Using Disney gift cards to pay for food?

[pirate]

I've been considering the gift card thing myself as an alternative to carrying too much cash. So I can go to my local Disney Store and get Disney gift cards and use them for almost any purchase (food & beverages, merchandise) within WDW?

I just noticed the other day, Walgreens also carries Disney gift cards!!!

 

[MeLaNie9]

You absolutely can use the gift cards at the restaurants. We had a gift card on our May trip (from booking via AAA) and used it for all of our TS meal tips. They just take it and use it like a credit card (you fill out tip on the bill, give them the bill and card, and they come back with the card). We still have money left on this gift card and will be taking it in Nov-Dec, using it in exactly the same way!

 

[lblume91]

I'm seriously considering this option for our trip next summer as an alternative to the DDP. The biggest perk to the DDP is having everything prepaid. By using the gift cards, I can still "prepay" but not be locked into eating the DDP way. We can get appetizers without paying "extra". We're not big dessert eaters but feel like we need to get them just to get our money's worth. Since they took away appys & tips, DDP just isn't the value it once was. I think you all have helped me decide to go the GC route! Thanks!!

 

[DjdBrit]

I know you can use the Disney Gift Cards to purchase meals, but can you use Gift cards to purchase the Dining Plan?

I don't know how useful this bit is, but you can buy Disney Gift Cards online at the Disney store up to $500 each.

I used a $1,000 GC to pay for the dining plan at check in in April (we were staying DVC). I loved it because I brought the GC early enough to get the extra Disney Visa points as well!

This past trip I had a combination of GC (my kids Easter/xmas gift) and my visa rewards, I used them all first before I started adding any charges to my KTTWC. We were on the DP and used the cards to pay all tips and extras and had no issues at all. I even used multiple cards at one location

Good luck with your trip and happy planning!