It seems wherever you go these days, the majority of people use debit or credit cards rather than cash. Seems it’s a safer, more effective way to pay for purchases, especially when traveling.
If headed to Walt Disney World or Disneyland or any other Disney location in the Continental US, using a Disney Gift Card is the easiest way to pay for souvenirs, dining, or just about anything on property (including your hotel stay!). They are great to have on-hand and make for great gifts for the Disney lover in your family.
Disney Gift Cards come in hundreds of designs, have no fee, no expiration date, and can be used almost anywhere!
So, how does it all work? I receive many questions on Disney Gift Cards and how to use them at the parks, resorts, on cruises, etc. Let’s break it down and I’ll share with you all you need to know before your next Disney park adventure begins!
WHERE CAN I USE MY DISNEY GIFT CARDS?
If you are in the continental United States, you can use Disney Gift Cards at any location that accepts credit cards.
- Walt Disney World Resort
- Disneyland Resort
- Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
- Disney Cruise Line
- Disney Vero Beach
- Disney Hilton Head Island and Resort
- Adventures by Disney
- ShopDisney.com
- Remaining Disney Store Locations in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico
- Disney PhotoPass
- Disney Outlet locations
- Magic of Disney at the Orlando International Airport
- Disney on Broadway*
*In order to use your Disney Gift Card for a Disney on Broadway purchase, visit DisneyOnBroadway.com/GiftCards to submit your request. The Disney Gift Card may also be redeemed in-person at the New Amsterdam Theater ONLY for tickets to ALADDIN and THE LION KING and for merchandise purchases at the New Amsterdam Theater in New York City.
WHERE ARE DISNEY GIFT CARDS NOT ACCEPTED?
Disney On Ice does not accept Disney Gift Cards. They are also not redeemable at non-Disney hotels such as the Disney Swan & Dolphin Resorts.
Disney Gift Cards are not accepted at any of the international parks such as Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, or Hong Kong Disneyland.
Also, at this time, you cannot use your Disney Gift Card towards your Disney+ subscription.
WHERE CAN I BUY DISNEY GIFT CARDS?
These days there are so many different places that you can purchase Disney Gift Cards (both hard plastic cards and e-gift cards) in predetermined amounts such as $25, $50, $100, $500, etc.
There are also opportunities to buy them in bulk and even save some money! If you are planning for a Disney vacation, start saving early, buy Disney Gift Cards in bulk or at Target (with your Redcard) to receive 5% back. You can also use Rakuten on shopDisney.com and receive cash back with your purchases. Take advantage of any of these cost saving opportunities!
- Sam’s Club
- BJ’s
- Target (Use your Redcard and get 5% off your purchase)
- Pharmacies/Grocery Stores (Gift Card displays – Beware: there is usually an activation fee when purchasing at these locations)
- ShopDisney.com (use Rakuten to earn cash back)
- Remaining Disney Store Locations in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico
- DisneyGiftCard.com
Disney Gift Cards can be reloaded at any time at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland Resort in California, and remaining Disney Store locations in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Read More: Secret Disney Outlet to Buy Gifts and Souvenirs – Magical Guides
Tip: In many locations, you can also use your Disney Rewards Redemption Card to purchase Disney Gift Cards. If you have and use the Disney Chase Visa card and obtain rewards, use the reward dollars to purchase Gift Cards. That’s another way to save some money!
Another tip: Ask before purchasing, not all locations accept the Disney Rewards Redemption Card.
WHAT CAN I BUY WITH DISNEY GIFT CARDS?
You can apply your Disney Gift Cards to almost anything, even paying off your hotel/resort stay!
- Disney Park or Special Event Tickets
- Merchandise / Souvenirs
- Pay off Hotel/Resort balance
- Onsite resort charges or dining
- Disney Cruise Line reservations
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CARD IS LOST OR STOLEN?
If your card is lost or stolen, call 1-877-650-4327 to report it. You will need to provide the first 12 digits of the Disney Gift Card account number to the agent.
Tip: Take a photo of the back of your card so you have the card number handy.
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.
It’s best to retain all of your documentation when purchasing your gift cards so in the event that your card is stolen, it’s easily replaced.
CAN ANYONE USE THE GIFT CARD?
Yes, anyone can use the gift card. It’s recommended to keep the card in a safe place. Anyone who has the card in their possession will be able to make purchases with the card. If the card is lost or stolen, anyone can use the card since ID is not often required to use them. The funds are not protected on the gift card like they would be on a credit card – that money will be lost if used by an unauthorized user.
Be mindful of your cards and keep them stored in a safe place.
CAN I TRANSFER A BALANCE FROM ONE CARD TO ANOTHER?
Yes, to consolidate cards you can transfer full balances from one card to another, up to $1000. You cannot transfer partial balances. Keep in mind the max amount you can have on any Disney Gift Card is $1000. Visit the Transfer Balance page on DisneyGiftCard.com to manage these transactions.
CAN I MAKE A RETURN WITH A GIFT CARD PURCHASE?
Yes, in most cases, a credit in the amount for your return will be placed back on another Disney Gift Card. The Disney Gift Card itself however is not refundable though. You cannot receive one as a gift and return it for cash. You will have to use it or gift it to someone else.
So, as you can see, there are numerous benefits to having Disney Gift Cards on-hand and even some cost-saving ways to put money back in your pocket when using them. The next time you visit Walt Disney World, Disneyland, or take a Disney Cruise, consider using gift cards as your form of payment and cash in on all the great benefits.
