How to Save Money on Disney Gift Cards today

Hello there! Today, let's talk about one of the most magical gift cards out there - Disney gift cards!

All About Disney Gift Cards

Disney gift cards are a fantastic way to give the gift of magic to someone special. Whether you're shopping for a Disney fan or just looking for a unique gift idea, a Disney gift card is always a great choice. Let's explore some of the reasons why.

First of all, Disney gift cards are incredibly versatile. They can be used at many different Disney locations, including Disney theme parks, Disney stores, Disney resorts, and even Disney Cruise Line. So whether your gift recipient is planning a trip to Walt Disney World or just wants to buy some Disney merchandise online, a Disney gift card will always come in handy.

Another great thing about Disney gift cards is that they never expire. That means that your gift recipient can use the card whenever they want, without worrying about any expiration dates or fees. This makes it a great gift for someone who may not be able to use it right away but wants to save it for a special occasion.

Disney gift cards also come in a variety of designs, making them a fun and collectible item for Disney fans of all ages. From classic Disney characters to Star Wars and Marvel themes, there's a design for everyone. And if you're feeling creative, you can even create your own custom Disney gift card design online.

Disney gift cards can also be reloaded, making them a great option for budget-conscious shoppers. You can add funds to the card as needed, so your gift recipient can keep using it even after the initial balance is spent.

Disney gift cards are a fun and practical gift for any Disney fan. They're versatile, never expire, and come in a variety of designs. So next time you're looking for a gift for a Disney lover, consider giving them the gift of magic with a Disney gift card!

Discount Disney Gift Cards

​Discount Disney gift cards are a common way to save money on your Disney vacation, but they're also tricky, more so than you might expect. In this blog, we'll go over everything you need to know about discount Disney gift cards, such as what constitutes a good discount, when to use Disney gift cards, and when using them costs you money.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through one of the links.

​What is a Disney Gift Card?
 
No, this isn’t a joke, and this is a valid question that must be addressed before getting started. There are two different things that could be referred to as a "Disney Gift Card."
 
1. A genuine Disney gift card
 
This is what most people talk about, and what the rest of this blog post will discuss. It's the standard Disney gift card, which can be used at most Disney locations in the United States and can be purchased anywhere from the Disney Store to Target.
 
2. A Disney Rewards Redemption Card from Chase
 
This is where points earned by using a Disney Rewards Chase Visa are transferred. In other words, they are the primary way to redeem points in the Disney Rewards program. It, like a Disney gift card, can be used at most Disney locations in the United States. You don't buy and sell or give these away like a gift card; they're simply there to hold the points you've earned with a Disney credit card.

​Where Can I Spend My Disney Gift Card?
 
Disney gift cards can be used almost anywhere and for almost anything at Disney.
 
To cover the cost of Disney vacations, including hotels, annual passes, and tickets. Visits to Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Springs, Disneyland Resort, Aulani, Disney Cruise Line, Hilton Head Island, Vero Beach, and Adventures by Disney are among them. You can also use them at Disney Stores and DisneyStore.com

Is It Better to Buy Disney Gift Cards or Use Cash?
 
For every dollar spent, Disney gift cards are worse (or more limiting) than cash because they can only be used at Disney locations or on Disney merchandise. However, if you've already committed to spending a significant amount of money at a Disney location, they'll be as good as cash for you.
 
On the flip side, there are ways to get discounted Disney gift cards, which is where the true value lies. If you're going to Disney anyway and can purchase Disney gift cards at a discount, there are some good ways to save, which are outlined further below.
 
How Much Can I Save with Disney Gift Card Discounts?
 
Before we get into the specifics of how to obtain these discounts, let's look at your realistic potential savings. Using discount Disney gift cards, you can expect to save between 5% and 10% on your trip. If your trip is estimated to cost you $10,000 and you secure a 10% discount on your Disney Gift Cards, you will now only be spending $9,000 on the same trip. If these savings seems worth it to you (hopefully it does), read on. 

​Saving 5%
 
The easiest way to save on a Disney Gift Card is to use your Redcard at Target and save an instant 5%. You can do this in person or online and have the Gift Card emailed to you or sent through the postal mail.
 
Using our example from above, on a $10,000 trip if you purchase Disney Gift Cards using your Target Red Card, you will now only spend $9500. It is really that simple! These Disney Gift Cards can be purchased straight from the website, app or in-person at Target stores.

​*** Potential extra 1% savings. If you download the Rakuten app (free to download) and click through Target to shop, there is sometimes a 1% cashback offer on your Target purchase. No catch and the sale is going through Target directly, so there really isn’t a downside to getting the Rakuten app and clicking through to Target before you purchase your gift cards. I will say from personal experience, most of the time Rakuten flags this as a gift card purchase, and won't give me credit for it, but I still try each time. 

​Other 5% Savings
 
A less popular option to save 5% on your Disney Gift Cards is to use rotating cash back awards on your credit card categories. Many credit card companies will offer the option to rotate 5% cash back opportunities amongst select categories of spending. If you have selected 5% cash back at gas stations, you can purchase your Disney Gift Cards at local gas station stores and capitalize on the additional savings. Make sure you read the fine print, as many of these cashback offers have a cap per month or reward period.
 
Saving 10%
 
Join Sam’s Club online or in person. There is a membership fee, but currently, there is a 50% off offer. Disney Gift Cards are discounted by approximately 4% at Sam’s Club. Prices are hidden from non-members, so you need to wait until you join and sign into your online account. Once you have your Sam’s Club membership secured download the Cash App (if you aren’t already using it). Apply for the free debit card. Once you receive your Cash App debit card in the mail, load funds onto the Debit card.

Use your Cash App debit card to pay for your Disney Gift Card through Sam’s Club when the 5% boost is activated. You can purchase roughly $400 in gift cards every 24 hours to receive the maximum boosted amount of $20 off. A Cash App boost works like a coupon, and it comes off automatically.
 
This method is a bit more complicated but will save you up to 10% off your Disney Gift Cards. You are now looking at paying only $9,000 for that $10,000 Disney trip that you have planned.
 
*** BJs is another option that is not as readily used in the Disney community, but still an option to investigate. Similar to the Sam’s Club offer you may be able to save up to 4% + stack that with your 5% cashback from your credit card company.

​Other Ways to Save
 
You will see Gift Card resale sights or seller sites such as eBay with Disney Gift Cards available for sale. There is a risk to using these sites. You may never receive the card, or the card may have been reported stolen and the balance will zero out by the time you receive it. Will the transaction be legitimate at times, yes, but you need to weigh if you are willing to take the risk.
 
The Downside of Discount Disney Gift Cards
 
The argument against pursuing discounted Disney gift cards is clear – your dollars become “Disney Dollars” and you must use all that money on Disney. Your discounted Disney gift cards are only redeemable at Disney. Disney does not always have the best available hotel rates, and they rarely have the best available ticket prices. If you can get a more substantial discount booking through a source other than Disney, then you can get buying gift cards, buying the discount gift cards makes no sense. Bottom line, make sure that you plan to use every penny on Disney that you invest in Disney Gift Cards.
 
Things to Remember
 
A 5% discount is extremely easy to get on Disney Gift Cards. If you want to try to push that discount to 8-10% it’s going to take more work, and likely a wholesale club membership. Crunch your numbers and see what is going to be best for your needs. Make sure not to purchase more Disney Gift Cards than you plan to use during your trip. If you do end up with leftover balances on your cards, you can attempt to sell them on sites such as eBay and pass the discount along to another fellow Mouse Lover.

Disney Gift Card Holder & Wallet

Once you have purchased your Disney gift cards, you might want to hold them in a place that accentuates the Mouse Magic! I absolutely love the LoungeFly Disney line, and this is one of my favorite Disney wallets. Not only can it store your gift cards, but also credit cards, cash, ID, and more!

Love Disney and love to save money? Head over to my article, "8 Smart Walt Disney World Money-Saving Tips for You," to learn more ways to save.