Instead of DDP a Disney gift card or ?

[divawife]

I am paying for my family's complete vacation at the Pop-2 rooms- 1 for me and 1 for the 4 of them (2 adults and 2 kids with real ages of 12 and 8). In the past I have purchased the DDP for convenience. This way nobody has to worry about what they order. They have their own DDP card and I have mine.

This year the 8 year old will eat Disney adult food not the kids menu so the DDP will be more expensive as I would be turning her into a 10 year old just for the DDP. I have some doubts about the DDP for 2012 as the prices for adults have gone up and we are going on Prez week which make everything more expensive. Plus my sis-in-law and I just don't eat all that food and would like to order appetizers once in a while. SO...

I would like to pay for their food ahead of time by using something else besides the DDP so they can control what they eat themselves. Is there such a thing as a Disney gift card that I can buy ahead of time and they can use themselves? And if there is such a thing do you know for certain they can use it to pay for CS and TS food? And where can I buy it?

Then all I need to be concerned with is my own food bill. Does this make sense at all? Are there any other suggestions besides a Disney gift card?

I thank you all for your help!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

The only suggestion I have beyond the Disney gift card would be to set up charging privileges on their KTTW card. They could charge all their dining expense to the room, then you could pay it with your cc. The drawback is if they would also charge souvenirs and other expenses beyond food that you weren't intending to pay for.

I think the best route is the giftcard. There's no special "dining only" giftcard that you can buy. So in reality, they could also use the giftcard to purchase things besides food. Purchase a regular Disney giftcard and load it with how much you think they will need for their meals. If they run low on money on the card, I believe it can be reloaded, or you can purchase another giftcard for them. There's only a few food places that don't take the gift cards, mostly snack carts, and it's because they aren't set up to take anything but cash. If you can't use a giftcard there, then you also wouldn't be able to use the DDP credits there.

I've used the DDP on all my trips with my DD, but my plan is to skip it next time. It's gotten so expensive and the kids' options for CS are so limited. When the tip and appetizer were included, it was a great deal. When we went in 2008, we saved just a small amount of money. In 2010, we barely broke even. My plan is to purchase a giftcard for the amount of money we would have spent on the DDP, plus a little extra to account for tips. I'll bet anything we will have money left on that card at the end of the trip to spend on souvenirs.

 

[divawife]

Thanks very much! I agree-we went in 2008 and it worked out since the kids were 5 and 8. They did fine with the children's menu. Now it just won't cut it since the 12 year old is too old and the 8 year old likes to try different things.

I won't go with the cc privileges on the KTTW card that would be too risky. With the Disney gift card I would put a set amount on it-up to them how they want to spend it.

I am very glad to hear that CS and TS will take the Disney gift card as a payment. I would like put about $1,200 on it since it is a 7 night trip and there will be 4 of them using it. Does anyone know if a Disney gift card can handle that much on it or do I need to buy more than one?

Where do I get them ahead of time-I don't really want to purchase it on the vacation itself if I can help it. I need to spread out the expenses.

thanks again!

 

[sissy_ib]

Thanks very much! I agree-we went in 2008 and it worked out since the kids were 5 and 8. They did fine with the children's menu. Now it just won't cut it since the 12 year old is too old and the 8 year old likes to try different things.

I won't go with the cc privileges on the KTTW card that would be too risky. With the Disney gift card I would put a set amount on it-up to them how they want to spend it.

I am very glad to hear that CS and TS will take the Disney gift card as a payment. I would like put about $1,200 on it since it is a 7 night trip and there will be 4 of them using it. Does anyone know if a Disney gift card can handle that much on it or do I need to buy more than one?

Where do I get them ahead of time-I don't really want to purchase it on the vacation itself if I can help it. I need to spread out the expenses.

thanks again!

You can load up to $1500 on a single gift card. You can buy them online at the Disney store, your local Disney store if you have one and many other places such as grocery stores, Sams Club etc.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

You can load up to $1500 on a single gift card. You can buy them online at the Disney store, your local Disney store if you have one and many other places such as grocery stores, Sams Club etc.

I purchase Disney giftcards at my grocery store because I can get discounts on gas for every $50 I spend. I'm thinking I may use giftcards from Giant Eagle to pay for my entire trip next time and rack up some additional savings on gas. The only drawback is if I cancel the trip, the money goes back on the giftcards instead of being refunded to my cc.

 

[divawife]

Thanks everyone!

 

[1GR8DISNEYFAN]

This is exactly what I am doing for our up-coming trip. I went to disneygiftcard.com, they have so many cute designs. I got each family member their own card. I have read other discussions about this, there are concerns about loosing the cards. We are starting with $50 on each card and will reload when needed. I also made photo copies of all the cards just in case. I always keep all the cards together in my bag, but everyone will still have the freedom to choose their own snacks and meals when they want. We are not staying on site this trip and the DDP is something we all really enjoy, so this is sort of our own version, which might work out to be even better! I have also told the kids that if they don't want any of the dessert options offered at the TS of QS, they can wait and get an extra snack option. I also prefer some of the appitizers instead of ordering off the main menue.
Also, I paid for my cards with my by Disney Visa rewards redemption card.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I think when you order them online there is a $500 max per card. I ordered a cute Remy Bon Apetit design for our dining.