“Can I use my Disney Gift Card in the park?” We get asked this question a lot here at TMSM. So today I wanted to take a moment to address this topic. The answer is as clear as swamp mud as there are technically 3 types of Disney Gift cards available for purchase at various retailers.
Let’s start with the newest card to the Disney Gift card family, the Disney Music Gift Card. This new card allows you to download music and movies at DisneyMusicStore.com. These cards can be purchased at select locations in Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Walmart, and select grocery stores. This card is a bit confusing as it LOOKS a lot like a “regular” Disney Gift Card. But the wording on the back makes it VERY clear that it’s purpose is in fact only for digital media download.
The next option is the “Online Disney Gift Card” sold only online by the Disney Store. The “Online Disney Gift Card” is bought online and delivered quickly to any valid email address. It can be purchased in $25 increments up to $150. Though this is a GREAT last minute “oops I forgot a birthday” option, the thing you need to remember about the “Online Disney Gift Card” is it can ONLY be used online at the Disneystore.com website.
The final option is the physical plastic Disney Gift Card. These can be purchased just about anywhere depending on the time of year. I have found Disney Gift Cards in pharmacies, Target, Walmart, Costco/BJ/Sam’s club, pretty much everyone with a gift card display carries a Disney Gift card. These precious monetary items are also available in Disney Stores, Disney theme parks, on Disney Cruise ships, and of course online at the Disney Store, and though Disney’s Gift Card site that has just shy of 200 designs to choose from.
Disney Store gift cards are “available in $25 increments up to $150 plus denominations of $200, $250, $300 and $500″ giving you the freedom to spend as much, or as little as you want on a gift card. Many locations that sell the plastic Disney Card offer two options, a set amount card usually available in $25, $50 or $100 options, or in a “Create Your Own amount” with most requiring a minimum of $15 being put on the card. When purchased online Disney’s character and park design gift cards are mailed with “Free standard shipping” and you have the option to send your gift card in a personalized card of your choice ($6.95 includes standard shipping and handling)
For those of you who want a bit more personal touch in your gift card giving, The Disney Store now also offers a “Personalized Gift Card” option that lets you upload an image to a Disney Gift Card. Personalized Gift Cards are sent inside a Personalized Card Carrier with a personal special message of your choice. (Minimal personalization fee includes free shipping to any U.S. address).
Regardless of where you BUY these plastic gift cards, they all have something in common, they should all have the Parks and Cruise Line logos on the back of them telling you that they can in fact be used in a multitude of Disney locations. If these logos aren’t on the back of the card read the fine print on the back of the card to see where it is accepted. Per the Disney gift card site Disney Gift Cards can be “redeemable at DisneyStore.com, Disney Store locations in the in the U.S., participating locations at Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida, Disneyland® Resort in California, Disney Cruise Line, ClubPenguin.com, and DisneyPhotoPass.com”.
Yes, that’s right! Disney Gift Cards can be used to pay for Disney Vacations! The trick to this though is you MUST save your gift cards because if you have to cancel your trip, or Disney needs to refund money to you the money will be returned to the Gift Cards that were used on the reservation. If you still have questions feel free to visit www.disneygiftcard.com/where-to-use/ for a complete list explaining how you can use your Disney Gift card.
Plastic Disney Gift cards can also be reloaded “for any amount between $5-$1,000.00 at any Disney location that sells Disney Gift Cards. Online reloads are not available at this time.” and because your Disney Gift card never expires this makes it all the more valuable when you are traveling. So keep those older card designs that you love because you can continue to use them!
Where at Disney can I use my Disney Gift Card?
Officially Disney has stated Disney Gift Cards can be used “At the Walt Disney World Resort, the Disney Gift Card can be redeemed at select merchandise, food, ticketing and Guest Service locations, select third party lessees and Downtown Disney District Operating Participant locations. The Disney Gift Card can be redeemed towards payment of a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel room night or reservation.”
The easiest thing to remember is this. When you go to pay all register areas should have a “payment accepted” sticker that shows what forms of payment they take. Usually this ALWAYS includes stickers with Visa, Mastercard, American Express symbols. Locations that take Disney Gift Cards will also state that by showing the “TaDa Mickey” Disney Gift Card Symbol. Please note the “TaDa Mickey” image has recently changed. The original version had a blue background, the new one has a red background. Watch for both logos just to be safe!
Remember that third party locations are not required to accept Disney Gift cards so it is always best to check when shopping and dining at Downtown Disney.
Can I add my Disney Gift Card to my MagicBand?
No. For two reasons. The first reason being because “things are not added to Magicbands.” MagicBands are merely an ID number that tells a scanner who you are, then the computer checks with My Disney Experience to see what permissions you have because MDE is actually where all your data is store. The second reason is because My Disney Experience is not currently set up to allow guests to add Disney Gift Cards to their accounts. You can though put a credit card on file for your Disney resort stay and use room charge through your trip, and the day before you check out go to your resort’s front desk and pay off your room’s balance with gift cards. The key to this is you will want to pay it off your room charge balance the morning before check out, and then not use room charge from that point on to avoid your credit card being charged any on file balance.
Can I transfer the balance of one Disney Gift Card to another?
Until recently the answer to that question was no. Fortunately Disney seems to have figured out just how many people use multiple gift cards for travel, and they finally added this feature to their gift cards.
To transfer a balance you need a DisneyGiftCard.com account. Once you are logged in just go to the new “Transfer Balance” section. This page lets you consolidate your cards by transferring the complete balance of one card to another. You can transfer any amount up to $1,000, but don’t forget that each card can only hold a maximum value of $1,000.
Is there an app or website I can use to keep track of my Disney Gift cards?
Yes Orlando there is! Disney has finally officially stopped supporting the old Disney Gift Card app that hadn’t been updated since 2013 and has released “My Cards.”
What is My Cards?
My Cards allows you to store and access your Disney Gift Card balances and information whenever you need it for up to 5 cards at a time. Please note though that you must still hold onto your physical cards for use. Disney fans with a DisneyGiftCard.com account can use the new My Cards website option.
This new option let Disney gift cards users “easily access your Disney Gift Card balances and information whenever you need it! Just enter your Account Number, and Security Code below to track up to 5 cards. You’ll find the Account Number and Security Code on the back of your Disney Gift Card.”
Remember though if you are using MyCards you will still need your gift card to pay for items!
Here are a few Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Directly from the Disney Gift Card Site that may answer any additional questions you have:
About Disney Gift Cards:
- Does my Disney Gift Card expire?
No, the Disney Gift Card you purchased or received is valid for purchases until all remaining funds have been depleted from the card. - Can I keep my Disney Gift Card after I’ve used it?
Absolutely! Your Disney Gift Card can be reloaded or kept as a souvenir. - How do I check my balance and transaction history on my Disney Gift Card ? Check your balance here or Call the toll free number on the back of your Disney Gift Card.
- Is a service fee charged for unused balances on my Disney Gift Card?
There is no service fee for unused balances on the Disney Gift Card. - Can I buy Disney Dollars with the Disney Gift Card?
Disney Dollars cannot be purchased with the Disney Gift Card. - What should I do if my Disney Gift Card is lost or stolen?
Promptly call 1-877-650-4327 to report the card lost or stolen. Your Disney Gift Card will be ‘frozen’ and funds remaining on the card (at the time of the call) can be transferred onto a new card. An original proof of purchase receipt for the Disney Gift Card is required to transfer the funds onto a new Disney Gift Card.
Where can I use my Disney Gift Card?
- Where can I use my Disney Gift Card (resort wise)?
The Disney Gift Card can be used for purchases at participating locations such as:- Walt Disney World Resort
- Disneyland Resort
- Disney Cruise Line
- Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaiʻi
- Disney’s Beach Resorts
- Adventures by Disney
- Disney PhotoPass®
- Can I use my Disney Gift Card to purchase theme park tickets?
Yes, you can use your Disney Gift Card to purchase theme park tickets at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Store locations within the US. Availability of Theme Park Tickets varies by Disney Store location; Please check with your local Disney Store for more information. - Can I use the Disney Gift Card at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin resorts and hotels on Hotel Plaza Blvd?
The Disney Gift Card is not redeemable at non-Disney owned hotels such as Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin resorts and hotels on Hotel Plaza Blvd. with the exception of the owned and operated Disney Merchandise locations that reside within these hotels. - Can I use my Disney Gift Card for Disney on Ice or Disney Theatrical purchases?
Disney on Ice and Disney Theatrical do not accept the Disney Gift Card for purchases. - Can I use my Disney Gift Card at Disney locations outside the US?
Disney Gift Cards are only valid for purchases in the US and Puerto Rico. - Can the Disney Gift Card be used at the Magic of Disney and Disney’s Earport at the Orlando International Airport?
Yes, the Disney Gift Card can be used for purchases at the Magic of Disney and Disney’s Earport at the Orlando International Airport. - Can I use the Disney Rewards® Redemption Card to purchase the Disney Gift Card?
Yes. In most instances, the Disney Rewards® Redemption Card can be used to purchase the Disney Gift Card. There are some Disney locations that cannot accept a Disney Rewards® Redemption Card for a Disney Gift Card purchase. It is always a good idea to ask the location before you make a purchase.
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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