The Evil Genius’s Guide to Saving Money on Disney Trips (With Gift Cards!)

Mwahaha! So, you want to take a magical trip to Disney but don’t want to pay full price? Good. You’re thinking like a true villain! While the heroes drain their bank accounts for that overpriced Dole Whip, we, the cunning, shall scheme our way to savings!

And the ultimate trick? Disney gift cards.

Step 1: The 5% Discount – Your Bread and Butter

Like any good villain, you need a solid base for your master plan. Enter Target. By wielding the mighty Target RedCard, you can purchase Disney gift cards for 5% off every single time. That’s right—5% should be your absolute minimum savings. Why pay full price when you can shave off a chunk of your expenses with a card swipe?

Multiply this over hotel stays, park tickets, food, and merch, and suddenly you’re saving hundreds of dollars like the devious mastermind you are.

Step 2: The 10% Discount – A Rare and Glorious Opportunity

Sometimes, the universe smiles upon us villains, and Sam’s Club or BJ’s Wholesale steps up to the plate with Disney gift cards for 7-10% off. These moments are fleeting, so when you see a deal, strike like Scar taking down Mufasa. Load up on those gift cards and prepare to bask in your savings.

If you have a Sam’s Club membership (or know someone who does—villains are resourceful, after all), you can sometimes catch these bigger discounts and stack your savings to maximize the carnage on your vacation budget.

Step 3: Stack, Stack, Stack

The beauty of this strategy? You can use these discounted Disney gift cards for almost everything on your trip:

• Park tickets? Check.

• Disney resorts? Absolutely. (Except through DVC Renting)

• Food? Oh, you’ll feast like a true villain.

• Souvenirs? Snag that Mickey plush without guilt.

If you’re really dedicated to the cause, you can buy these cards gradually over time, spreading out the cost of your trip while still reaping the savings.

Step 4: Laugh Maniacally at the Full-Price Fools

Once you’ve stacked your hoard of discounted gift cards, use them to book your trip and revel in the knowledge that you, dear villain, have won.

While the unsuspecting heroes throw their money away without a second thought, you’ve executed the ultimate Disney budget heist. Enjoy your trip, eat that Dole Whip with a smirk, and remember—you didn’t just go to Disney. You conquered it.