Disney Gift Card vs. Other Cards

[ljl14]

Hi,

We're leaving in 10 days!!!! Instead of carrying cash, can anyone tell me which they prefer, The Disney Gift card, AmEx traveler's cheque card or Visa Gift card.

Are there any differences and are they accepted everywhere in the World for everything? Thanks you guys know everything!!:sohappy:

 

[DisneyMusician2]

Go with the gift cards. You can use them anywhere (expect some shops at DTD). Supplement the rest with charging to your room through your key. Just hook a credit card to your account. Keep everything paperless and moneyless if you can. You'll appreciate it when you aren't counting change!

 

[ljl14]

Thanks - I'll be at the Disney store at the mall this weekend purchasing them!!!:wave:

 

[shoppingnut]

I second the disney gift card. I've had them and they are very easy to use and just a small handful of places might not take them, like the people selling balloons & light up stuff or the occasional roving ice cream cart. Although I think they have pretty much outfitted most of the roving carts to accept the dining cards now, so that probably means you could use them there. I would imagine the only places you couldn't are places that are not actually owned by disney, like the Rainforest Cafe.

 

[swimmom]

I'll be using a Disney Gift Card on my next trip along with my Disney Rewards Card. I also got a small amout of Traveler's Checks for things outside of Disney i.e. food at airport & parking at airport at home.

 

[Mori Anne]

I have a question about the Disney Gift Card.
If you use the Disney Gift Card as your money source, what about the money you don't spend that is left on it? Can you convert that leftover into cash?

 

[maelstrom]

I have a question about the Disney Gift Card.
If you use the Disney Gift Card as your money source, what about the money you don't spend that is left on it? Can you convert that leftover into cash?

No.

 

[Rob562]

I have a question about the Disney Gift Card.
If you use the Disney Gift Card as your money source, what about the money you don't spend that is left on it? Can you convert that leftover into cash?

As another poster said, no you can't. But unlike some gift cards and pre-paid debit cards, there are no fees with the Disney Gift Card, and the balance will stay active forever until you use it all up.

And to the OP, if your trip is more than a few days off and you want to have more design options for your cards (Disney Stores only carry the generic Mickey), you can order Disney gift cards through the Disneyland website.

They're listed under tickets on the order page. They offer about 10 designs (most of which are Disneyland-oriented, though), and 2-business-day shipping is free. You can only order in set dollar amounts ($25, $50 and $100, I think), but they're rechargable at your local Disney Store. I bought one with a Disneyland Railroad locomotive on it, and have been adding to it at my local Store. That'll be my spending money for my next trip.

I'm wondering why Disney World doesn't offer WDW-specific cards through their site, too. My guess is that with Disneyland's visitors being primarily locals, they wanted to make it convenient for them to use their money in the parks on a regular basis.

Have a good trip! (Only 2 months until my trip...)

-Rob

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

We used both on our last trip - had trouble with the Visa cards if we were trying to buy someything that cost more than what was left on the card. Had no such problems with the Disney gift cards. They're a good way to save up for your trip, too. We just kept adding to ours at the Disney store every couple of weeks.

 

[cattle]

Disney vs. Disney Store cards

Be VERY careful buying gift cards at Disney Store.

There is a Disney Store gift card that can only be used at Childrens Place and Disney Store.

There is also the Disney gift card that everyone is talking about here, it can be used at Disney Parks and Resorts as well as Disney Store, but not Children's Place.

Be damn sure you get the disney one, i'm stuck with a lot of Disney Store ones that i bought in error a year ago.

 

[ljl14]

Thanks everyone for the great information! I will definitely ask and make sure I'm getting the card for the parks.

You guys are the best.

9 Days and counting :hammer: Going crazy just thinking about it:lol:

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

Was at the Disney store today - had a couple bucks left on a card from our last trip - thought real hard about adding to it and booking a trip in December - may happen yet:animwink:

 

[MPitzen]

If I end up with a few disney gift cards with small balances can I use multiple cards on one transaction? Also, if I have small amounts left can I pay for the rest in cash? I know some gift cards let you do this and some don't.

Thanks, and sorry if this was already covered and I missed it.

 

[Miss Bell]

We just got back a week ago. My teen-aged daughter used a Disney Gift Card exclusively for money and it really worked well. We never had any problems with, and every time she used it she was always told what her balance was, and it was printed on her receipt.

With a Visa giftcard there is a service charge, and you have to keep up with how much money you have left.

I definitely think Disney Gift Card is the way to go.

 

[Rob562]

If I end up with a few disney gift cards with small balances can I use multiple cards on one transaction? Also, if I have small amounts left can I pay for the rest in cash? I know some gift cards let you do this and some don't.

Thanks, and sorry if this was already covered and I missed it.

You can use a gift card plus another form of payment if the balance on the gift card doesn't cover the charge. They *may* limit you to only one gift card per transaction, but I don't know that for sure.
As a side note, I'd suggest possibly limiting your transaction to a max of two forms of payment, for the sole purpose of making the CM's life easier. (i.e. Don't descend on the CM at World of Disney with 8 gift cards, each with a couple dollars on them, a little cash and a credit card. :animwink: )

-Rob