Hi there, friend!
We're so happy you stopped by planDisney with your question.
Disney Gift Cards are one of my favorite tools to have in my Disneyland Resort vacation planning pocket. They are a great way to help manage your budget, and it's smart to think ahead to where you will be able to use them. Whether you're planning on-the-go snacks, sit-down meals, or even making some room for special souvenirs, let's take a look at how you make the most of your gift cards.
Essentially, Disney Gift Cards can be used at any
Disney-owned retail or dining location. So, what does that mean? Pretty much, if you are inside the parks or at one of the
Disneyland Resort Hotels - Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian, or Pixar Place - you can feel pretty confident that you can use those gift cards on food and merchandise. There are a few exceptions, like
Great Maple Modern American Eatery at Pixar Place, which is third-party owned. At
Downtown Disney District, this is where you will find some Disney-owned retail locations like World of Disney, Disney Wonderful World of Sweets, and WonderGround Gallery, but most of the dining locations are third-party owned and unable to accept Disney-specific gift cards. If you are unsure, just ask the host, and they will be happy to let you know if they are accepted.
I know that was likely not the news you were hoping to hear, but I do have some suggestions! With the Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian both easily accessible from Downtown Disney, I would explore the many dining options that both hotels offer. There are plenty of quick-service, table-service, and lounge options to choose from! A few of my favorites include
Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar,
Goofy's Kitchen, and
Tangeroa Terrace (the poke bowl is a must!) at the Disneyland Hotel. Over at Grand Californian, my planDisney pals and I love dining al fresco at
GCH Craftsman Bar, grabbing a cocktail and appetizer at
Hearthstone Lounge, and I'm partial to some of the specials offered at
GCH Craftsman Grill. You never know what you might find!
I hope this has been helpful in your planning! If you have any more questions, please feel free to stop by to see us again soon here at
planDisney!
Happy New Year!
Tara