Disney Vacation Account - Purchasing a Disney Gift Card

[Belle0101]

I ended up buying my tickets from Undercover Tourist and booking my room through Orbitz so I no longer need to keep the funds in the account. I found on the website that I can use the funds to buy a Disney Gift Card and I wondered what, if any, experiences others have had with doing this. The one and only time I called regarding my account it was an absolute disaster. At one point I was transferred to Disney Vacation Club.

https://disneyvacationaccount.disney.go.com/questions/#mydisneygiftcard

How do I use my remaining balance to purchase a Disney Gift Card?

To purchase a Disney Gift Card with your Disney Vacation Account, please call (407) 939-7734 to make your request. No more than $1,000 in total from the Disney Vacation Account can be used to purchase Disney Gift Cards every 90 days. Also, your Disney Vacation Account must be active for a minimum of 60 days in order to purchase a Disney Gift Card. Please request your Disney Gift Card at least 4-6 weeks prior to your trip to allow time for delivery to your mailing address.

For more information, explore the Disney Gift Card Terms of Use and Disney Gift Card Frequently Asked Questions.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I ended up buying my tickets from Undercover Tourist and booking my room through Orbitz so I no longer need to keep the funds in the account. I found on the website that I can use the funds to buy a Disney Gift Card and I wondered what, if any, experiences others have had with doing this. The one and only time I called regarding my account it was an absolute disaster. At one point I was transferred to Disney Vacation Club.

https://disneyvacationaccount.disney.go.com/questions/#mydisneygiftcard

How do I use my remaining balance to purchase a Disney Gift Card?

To purchase a Disney Gift Card with your Disney Vacation Account, please call (407) 939-7734 to make your request. No more than $1,000 in total from the Disney Vacation Account can be used to purchase Disney Gift Cards every 90 days. Also, your Disney Vacation Account must be active for a minimum of 60 days in order to purchase a Disney Gift Card. Please request your Disney Gift Card at least 4-6 weeks prior to your trip to allow time for delivery to your mailing address.

For more information, explore the Disney Gift Card Terms of Use and Disney Gift Card Frequently Asked Questions.

I just did it yesterday. The lady wasn't really friendly like most Disney cast members but she was efficient enough. She originally told me that I could do it on Disneygiftcard.com but when she went to the site herself she realized it was not possible. So, it's like they aren't quite informed themselves. Other than that it seemed to go smooth and quickly. She asked when my trip was and told me to expect it in 2-3 weeks.

My only issue so far is that I didn't receive a confirmation email or any confirmation on my account either. It'd be nice if they showed that the transaction is pending or something. They also don't show that I requested my bonus gift cards for spending $2000.

 

[Belle0101]

I just did it yesterday. The lady wasn't really friendly like most Disney cast members but she was efficient enough. She originally told me that I could do it on Disneygiftcard.com but when she went to the site herself she realized it was not possible. So, it's like they aren't quite informed themselves. Other than that it seemed to go smooth and quickly. She asked when my trip was and told me to expect it in 2-3 weeks.

My only issue so far is that I didn't receive a confirmation email or any confirmation on my account either. It'd be nice if they showed that the transaction is pending or something. They also don't show that I requested my bonus gift cards for spending $2000.

I agree, it would be nice if they sent a confirmation email or show it on the account.

I requested my bonus gift card 6 weeks before our trip last Fall. I thought they were sent out through the mail but it didn't arrive before we left. I figured I would sort it out once I got home, if it still hadn't arrived.

The day we left, I was reading my email at the airport and that morning they had sent an email that my request had been processed. The instructions were to present my ID and the email at any Guest Services window on property and I would be given the gift card. I printed it out and I'm hoping I can still pick it up, there isn't an expiration date on it anywhere.

I'm hoping when I call tomorrow it goes okay. I don't mind a little less friendly so long as it gets done properly.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

We leave for our trip on 11/5. I hope I get mine (requested gift card AND bonus cards) before our trip. I will be LIVID if I don't receive the requested gift card because that's our food money. It's over $850! The bonus gift cards I was just going to use for souvenirs and I don't receive it I can just use it at Disneyland since we will be getting passes after our WDW trip but still, it's the principle.

 

[Belle0101]

I'd like to think that since you requested yours nearly 2 months in advance that you would get them in time.

 

[Marionnette]

We leave for our trip on 11/5. I hope I get mine (requested gift card AND bonus cards) before our trip. I will be LIVID if I don't receive the requested gift card because that's our food money. It's over $850! The bonus gift cards I was just going to use for souvenirs and I don't receive it I can just use it at Disneyland since we will be getting passes after our WDW trip but still, it's the principle.

I don't know about purchasing GCs with the DVA, but I do know that they don't send a confirmation email when you request your bonus. I got an email telling me that it was on its way about a week before it arrived in my physical mailbox.

 

[Belle0101]

OP here, I forgot to call on Friday for my gift card like I said I would but I did remember to call this morning and I thought I'd post my experience.

Total call time (including being on hold) was 7 minutes and 34 seconds. I explained that I wanted to use my DVA funds to purchase a Disney Gift Card was told that to do that I had to log-in to my account and select "Request a Gift Card". I explained that I did that and was routed to the FAQ page where the answer was to call this number.

He sighed and said that's not how it's supposed to work. The link should take me to a page where I could do all this myself but that was okay because he would just go ahead and do it for me.

He wanted to give me a refund and I said no because the funds would go back to my original forms of payment and those were multiple gift cards and my checking account. He reiterated exactly what I said when he first answered and that was that I wanted to use the DVA funds to buy a new gift card and asked if that was correct. I said yes.

He asked for my name, address, phone number, email address, DV account number and the amount I was requesting. He said this would close my account, I said I was okay with that and he said I would get my gift card in the mail as soon as it could be processed. He didn't know how long that would be because he had to "send in my request".

I don't see myself using this particular service again. The fiasco with my bonus card from last year (which I still don't have) and not having a receipt or confirmation that I requested the gift card is a little off-putting.

I'll update again when I receive my gift card.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

OP here, I forgot to call on Friday for my gift card like I said I would but I did remember to call this morning and I thought I'd post my experience.

Total call time (including being on hold) was 7 minutes and 34 seconds. I explained that I wanted to use my DVA funds to purchase a Disney Gift Card was told that to do that I had to log-in to my account and select "Request a Gift Card". I explained that I did that and was routed to the FAQ page where the answer was to call this number.

He sighed and said that's not how it's supposed to work. The link should take me to a page where I could do all this myself but that was okay because he would just go ahead and do it for me.

He wanted to give me a refund and I said no because the funds would go back to my original forms of payment and those were multiple gift cards and my checking account. He reiterated exactly what I said when he first answered and that was that I wanted to use the DVA funds to buy a new gift card and asked if that was correct. I said yes.

He asked for my name, address, phone number, email address, DV account number and the amount I was requesting. He said this would close my account, I said I was okay with that and he said I would get my gift card in the mail as soon as it could be processed. He didn't know how long that would be because he had to "send in my request".

I don't see myself using this particular service again. The fiasco with my bonus card from last year (which I still don't have) and not having a receipt or confirmation that I requested the gift card is a little off-putting.

I'll update again when I receive my gift card.

Uhhh the lady I spoke with NEVER mentioned anything about closing the account. I, personally, don't want that to happen as we're planning to do a Disney Cruise next year which will be used soon.

It is quite frustrating that they're so incredibly unorganized. Like I said in my PP the lady I spoke with too didn't think it was her job to create the order for the gift card. It boggles my mind that they're so incompetent.

 

[havaneselover]

If Disney is going to offer this service, they need employees who are able to answer basic questions.

I called a few weeks ago to confirm my account had been open 120 days (I had done the math but just wanted to confirm). The guy I spoke with couldn't answer the question but sent an email to someone who he said would get back to me in a few days. Of course no one did. It just sounds like terrible customer service and a lot of incompetence.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

So I am assuming that cash has been deposited into the account to purchase the gift card with? Will you still get the $20 bonus by purchasing $1000 worth of gift cards?

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

So I am assuming that cash has been deposited into the account to purchase the gift card with? Will you still get the $20 bonus by purchasing $1000 worth of gift cards?

No. It does not include the purchase of Disney gift cards.

 

[supersnoop]

The account gets closed when you refund all of the money. It shouldn't be closed when requesting the gift card.

I believe there are a couple of different places to request the card online. One goes to the faq and the other goes to the actual form. You might want to try a few different links.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

The account gets closed when you refund all of the money. It shouldn't be closed when requesting the gift card.

I believe there are a couple of different places to request the card online. One goes to the faq and the other goes to the actual form. You might want to try a few different links.

I'm feeling better now. I certainly requested a gift card, not a refund.

I have tried every link and it has me going in circles. They all say to call for a gift card request.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Ok, I am still confused. I thought the OP was wanting to purchase a Disney gift card with the money in her DVA? Thats why I was wondering if they really gave you the $20 bonus on that. I mean if they did, you could just keep cycling the gift card through the DVA, so thats why I was going to be surprised if they did.

 

[Belle0101]

OP here - last year I funded my DVA with $10 from my checking account and $990 in Disney Gift Cards.
Looking back at my account ...

9/20/2014 my balance was $1000.00
10/01/2014 I paid $214.08 to Disney for my room only reservation deposit

Sometime very shortly after that I requested my bonus gift card.

11/27/2014 I paid $149.00 to Disney (I don't remember what for)
11/28/2014 I paid $636.92 to Disney towards the balance on our reservation

That left my account at zero and I did get a bonus gift card, sort of. It's at Guest Relations on property. I'm picking that up this year.

For this year, I funded my account only using Disney Gift Cards but my balance is only $450 so I'm not eligible for the bonus.

 

[supersnoop]

Ok, I am still confused. I thought the OP was wanting to purchase a Disney gift card with the money in her DVA? Thats why I was wondering if they really gave you the $20 bonus on that. I mean if they did, you could just keep cycling the gift card through the DVA, so thats why I was going to be surprised if they did.

No, you don't get the bonus for "buying" gift cards. You don't really buy them; they're a way to "cash out" the extra, so to speak.

 

[EKKloppers]

OP here, I forgot to call on Friday for my gift card like I said I would but I did remember to call this morning and I thought I'd post my experience.

Total call time (including being on hold) was 7 minutes and 34 seconds. I explained that I wanted to use my DVA funds to purchase a Disney Gift Card was told that to do that I had to log-in to my account and select "Request a Gift Card". I explained that I did that and was routed to the FAQ page where the answer was to call this number.

He sighed and said that's not how it's supposed to work. The link should take me to a page where I could do all this myself but that was okay because he would just go ahead and do it for me.

He wanted to give me a refund and I said no because the funds would go back to my original forms of payment and those were multiple gift cards and my checking account. He reiterated exactly what I said when he first answered and that was that I wanted to use the DVA funds to buy a new gift card and asked if that was correct. I said yes.

He asked for my name, address, phone number, email address, DV account number and the amount I was requesting. He said this would close my account, I said I was okay with that and he said I would get my gift card in the mail as soon as it could be processed. He didn't know how long that would be because he had to "send in my request".

I don't see myself using this particular service again. The fiasco with my bonus card from last year (which I still don't have) and not having a receipt or confirmation that I requested the gift card is a little off-putting.

I'll update again when I receive my gift card.

Any news yet to share on your ultimate experience? Nearly the very same experience for me after several vexing, circular attempts and FINALLY reaching a DVA "customer service rep" on 09/16/15, 6 1/2 weeks out. May have even reached the very same rep, as he sighed a bit and explained, "You should be able to purchase your gift card online with your DVA. 'They' don't like these requests, but I'll go ahead and put it in." Still no email or account activity showing that my request is in process, and - as one other poster mentioned - I'll be livid if my requested card isn't processed and received in time as that gift card constitutes a very significant portion of my family's planned dining budget, and one of the reasons I'd signed up to save in the first place. And, yes. If I don't receive this gift card to use as planned, it really WILL mean that the money I'd contributed has been, and WILL be tied up for as long as it takes them to refund it all. God knows how long THAT might take if they are having issues simply processing gift card purchases...Still may represent $1,000 out of my available vacation funds. I'll wait to see how all pans out, but - right now - NOT liking this, at all...

 

[Belle0101]

Any news yet to share on your ultimate experience? Nearly the very same experience for me after several vexing, circular attempts and FINALLY reaching a DVA "customer service rep" on 09/16/15, 6 1/2 weeks out. May have even reached the very same rep, as he sighed a bit and explained, "You should be able to purchase your gift card online with your DVA. 'They' don't like these requests, but I'll go ahead and put it in." Still no email or account activity showing that my request is in process, and - as one other poster mentioned - I'll be livid if my requested card isn't processed and received in time as that gift card constitutes a very significant portion of my family's planned dining budget, and one of the reasons I'd signed up to save in the first place. And, yes. If I don't receive this gift card to use as planned, it really WILL mean that the money I'd contributed has been, and WILL be tied up for as long as it takes them to refund it all. God knows how long THAT might take if they are having issues simply processing gift card purchases...Still may represent $1,000 out of my available vacation funds. I'll wait to see how all pans out, but - right now - NOT liking this, at all...

It does sound like you might have had the same rep! It just bugs me when any rep from anywhere sighs. I want to say, but never do, you chose this job.

I just looked at my account. My balance was withdrawn yesterday, the 25th. It says "Guest Services Transaction - Over the Phone". I called on the 12th, so 13 days ago. Honestly I think that's too long for "processing".

I don't have a confirmation.

I'm really disappointed. If it doesn't arrive in time for this trip I do have other money to use but I don't know when I'll be back. That money could be sitting for a few years, stuck on a gift card.

 

[jlundeen]

Jumping in to this conversation...Our trip is Oct 16. On Aug 2, I paid the balance of my trip by calling DVA. No problems at all. I requested a GC for the remaining balance and received it within a couple of weeks (it was about $70). According to the FAQ section, as all of you are aware I'm sure, you are supposed to receive your bonus 4-6 weeks before your trip date. It's now less than 3 weeks until my trip, and no bonus card. From what some of you are saying, it seems that rather than getting a GC in the mail, they now have you pick them up on property? I'm planning to call today or tomorrow, and hopefully will get some answers - and will be prepared for Mr. SIGH,

Has anyone on this thread ever received both the GC AND the bonus as specified in their FAQs?

Thanks for your input!

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I requested my card on 9/9 and finally got a confirmation on Friday 9/25 that it would be sent 9/26. So, hopefully it will be here this week. Well before I need it. (11/5). It has been deducted from my account. Now, to wait on my bonus gift cards.