Ask seasoned Disney fans how they save money, and you'll hear a lot of answers. Stay off-site. Visit in the slower months. Pack your own snacks. But one tip comes up again and again, and it's surprisingly simple: buy Disney gift cards for less than they're worth.
The logic is easy to follow. Disney gift cards work almost everywhere you'd spend money on a Disney vacation, including Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, Disney Store locations in the U.S., and DisneyStore.com. Pick them up at a discount, and every dollar you spend on that trip goes a little further.
The tricky part is timing. Good deals on Disney gift cards are rare, and the best ones usually cluster around the holiday shopping season. When one shows up, fans tend to move fast.
Right now, there's a deal worth moving fast for. Target has launched an early Black Friday gift card promotion that includes Disney gift cards, and it could be the best offer we see all year.
What Target Is Offering
From November 8 through November 14, Target is giving shoppers a $10 Target GiftCard when they spend $100 or more on select gift cards. Disney gift cards are part of the lineup, along with hundreds of other brands.
A few details to keep in mind:
- The deadline: The offer ends Saturday, November 14, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.
- The limit: You can earn one $10 Target GiftCard per transaction. To collect more than one, you'll need to make separate purchases.
- The reward: The bonus is Target credit, not Disney credit. You pay face value for your Disney gift cards, then get the $10 to spend at Target later.
That last point matters. If you're a regular Target shopper, that $10 is basically as good as cash. If you rarely shop there, the deal is less valuable for you.
For Target Circle Card holders, there's an extra perk. The card, which used to be called the REDcard, takes 5% off purchases at Target, including gift cards. That discount stacks with the $10 bonus.
Let's Run the Numbers
| Without Circle Card | With Circle Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Disney gift cards | $500 | $500 |
| You pay at checkout | $500 | $475 |
| Target credit earned | $50 | $50 |
| Effective cost (counting Target credit) | $450 | $425 |
| Value saved | 10% | 15% |
The Circle Card scenario works out to about 15% in combined value, which is rare territory for Disney gift cards. Just remember that $50 of that savings comes back as Target credit, so you'll need to use it at Target to get the full benefit.
Missed Sam's Club? Don't Miss This
If this all sounds familiar, you may have caught the last big Disney gift card sale just days ago.
Sam's Club opened its own early Black Friday deal on November 6, offering $300 Disney eGift Cards for $270, or 10% off. Members were limited to four, which meant up to $1,200 in Disney gift cards for $1,080. The deal was supposed to run for a few days, but it sold out early.
That's typical for the best Disney gift card offers. Savings of 10% are about as good as it usually gets, and purchase limits mean you can only grab so much. With Disney vacations as pricey as they are, even a capped deal can make a dent.
Target's promotion runs on a set schedule through November 14, which gives shoppers a bit more breathing room. Still, it's smart not to wait until the last minute.
If history is any guide, more retailers may roll out gift card deals as Black Friday approaches. Target ran a similar promotion around this time last year, and the stretch from mid-November into early December has a reputation as prime time for Disney gift card savings.
Your Wallet Will Thank You Later
The holidays are full of ways to spend money, so it's nice to find one that helps you save some too. If you have a Disney trip on the calendar, or even just a hope of one, this Target deal is an easy way to stretch your vacation budget.
Just remember the two golden rules: keep each purchase to its own $100 transaction, and pay with your Circle Card if you have one.
Now we'd love to hear from you. Are you buying Disney gift cards this holiday season? What are you saving up for, a resort stay, a cruise, or a little extra Mickey bar money? Let us know in the comments, and if you spot another deal worth sharing, drop it there so everyone can benefit.
