Welcome to planDisney, Emily! I'm so glad to be able to answer your question today. With your trip coming up next October, it's a great time to start thinking about what kind of special activities you want to do on your vacation.
Enchanting Extras and
special dining experiences are always at the top of my must-do list, and I'm happy to walk you through exactly how to book them.
Emily, at this time,
Disney Gift Cards cannot be used to pay for Enchanting Extras on the Walt Disney World Resort website, but you can use them over the phone.
Just call up the hotline for Tours and Recreation and a friendly Disney Cast Member can help you out.
Now, let's chat about dining reservations! With a few notable exceptions, you do not need to make any advanced payment when you make a dining reservation, and you will just pay the bill at the end of your meal. Certain restaurants, like
Cinderella's Royal Table and
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, do need payment in full at the time of booking, but these are the only restaurants with that requirement. When you make a dining reservation, you will be asked to provide a credit card to secure the booking. This card will only be charged if you don't show up for your reservation or cancel with less than two hours notice. When you dine, you can use a Disney Gift Card to pay for your meal! Your server will be happy to take the card or scan your e-gift card at your table.
I hope this answers your question, Emily, and please let us know if there's anything else we can do to help you plan your magical vacation!
Jessica