Restaurants - do they accept Disney gift cards? (US funds of course)

[Disney Addicted]

I'm not sure how the DTD restaurants work. Most of them aren't Disney restaurants, right? Just on Disney property? Will they take Disney gift cards as payment? I'm wondering more specifically about La Brea Bakery, ESPN, Earl of Sandwich and Rainforest Cafe.

My understanding is inside the parks the restaurants will accept the Disney gift cards. But be prepared for the kiosks to take cash only. Is that correct? What about Ghirardelli's?

Darn, I ended up booking the WOC dessert party online yesterday. I meant to check if I could pay with the gift cards as well but forgot. Oh, and I forgot to ask the CM about the MESP dining package when I booked that on the phone as well. Guess I better phone them today.

 

[MrJT]

I don't know about restaurants, but I can say for sure that DTD stores that are not Disney will not take the Disney gift cards. We tried to make a purchase at Build-A-Bear with one.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I'm not sure how the DTD restaurants work. Most of them aren't Disney restaurants, right? Just on Disney property? Will they take Disney gift cards as payment? I'm wondering more specifically about La Brea Bakery, ESPN, Earl of Sandwich and Rainforest Cafe.

I have never been able to use a Disney gift card in Downtown Disney restaurants, including ESPN and Rainforest Cafe. I haven't tried the others. You could use it at any of the hotel restaurants, though.

My understanding is inside the parks the restaurants will accept the Disney gift cards. But be prepared for the kiosks to take cash only. Is that correct?

Yes. There are a few kiosks that only take cash. Some can take a card.

Darn, I ended up booking the WOC dessert party online yesterday. I meant to check if I could pay with the gift cards as well but forgot.

You could always cancel and rebook with your gift card.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

DtD restaurants do not take Disney gift cards. Also, Ghirardelli does not take Disney gift cards.

 

[ParkHopper1]

DtD restaurants do not take Disney gift cards. Also, Ghirardelli does not take Disney gift cards.

Most will give you an AP discount through.

 

[figment_jii]

The only places in DTD that take Disney gift cards are the Disney owned shops (e.g., Pin Traders, World of Disney, etc.). As others have said, none of the restaurants or dining locations will accept Disney Gift Cards, although many do offer an AP discount (amount and meal times can vary).

Most of the in-park locations will accept Disney Gift Cards, including the kiosks. The walk-around vendors (mostly I've only seen them in the attraction lines) only accept cash, as are the balloon sellers. I didn't see the gift card logo on the lockers either, so you might want to have cash/credit card on hand for those. In most other cases, if a venue can accept credit cards, they can usually take gift cards. The only times I've seen one of the ice cream carts not take gift cards was after a huge rain storm and they were having problems with their readers (no credit cards either). So it can happen, but it's not common.

 

[GrandBob]

What about the restaurants in the Disney hotels? I'm thinking specifically about Napa Rose. Thx.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

I'm not sure how the DTD restaurants work. Most of them aren't Disney restaurants, right? Just on Disney property? Will they take Disney gift cards as payment? I'm wondering more specifically about La Brea Bakery, ESPN, Earl of Sandwich and Rainforest Cafe.

My understanding is inside the parks the restaurants will accept the Disney gift cards. But be prepared for the kiosks to take cash only. Is that correct? What about Ghirardelli's?

Darn, I ended up booking the WOC dessert party online yesterday. I meant to check if I could pay with the gift cards as well but forgot. Oh, and I forgot to ask the CM about the MESP dining package when I booked that on the phone as well. Guess I better phone them today.

I know for sure La Brea Bakery does not accept gift cards but does give AP discount.

What about the restaurants in the Disney hotels? I'm thinking specifically about Napa Rose. Thx.

Yes, all the restaurants in the Disney hotels should accept them. I know Whitewater Snacks and Storyteller's Cafe for sure take gift cards. I would be shocked if Napa Rose didn't accept them.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

What about the restaurants in the Disney hotels? I'm thinking specifically about Napa Rose. Thx.

NR gladly accepts Disney gift cards. We've paid this way many times. You can also pay with a combination of Disney gift card and cash/credit card.

 

[Disney Addicted]

Thank you for all the replies! I ended up cancelling some reservations and booking others that will accept Disney gift cards. No point in paying out cash when I already have the money in gift cards.