Gift Cards?

[tylerandalexsmom]

I want to get some gift cards for my kids to have their own spending $ during our DLR trip. I've always tried to just carry cash for them in the past, but keeping track of keeping it separated is always a chore. So I thought I would get gift cards this time that I could wrap up as presents to give them as part of the surprise of the trip. HOWEVER, I have had problems with using gift cards at WDW before. I tried to use a gift card at our on-sight hotel and couldn't, and tried to use the gift card at the Disney Store at Downtown Disney at WDW, but was told it was for the Disney Stores (?! I said - isn't this a Disney Store, but was told it was separate). I had similar issues with trying to use gift cards between online, DCL, WDW, and other Disney Stores. So I don't want to buy gift cards at our local Disney Store and then have them not be able to use them at DLR! (And also, I would guess they wouldn't work at the other stores at Downtown Disney at DLR? Like the Legos Store, etc.) Can someone explain what works where? Or maybe what other suggestions besides gift cards to keep their spending $ separate that has worked for you? Thanks!!

 

[Girimama33]

The Disney GC's seem to be accepted at most locations throughout DLR. Some of the snack carts do not accept them, but it appeared anywhere that accepted credit cards took the gift cards too. I think it would be a good way to pay for souveniers, etc.

I purchase mine on the Disney website. You can pick from many designs (Maleficent for me ), and even personalize them. They also ship the GC's for free.
http://www.disneystore.com/gift-cards/mn/1001265/?catalogFromSearch=10002

 

[Jkpark]

I have only run into problems at churro carts, but have used GC at hotels, online, restaurants and most stores. I ordered the personalized ones for DD4 and DD6 for their birthdays which are right before our WDW trip this year. Last time I did cash but I love the idea of the personalized gift cards. If only you could re-load them.

 

[DisneytheKid]

Maybe purchase the Disney dollars from your local Disney store? We used them on the last trip and it worked for us ok. Not sure if you would have troubles at DTD though...

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I have now learned some places dont take gc like the stand i wanted to buy some thing at the mad t party didnt take them i was so bummed. I went and found a store that took them and had the glowing card

 

[erocrobro]

I'm not positive, so someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think there are separate gift cards that are specifically for the Disney Store. I have always just bought regular Disney gift cards that can be used almost anywhere in the parks or at the hotels and restaurants, but I think the Disney Store has their own cards. Maybe those are what you had last time?

 

[Girimama33]

I'm not positive, so someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think there are separate gift cards that are specifically for the Disney Store. I have always just bought regular Disney gift cards that can be used almost anywhere in the parks or at the hotels and restaurants, but I think the Disney Store has their own cards. Maybe those are what you had last time?

I don't know if they have their own specific card, but I purchased a Merida GC at the Disney Store on Friday and it stated that you could use it at DLR, WDW, etc.

 

[StephNJer]

We always purchase gift cards for our spending money. We only carrry a little bit of cash on us, and the rest - food, souveniers, etc., go on the gift cards. The only places we haven't been able to use them are the food vendor carts, and the balloon vendors. We were able to use them at all the restaurants inside DL and CA, as well as the Disney store in Downtown Disney.

 

[hlbtimes2]

For a while, the disney stores (found at malls, not at DL/ WDW), were owned by Childrens place. I'm guessing that during that time the gift card could not be used between the stores and parks. Disney has taken ownership of the mall stores back, so I'm guessing things have changed.

I know my local supermarkets sell gift cards that are good in the parks. I dont believe they are good in the Lego store, as its not part of Disney. But, maybe if your child really wanted something you could buy their a portion of the gift card back from them and cover their purchase at the lego store (or other DTD none disney owned location).

 

[Disneyanajc]

The things you learn on the DIS...I wanted to get our DGS gift cards for our upcoming trip...and just a few weeks ago someone posted on the DIS about getting their gift cards through the Disney Movie Rewards. I had forgotten about our rewards account and I was able to get $40.00 in gifts cards. The funny part is you can only get them in $10.00 increments.
jc

 

[Malcon10t]

There are a few stores left inside Disneyland that are not part of the Disney family and you can't use a gift card. An example would be the Crystal Arts stores. Also, you wouldn't be able to use the gift cards at places like Quick Silver and Rainforest in DTD, as they are not DIsney owned.

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

Thanks for the info! I really like the idea of the personalized cards! (and especially one that glows!) The problem I ran in to was just last December, but it was a card from a Disney store in a mall, and trying to use it at our on-site resort and at the Disney store downtown (WDW). Maybe it was an old style card or something from when the mall stores were separately owned..... My DS (who is now 14) absolutely loves the Lego Store , and that's where most of his spending money goes so I might have to figure out something else for him. Are there any gift cards that work at Downtown Disney? (Non-Disney stores?) Like some malls have a mall card that is good at all the stores in that mall..... If not, I may have to look into ordering a Lego gift card for him. Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[Girimama33]

Thanks for the info! I really like the idea of the personalized cards! (and especially one that glows!) The problem I ran in to was just last December, but it was a card from a Disney store in a mall, and trying to use it at our on-site resort and at the Disney store downtown (WDW). Maybe it was an old style card or something from when the mall stores were separately owned..... My DS (who is now 14) absolutely loves the Lego Store , and that's where most of his spending money goes so I might have to figure out something else for him. Are there any gift cards that work at Downtown Disney? (Non-Disney stores?) Like some malls have a mall card that is good at all the stores in that mall..... If not, I may have to look into ordering a Lego gift card for him. Thanks for all the suggestions!

You could do a Visa gift card, or something along those lines.

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

That's true, and probably better as far as being able to use at more places. I was just looking forward to the cute Disney logos on the front!

 

[Dramamama]

I ALWAYS give my children their own gift cards. It controls their spending, and it stops the fighting. Gone are the days of "He's getting something, I want something." They only purchase what they want and don't worry about the other.
I also tell the kids that I will buy back any leftover GC money and give them the cash when we get home. It stops them from having to spend everything. I then keep the unused GC money and use it for the next trip.

 

[kjs1976]

Will be doing a gift card with our DD 4.5 for our upcoming DLR stay in Aug. she's been earning money for a couple of months now. This was I hope it helps to start teaching her how to earn and work for what she wants and also that when the $ is gone. It's gone...no bugging mom and dad for anything.

 

[suevr]

You can order Disney gift cards directly from the Disney gift card website: http://www.disneygiftcard.com/cards/. They sell them in specific increments starting at $25. The website also shows you where you can use them and you can check your balance.

Sometimes if I want to get my kids gift cards for less than $25 I buy them one at Walgreens because they're good at the Disney parks and you can decide what amount you want to put on them and there's no fee.

You mentioned that your son might want to buy something at the Lego store (where they don't accept gift cards). If you're staying on property, you might be able to charge it to your room and then you can use the gift card to pay for the room. Just an idea, but I'm not sure if it's possible.

 

[mmlover74]

We bought a gift card for my son and had him earn $1 for every day he received a sticker at school. That added up big time and it helped him making good choices and focusing even with the end of year activities going on.

He likes the lego store too and we would subtract what he spent there from his total. He would look at the prices and then decide whether he really wanted to spend his $$. Not once, did he ask us to cover the cost because he picked a more expensive item.