Gift cards

[Skimassey]

I was thinking about putting my kids' souvenir money on Disney gift cards. Can they be used at all shops and restaurants inside the parks? Can they be used in the big Disney gift shop in Downtown Disney?

Finally, I know sometimes grocery stores or other retailers offer discounts or incentives to purchase gift cards from them. Has anyone heard of any "deals" lately?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

They can be used at any place in the parks that can take credit cards. The only ones off the tope of my head, who can't are the balloon & light up toy vendors, as they are cash only. Hopefully somebody has a more complete list if I'm wrong. And yes, they can by used at the World of Disney in DTD. We actually do spending money this same way for the kids and it was worked really well!

 

[figment_jii]

As DisneyJamieCA said, Disney Gift cards can be used at the places where credit cards are accepted inside the parks and at the Disney-owned shops in DTD. Along with the balloon and light-up toy cart vendors, I think the folks walking up and down the lines selling drinks/snacks are also cash only. The pressed penny machines are also cash (coin) only.

I've read that some (all?) of the non-Disney shops in DTD do not take Disney Gift Cards (e.g., Build-A-Bear). So you might check to see if you plan to do any shopping in DTD before putting all of the funds onto Disney Gift Cards. World of Disney, Marceline's, Pin Traders, and Studio 365 should take gift cards (I've only tried at WoD, Marceline's and Pin Traders).

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I just wanted to add a money saving tip on Disney gift cards that I recently found out about. Target sells prepaid Disney gift cards for $50. If you have a Target Red Card and use it to purchase the Disney card, it will only cost you $47.50, because you get the 5% Red Card Discount (because you are not purchasing Target store gift card with the red card). I thought that was a cool discovery and have gotten one to help me better save for food and souvenir expenses. Hope this helps someone

 

[Skimassey]

Thanks! Maybe we won't put it all on cards, but most.

Thanks for the Target to too! Love those deals!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I just wanted to add a money saving tip on Disney gift cards that I recently found out about. Target sells prepaid Disney gift cards for $50. If you have a Target Red Card and use it to purchase the Disney card, it will only cost you $47.50, because you get the 5% Red Card Discount (because you are not purchasing Target store gift card with the red card). I thought that was a cool discovery and have gotten one to help me better save for food and souvenir expenses. Hope this helps someone

That is exactly what we do! Works great!

 

[Newsiemj]

I bought my gift cards at the grocery store when they were having triple fuel points, so I got some cheap gas out of it too!

 

[mgrace79]

Or maybe get a visa gift card to use for DTD stores. Just a thought

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[DetroitDisney]

Protip:

Get a Preferred Blue Amex Cash back card. 6% cash back at grocery stores (up to $6500 I think). Then use a grocery store that does fuel points. Kroger, which I use gives you double fuel points.

Example. Buy $200 in gift cards at Kroger.
-cash back gives you $12
-you also receive 400 fuel points, which can be redeemed for $0.40/gallon discount on fuel. You can use this on up to a 38 gallon purchase, meaning you can fill up both your car and your spouses car on the same fill. Lets assume you use 30 gallons. This would save you $12 (30 gallons x $0.40/gal).

You have now saved $24 (between cash back and fuel points) off your $200 purchased.

12% discount.


But wait. THERES MORE!!!!!!!!!!

You can use this same logic to book your entire Disney vacation. So imagine that you are buying $4000 worth of gift cards and saving that much cash.

I also use this same strategy for other gift cards. I always use gift cards to pay for Amazon purchases, movies, restaurants, etc. You effectively save 10-12% on everything you buy up to that $6500 in gift cards that you buy. Or you know, if you actually buy groceries.

 

[GatorChris]

Hmmm, I may have to try the Target gift card thing. And the AmEx Blue Card.... it'll be hard to give up my Disney Card, even though I'd save a lot more.

 

[DetroitDisney]

Protip:

Get a Preferred Blue Amex Cash back card. 6% cash back at grocery stores (up to $6500 I think). Then use a grocery store that does fuel points. Kroger, which I use gives you double fuel points.

Example. Buy $200 in gift cards at Kroger.
-cash back gives you $12
-you also receive 400 fuel points, which can be redeemed for $0.40/gallon discount on fuel. You can use this on up to a 38 gallon purchase, meaning you can fill up both your car and your spouses car on the same fill. Lets assume you use 30 gallons. This would save you $12 (30 gallons x $0.40/gal).

You have now saved $24 (between cash back and fuel points) off your $200 purchased.

12% discount.


But wait. THERES MORE!!!!!!!!!!

You can use this same logic to book your entire Disney vacation. So imagine that you are buying $4000 worth of gift cards and saving that much cash.

I also use this same strategy for other gift cards. I always use gift cards to pay for Amazon purchases, movies, restaurants, etc. You effectively save 10-12% on everything you buy up to that $6500 in gift cards that you buy. Or you know, if you actually buy groceries.

I forgot to add that most fine print in the credit card stuff says cash equivalents are excluded. To avoid this, simply buy something else along with your gift cards that you would need otherwise. Aka buy a $0.99 pack of gum so you dont have a ton of $200 even purchases on your credit card statement.

 

[DetroitDisney]

Hmmm, I may have to try the Target gift card thing. And the AmEx Blue Card.... it'll be hard to give up my Disney Card, even though I'd save a lot more.

The disney card is still good for spending on other things. Amex/Target is just more efficient for buying disney gift cards in bulk.

 

[DetroitDisney]

also Kroger has 4x FUEL POINTS now.

http://giftcards.kroger.com/

 

[ccb1212]

Can you use these cards at DLR hotels as well?

 

[DetroitDisney]

Can you use these cards at DLR hotels as well?

Yes. If you are on-site, you can use the gift cards in the hotels and the hotel restaurants.

 

[Midnightred]

I bet your mind is already made up with the money-saving cards, but I love the selection at the DisneyStore.com. The shipping is free, and the cards are so collectible and beautiful. Also, you can call the toll-free number on the Disneyland website and reload more money up to $25 per day. I had several comments made about my cards from CM's.

Midnightred