Paying in the park ?

[seancharles]

To my fellow budget-minded folks...

Question: How do you pay for stuff inside the park? Actually, what can you use a Disney gift card for and what will not accept a Disney gift card?

Also, we are on the dining plan with nine people. Per the rules, an 18% gratuity will be due but not covered by the dining plan. Can that be paid with a Disney gift card?

The reason I am asking is this... We live in Pittsburgh. Our local grocery store (Giant Eagle) sells gift cards and you can get "fuel perks" which is per gallon savings on gas. So I am wondering if I should buy a $500 Disney gift card. During double fuel perks, that would be $2 off per gallon which would be 30 gallons of gas for free. But I don't want to buy the Disney gift card if it is not accepted for stuff in the park or can be used to pay the dining gratuity.

Thanks.

 

[kj2mom]

Gift cards can be used for just about everything, there may be a random park vendor cart that can not accept and there are a few restaurants that are not Disney owned that are very rare exceptions. We did not encounter any such places on our trip. I had gift cards for all of our TS meals and I did ask to ensure my server could receive their tip from a card and they all said yes, no problem. If you are concerned though, you could charge the tip back to your room then use the gift card to pay that off. Just be sure to stop by the desk after a couple of days to ensure you give them the card before you reach the point where they will charge the credit card on file.

 

[Golf4food]

The only thing lately we've needed cash for was a balloon from a walking balloon vendor on Main Street. Everything else pretty much takes cards and gift cards these days.

 

[monorailsilver]

We pay for everything with our gift cards and the Disney visa rewards card. The dining plan is not cost effective for us plus I always have a bunch of free GCs.

But yeah pretty much everything. It's so nice!

 

[kphamousbr]

We usually have put all expenses charge in our room and pay in full with disney gift card at resort . We have done it every trip . Have a magical vacation.

 

[Shmily1]

If it is at a small rolling cart in the parks, that would be cash. If it is tips, in a store, in a restaurant, you can use the gift card. Have loads of fun!

 

[jmmess]

Yes, you can pay the gratuity with GCs. In fact if staying on property, you can charge it to your MB and then pay your resort/park charges at the front desk all at once with the GC.