How to Use a Disney Gift Card: Your Guide to a Magical Experience

Disney films have been beloved across several generations and continue to captivate audiences with their exciting stories, gorgeous art, and alluring characters. From the old cartoons that started it all to modern day movie releases that remain equally as passionate, Disney plays a crucial role in the type of media we consume and enjoy. Even if you are not a die-hard Disney fanatic, you likely know of a few Disney movies that have made a positive impression on you and shaped the way you watch animated features. 

But aside from the many acclaimed Disney films and cartoons of old that have cemented the brand’s place within the entertainment industry, Disney has transformed into a cultural phenomenon with theme parks, toys, apparel, tropical getaways, video games, collectibles, and so much more. With a practically limitless supply of products and services for folks to get swept away by, it is no wonder Disney is one of the biggest names across the globe. And as with any brand popular among consumers, you can find gift cards for all things Disney at several different retailers available for purchase. 

Disney gift cards are a great way to bestow that iconic Disney magic onto friends and family in any manner that best suits them. From the mesmerizing theme parks to licensed merchandise sold at official Disney retailers, a Disney gift card may be used to grant those you cherish access to all manner of Disney-related goods and services. 

Where Can I Buy a Disney Gift Card?

Part of what makes Disney gift cards so magical is how convenient they are to purchase for the average consumer. Whether you want to order one directly from Disney or pick one up while doing your weekly shopping, you can find Disney gift cards in abundance at a variety of retailers you are familiar with. Any store that typically sells gift cards will likely offer Disney gift cards as well, which means places like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Best Buy, and anywhere you would normally buy office supplies keep Disney gift cards in stock. 

If you are someone who prefers to do their shopping at businesses that offer discounts on purchases for loyal customers, you can get even more out of a Disney gift card by purchasing your gift card for less than its actual value. For instance, if you are a member of Sam’s Club or happen to have a Target Red Card, you can automatically save on gift card purchases from these retailers since you can buy at a discounted rate. The way in which this works will vary between specific retailers, such as needing to pay with your Red Card to access the 5% shopping discount while at Target stores. 

You can also purchase Disney gift cards from online gift card retailers, which typically offer deals on certain gift card purchases. Gift Card Granny is one of the many gift card websites that help you get access to great discounts on gift cards to some of your favorite brands, and you can find Disney Store gift cards available with cash back rewards. 

Buy a Disney Store gift card

Buy a Disney Store gift card

How to activate Disney gift card

Unlike some popular gift card types, a majority of retail gift cards do not require extra steps to activate before you can use them. Disney gift cards do not need to be manually activated by the user and will become active at the time of purchase. If you buy a Disney gift card in-store, the gift card will be activated upon checkout and will be ready for immediate use. Disney gift cards and egift cards purchased online are activated before they are shipped or delivered to your email address, so you will not need to deal with any sort of registration before you can use them. 

How to check balance on Disney gift card

Rather than needing to hoard tons of receipts to keep track of what you spend your money on as you would with cash or credit cards, you can pull up your Disney gift card balance whenever you need to so you are always aware of the funds you have on hand. This makes managing your money far less stressful since you will never have to worry about losing a receipt and forgetting to log a purchase in your checkbook, which can throw your finances off balance. 

Checking your Disney gift card balance is simple. Visit the Disney gift card website to access their free gift card balance check tool, which allows you to input your Disney gift card information and view your current balance and transaction history. It does not matter what time it is or where you are, Disney gift card users are always free to check the status of their gift card balance on this website. All you need to do to complete a balance check is enter your Disney gift card account number located on the back of your gift card and the Extended Account Number, which is similar to a security code or PIN. 

 

The potential of a Disney gift card is only limited by your imagination, so don’t be afraid to make the most out of your gift card and fill your life with enchanting moments you will always remember.

Answers to Common Disney Gift Card Questions

Q: What is the best way to use a Disney gift card?

While there is no right way to use a Disney gift card, it is important that you make purchases with your gift card that are of interest to you. A Disney gift card grants you access to more than you can imagine, but what you decide to spend it on will be dependent on the types of things that appeal to you. As long as you are using your Disney gift card to make yourself happy, you can rest assured that you are using it in the best possible way. 

Q: Can you use Disney gift cards to buy park tickets?

Disney gift cards can be used to purchase pretty much everything Disney related, from hotel rooms and restaurants at Disney resorts to merchandise at the parks and online store. Buying tickets to the various theme parks and attractions with a Disney gift card is absolutely possible and encouraged. You can use your gift card to buy tickets to Walt Disney World resort, Disneyland resort, Adventures by Disney, Disney Cruise Line, and many more Disney destinations. 

Q: Can a Disney gift card be used anywhere? 

A Disney gift card may be used at any location that accepts Disney gift cards as payment. Though tickets to the iconic theme parks are a popular choice, you may also use your gift card funds at official Disney stores within the theme parks, shopDisney, dining establishments, broadway shows, and tons of other experiences offered through Disney. 

You may use your Disney gift card for purchases made at participating locations such as:

  • Walt Disney World Resort
  • Disneyland Resort
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Disney Store locations
  • shopDisney.com
  • Disney on Broadway
  • Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
  • Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort
  • Adventures by Disney
  • Aulani, Disney Resort & Spa

Q: How do I use my Disney gift card at checkout? 

How you will use your Disney gift card to make purchases will depend on the way you are shopping. If you would like to use a Disney gift card to purchase tickets for one of the Disney theme parks, you must designate the number of days, ticket type, and amount of tickets you want. Once you have selected and verified everything, follow the prompts that will take you to the checkout page. Under ‘Payment Info,’ select ‘Use a Disney Gift Card’ and then enter your gift card information, which consists of the gift card number and the Extended Account Number. After everything is entered, proceed with your purchase and you should be good to go. 

You may also use your Disney gift card to shop online at various Disney websites. While on the checkout page at shopDisney, make sure to select that you want to use a Disney gift card as payment. You will need to input your gift card information in order for your transaction to go through. If your gift card balance is not enough to meet your purchase total, you can add additional gift cards up to five in total. No more Disney gift cards? No worries, you can specify an alternative payment method to cover the cost of anything your gift card cannot. 

If you want to use your Disney gift card in-person during checkout at Disney resorts and theme parks, you can proceed as normal and simply hand over your gift card when asked to present payment. It will be similar to paying with a credit or debit card as long as your gift card value covers the entire transaction. If you plan on paying with multiple gift cards, it may be wise to let the sales assistant know ahead of time so that they can properly process your transaction, otherwise they may need to exit out of the previous transaction and begin again. 

Though most establishments at Disney will accept Disney gift cards as payment, it never hurts to call ahead of time to verify that your gift card will be accepted where you want to shop. This can save you from encountering any last minute stress during checkout if you find out your Disney gift card cannot be accepted. 

Q: How to add a Disney gift card to your app?

Are you a user of the My Disney Experience app? If so, you may be wondering how you can add a Disney gift card to your saved payment information on the Disney app to make your theme park experience even greater. While there is no way to record your Disney gift card information in these park apps, you can manually enter your gift card information each time you go to pay for a service through My Disney Experience. Make sure to keep your Disney gift card handy so that you can access your card details when necessary. 

Q: How to add a Disney gift card to Apple Wallet?

If you receive your Disney gift card as an eGift, you can absolutely add your gift card funds to your Apple Wallet to make payment seamless and convenient while out shopping, especially in the Disney theme parks. To do this, open the email you received upon purchase of your Disney eGift Card that contains your digital card information, scroll all the way to the bottom of the email, and you should be able to find an option to ‘Add to Apple Wallet.’ Once you select this option, you can add your Disney gift card to your Apple Wallet and pay for services from your phone. 

 

Even if theme parks aren’t on your Disney shopping list, your Disney gift card will make a positive difference in everyday life around the house for both you and your little ones with toys, accessories, decor, and more!

 

And that concludes our magical journey into the inner workings of Disney gift cards. There are many possibilities that come alongside using a Disney gift card, from the enchantment of Disney experiences like cruises and resorts to simple pleasures like apparel and collectibles. However you decide to use your Disney gift card, we hope that it brings smiles and cheer for everyone involved!