Disney® Visa® card review: Big on Disney perks but limited in everything else

Disney® Visa® card review: Big on Disney perks but limited in everything else

Updated: September 10, 2024
Updated: September 10, 2024
Ratings Policy
Rewards Rating:
2.8 rating
2.8 rating
2.8 / 5
Rewards Value:1.0
Annual Percentage Rate:2.0
Rewards Flexibility:2.0
Features:3.0
Issuer Customer Experience4.0

In a Nutshell:

While this card offers enticing Disney perks, its rewards program falls a bit flat. If you are planning a Disney vacation, it might be worth looking into a different rewards card that could really maximize your spending.

Rewards Rate

  • Earn 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all card purchases. There are no limits to the number of Rewards Dollars you can earn.

Poor

Sign-Up Bonus

  • Earn a $150 Statement Credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Fair

Annual Fee

  • $0

Very Good

APR
19.24% - 28.24% Variable

Fair

Chase Customer Service Ratings

Very Good

Other Notable Features: Introductory APR for select Disney vacation packages from the date of purchase, 10% off select merchandise purchases at select locations and 10% off at select dining locations most days at the Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort, 10% on select purchases at DisneyStore.com, Discounts on Disney Cruise Line for select onboard purchases

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Are you a frequent visitor to the Happiest Place on Earth or planning a trip to the Magic Kingdom? Or perhaps you shop all things Disney? For avid Disney fans, the Disney® Visa® Card can bring you closer to adding to your Disney collection and experiences.

But the rewards rate on the Disney Visa is lacking; other rewards cards offer more competitive rates you can use for statement credits or directly toward travel. While it may be tempting to hold a Disney card, especially since you can pick a Disney- or Star Wars-themed card design, you might be better off with a card that boasts a more substantial flat-rate cash back or travel rewards program to help you get that dream Disney vacation.

What are the pros and cons?

Pros

  • The promo APR on select Disney vacation packages can help you budget for your next trip.
  • You can enjoy the latest Disney, Disney and Pixar and Star Wars flick by redeeming rewards for Disney movies at AMCTheatres.com or on the AMC Theatres mobile app.
  • Many discounts are available if you shop Disney online or visit Disney resorts and theme parks frequently.

Cons

  • Redemption options are extremely limited; you cannot redeem for statement credit, only select Disney purchases.
  • Cash back earnings are not competitive compared to other rewards cards.
  • The card doesn’t offer an intro purchase APR.

Why you might want the Disney Visa

If you have a passion for Disney, then this card might be worth a place in your wallet. While the rewards rate could be more appealing, Disney fans can get excited about some of the card’s unique perks.

No need to offset an annual fee

While many rewards cards don’t have an annual fee, this card’s no annual fee is a great feature since redemption options are limited to Disney-specific spending. You won’t have to stress about offsetting the cost every year, which could be more difficult when you can only redeem for Disney items.

On top of the no annual fee, the Disney Visa offers a 0% promo APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages from the date of purchase (then a variable APR of 19.24% – 28.24%). If you are looking for ways to afford that Disney getaway, that promo APR period could give you the cushioning you need.

Otherwise, APR rates and fees are standard for a card of this type. And the lower end of its variable APR is slightly below the current national APR average.

Enjoy Disney-specific perks

One of the most attractive aspects of this card is its Disney-related perks. The card offers plenty of discounts when shopping or dining at Disneyland and Disney World resorts, shopDisney.com, and on the Disney Cruise Line. Plus, you can take advantage of a 10% discount on the Castaway Cay Getaway Package or a promo APR on select Disney vacation packages.

Disney regulars can see big savings with these discounts. For instance, if a family of four spends about $350 on meals a day at Disneyland, they might save $35. That adds up to $245 for a seven-day trip.

In addition to discounts, cardholders can meet and pose for photos with some of their favorite Disney and Star Wars characters at private locations at Disneyland and Disney World. Downloads of your photos are free.

And, of course, you get to pick a card design with a popular Disney or Star Wars theme, like baby Yoda or the Sleeping Beauty castle, to show off to friends and family.

Why you might want a different card

This card might offer special perks, but its rewards structure is less than ideal. Its lack of flexibility and disappointing welcome offer might justify another rewards card that better suits your Disney dreams.

Better welcome offers available

This card’s welcome offer is fair, but not impressive. Other rewards cards have more valuable sign-up bonuses. The Citi Rewards+ Card, for instance, You can earn 20,000 bonus points (redeemable for $200 in gift cards through Citi’s rewards portal) if you spend $1,500 in the first three months.

For an even better bonus, you might consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which offers 60,000 bonus points, or the equivalent of $750 when you redeem points through Chase Travel℠ portal, after you spend $4,000 in the first three months. You can easily offset its annual fee with its generous rewards program.

Low earnings and limited redemption options

Not only is the earnings rate just at 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars, but the card lacks flexibility in how you can redeem those rewards. While other rewards cards might let cardholders redeem as a statement credit, by check, or by transferring to a loyalty program, you can only redeem Disney Rewards Dollars for the following purchases:

  • Disney Theme Park tickets
  • Staying at a Disney Resort
  • Shopping and dining at a Disney Park or Resort
  • shopDisney.com (most items)
  • Disney Cruise Line packages, onboard activities and souvenirs

Cardholders should also note that these redemption options only apply to U.S. locations.

This may seem to benefit Disney enthusiasts, but it would only pay off if you make a large purchase on your Disney card or if you commit to only using your Disney card for all your spending. If you charge $12,000 on the Disney Visa, for example, you’ll only accumulate $120 Disney Rewards Dollars. To redeem your Disney Rewards Dollars, you actually have to request a Disney Rewards Redemption Card, load your Disney Rewards Dollars onto the new card (minimum of 20 Rewards Dollars), then use it like a gift card on eligible purchases.

However, compare that to the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. With 2% cash rewards, you would double your earnings for spending the same amount and you can redeem in multiple ways, such as a statement credit or in cash at a Wells Fargo ATM. That could pay for an extra ticket to Disneyland.

How does the Disney Visa compare to other rewards cards?

The Disney Visa is a low-maintenance rewards card with decent Disney perks. But if you want more redemption options or wish to maximize bonus categories, then other rewards cards can also offer a budget-friendly Disney experience.

Disney® Premier Visa® Card

Disney® Premier Visa® Card

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Rewards rate 

  • Earn 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or ESPNPlus.com.
  • Earn 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and most Disney U.S. locations
  • Earn 1% on all your other card purchases. There are no limits to the number of Rewards Dollars you can earn
Rewards rate

  • 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
  • 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
  • 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
  • 1% Cash Back on all other purchases
Rewards rate

  • 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

 

 

 

Welcome bonus 

  • Earn a $300 Statement Credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Welcome bonus

  • Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Welcome bonus

  • Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
Annual fee

  • $49
Annual fee

  • $0
Annual fee

  • $0
Other things to know

  • Rewards can be redeemed for airline credit.
  • Disney Bundle Trio subscribers can earn some statement credit.
Other things to know

  • This card offers an intro APR for purchases and balance transfers.
  • You don’t have to pay a foreign transaction fee.
Other things to know

  • You can transfer your miles to travel loyalty programs.
  • You can take advantage of exclusive Capital One perks like Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment.

Disney Visa  vs. Disney® Premier Visa® card

Disney offers another card in its suite of credit cards: the Disney® Premier Visa® Card. This card makes up for what its sibling card lacks. Namely, it offers boosted rewards for everyday categories and more redemption options. For instance, you can redeem Disney Rewards Dollars for airline credits, which can come in handy when planning a big Disney vacation.

Though Disney Premier comes with an annual fee, it’s comparatively low. And if you use the card often, you can easily offset the yearly cost with the airline credit or Disney’s other redemption options.

Disney Visa vs. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Disney Visa does not offer any boosted or bonus categories, which makes your earning potential low. For terrific cash rewards potential, the Capital One SavorOne card is tough to beat. Though you can get the card’s best rewards rate through Capital One’s portals for travel and entertainment, it also offers unlimited 3 percent cash back on popular spending categories like dining and groceries (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).

Disney Visa vs. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Since the Disney Visa doesn’t have rewards redemption for travel options, a different travel credit card can offer you ways to cut down on travel costs. The Capital One VentureOne card is a simple, no-hassle travel card that has an unlimited flat rate on every purchase and a higher earnings rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. If you want to earn miles toward that Disney flight without worrying about an annual fee, then this card might work for you.

 How to use Disney Visa

  • Make this your primary credit card to maximize earning potential.
  • Take advantage of all Disney discounts, including for Disney movies at AMC theaters.
  • Pair this card with a travel or hotel credit card to help lower costs for your Disney vacation.
  • Load your Disney Rewards Dollars on the Disney Rewards Redemption Card to use your rewards for qualifying purchases.

Is the Disney Visa right for you?

The Disney Visa might work well for die-hard Disney fans whose vacations are mostly spent at Disney theme parks or cruises. Because it doesn’t have an annual fee, it won’t cost you anything to carry it. This makes it a decent rewards card, despite its limited redemption options.

Yet, there are more impressive cards that provide cardholders with faster ways to earn more and could also be used to plan an affordable Disney experience. If you don’t think you’ll take advantage of the card’s perks often, then you might consider other options for that Mickey Mouse souvenir.

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