Using Gift Cards for dining

[albumlady]

I know that you can't use a disney gift card as payment in non disney owned restuarants in DTD but what about in the parks? Can I use a disney gift card to pay at counter service, TS and snack carts? And at the other stores for souvenirs? Trying to figure out a budget and buy gift cards through scrip before our trip. Thanks!

 

[nikkislaght]

Ive read here over and over again, that most of the snack carts wont take the cards , but the Disney own Restaurants in the parks and at DTD will take the cards.. World of Disney in DTD will take G/C and the shops inside the parks also..

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I was able to use Disney gift cards at one snack cart to buy cotton candy, but didn't try on any others. We also used them for all our counter service and table service meals in the parks, and every store in the parks. I also used a gift card to pay for meals at Grand Californian and at the gift store there. We never had a gift card refused. I never used a gift card in DTD except at the World of Disney store.

 

[Gisele]

At Trader Sam's Tiki Bar and at the Tangaroa Terrace as well (Next door) accepts them too.
Any cart that accepts debit/credit cards, accepts DGC's.

 

[albumlady]

Sweet! Thanks everyone ... now to start figuring out how much I need

 

[nikkislaght]

Packing tip I got years ago... lay all your clothes that you are taking on your bed.. and put back half..
Then double your spending money...

 

[Serial]

One tricky note -- You can use Disney gift cards at the Starbucks stores in Disneyland and California Adventure, but you cannot use gift cards at the Starbucks in Downtown Disney.

Also, for sit down restaurants, remember to bring cash for tip. We use gift cards at all table service and quick service restaurants, but I've never figured out how to leave tip on a gift card (I'm not sure you can). I believe that if you are staying at an onsite hotel, you may be able to charge the meal and tip to your room, then pay off the total bill with gift cards at your hotel.

 

[Canuck16]

Anywhere in the parks that takes debit/credit will take DGC's including the carts

 

[starshine514]

Just to note. The China Closet does not take gift cards. We found this out when I had to pay for my DD's tiara with a credit card because they wouldn't accept her gift card there.

 

[cinderkelly]

Packing tip I got years ago... lay all your clothes that you are taking on your bed.. and put back half..
Then double your spending money...

Hahahahaha! I love that, it's so me

 

[keltiesmom]

Does anyone know if the Pandora store accepts the disney gift cards?

 

[scrapshappen]

One other thing to keep in mind: sometimes the machines go down. I planned to use Disney GC for all our meals, etc and didn't take a lot of extra cash with me. The CC/GC processing machines went down at the restaurant where we were eating lunch and I had to use pretty much all the cash I had on hand to pay for the meal. So even if you think you'll use only GCs, bring some cash as a back up just in case.

 

[RobertaMomof2]

We used Disney gift cards everywhere our last trip. I got Churro's, Dole Whips and used them at the Corn Dog carts (both parks). Also, of course at the sit down restaurants and walk up counter areas. Loved being able to use them instead of my Credit Card which was hit hard on other stuff. Enjoy!

 

[snoodledoo]

Where can you get the best deal on Disney gift cards?

 

[amyg1975]

I use the Target Red Card and get 5% off.

 

[RobertaMomof2]

I use my Target Red Card as well to buy them and save 5%.

 

[LisaT91403]

Not all of the shops take the gift cards. Some are not owned by Disney -- the magic store and the crystal shop on Main Street come to mind.

 

[DG24]

You can leave a tip on gift card also. At TS just do it like you would a credikt card, or you can tell the waiter/ess to add the tip, which Disney pretty much does anyway.

I get all of mine at target for the extra 5%, more if you refill prescriptions. It adds up fast if you can get 10% off at target, and then have an PAP you can save 25% on meals when you compined target with PCP.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

how do you add on what you get for the red card, and the refills to make it 10% off?

 

[jenjersnap]

how do you add on what you get for the red card, and the refills to make it 10% off?

Unfortunately, Target started specifically excluding Disney gift cards (all third party gift cards) from the extra 5% pharmacy refill awards last year so you can't get the 10% off anymore. But the 5% is still good! Here is one of many threads from the time last year when they discontinued it: http://www.disboards.com/threads/target-pharmacy-discount-on-disney-cards.3255759/