Questions and tips for Disney gift cards, please?...

[Belladonna]

I was reading thru older posts about these things, and some of the information is so old that I just don't know whats correct and incorrect about them.

I'd like to purchase one of these so I can start a "trip fund" if you will, so I wont be temped to spend my Disney cash on other stuff. So here are some questions:

1. Can you *actually* add on to these cards, and does it have to be done at a Disney store? I read that you can call a number to add by using a credit or debit card, but I dont know how true this really is.

2. Can I really use this bascially anywhere in any of the parks? How about Downtown Disney and the water parks? Is it useable there as well?

3. When the balance gets low, and the next payment I want to make with it is more then what is left on the blance, can I split tender with it?

How have you guys liked these things? After I started reading about it, it kind of sounded like they were more of a hassle then a convenience. Whats the lastest pro's and con's about these things?! Any info you guys could give me would be fabulous!!

 

[newholidayx2]

how about going to the Disney store and stocking up on disney dollars?

 

[Belladonna]

how about going to the Disney store and stocking up on disney dollars?

Thats an idea, but you cant get them in very large ammounts, can you? I was kinda hoping to have it all on 1 card, no lose pieces of paper to worry about (I'm not a cash person either. haha!)

 

[seashoreCM]

I am not sure about the exact rules for Disney's gift cards.

Somehow I prefer to stay away from gift cards, gift certificates, and the like.

With gift cards you are unnecessarily constraining your money for use at specific merchants. For Disney I think they are good everywhere in the parks except at the little ice cream and popcorn stands and at the ticket booths.

After a few months there may be annual or monthly fees deducted from the value. For some there is a fee for recharging.

Usually if the card balance is not enough for your total purchase you can pay the rest using cash or a credit card. At least the Home Depot gift cards allow this.

In general a large number of gift cards are not redeemed for a long time or are even never redeemed. Stores know and you know gift cards are a big profit item because they are hung conspicuously in many places throughout the store.

In the case of a Disney gift card, if you don't use it up on this vacation you won't be able to use the rest up until you go down there again.

I guess you do have a reason for a gift card, not wanting to "accidentally" spend your Disney budget on other things, but I would use the term "crutch" to describe that role of the gift card to you.

As for Disney Dollars, I can see Disney's motive in publishing more different editions and variations, so people will collect that many more to put in scrapbooks and Disney will then keep as profit the money spent to buy those things.

More lowdown on gift cards in general:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/gift3.htm

 

[yensidretlaw]

I would speak to a Manager where ever you plan to purchase the Gift Card. The Gift Cards at The Disney Store can now be used at Disney World, Disneyland, etc. They should be able to used anywhere they can scan a Card. I know it is very easy to reload the card at the Disney Store and I would think it would also be at the Parks. Disney Dollars are always fun and also easy to use.

Good Luck