Gift Card Help

[FigaroandFifi]

Hi, I am sure this has been asked a million times but....

I have 3 gift cards that I use for specifics, one is for snacks, one for quick service meals and the last for "stuff we want to buy but probably don't need" aka shopping, lol.

I know I can use the QS one fairly easily but if I go to a cart for an ice cream will they still take gift cards? How about in the stores, are they still taking them? I know probably a dumb question but I don't want to keep loading money on them if I am going to have to pull out my credit card to pay for stuff. I plan to only use my credit card for dinners.

Also, this is the first time I am using an annual pass but I also have a disney visa (that is how I have gotten money loaded to my gift cards so far, I have been buying them online with my redemption points), is it better to use the annual pass discount or the disney visa discount on food? I know the AP will be a better discount on merchandise so I will use that for shopping. Also is the AP discount like DV, just ask everywhere I go?

I know before you ask, why am I buying gift cards with my redemption points? It really just helps me keep track of how much money I have toward snacks, shopping and quick service. With no meal plans available I have to plan differently. I miss the meal plans because I loved the convenience of them, all I had to worry about was spending money and tip money, everything else was paid before we left. Now I have to plan for meals and I find myself incredibly frustrated. We went last year and I do not know how I figured food and since we weren't planning this trip I didn't bother to save any of my planning notes.
Last question, can I use a gift card to pay for my reservation to HDDR? My son has asked if we could go. Since he is only asking for this dinner how do I not take him? He is saving his own money to build a light saber and he isn't one to really ask for a lot of "stuff" to bring home.

 

[EmilyGahr]

To get the Disney Visa discount, you need to pay with a Disney Visa card. So if you plan is to use gift cards, definitely go with the AP discount.

I believe everywhere will accept a gift card as payment. You also have the option to charge to your magic band and then pay off the charge at the front desk with your gift card.

HDDR requires pre-payment, so you will be able to use your gift card however you will need to call. Only credit cards are accepted when booking online.

 

[wfjny]

Couple of pointers:

1) At EVERY place I am paying for something in Disney, I would pull out my DVC Card, My AP, and my Disney Visa card. Then I ask which one has the best discount.
2) If just purchasing something that they may have at a store (like a soda or water), buy it at the store/gift shop. Food carts will not give you a discount, the stores will. 90 cents off a coke may not sound like much, but buy 4 a day for 7 days with the family, and it is significant...
3) Use the Disney Gift Card website to combine cards. I will purchase Disney cards at a discount at many places (Sams, Target, Raise, Cardcash, etc). Should be easy to get them at 4-5% off, sometimes more (think getting 4% off at Sams, and getting 5% back on your cc when going to a wholesale club). Even the digital cards. You can then transfer the balance to your physical cards.
4) Also, I keep the cards with value in the Disney Gift Card site. Twice we have gone to WDW and forgot to take the cards out of the safe. Went to the Emporium, bought a $50 gift card, then transferred the balance from one of the cards I left at home to the card I just bought.

It was easier when I had a physical DVC card. Now I just show the app on my phone that shows my DVC and AP. I think Space 220 gives a 15% discount to DVC, so, always ask...