The Random Disney Gift Card Problem You'll Run Into at Hollywood Studios

One of Disney’s most popular experiences really doesn’t accept gift cards?

Galaxy’s Edge

Since Galaxy’s Edge opened at Walt Disney World, building a Lightsaber at the land’s Savi’s Workshop locations has been one of the most popular experiences the Star Wars-based areas have to offer. Which makes it all the stranger that one of the most popular methods of payment on Disney property can’t be used to pay for it.

Many Disney guests use gift cards for nearly everything, from actually paying off their trips to using them as a method of controlling spending money while on vacation. This method is especially beneficial for members of warehouse clubs like Costco who often have discounts on gift cards that, in turn, give them defacto discounts on Disney trips and souvenirs.

Believe it or not, it’s true: You CAN’T use a gift card to pay for the Savi’s workshop.

Why?

It has to do with pre-payment. Currently, Walt Disney World guests are required to pay the full $249.99 cost of the Lightsaber experience at the time of booking. And, as laid out on the official PlanDisney site, “a Disney Gift Card is not accepted as a pre-payment option.” This wasn’t always the case, but it is now.

Build your own lightsaber!

However, this is exclusively the case at Disney World. At Disneyland, payment is due upon arrival, as opposed to at the time of booking. Which makes it possible to pay with a gift card on the West Coast, as we confirmed with a Disneyland representative.

Savi’s Workshop

This is another perk at Disneyland, in addition to that park’s Lightsaber experience being $30 cheaper than its Disney World counterpart ($219.99 vs Disney World’s $249.99), which we think is likely based on guest demographics.

Savi’s Workshop

If you’re budgeting a trip to Walt Disney World anytime soon, make sure to keep in mind that you can not use a Disney gift card to pay for the Savi’s Workshop Lightsaber experience at Hollywood Studios’ Galaxy’s Edge. Stay tuned to AllEars for further coverage of Disney World’s price quirks.