Prepaid Disney Cards Worth It?

[Lorelai]

Anyone use the prepaid Disney gift cards?

I want to keep room charges seperate from Park / Restaurant charges, so I thought the prepaid card would be a good idea.

If so, where can I purchase this card? And can I put any amount on it?

 

[Tink0374]

I definately think they are worth it. We purchased it at our resort at the beginning of our trip and only used it for dining & snacks. you can put any denomination on it and it is reloadable. Also everytime you use it you receive a receipt with the balance left. It was great to have and allowed us to really see what we were spending on food. It also let us know how well we budgeted. We had a certain amount budgeted for food for the entire trip. At the end we had less than $5.00 left on our card. We just used it at the resort gift shop before we left.

 

[Lorelai]

I definately think they are worth it. We purchased it at our resort at the beginning of our trip and only used it for dining & snacks. you can put any denomination on it and it is reloadable. Also everytime you use it you receive a receipt with the balance left. It was great to have and allowed us to really see what we were spending on food. It also let us know how well we budgeted. We had a certain amount budgeted for food for the entire trip. At the end we had less than $5.00 left on our card. We just used it at the resort gift shop before we left.

Thank you TINK0374, this is exactly what I wanted to know. So than you can get them right at the resort? And how do they work in the restaurants? Can you tip with them too? For instance, if we don't want to carry any cash, can we just use it as a credit card and tip with it too? Thanks!

 

[thelionqueen]

Never heard about these. So you buy them upon check-in, in-lieu of using the KTTW card for room charges? Or just use them in addition? Anyone with any info. on this? Thanks

 

[Tink0374]

Thank you TINK0374, this is exactly what I wanted to know. So than you can get them right at the resort? And how do they work in the restaurants? Can you tip with them too? For instance, if we don't want to carry any cash, can we just use it as a credit card and tip with it too? Thanks!

We actually purchased them from the gift shop at our resort. We did this back in October when they were still pretty new. Alot of the places we went to had not even seen them yet, but we did not have any trouble. You can use them just as you would any credit or Debit card. Put any kind of tip you would like on them. They were great. I only carried that card, my credit card, my DVC membership card, my ID, and my park pass. It was very convenient.

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

Can you purchase them before leaving home? Can kids use them? I had not heard of these before, but I'm definitely into it. I hate carrying cash and using our bank debit card could be dangerous for me since I have a little shopping problem. I would much rather put a set amount of cash on a card so I can keep track of what I'm really spending.

 

[#1_Donald_Duck_Fan]

Wow those sound great I'd be interested in any other info anyone has on them

I'm right there with you THESCHULTZFIVE I've got the same problem
so this card sounds like it would be good for me.


thanks
Mike

 

[Lorelai]

We actually purchased them from the gift shop at our resort. We did this back in October when they were still pretty new. Alot of the places we went to had not even seen them yet, but we did not have any trouble. You can use them just as you would any credit or Debit card. Put any kind of tip you would like on them. They were great. I only carried that card, my credit card, my DVC membership card, my ID, and my park pass. It was very convenient.

Thanks again, I will be looking to buy these as soon as we arrive!

Are they actually called just prepaid cards?

And lastly, are they a flat amount, or is there an extra fee for purchase? Like if we want a $500 card, will it be a $500 flat rate?

 

[MichelleChell]

I'm staying offsite. Do you think you can get them in the parks? I would like one so I don't have to carry so much cash around.

 

[madalex]

Never heard of these before, but they sound great. I usually give the kids a souvenir budget, but then I either have to bill charges to the room and try to keep track of it myself or give them cash to carry around (which means I carry it, so they don't lose it, and I hate carrying cash). If I can instead get a prepaid card with an amount equal to their souvenir budget on it, that would be great (of course, I would still carry the card itself, so they don't lose it).

 

[loriandmatt]

any idea if you can use these at the vendor snack carts? (think mickey head icecream bar stands and such)

this sounds like a great idea for our DS who is 11. he can budget his own souvie/snacks/extra money. we used to do DD, but those are harder to come by in our area as most of the places where we used to be able to purchase them are not around anymore.

-lori

 

[Lorelai]

bump...

 

[Tink0374]

Sorry it took me so long to get back on...that's what I get for having a job. You can put any amount on them and anyone can use them. My DS12 used them at a few of the snack counters with no problem. They are dollar for dollar (no fees attached) I think the way they get you is if you over budget, I don't think you can cash them out. That's why we used ours up on the way out of the resort in the gift shop (although you can use them to settle any room charges as well as my sister did so last month when she had extra money left on hers). As far as I know they can only be purchased on property. We don't have a Disney Store near us, so I don't know about purchasing them there or not. I hope I've answered all your questions and again apologize for my late response.

 

[hightown]

I love this! This solves the one gripe I have about staying at Swan/Dolphin in that I can't use my resort key for charges. I don't like carrying cash and don't like 50 little charges on my credit card!

So I can buy/load this card at a disney resort have one charge and then use the card throughout our trip!

Thanks for posting!

 

[skyfairy]

These cards sound great but I have one question. Do they expire?

 

[Corey127]

what if u lose it? do they replace it, or tough luck?

 

[momandseandodisney]

What were to happen if you lost it? Could someone else use it?

 

[Tink0374]

Unfortunatley if you lose it, it may be used by anyone as it is like any other gift card (ie.e target, pottery barn, itunes, etc.) It is not issued to any one individual in particular. If you lose it... it's just that...lost. Disney will not replace it for you.

 

[Tink0374]

also...as far as I know...it does not expire. My sister joined us in October and had almost $100.00 left on her card. She added more money upon her arrival last month and her $100.00 was still on there.

 

[donac]

My sister gave these to my sons last Aug when we were down there. They could use them whenever they wanted. It was great.