How to buy Disney StockHow to buy Disney Stock

How to Buy Disney Stock: A Complete Guide

Financial Gifting
Updated:
March 3, 2024
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Disney is known worldwide for enchanting stories and beloved characters.

It's also a popular choice for introducing kids to the world of investing.

Many adults choose buying and giving Disney stock to plant the seed of financial literacy early on.

Through it, they hope to teach children about investing and the stock market.

The familiarity of Disney's world - from Mickey Mouse to Frozen's Elsa - makes it an engaging and relatable choice for young investors.

Introducing children to the world of investing can be a rewarding and educational experience.

You can buy Disney stock by setting up a brokerage account for yourself or by visiting Disney's Computershare website to buy directly from them.

You can also purchase an S&P 500 index fund that has Disney as a part of it's underlying assets.

Buying stocks for kids or as gifts is a bit more complex.

Let's break it down.

Up Ahead:

Buying Disney Stock for a Child

Introducing children to the world of investing can be a rewarding and educational experience.

One of the most engaging ways to do this is by investing in a company they know and love, like Disney.

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or a family friend, buying Disney stock for a child can be a meaningful gift that provides both financial value and a learning opportunity.

1 For Your Kids

Buying Disney stock for your children is an easy process with a UTMA account.

Setting up this account is simple and allows your child to own stocks while you, as the guardian, manage the account until they reach adulthood.

Once you've acquired Disney stock through this account, you can make the experience educational and exciting by showing your kids their holdings online.

This not only introduces them to investing but also lets them see their favorite Disney characters in a whole new light – as a personal investment!

Some chores and allowance apps offer investing for kids.

With these apps kids may be able to purchase Disney stock on their own, with approval from a parent after the purchase request.

2 For Grandkids

You can set up a UTMA account for your grandchild and purchase shares of Disney there.

Setting up a UTMA account means you'll act as the custodian until they come of age.

It's important to note that setting up this account requires the child's Social Security number, which might require coordinating with the parents.

If the process seems too complex or if you're looking for a more straightforward method, consider using financial gifting platforms like Greatest Gift.

The familiarity of Disney's world - from Mickey Mouse to Frozen's Elsa - makes it an engaging and relatable choice for young investors.

This can simplify the process, allowing you to contribute to their future without the need for intricate account setups.

3 For Other Kids

Purchasing Disney stock for children who are not directly related to you can be more challenging.

You'll need access to sensitive information, including the child’s Social Security number. That can make it a less viable option.

You may want to consider alternative financial gifts for kids.

Let's see a step by step of how to buy the stock for a child.

Step-by-Step Guide

1) Choose a Method of Purchase:

  • Direct Purchase: Buy Disney stock directly through The Walt Disney Company Investment Plan and Computershare.
  • Brokerage Account: Purchase through an online brokerage.

2) Open an Account:

  • Direct Purchase: Register for an account on the Disney Investment Plan website.
  • Brokerage Account: Open a UTMA (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act) account for your child with an online broker.

3) Gather Necessary Information:

For a UTMA or Computershare account, you'll need the child's Social Security number and other personal details.

4) Make the Purchase:

Decide on the number of shares and complete the purchase process through your chosen method.

5) Monitor and Manage the Investment:

Show your child their investment and use it as an educational tool to teach them about the stock market and investing.

6) Plan for the Future:

Discuss with your child how they might want to manage their Disney stocks when they reach the age of majority.

Next, let's take a look at how to give Disney shares as a gift.

Buying Disney Stock as a Gift

Gifting stock, such as Disney, can be an innovative and educational way to spark a young investor's interest.

It introduces children and teenagers to the world of investing and personal finance, offering them a hands-on experience to explore these concepts.

Keep in mind, like all stocks, the Disney stock price varies daily.

However, while the educational value of gifting stock is undeniable, the process can be more complex than traditional gift-giving.

Gifting stock, such as Disney, can be an innovative and educational way to spark a young investor's interest.

Here are the steps you'll need:

  1. Purchase the Stock: First, you need to buy the Disney stock you intend to gift. This is done through your own brokerage account. If you don't have a brokerage account, you'll need to open one.
  2. UTMA Account for the Child: For the child to receive the gifted stock, they need to be the beneficiary of a UTMA Account, a custodial account that’s legally owned by the child. If the child's parents don't have such an account set up, you can suggest popular UTMA account providers to them.
  3. Initiate the Transfer: Once you own the stock, you'll need to start the process of transferring it as a gift. This usually involves sending a detailed letter to your broker. The letter should include various details such as the recipient’s Social Security number, a description of the securities being gifted, and, if the recipient uses a different broker, the name, address, and Depository Trust Company (DTC) number of their broker, along with their account number.

While gifting stock can be a thoughtful gesture, it might not be the most practical choice for every occasion.

For example, it might not be the best fit for a coworker's baby shower, but it could be a significant gift for your teenage nephew or niece.

Teenagers, in particular, can benefit greatly from receiving stock as a gift.

It provides them with real-world exposure to personal finance and investing.

The Walt Disney Company Investment Plan

It's possible to buy Disney stocks directly from the company through its Investment Plan.

This method simplifies the process, making it accessible for anyone to become a Disney shareholder.

It's ideal for those new to investing or not familiar with brokerage accounts.

The setup involves creating an account and choosing an investment strategy that suits your needs. Choose from a one-time purchase or regular contributions.

It's important to consider that this ease of access might come with higher fees compared to using free brokerage accounts.

While direct stock purchase plans like Disney’s offer simplicity, they can be costlier and may offer less flexibility in trading compared to online brokerages.

Buying Disney Stock with Computershare

Computershare is a service that facilitates direct stock purchases, including Disney stocks, without the need for a traditional brokerage account.

This platform is especially useful for setting up a direct stock purchase or dividend reinvestment plan.

Here's how it works:

Account Set-Up:

Go the Computershare's stock selection page. Your account will be set up once you complete your first purchase.

Alternatively, visit the Disney stock website and find the "Want to buy Shares?" button.

how to buy disney stock through the disney website and computershare step 1

Stock Selection:

Choose Disney stock and proceed to the purchase process. Choose the amount you wish to purchase. For Disney, there is a minimum $250 initial amount for new investors.

If you started through the Disney Stock website, find the "Invest Now" button to proceed.

how to buy disney stock through the disney website and computershare step 2

Transaction Process:

Follow the steps to complete your stock purchase. Computershare handles the transaction and holds the stock in your name or in the name of your child.

Managing Investments:

Through Computershare, you can view your holdings, manage your account, and make additional purchases or changes to your investment.

Computershare offers a user-friendly platform for those who prefer a direct route to owning Disney stock, particularly for gifting to children or as a long-term investment.

However, it's important to note the service has minimum purchase amounts and additional fees.

How to Get a Disney Stock Certificate

Giving stocks as gifts, especially to kids, is more exciting when you have something physical to hand over.

Stock certificates used to be perfect for this.

They're like official papers showing that you own a part of a company.

Disney has stopped giving out paper certificates. Now, everything is done electronically, which is simpler but less fun for gifts.

For Disney stocks, having a certificate with fun designs made the gift feel special.

But Disney has stopped giving out paper certificates.

Now, everything is done electronically, which is simpler but less fun for gifts.

So, people have come up with creative ways to keep the excitement of gifting stocks:

1 Framed Replica Certificates

Companies like GiveAshare sell a single share of stock with a framed copy of what Disney's stock certificate looks like.

So, people have come up with creative ways to keep the excitement of gifting stocks:

This way, you get the real stock and something cool to show for it.

2 Printed Faux Certificates

You can also find pretend certificates on Etsy.

These are just for show but can be paired with buying the real stock online.

It's a nice touch to make the gift feel more real.

These options help make giving stocks as gifts fun and meaningful, even when you can't get the original paper certificates anymore.

3 Alternatives to Giving Disney Stock as Gifts

While Disney stocks are a popular choice, there are other great financial gift options for kids.

Greatest Gift allows for easy financial gifting, suitable for long-term savings for children.

Another classic option is US Savings Bonds, which offer a safe investment choice, though they may not be as exciting as stocks.

Greatest Gift allows for easy financial gifting, suitable for long-term savings for children.

Kid-friendly stocks in other companies, like McDonald's or Mattel, are also excellent choices for a first stock.

Additionally, traditional gifts like piggy banks or cash can be a simple yet effective way to introduce kids to saving and financial concepts.

Additional Questions

Can you buy Disney stock as a gift?

Yes, but the only way to gift Disney stock is by transferring it from one brokerage account to another.

Children need a UTMA account, a type of investment account designed to hold assets for minors, to accept stocks as gifts.

What are the perks of owning Disney stock?

Owning Disney stock is an investment in a globally recognized and historically strong company.

It's particularly appealing as a way to introduce young investors to the stock market, as they often have a personal connection with Disney's products and characters.

Can I buy stocks in my child's name?

Absolutely. You can purchase stocks in your child's name by setting up a UTMA account.

This account enables your child to legally own the stock with you as the custodian until they come of age, providing both a financial asset and an educational opportunity.

Can you buy stocks as a gift for someone?

You can buy stocks as a gift, but the process might be complex, involving transfers between brokerage accounts.

If you're looking for a simpler option, consider using services like Greatest Gift, which offer a simple financial gifting process and make it more accessible.

About Greatest Gift

Greatest Gift is the financial gifting platform for children's long term savings.

Send and receive monetary gifts for children's long term savings.

Discover great ways to save and invest for children.
Learn More

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