Paying incidentals with Disney GCs

[mom2jcg]

We could not purchase the dining plan because we already had tickets, so I have been buying Disney GCs to pay for our food. Is there a way I can apply them to our account when I check in so that our Magic Band pulls from that? Or can I deposit them into a Disney Vacation Account and give that number at checkin? Thanks!

 

[Nohal]

I think i read that people charge things to their room on the magic band and then go to guest services everynight and pay off the balance with gift cards. You can also use the gift cards at the restaurants.

 

[mom2jcg]

I think i read that people charge things to their room on the magic band and then go to guest services everynight and pay off the balance with gift cards. You can also use the gift cards at the restaurants.

Great! Thanks! Was really hoping the new vacation account thing would prevent having to do this.

 

[Nohal]

I don't know anything about the new vacation account. So maybe someone who has used it can give you more info on how it works.

 

[Twende]

We could not purchase the dining plan because we already had tickets, so I have been buying Disney GCs to pay for our food. Is there a way I can apply them to our account when I check in so that our Magic Band pulls from that? Or can I deposit them into a Disney Vacation Account and give that number at checkin? Thanks!

This is a great question and one that is on my mind also.

 

[Mikie]

I'm not familiar with the Disney vacation account. From all the tips here about GCs, I had thought I could to as you describe and pre-deposit them and simply let charges go against them. However, they cannot apply GCs until you have charges, so you do have to wait a couple days, then go pay at guest services, repeat until GCs are gone - or just bring them with you, but I preferred leaving them locked in the room over carrying them around.

 

[TimothyG]

Disney Vacation Accountholder here. The best explanation I've heard for the vacation account is that it acts just like a giant Disney Gift Card.

So, just like gift cards, you cannot use them as your card on file for charging purposes at the resort. The only thing you can use is a credit or debit card. You *might* be able to use it as a gift card to pay off a balance on your account, but there are so many training issues with the Disney Vacation Account that I wouldn't trust it.

It would be much easier if you just forget about the Disney Vacation Account entirely once you get down to WDW. Either (A) use the gift cards individually when dining or (B) put the meals on your room and then pay off the balance at your convenience at the front desk. If you choose option B, keep in mind that there are spending limits on the room charges and they will charge your credit card on file automatically if you reach it so it may be better just to go with option A.

 

[bumbershoot]

Just go every day or so and pay on the account.

That said..."We could not purchase the dining plan because we already had tickets"...for awhile now they have had a "ticketless package" that can be created for people who want the dining plan. Maybe in the future you can arrange that, if you find that the dining plan makes more sense for your family.

 

[Minniekins]

I think i read that people charge things to their room on the magic band and then go to guest services everynight and pay off the balance with gift cards. You can also use the gift cards at the restaurants.

Yes, this is what we did on our recent trip. We just went down and paid with our gc's, usually late at night. But, be sure you go soon enough when you are coming up on your last day. If you have expedited check out, they may already close it out and charge to the credit card you must have on file to have charging privileges, if you wait too long. I have heard, though, that they can refund and you can then pay the final bill with the gc's, though that seems like a pain. I didn't go down and pay everyday, but every few days.

Just a note, if you do use your gc to pay for a purchase in a gift shop, be sure to save it even if it's used up, in case you want to make a return before you leave. They have to put the credit back onto the gift card that was used. I didn't know that the first time I needed to make a return on an item purchased with a gc. It was a real pain and took over an hour to get a credit, and several people had to come try to figure it out.

 

[maxiesmom]

Just a note, if you do use your gc to pay for a purchase in a gift shop, be sure to save it even if it's used up, in case you want to make a return before you leave. They have to put the credit back onto the gift card that was used. I didn't know that the first time I needed to make a return on an item purchased with a gc. It was a real pain and took over an hour to get a credit, and several people had to come try to figure it out.

Always save your gift cards, Disney ones and non-Disney ones. If you have to have a refund of whatever you purchased with the card, or cancel a trip, they will credit back the gift card. Not having the card will cause a delay in getting the funds back.

 

[Hopefully]

Some advice for our experiences over several trips.
We put a credit card on file against our Magic Bands. The credit limit for charging is $500 for Value resorts, $1000 for Moderate resorts and $1500 for Deluxe resorts.
You have to charge back to your room first. Once a charge appears in your resort folio you can pay for it with your Gift Card. I paid every few days.
You do need to finalize your Gift Card use the night before your check out. The charges against your credit card are run around 2 AM the morning of check out. So if you waited until you woke and were actually leaving, that is too late.
It sounds complicated, but it really was quite simple
Good Luck

 

[mom2jcg]

Just go every day or so and pay on the account. That said..."We could not purchase the dining plan because we already had tickets"...for awhile now they have had a "ticketless package" that can be created for people who want the dining plan. Maybe in the future you can arrange that, if you find that the dining plan makes more sense for your family.

Thank you for this!!! I tried to add it in October when I booked the trip, but it wouldn't let me. I had NO idea you could call and have it done, but thanks to you, I just had mine changed! AND I paid for it with my Disney Vacation account! Thank you so much!!!