Question about gift cards

[3boysforme]

I would like to purchase some gift cards over the next few months before our trip. I'm wondering....can you pay with a gift card using the mobile app when ordering food in the parks?
Also, can you use gift cards to pay towards the balance of your hotel if you are staying on property?
Thanks!

 

[mouschievous]

You can't currently use gift cards for mobile order, but you can pay for hotel with it.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

You can’t use gift cards with the app for mobile ordering unfortunately. Very frustrating! Only a credit card.

But you can pay your hotel off with gift cards. I bought my Disney gift cards at Target using my RedCard and saved 5%.

 

[ironband74]

As I understand it, purchases in the app (mobile orders, tickets, maxpass) are the one place you can't use gift cards.

I don't know about the hotels...

 

[3boysforme]

Thanks everyone!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

@3boysforme : Noticed you joined today. Welcome to the DIS!

 

[Raech]

I personally have complained to the Disneyland app designers via email about no way to use GC to mobile order. You all should too. You should be able to load or link GC to it. Just saying.

 

[Jimsig]

Welcome @3boysforme

If you have not already seen it check out this thread all about gift cards and how to save money on them. For example if you have the Target Red Card (either credit or debit) you save 5% on Dis GC's.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/updated-disney-gift-card-deals-and-more.3784942/

 

[ParkHopper1]

I don't know about the hotels...

Gift cards can be use for payment towards Resort hotel bill...just need to be presented to front desk and before checkout when they run you card on file.

Many people will load up gift cards for all of their in park for and souvenir charges vs caring cash or a zillion credit card charges then if any balance is left, put that towards the hotel bill at the end. That way there is no fear of putting too much on card at beginning of trip.

Also a great way to give kids an "allowance" budget by giving them each a pre loaded gift card and that is their own spending $$ vs constant nagging to buy this or that beyond the group family purchases.

 

[Jimsig]

Many people will load up gift cards for all of their in park for and souvenir charges vs caring cash or a zillion credit card charges

That is what I did on my 2018 trip. I had purchased GC's at the Target before we left and then again at the Target down Harbor Blvd using the Red Card to get the 5% off and loaded them onto one card using the Dis Gift card site. I purchased everything with a GC. I don't think I ever used cash at the parks except for times at Blue Bayou and Wine Country Trattoria to leave a tip. Anywhere we ate, got a snack, or purchased something I would take out the DIS GC. In the past at WDW I have also used GC's to pay for the room.

 

[3boysforme]

Thanks everyone! I like the idea of buying a bunch, using them in the parks then applying the rest towards the resort.