Disney Gift Cards Guide- Where to use them and the best deals

First- How to Combine Gift Cards

One of the hardest things for people is that they feel like to buy gift cards that they will have to carry around a million cards on their trip. Luckily there is a legit site www.disneygiftcard.com where you can combine your Disney gift cards in $1,000 increments. You will actually log in using your Disney log-in information and can store up to 6 cards on there. I like to have a card per kid for example for souvenirs and another card that is my main card I move funds onto. 

Inside Disney Parks- What You can Use Them For

• Mobile Order- You can mobile order food with A Disney gift card. One of my favorite hacks is to save my Disney gift card in my phone notes app so I can just copy and paste it. 
• Sit Down Restaurants- This includes all restaurants inside the parks, at Disney resorts, and many of those at Disney Springs. Downtown at Disneyland is a lot more restrictive so keep that in mind! 
• Magic Band Charges- You can pay off your room total at the end of each night by going down to the front desk. This includes any food or merchandise you bought with a magic band. 
• Ticket Bought through Disney Site- You can buy tickets on Disney site using gift cards. 
• Most snack carts– Every once and awhile you might run into a cart that doesn’t allow it.. but for the most part you totally can use them for your churro or treat! 
• Annual Passes- Yes you heart that right. You can pay for full annual passes with disney gift cards. Keep in mind you will need to call or do it in person if you are spending more than $1,000 dollars per transaction. 
• Merchandise- Disney owned stores like World of Disney you can use gift cards for your purchases. Anything in the parks that is shopping. 
• Starbucks- Yes you can totally order your morning coffee with a disney gift card. 
• Experiences in the Parks– This includes things like light sabers and princess experience: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. 
• VIP Tour- This is super niche but if you are feeling fancy and want to book a Disney VIP tour you can book it with a gift card.. but will need to call. 

Outside of the Parks

• Hotels and packages- Anything booked with Disney you can pay off with Disney gift cards. 
• Resort charges– Any charges to a Disney resort hotel. 
• Spa treatments at the resorts. 
• Many Disney Springs restaurants not owned by Disney take gift cards (but also double check). Downtown Disney at Disneyland has less restaurant options that take Disney gift card (although they do exist) 
• Resort Restaurants that are owned by Disney– This includes things like character meals and buffets. 

Disney Cruises

• Payments for the cruise– You can pay for a deposit as well as your payments for your cruise. 
• Pre-paid gratuities
• Charges on the ship- In order to do this you will need to go to the guest service desk before disembarking (like the night before). You can also load a card ahead of time for cruise onboard credit. 
• Excursions– Same idea to stop by guest services or to pre-load it as on board credit. 

Pre-Trip Purchases

• Shop Disney- Items on Shop Disney Site such as T-Shirts, etc. 

DVC Owners

• Annual Dues- Did you know that you can pay your dues with gift cards? This is a great way as an owner to get a discount on their dues by buying discounted gift cards. 
• Deposit on Contract– When you buy a DVC contract.. you pay a deposit. This deposit can actually be done with a gift card. 

Discounts or Ways to Save on Gift Cards

• Target red cards give a standard 5% off of Disney gift cards. This includes the debit card. 
• Get a discount on your gas at your grocery store with fuel points! 
• BJs, Sams club, Best Buy, and Costco all have sales typically around the holidays of 10% off. 
• Look at your credit card for statement credits at places you can buy gift cards and stack those statement credits on top of savings. 
• Sams Club is usually 3-5% off.  
• Look at your credit card rewards and see which one gives you the most points (or cashback) on your purchase. For example: if you credit card gives you 4x the points at a grocery store.. it might be worth it to buy it there! 

Aulani

• Hotel-You can book and pay for your hotel room with a gift card.
• Merchandise- the gift shops all take gift cards.
• Food-Both the quick service (including the great deal that is the whole pizza!),restaurants and lounges take gift cards. This includes the snack stands like the shaved ice.
• The spa- (which is fabulous) takes them too!
• Luau- with a gift card. (or better yet, book a garden view DVC room and sit on your balcony and watch for free)
• Transportation- you must book on the Disney Aulani site.