Disney Visa Card overview
Simply put, the Disney Visa Card is a disappointing option for Disney enthusiasts. Even if you take a Disney vacation a couple of times a year, the card likely isn’t worth a temporary ding on your credit score for applying. It earns just 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all purchases, with no opportunity to earn bonus Dollars or maximize redemptions.
The main draw of the card is the opportunity to visit cardholder-exclusive locations at Disney parks and interact with characters. This is a decent enough perk, but not one that would make many people apply for a credit card.
Additionally, cardholders receive exclusive discounts on select Disney purchases. Again, this is nice, but nothing that makes a huge difference. All in all, the meager earnings and limited benefits make the Disney Visa Card a miss for almost any traveler.
Disney Visa Card basics
FinanceBuzz star rating | |
Annual fee | $0 |
Welcome offer | Earn a $150 Statement Credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening |
FinanceBuzz value calculation1 <p class="">These values are based on the <a href="https://financebuzz.com/financebuzz-credit-card-valuation">FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model</a>, which takes a look at rewards earned via spending, the welcome offer, and the annual fee. We used a valuation of 1 cent/point unless otherwise stated above. These are estimated values - your actual earnings will depend on how much you spend and in what categories.<br></p> | Year one earnings: $605
Year two earnings: $455 |
Earnings | 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all purchases |
Recommended credit score | Excellent, Good |
Intro APR | 0% intro APR on select Disney vacation packages for 6 months from the date of purchase, then 18.49% - 27.49% Variable |
Foreign transaction fee | 3% |
Disney Visa Card Rewards
Earning potential
Cardholders of the Disney Visa Card can earn 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all purchases. So, $100 in card spending earns 1 Disney Rewards Dollar, which equates to $1 spent on Disney purchases. This card has very low earning potential and won’t make sense to the vast majority of consumers.
New cardholders can earn a $150 Statement Credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Redemption methods
The earning potential is subpar, and the redemption method is much more complicated than it should be. Starting at 20 Disney Rewards Dollars, you can order and load a Redemption Card. If you already have a Redemption Card, you’ll need just 10 Rewards Dollars to reload. You can order a Redemption Card online, through the Chase mobile app, or at Disney Park locations.
Once you order a card, it will arrive in five to eight business days. This puts quite a delay on redeeming your rewards. If you want a quicker option, you can use Chase’s Pay Yourself Back feature to redeem Rewards Dollars for a statement credit toward purchases made at most Disney locations in the U.S. and online at Disney sites, including DisneyStore.com, DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, and ESPNPlus.com within 90 days from the purchase date.
You can use your Redemption Card at the following locations:
- Walt Disney World Resort
- Disneyland Resort
- Disney Cruise Line
- Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort
- Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort
- Disney Shopping
- Disney Entertainment
- Other U.S. Disney Vacation Destinations
- AMC Theatres
The only redemption option outside of the realm of Disney is at AMC movie theatres. Even then, rewards are only good toward tickets for Disney, Disney-Pixar, Marvel, or Star Wars movie tickets.
Potential earnings in years one and two
Here's a look at how your rewards can add up with the Disney Visa Card. We calculated these values using a point valuation of $0.01.
Remember, this is an estimation. Your actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories.
Year one earnings: $605
Year two earnings: $455
These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model, which takes a look at points earned via spending, the welcome bonus, and the annual fee.
Disney Visa Card benefits
- Vacation financing: The Disney Visa Card offers special vacation financing: 0% intro APR on select Disney vacation packages for 6 months from the date of purchase (then 18.49% - 27.49% Variable). You can book your next Disney trip and pay it off over time.
- Disney discounts: Enjoy exclusive Disney discounts like 10% off select purchases at DisneyStore.com, 10% off select merchandise purchases at select locations, 10% off at select dining locations most days at the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resorts, and 15% off the non-discounted price of select guided tours at the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort
- Exclusive events: The Disney Visa Card unlocks access to special events, such as exclusive Disney and Star Wars character experiences at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
- DoorDash benefits: Receive a complimentary 12-month DashPass subscription if activated by Jan. 31, 2025.
- Protections: Cardholders receive baggage delay insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection.
- Select your card design: You can choose from several card designs, including Mickey and Friends, Retro Walt Disney World, and Toy Story.
Other cards to consider
If earning Disney Rewards Dollars is your ultimate goal, the Disney® Premier Visa® Card will get you there much faster than the Disney Visa Card. It offers a larger welcome offer and a higher earning rate.
Although it does have a $49 annual fee, the Disney Premier Visa also gives the option to redeem Rewards Dollars for a statement credit for air travel. The rest of this card’s perks are almost identical to those you get with the Disney Visa Card.
Almost any other card will likely make more sense for even the most loyal Disney enthusiasts. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, and the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card allows you to earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. The higher earning potential on these cards allows you to offset the cost of your vacation while simultaneously earning other benefits. The only leg up that Disney co-branded cards have is the opportunity for cardholder exclusive Disney experiences and savings on select Disney purchases.
Who should get the Disney Visa Card?
The Disney Visa Card likely doesn’t make sense for anyone except the most hardcore Disney fan. Even then, the earning potential is so low and redemption methods so bleak that Disney lovers would be much better off with a different card.
It would only make sense to hold the Disney Visa Card if you want access to cardholder experiences like special photos with characters and complimentary photo downloads. If that’s the case, the Disney Visa has a $0 annual fee, and you can use it on the occasional Disney purchase without worrying about accumulating your Disney Rewards Dollars. If you are actually concerned with offsetting the cost of a Disney vacation, it would be much better to utilize a different card.
FAQs
Is the Disney Visa Card worth it?
If you’re a diehard Disney fan with plans to visit one of the parks soon, the Disney Visa Card has some value. For most other people, the Disney Visa is not worth it.
What are the benefits of the Disney Visa Card?
Cardholders receive select discounts at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Store, and DisneyStore.com. You can also enjoy special character experiences at Walt Disney World and Disneyland with the Disney Visa Card.
Can I use my Disney Visa Card anywhere?
Yes, the Disney Visa Card works like any Visa credit card and is accepted almost everywhere. However, it comes with a 3% foreign transaction fee charged for purchases made outside the U.S.
What credit score is needed for a Disney Visa Card?
There is no set credit score requirement for the Disney Visa Card. Chase looks at your overall creditworthiness to determine approval, including your credit history and credit score. We recommend you have a good to excellent FICO credit score to be safe, which is a score of 670 or higher.
Which Disney credit card is the best?
The Disney Visa Card and the Disney® Premier Visa® Card offer the same exclusive discounts, perks, and vacation financing. The Disney Visa Card is your best option if you want a card with a $0 annual fee. For a bigger welcome offer and a higher earning rate, the Disney Premier Visa Card is a better option. With the Disney Premier, you can earn a $300 statement credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening — plus, 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, and ESPNPlus.com; 2% on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most Disney U.S. locations; and 1% on all other purchases.
Bottom line
The Disney Visa Card can be a decent option for people who love going on vacation to Disney parks and resorts and who want to use this card to access Disney perks. If you’re not a big Disney fan or only go to the parks every few years, another rewards credit card that earns more on everyday purchases might be a better option for you.