Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Christopher!
What a lucky fellow you are to receive Disney gift cards for Christmas! Think of all the tantalizing food, fun activities, and cherished souvenirs you can buy with those magical cards. You should be able to use them quite effectively on your upcoming vacation.
When staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you can use your
MagicBand to charge meals, tours, and other items to your account if you have linked a valid credit card to that account. Individualized items will not appear on your credit card statement. The balance when you check out of your hotel will ultimately appear on your credit card statement. That means you can take your Disney gift cards to the front desk of your hotel in the days before you check out to pay down the balance that will show up on your credit card statement.
Of course, you also have the option of using your Disney gift cards throughout Walt Disney World at the point of purchase instead of using your MagicBand. Personally, I prefer charging all of my expenses to my MagicBand so that I have a running tally of my expenses at the end of the trip. It also saves me having to carry a credit card or any gift cards with me in the theme parks.
Have fun spending those gift cards on your upcoming trip!
Wishing you a magical adventure,
Jill