCjj]

That seems like a lot of trouble, going to the desk every night to pay. Can't you just pay with the gift cards as you go? Or don't they take gift cards in the restaurants/shops?

I agree. I just pay all meals and purchases on gift cards. No charges, no cash unless trivial purchase. Rooms are DVC.

 

[DanieB]

I just gave them the gift cards when we got there?

Can you tell me more about how this worked? You just have them gift cards up front and they used them as you charged to the room?

 

[KateMW]

Can you tell me more about how this worked? You just have them gift cards up front and they used them as you charged to the room?

That's what it felt like? We had about $500 in gift cards so I gave them that on the second day and asked them to use it against any balance we had before charging our card. They did and at the end we had a small balance left over {couple of hundred} and on the last day it was charged.

 

[DanieB]

That's what it felt like? We had about $500 in gift cards so I gave them that on the second day and asked them to use it against any balance we had before charging our card. They did and at the end we had a small balance left over {couple of hundred} and on the last day it was charged.

Wow that seems like an easy way to do it. Thanks!

 

[Clockwork]

One way you could avoid having to carry the gift card is to load them on to your phone. You can add them to your digital wallet or buy them digitally and just have them scan your phone. I did it last trip and it worked well. The cast member just scans the the barcode on your phone. You can use Go Wallet, Gyft or Passbook they all work. Just scan the card into your phone and your good to go.

 

[Belleandtinker]

We go mid-way during our trip to the front desk to use our gift cards and Disney Visa redemption cards. Never been an issue. If we still have gift cards or money left on the redemption card, we go the night before to balance up.

Using the magic bands is way easier than using gift cards.

 

[goodeats]

I did this last year. Yes, the mobile ordering had to go on a credit card, but still worth it considering what I saved on the gift cards.

I personally would not carry around a $1,000 gift card or hand it to a waiter. I'd prefer to just put it on the magic band. It only took a few minutes to handle at the hotel. And I heard Disney charges your CC based on your hotel level. So a Value resort guest can rack up $300 of charges before Disney puts it on the CC, and a Deluxe up to $1,000? But I'm not sure the specific levels or what if anything has changed since they started the holds.