Hello Leslie, and welcome to planDisney!
Thanks for stopping by as you prepare for your December getaway. There's nothing quite as festive as
Walt Disney World during the holiday season. Whether you attend a special event like
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party or simply take time to enjoy the incredible resort decorations, you'll experience so much joy and holiday spirit. Stay tuned to the
Disney Parks Blog to learn about this year's offerings as your trip approaches.
I love the idea of paying for your stay with
Disney Gift Cards. I look for deals at my local big box stores (Costco sold discounted Disney Gift Cards a few months ago) and stock up to cover as many travel expenses as possible. Anytime you cancel or downgrade a Walt Disney World vacation package (within the terms of the reservation), you will receive a refund to the original payment method (the Disney Gift Cards, in your case). For that reason, I recommend keeping the Disney Gift Cards, even when all funds have been exhausted, just in case of a cancelation or modification that results in a lower price.
The remaining funds on Disney Gift Cards can be used almost anywhere in the theme parks and resorts during your vacation. I like storing gift card numbers in the Notes app on my mobile device. That way, when I finalize a
Mobile Food & Beverage Order or complete
Merchandise Mobile Checkout, I can swiftly copy and paste the numbers from the note to the payment screen without pulling out a gift card.
Best wishes for a jolly holiday next winter, Leslie. If there's anything else we at planDisney can do to help as your trip comes together, don't hesitate to reach out again. We're all ears!
Have a magical day,
Betsy