Gift cards in the parks and restaurants?

[diamondcharl]

I have a bunch of American Express and Visa gift cards leftover from the end of the year gifts. (I am a teacher) Can I use them to purchase food/souveniers? What about in the restaurants? TIA

 

[Alesia]

Yes, but they can be a pain to use in restaurants. If you're going to use it in a restaurant, there has to be enough funds available to cover the entire cost plus 20% (even if you don't intend to tip with the card,) so you're going to have to be very careful to make sure that you know exactly how much is on each card.

 

[Glee1973]

I had the same problem before my last trip, so I took my Amex gift cards to target and bought Disney gift cards with them. The Disney gift cards seem much easier to use. I hope that helps!

 

[mar7967]

Yes, but they can be a pain to use in restaurants. If you're going to use it in a restaurant, there has to be enough funds available to cover the entire cost plus 20% (even if you don't intend to tip with the card,) so you're going to have to be very careful to make sure that you know exactly how much is on each card.

Based on this, it may be easier to purchase Disney GC with your Amex/Visa GCs, then combine them online to make payments easier.

 

[hiroMYhero]

If you are staying onsite, charge all purchases to your room account by using your MagicBand. Use your giftcards at the front desk to pay your balance a day or two prior to leaving.

 

[AngiTN]

If you are staying onsite, charge all purchases to your room account by using your MagicBand. Use your giftcards at the front desk to pay your balance a day or two prior to leaving.

Even this is a headache. I've tried it many times and the CM have to jump through hoops to get them to go through.
It's too much a PITA. I no longer take my AMEX/Visa gift cards to Disney. Instead I do like PP said and go buy a Disney Gift Card with them. Way easier.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Even this is a headache. I've tried it many times and the CM have to jump through hoops to get them to go through.
It's too much a PITA. I no longer take my AMEX/Visa gift cards to Disney. Instead I do like PP said and go buy a Disney Gift Card with them. Way easier.

Thanks, Angi! Pre-purchasing Disney giftcards prior to reaching the parks sounds much better!!

 

[AngiTN]

Thanks, Angi! Pre-purchasing Disney giftcards prior to reaching the parks sounds much better!!

Target's check out system makes it really easy. You can grab a bunch of $50 and use as many Credit Card gift cards as you need to cover them.

 

[diamondcharl]

Oh wow! Thanks so much everyone.

 

[diamondcharl]

Based on this, it may be easier to purchase Disney GC with your Amex/Visa GCs, then combine them online to make payments easier.

Sorry, what do you mean by combine them online? Thanks

 

[Gorechick]

Sorry, what do you mean by combine them online? Thanks

Combine smaller dollar amount cards into one larger amount card.

 

[AngiTN]

Sorry, what do you mean by combine them online? Thanks

Disney has a Gift Card website that allows you to combine the smaller denominations in to a single card.
I honestly don't bother. I just give the stack of $50's to the CM and let them handle it.

 

[mar7967]

Sorry, what do you mean by combine them online? Thanks

https://disneygiftcard.com/

Under Manage cards, you can transfer balances between them to have 1 larger card instead of many smaller value cards.

 

[Ladyfish77]

Under Manage cards, you can transfer balances between them to have 1 larger card instead of many smaller value cards.

This is what I do. Then I only have one card to carry (or two--maximum is $1000 per card). I just use it to pay for all my food during our trip.

 

[Canuck16]

Use them to purchase Disney GC's before your trip as the Disney GC's will be much easier to use.

Have a wonderful trip!