Hey there Nicole!
Welcome to planDisney. I'm so glad you stopped by with this question. "I think it's time that you and I arranged a heart-to-heart."
I love using my
MagicBand+ to pay as I go when visiting the parks. It's such a handy (or should I say hands-free) tool to make purchases, link PhotoPass photos, and interact with the Character statues and nighttime spectaculars. As a
Disney Resorts Collection hotel guest, your charges will automatically link back to the card associated with your resort room. While you'll be free to run around all day, and free to do it all your way, you unfortunately won't have the ability to connect a
Disney Gift Card to your MagicBand or MagicBand+. However, you can certainly stop at your resort's front desk to apply the gift card balance to your room account. You can choose to do this nightly, or on your last evening before the sun rises over the savanna.
Hakuna matata, Nicole! Though you can only save a credit or debit card to your
My Disney Experience App for in-app purchases, you can still use a Disney Gift Card to complete your transactions. If you are using
Merchandise Mobile Checkout, purchasing Disney Genie+ Service, or even placing a mobile order, you can add a Disney Gift Card as your form of payment on the order summary page. To do so select "Add a Different Payment Method" towards the bottom of the screen. There, select "Add a Card", then "Disney Gift Card" to input your card's 16-digit number. This card won't be stored for future purchases, but you easily copy and paste the number from your phone's notes app if you want to avoid carrying the card with you. I especially love using
Mobile Food and Beverage Ordering to order my favorite snacks and drinks for pickup while I'm still enjoying an attraction or show. Multi-tasking for the win!
When I visit the seasonal festivals at EPCOT I always like to purchase a Disney Gift Card with a convenient stretchy bracelet attached. This way I can set a budget on the card and wear it right on my wrist while I'm eating and drinking in a circle (of life) around World Showcase. The card designs are typically themed to the particular festival (and always super cute) and can always be re-loaded should you decide to rustle up some more grub. This was especially handy on my last visit to
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival since I was staying at the
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, and didn't have room charging abilities via my MagicBand+ with that reservation.
I hope this was helpful Nicole. Feel free to stop back with more questions as you prepare for your visit. I'm wishing you plenty of magic and memories at The Most Magical Place on Earth.
No worries, for the rest of your days!
Amy