What can you buy in parks with gift cards?

[sking5844]

What are the things you can use Disney gift cards on in the parks and resorts? Are there any restrictions or can you buy almost anything with them?

 

[ottawamom]

They are good almost everywhere. The only places you may not be able to use them is at the food carts and that's just because they aren't connected to technology. We used them last week to purchase food and souveniers.

 

[sking5844]

They are good almost everywhere. The only places you may not be able to use them is at the food carts and that's just because they aren't connected to technology. We used them last week to purchase food and souveniers.

Nice. So, its probably a good trick to save a little if we can get them through our target card at a 5% discount?

 

[BrianL]

They are pretty much good anywhere these days. There might be a couple of mobile vendors that don't have the machines, but I think even those are pretty rare now.

This isn't Itchy & Scratchy Land where they don't take that I&S Money!

 

[BrianL]

Nice. So, its probably a good trick to save a little if we can get them through our target card at a 5% discount?

Yes, this is not a bad way to go. You can even use the gift cards to pay for your entire vacation package if you are staying onsite. They are even easier and faster to use than charging to a Magic Band of credit card in the parks. I highly recommend using them.

 

[glocon]

Can you use gift cards at check out to pay for incidentals?
The thought of using magic bands for everything and then using gift cards bought at target for a discount sounds appealing.

 

[mcurran]

If you have a Disney visa there are a bunch of shops and restaurants that give you a 10% discount (plus 2% Disney dollar rewards) so that would trump a 5% target discount. Sams club is a good discounted gift card as well and you can get 1% back if using Disney visa when purchasing. Go check out the discount forum there’s lots of other tips. I’m all for saving a few bucks.

 

[YawningDodo]

If you have a Disney visa there are a bunch of shops and restaurants that give you a 10% discount (plus 2% Disney dollar rewards) so that would trump a 5% target discount. Sams club is a good discounted gift card as well and you can get 1% back if using Disney visa when purchasing. Go check out the discount forum there’s lots of other tips. I’m all for saving a few bucks.

Very good point, and I've definitely taken advantage of the Disney Visa dining discount (it's not at all restaurants, but it's at a fair number of them). I've only managed to get the merchandise discount once or twice, though, because there's a minimum to spend in a single transaction before the discount kicks in and I very rarely meet it (I'm more likely to buy a pin or two here and there than shop big in one place).

 

[Fangorn]

Can you use gift cards at check out to pay for incidentals?
The thought of using magic bands for everything and then using gift cards bought at target for a discount sounds appealing.

Just be aware that if you have incidental charges to your room, the resort will bill your credit card for those charges sometime around 2am on the day of checkout. If you want to pay that bill with giftcards, you need to stop by the front desk the night before and pay off the balance. That will avoid any hassle with your intended payment method.

Steve

 

[North of Mouse]

Good on anything you have enough money for!
Never had any turned away!!

 

[mamamelody2]

I think gift cards are good for pretty much everything except for balloons which are cash only.

 

[Fangorn]

I think gift cards are good for pretty much everything except for balloons which are cash only.

Not exactly correct. For balloons, you can usually go into the nearest store and pay for the balloon there with a giftcard. Then take the receipt to the balloon vendor and pick up your balloon

Steve

 

[mamamelody2]

Not exactly correct. For balloons, you can usually go into the nearest store and pay for the balloon there with a giftcard. Then take the receipt to the balloon vendor and pick up your balloon

Steve

Ah, nice!

 

[purple figment]

As BrianL said upthread, there are some mobile vendors that don't have the portable card readers. Last time we were there, vendors walking through some of the longer queues selling water, etc were cash only. Also, most of the pressed penny machines are cash only.

 

[cgattis]

Not exactly correct. For balloons, you can usually go into the nearest store and pay for the balloon there with a giftcard. Then take the receipt to the balloon vendor and pick up your balloon

Steve

That's a great tip. I don't think I've ever seen that posted here (although obviously I don't see every post). Thanks!

 

[Ghostridethedolewhip]

What are the things you can use Disney gift cards on in the parks and resorts? Are there any restrictions or can you buy almost anything with them?

Pretty much everything but sanity.