Poor Person's Quesstion

[NADINENURSE]

Please don't laugh, and Im even embarrassed to ask BUT :bounce: will ALLSTAR MUSIC accept a personal check from a bank in NY for the final checkout payment on my room charges ? I have posted here on the boards 3 weeks ago about losing my job, and my vacation needing to be cancelled, but I got the funds together for final payment on the Fairy Tale package, and now am stressing out about such a simple thing as how to eat at the land.:confused: I still don't even have airfare back yet, living paycheck to paycheck, oh my lovely employers, however, good news, have found new job start 9/15 (leaving for the word 9/19 & okay w. new employer), and vacation paychecks will start 9/26, that's double paychecks for 6 weeks. So, when I get back on 9/28, I'll have TONs of $ :) , with no way to accesss the checks until I return. So, will I be abe to write the check?, only have debit/credit cards as my credit card so they wil not be abe to charge the check against the account ? I am embarrassed to admit this as most of the posts seem to be about poeple who are spending more than $200 for a hotel room. I am just average and poor.

[Mic]

I have sent checks(with a Disney theme, no less) to Disney as payment for reservations several times, and paid the balance with a check as well when I checked in at the resort. As long as you have current photo identification(such as NY driver's license) there should be no problem. And congratulations on the new job.

[NotTooGoofy]

I would think ASMusic would take a personal check as long as you have photo ID. If you want to call the resort just to be sure, here is the phone number: 407-939-6000,

[mad4themouse]

Your strategy may have a small flaw in it.

Are you planning to make room charges? If not, then you will not need to write a check at the end of your stay since room and passes will have already been paid for.

If you are planning to make room charges, you will need to secure it using a major credit card or debit/credit card. In doing so, you will be establishing a line of credit up to a certain amount with by using the available balance on the card (offhand, I do not know what that amount is). Disney will place a hold for that amount on your card, thereby assuring them that they will be paid. For credit card holders, this may not be an issue unless they are already close to their credit limit. For debit card holders, it means tieing up that amount until the hold is either relased or the charge is put thru.

And, once your room charges reach that amount (on the Magic, it was $500), they will put it through as a charge and collect their money. They will graciously do a "charge back" should you decide to pay off the amount using cash or a check. This is not a problem for credit card holders but it can tie up the funds of debit card holders for a few days while the charge back goes through.

So, if that debit card is connected to your checking account, you may run into problems if there isn't enough money in there to cover those charges and checks that you have written.

If there is any way at all to get the vacation checks direct deposited, I would try to do so. And if you can convince a friend of family member to advance you the money on your vacation checks, you will be even better off. Because even though Disney will accept your out-of-town check, they will still want assurances that they're going to get their dough.

[Rexfan]

The All Star's have a $500 charging limit also if you want to use your passes for that.

[summerrluvv]

Disney does not put a hold on your credit card for room charging priveledges. They authorize the card for $1.00 and then when you reach the resort maximum spending allowance ($500 for Value, $1000 for moderate and $1500 for deluxe), then they charge the card. You can settle your account at any point during your stay before the room charges reach the $500 so you may be able to pay that with the check and then start all over.

[DMRick]

So, will I be abe to write the check?,

I assume I'm the only one misunderstanding what you are writing. Will you have money in your checking account when you write the check? And why would you need to write a check, if you have paid your final payment? I'm reading it, that you won't be able to get to your vacation checks while you are gone, so you want to write a check to Disney, and then when you get back, you'll have money to cover them?
If so, those checks could end up clearing before you get home...and if you don't have the money in the checking account yet..they will bounce. Am I misunderstanding?
If you have already paid for your trip in full..and tell them you don't want charging priviledges, you shouldn't owe anything.

[NADINENURSE]

so confused !! :confused: summerluv and madforthemouse seem to disagree. Both you guys sound like the answers are feasable, but I hope summerluv is right, if I call Disney will they tell me the truth if I ask ? I am definately not gettlng out of paying, just holding off until I get home to deposit multiple checks, we have no family to do it for us.:(

[dcfromva]

Originally posted by NADINENURSE
Please don't laugh, and Im even embarrassed to ask BUT :bounce: will ALLSTAR MUSIC accept a personal check from a bank in NY for the final checkout payment on my room charges ? I have posted here on the boards 3 weeks ago about losing my job, and my vacation needing to be cancelled, but I got the funds together for final payment on the Fairy Tale package, and now am stressing out about such a simple thing as how to eat at the land.:confused: I still don't even have airfare back yet, living paycheck to paycheck, oh my lovely employers, however, good news, have found new job start 9/15 (leaving for the word 9/19 & okay w. new employer), and vacation paychecks will start 9/26, that's double paychecks for 6 weeks. So, when I get back on 9/28, I'll have TONs of $ :) , with no way to accesss the checks until I return. So, will I be abe to write the check?, only have debit/credit cards as my credit card so they wil not be abe to charge the check against the account ? I am embarrassed to admit this as most of the posts seem to be about poeple who are spending more than $200 for a hotel room. I am just average and poor.

NADINENURSE ,
Congrats on the new job! :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc
I have paid for Disney rooms using a check years ago (now, I pretty much stick to the CC routine to get the bonus incentives).
I was surprised the past couple of visits that Disney charged my room balance on check in to my CC--and they also asked if I wanted to use the cc for any incidental expenses to be charged to my room...(we always use the room charging, too). I don't know when they changed this because I am pretty sure that they always used to charge the CC on check out.
You might want to check on this because I would expect they would ask for your final payment on check-in no matter what you are using for payment.

-DC :)

[NADINENURSE]

DMRICK, you got it kind of. The day I return I will cash the paychecks, deposit the money, which will be the same day I write the check in Disney, technically, the money will be in the bank at midnight when the bank does the deposit. I told you this would all be a great big embarassment to ask, Im also not talking about big bucks, probably $300 at the most. Hope everyone does not think I am a slimeball, have had great family and job problems over the past couple of months, now time is the factor as I have a Fairy Tale Package for a certain date, a week before the paychecks come, as I understand it, I cant change the dates, so I am stuck big time. Trying just to make it work, I could cry again, have been so sad for weeks.:o :( :o

[dcfromva]

Originally posted by NADINENURSE
so confused !! :confused: summerluv and madforthemouse seem to disagree. Both you guys sound like the answers are feasable, but I hope summerluv is right, if I call Disney will they tell me the truth if I ask ? I am definately not gettlng out of paying, just holding off until I get home to deposit multiple checks, we have no family to do it for us.:(
NADINENURSE,
Whoops! I was thinking that you might have direct deposit...
I definately think your check will beat you to the bank (before you can deposit the checks)....
Do you have a line of credit that you could set up or would it be possible to delay your trip?

-DC :)

[dcfromva]

Originally posted by NADINENURSE
DMRICK, you got it kind of. The day I return I will cash the paychecks, deposit the money, which will be the same day I write the check in Disney, technically, the money will be in the bank at midnight when the bank does the deposit. I told you this would all be a great big embarassment to ask, Im also not talking about big bucks, probably $300 at the most. Hope everyone does not think I am a slimeball, have had great family and job problems over the past couple of months, now time is the factor as I have a Fairy Tale Package for a certain date, a week before the paychecks come, as I understand it, I cant change the dates, so I am stuck big time. Trying just to make it work, I could cry again, have been so sad for weeks.:o :( :o

NADINENURSE,
I don't think anyone thinks of you in a negative way---this is just a temporary cash flow problem that you have to solve--even large corporations have cash flow problems now and then. There has to be a way to make this happen as you seem to be so close. Regarding changing the dates... I don't think it would hurt to ask if it is possible as it would take a whole lot of pressure off of you if they would allow it.
-DC :)

[summerrluvv]

Originally posted by NADINENURSE
so confused !! :confused: summerluv and madforthemouse seem to disagree. Both you guys sound like the answers are feasable, but I hope summerluv is right, if I call Disney will they tell me the truth if I ask ? I am definately not gettlng out of paying, just holding off until I get home to deposit multiple checks, we have no family to do it for us.:(

There was a thread about the room charging and credit card holds about a month ago I think. Unless they changed it in the last few weeks, it still stands that they just authorize the card for a dollar. Now if you don't live in FL and you pay upon check out with the check, you would probably have time to deposit your paycheck without the Disney check bouncing. Maybe you could have someone else deposit the check for you in your account just to make sure nothing happens. I am not an advocate of forging signatures, but I have signed my husbands name on checks of his and just deposited them (not cashed) and of course with his consent.

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by NADINENURSE
The day I return I will cash the paychecks, deposit the money, which will be the same day I write the check in Disney, technically, the money will be in the bank at midnight when the bank does the deposit.

If I'm reading your question right, you are saying that when you checkout from AS, you will pay your bill with a personal check, but the money to cover that check won't yet be in your account.

If that is accurate, you definitely should not do that! You should <B>NEVER</b> write a check unless the funds to cover that check are already in your account. It is far too easy for the check to clear before your deposited funds are available, in which case the check won't actually clear, it will bounce. For example, what happens if your return flight is delayed and you don't get to the bank in time?

I think you stated that you don't have a credit card. In that case, I think your best option is to find someone - friend, relative, co-worker - who is willing to lend you the money before your trip and be repaid when you return and cash your paycheck.

By the way, and I'm not asking this to be nasty or critical - just realistic, but what do you plan to do for food and spending money during your trip if, at this point, you don't have the funds for the hotel bill?

Steve

[dcfromva]

Originally posted by summerrluvv
There was a thread about the room charging and credit card holds about a month ago I think. Unless they changed it in the last few weeks, it still stands that they just authorize the card for a dollar. Now if you don't live in FL and you pay upon check out with the check, you would probably have time to deposit your paycheck without the Disney check bouncing. Maybe you could have someone else deposit the check for you in your account just to make sure nothing happens. I am not an advocate of forging signatures, but I have signed my husbands name on checks of his and just deposited them (not cashed) and of course with his consent.

summerrluvv,
The only problem is that the entire room balance would be due when NADINENURSE checks in and she would have to write the check for the balance on her day of arrival.
I am looking at my statement from my last stay just to double check--the date my visa was charged for my room balance was on the day I checked in (my CC statement also reflects the check in date as well). I always thought this was done on check out (maybe it has always been done on check in and I just didn't notice).
-DC :)

[summerrluvv]

Right...the payment for the room is due upon check in. I thought she was just concerned about incidentals not the room charge. In that case, the check would definately clear before she got to deposit it.

[JesseBlue]

Nadine do you plan on charging to your room (for food and stuff) and paying for it with a check and then hoping you beat the check back home? If so, I wouldn't do it. Your vacation checks could be held up, plane could be delayed, anything could happen. Then you'd be hit with bounced check fees. A better idea would be opening a line of credit on your checking account to avoid any bounced checks. I have this and it's saved me a few times. I just make sure to pay it off in full every month. I also have a feeling Disney will say absolutely to the question you are going to ask which is essentially, do you check bank balances when you cash checks for guests? Even if they don't they aren't going to tell you they don't.

Believe me you aren't the only average income poor person on these boards. I try not to pay over $250 for a condo near Disney for a week! :)

[scanmom]

I thought the OP stated that the final payment had been made on the FTP? Did I misread the post? If that is true, the room should be paid for and all the $$ would be for food and incidentals. I think that I would borrow the money from a friend or relative to avoid bounced checks. I would worry the whole time over the possibility of bounced checks, and that would ruin my trip. Hope you get it all worked out and have a great trip! And don't worry, not any of us on the budget board would fit the description of "rich". We are all pretty well more toward "poor"!!!!LOL!!!:rolleyes:

[Hootiss]

I paid the remaining balance for our room at check-in this past Friday. The Cm called to verify funds while we were standing there. This was at the AKL and the amount was less the $300. If you do not have the money in your account to cover the check, you might get caught in an unpleasent situation! Just a heads up!

[dcfromva]

Originally posted by scanmom
I thought the OP stated that the final payment had been made on the FTP? Did I misread the post? If that is true, the room should be paid for and all the $$ would be for food and incidentals. I think that I would borrow the money from a friend or relative to avoid bounced checks. I would worry the whole time over the possibility of bounced checks, and that would ruin my trip. Hope you get it all worked out and have a great trip! And don't worry, not any of us on the budget board would fit the description of "rich". We are all pretty well more toward "poor"!!!!LOL!!!:rolleyes:
scanmom,
I re-read the OP (again!) and I guess the question WAS concerning incidentals... (The package has to be pre-paid in advance, wouldn't it?)
I hope it all works out.
-DC :)

[NYDisneyMom]

I'm pretty sure they put checks through those "tele-check" systems, pretty much the same as getting approval on a credit card. If there are not enough funds in the checking account at that time, it will not go through. :(

[casiland]

Just a FYI. Those tele-check systems are in no way linked to banks, so it can't tell you if there is enough funds to cover. All they are good for is saying that the person doesn't have any bounced checks that have been sent to collections. My suggestion would be to see if direct deposit is an option for your vacation check, then the money would already be in your account and you wouldn't have to stress. If this isn't an option. Talk to a trusted friend and see if they can deposit it for you. I know most of the banks here all you have to do is write for deposit only and the account number on the back. Good luck and let us know what happens.

[jann1033]

Originally posted by casiland
Just a FYI. Those tele-check systems are in no way linked to banks, so it can't tell you if there is enough funds to cover. All they are good for is saying that the person doesn't have any bounced checks that have been sent to collections. My suggestion would be to see if direct deposit is an option for your vacation check, then the money would already be in your account and you wouldn't have to stress. If this isn't an option. Talk to a trusted friend and see if they can deposit it for you. I know most of the banks here all you have to do is write for deposit only and the account number on the back. Good luck and let us know what happens.

could you call your bank and let them know so and so will be depositing checks into your account and if you know the amounts before hand tell them? I have been able to do it for people that way before...of course every bank if different but if they know you at your branch they may be willing to go along with it..plus I could be wrong but I thought you could change the date but not go to a cheaper package( I just asked the travel agent a similar question since we had a snafu with a work schedule and I may have to change dates...maybe I'm wrong plus that was for the winter dream package and for more than a couple weeks away.

[casiland]

Of course to allieve a lot of your worries you could just take out a check loan. You tell them what day you want the check deposited into your account so you could get on before you leave and than have it hit after you get back. The fees involved are minimal (usually $10 per week per hundred) compared to the relief you'll have not having to worry about beating the check. Just an option. :)

[MissSwish]

Casiland, I was thinking of the check loan also, but I'm not sure this will work for NadineNurse as she will need a current paycheck stub which I don't think she'll have from the new job yet and a stub from the old job might not work, because it will be too old?

If you do go this route and don't have a new check stub, you might have to fib about the old job.

Most of these places either hold your check until the date you tell them to cash it or give you a date by which to bring in the money to re-claim your uncashed check.

Hope you find a solution and Congrats on the new job.

[Tiggerlover91]

Seems to me that DIRECT DEPOSIT is going to be your best bet! I don't see any other way for you to make it happen. You have to be very careful writing checks for money that isn't there. I've had checks go through in just one day and luckily for me, money was deposited into the count the day before. Best to you though! Work on direct deposit. If you can't afford to come back home or eat, I don't understand how you're gonna make it work.

Keep us posted!

Denise

[bearloch]

how about applying for a credit card over the phone or internet you would get it in a few days! or see if a family member would get you a prepaid card and you endorse the vacation checks to them or can you contact past employer and ask if you can get the vacation checks now? Or get a neighbor to overnight the checks to you at disney then you can cash them and pay in cash.

best of luck

[Halle]

I think you should call your bank and ask how long it takes to set up a direct deposit account. If I were you I'd ask a friend to deposit the check in your bank. Anyone can do that for another person just give them your account number or speak to your branch manager and let the manager know the name of the person who will be depositing your check and tell the friend to speak to the branch manager. Good luck!!

[SlightlyGoofy]

Check fees are nominal at $10 per hundred? That caused my thrifty heart to go pitter pat. We go to Disney on the interest we DO NOT pay. (smiling)

Hoping that you get it all sorted out and have a great vacation.

BTW, I well remember the days when we did not have it all together and such worry and stress. Gave us character to go through those times and we appreciate these days even more.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

[NADINENURSE]

:confused: Here is the scoop... Fairy tale package is totally paid, transport back is not and seems to vary in cost by the week from $450 to $800, which will be purchased next week, yes, I wil have enough money for food and incidentials on check out, but would much rather pay by the "slightly" rubber check, as I do not have family who can deposit my paycheck or my husbands, both our employers do not have direct deposit, and yes, have run out of ideas :confused: , that is why I posted here, to seek all the answers I have gotten. I do not wish to fly home with low funds, just in case ( you never know), and wanted to do the funny check for that reason. Again, :( , true confession, I am not trying to squirm out of the bill, and frankly,:eek: Im sure there have been people who have done exacty what I have proposed here, but have not been brave, or stupid enough to admit thinking about it to the over 500,00 people registered at this site, or the over 1700 people indicated as viewed this post. I thank everyone for their responses. It is really funny how life can throw you a curve, when I booked the fairy tale package, I orginally had another week at our time share, was making weekly deposits to our savings account so there would be this nice big nest egg for the vacation and then BANG !!, no job, used the nest egg to live on , and here I am at this circumstance. I dont know why I have confessed so much here, people on this site seemed to be supportive and that was exactly what I sought here. Slightlygoffy, you got it right, the stress is enough to drive one to serious Prozac use. Thanks again to all for your posts :)

[scanmom]

I hope you don't feel like we are making this MORE stressful for you. I personally don't blame you for thinking of " creative financing' at this point. I have done the same in the past when absolutley necessary. I was just trying to understand the situation. I wish I had better advice to give you, but I am fresh out of ideas. Good luck, and have a magical trip!!!!:Pinkbounc

[jann1033]

Originally posted by NADINENURSE
:confused: Here is the scoop... Fairy tale package is totally paid, transport back is not and seems to vary in cost by the week from $450 to $800, which will be purchased next week, yes, I wil have enough money for food and incidentials on check out, but would much rather pay by the "slightly" rubber check, as I do not have family who can deposit my paycheck or my husbands, both our employers do not have direct deposit, and yes, have run out of ideas :confused: , that is why I posted here, to seek all the answers I have gotten. I do not wish to fly home with low funds, just in case ( you never know), and wanted to do the funny check for that reason. Again, :( , true confession, I am not trying to squirm out of the bill, and frankly,:eek: Im sure there have been people who have done exacty what I have proposed here, but have not been brave, or stupid enough to admit thinking about it to the over 500,00 people registered at this site, or the over 1700 people indicated as viewed this post. I thank everyone for their responses. It is really funny how life can throw you a curve, when I booked the fairy tale package, I orginally had another week at our time share, was making weekly deposits to our savings account so there would be this nice big nest egg for the vacation and then BANG !!, no job, used the nest egg to live on , and here I am at this circumstance. I dont know why I have confessed so much here, people on this site seemed to be supportive and that was exactly what I sought here. Slightlygoffy, you got it right, the stress is enough to drive one to serious Prozac use. Thanks again to all for your posts :)

since everyone here is not rolling in $1000.00 bills, ( at least I'm not) it's understandable for your caution/stress/whatever.my husband is self-emplyed and we have been up till early am of the day we are supposed to leave for vacation to get the check to put in the bank to have enough to go with. I wonder though if you have looked into bestfares.com, hotwire or priceline for the return fare. also Air tran had one for 59.00 (from cleveland to orlando and the same amount back.don't know if it's still available or not) I have used priceline before with no problems and have heard they have great last min. rates sometimes. there is a post some where, maybe on here or a bidding site ( sorry about not remembering the name, maybe someone else will) that helps you get the best rates there. it may cut the return fare enough to give you some breathing room. hope it works out for you and you can enjoy yourself.

[Jasminesmommy]

Keep in mind since it is a new job it might take your bank 5 business days to clear the check which means the check you wrote could bounce. also have you tried check into cash and just suck up that service charge. It will be worth it instead of bouncing!

[Tigger1]

How about driving to Disney. Depending on how many are flying it could save a few bucs. You do risk having car trouble at that point though and would need extra cash incase. I like the priceline idea.

I would avoid the rubber check idea if possible. IT seems to be causing too much stress already. Also, is it possible that your new job might hold the first check for a couple of weeks.

I buy very few souveniors at Disney. We go to the Disney outlets that I still spend too much money at. At Disney I buy the popcorn in buckets. The buckets are fun to use for popcorn or whatever once we are home. Cheap souvenior for about $4.00.

We ate at Animal Kingdom about 3 times. We got the lunch plan that included main meal (BBQ ribs for us) which included corn, beans and large drink, Also we got tickets for another drink and ice cream for latter. The cost was $11.99 for adults and thats all we needed for the day with the exception of snacks at the hotel. We also purchase refillable mugs at the hotel if we stay at the hotel for any length of time.

Disney has so much to enjoy without paying more than the tickets for the parks.

I think it could be kinda fun to see how much you can get for as little as possible. With a family of 5 children we brag on what we do for so much less than others spend. These boards have made it possible. Reminder, free soda samples at Epcot.

Think about how nice it would be to come back from vacation and still have checks that are not spent. If your plane is delayed on the way back wouldnt the airlines cash a check for you for meals while you wait on them?

Hope it all works out

Tigger

[Lewisc]

I'd suggest you try to get overdraft protection at your bank. That'll cover you if for some reason your check to Disney clears before your deposit. Sometimes places will call the bank to make sure there are funds. Many places run a credit check before they accept your check, they use services.

[MissSwish]

If you do choose to bid via Priceline for your return flight, be sure to visit www.biddingfortravel.com which will help you determine how much to bid by showing you what similar bids have been successful.

I also use a free download called sidestep which does comparison shopping for airlines, hotels and rental cars, once I know which airline is cheapest, I visit their websites to see if there are any online discounts.

Good luck, I wish you all the best.

[manhattan]

How about changing your FTP? Staying in another hotel? What I am trying to say is- we had Poly booked, but found out that for the same price (and some change left over) we could stay at one of the moderates and have airfare and transportation included. I am sure Disney would prefer to "modify" your vacation instead of you cancelling your vacation. The "rubber" check is a little too riskly for me. I paid once with a check and they did call the bank to make sure I had sufficient funds.

[Lewisc]

Most of the timeshare people will give you a meal and theme park tickets. If you tell them you already bought your tickets you can (usually) get cash instead (around $100).

If things are very tight you might consider doing one or two "tours".

[Danemom]

Yes, you will run a chance of bouncing the check but I really doubt the check would go through before you get your check deposited.
Even if it did, what's the worst that would happen? You'd get stuck with a fee from your bank and possibly from Disney, if your bank didn't cash it.

My only concern would be that Disney would verify the acct balance when you wrote the check. But, honestly, what could they do if you had no other way to pay it? They'd have to take your word (and check!) that the money would be there.

No, this is not ideal but I agree that there are times where "creative financing" (love the term!) has to be used.

[DMRick]

But, honestly, what could they do if you had no other way to pay it?

Umm..not let her stay?

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by DMRick
Umm..not let her stay?

Re-read the thread. OP is asking about the final payment due at checkout for incidentals. FTP package will have already been paid.

I've always given a credit card for incidentals. Not sure how much room charging they'll allow without a credit card or cash deposit.

[phorsenuf]

OK, as I understand it, everything will be paid for except for any room charges that may have incurred. When we were there in July they only put a $1.00 hold on my card. Depending on the day of the week you write the check you have a few days to get back to the bank before the check is presented to be paid. For instance if you give them the check on a Saturday, they can't even put it in their bank until Monday and unless you use the same bank as them (doubtful), then you are looking at the earliest it being cashed is Tuesday. So you easily have a one day lead on them to get the money in the bank.
Secondly even if they call to verify the funds (which they would physically have to do, it is not electronic) then you can dispute that because even if you had a direct deposit going in that day, the system may not update that information until after banking hours, so even though the money is "there" it may not show. (just a little side note; did you know that some ATM systems are actually a day behind in their info)
I say go for it! Chances of Disney beating you to the bank are slim to none even if your plane is delayed and even if the check does bounce you are looking at a $25 (more or less) service charge. That certainly beats a $50 fee on a $500 cash advance.
Also, even if it does bounce, the bank will send it back to Disneys bank and it will automatically be redeposited, chances are Disney wouldn't even know it bounced.
So, I hope this helped you (and others) some. Have a good trip and don't worry!!!

Another thing too, is maybe you could go to the payroll department of the business and ask them to send it directly (in a prepaid envelope you give tham that has a deposit slip in it) and ask them to just mail it to the bank.

Have fun!!!


EDIT AND SIDE NOTE..........
I am not saying that intentionaly writing a "bad" check is OK to do, I was simply explaining the process of how it would work. :D

[jann1033]

Originally posted by Lewisc
Re-read the thread. OP is asking about the final payment due at checkout for incidentals. FTP package will have already been paid.

I've always given a credit card for incidentals. Not sure how much room charging they'll allow without a credit card or cash deposit.

we've never given a credit card and so don't charge to the room, no big deal for me as I like to actually see the money slipping through my fingers(lol)so i don't really think you'd have to give them a check for anything any way ( can't think of what you would need if I remember you have cash for food and stuff) if it's just incase of an emergency, i'd worry about that when/if that unlikely event happens!

course we always are headed home with low funds which is why i don't use credit....tooo tempting!

[DMRick]

Re-read the thread.

I thought I read it very carefully..but you are right..she's asking about incidentals. Well, I don't think she'll get any..since they have always asked us for a cc to have charging priviledges. We don't give it..and so we don't get them.
So if she wants to charge food, I don't think they will let her.

[kdibattista]

2 years ago at CBR, I left a credit card for room charging but paid with a check at the end of the stay. For whatever reason, they needed to actually call the bank to verify funds were there (they were) before they would accept the check (at checkout for incidentals). I'm not sure if they were having issues with there Telecheck machine (or whatever they use) or if that's standard practice but they did call the bank so I'm not sure what would happen if they called your bank and the funds were not there.... just something to think about.

It took about 5 days for the check to clear.

Hope this helps!!!

[kilee]

In all honesty. It sounds like the whole reason to write the insufficient funds check is to make sure you have enough cash on hand should something happen on the way home. I would just use the check on the way home should something happen.

I know planning can be stressful. Especially when money is tight. I don't think any of us here are "rolling in it". Otherwise we wouldn't be on the budget board. I think you would be really embarassed if they called to verify the funds. If possible try to get overdraft protection on your account. (they do a credit check for this, so may not be possible). If not, try to be as budget minded as you can and you may not have to worry.

So far I have always come home w/ 200-300 in my pocket and I am usually worried the whole trip we won't have enough. (I too have no Credit card to fall back on). Try to reconfigure the budget and maybe you won't have to worry about this extra stress.

[Doodlebug939]

Ok here is my opinion. I agree with Lewisc that you try to get overdraft protection on your checking account. It is a line of credit that covers you if your checking account is overdrawn so you dont bounce a check. You had mentioned that the total would only be around $300 or so. If you call your bank and request $500 overdraft protection I would think it could be done in a day or two. We have had it for several years and with military moves often the money comes in handy and I feel I have a little buffer. But if the check doesnt beat you home then there is no harm done because you dont pay for it if you dont use it.

I think your bank would be more than willing to help you with such a small amount.

Hope it helps.

[dcfromva]

Originally posted by phorsenuf
I say go for it! Chances of Disney beating you to the bank are slim to none even if your plane is delayed and even if the check does bounce you are looking at a $25 (more or less) service charge. That certainly beats a $50 fee on a $500 cash advance.
Also, even if it does bounce, the bank will send it back to Disneys bank and it will automatically be redeposited, chances are Disney wouldn't even know it bounced.
So, I hope this helped you (and others) some. Have a good trip and don't worry!!!
EDIT AND SIDE NOTE..........
I am not saying that intentionaly writing a "bad" check is OK to do, I was simply explaining the process of how it would work. :D

phorsenuf,
I know that you are not suggesting the OP INTENTIONALLY write a bad check.... Bad check fees vary from bank to bank, but there is always a fee from your bank and don't forget there is ALSO the fee from the person/company's bank to whom you wrote the bad check (and then Disney might have a fee on top of that )-- And sometimes, they try to run the check through 2 or 3 times before they give up (and each time a fee from each bank is incurred). I would also assume that this information would somehow make it to a person's credit report (and then, there are those bad check lists...).

Don't you think it would be better for the OP to contact her bank and ask for a line of credit? Most banks that I have dealt with have a feature called "overdraft protection". I think it would be worthwhile for the OP to at least ask her bank about it. My experience is that this feature can be set up and approved almost immediately (especially if the OP has had a relationship with the bank for a while).

-DC :)

[NADINENURSE]

just for discussion, here is more info. from the source, paychecks are every Friday, we arrive 19 th, hotel from Priceline 29.99 with tax got a great deal, Fairy Tale Package planned to arrive on 20th, leave on the 26th (already at Allstars-lol), still no way back, (oh no, feel that anxiety creeping up already) :eek: will have paycheck on the 26th-checkout, bank does not physically deposit until midnight the night of deposit, soo, at midnight on 26th, about $800 will be there.:bounce: :Pinkbounc, so I wi now beg, plead and pay off a ex-coworker with the promise of a extremely wonderful disney souviner to deposit the paycheck, and hope they make sure it goes in as cash, not check. Then ,if I stay another night at the same hotel, not checkout until the 27th, ther will be no funny rubber (possibly check), no embarrassement if they check the account, as , if deposited correctly, the money wil be there !!:smooth: Now I have to hope there is a room, there is airfare back, and I don't have cardiac arrest or die of embarrasssment trying to have this glorious family holiday.

[disneysteve]

NADINENURSE - I hate to be the one to raise this question, but the financially conservative side of my brain has been bugging me since this thread started.

From reading your posts, it sounds as if you are practically down to your last dollar. Do you have any savings, investments, money put aside for emergencies, etc? Or are you strictly living paycheck to paycheck at this point in time (since your recent unemployment)? If that is the case, have you considered the possibility that taking a WDW vacation right now might not be the best idea? If you have already spent money for this trip that is non-refundable, that's one thing. But if it is money that you can get back, perhaps it makes more sense to delay your trip until you get back on your feet financially.

Of course, only you know your whole financial picture but I just felt I had to throw this out there.

Hope everything works out for the best.

Steve

[germanbini]

Originally posted by disneysteve
...are you strictly living paycheck to paycheck at this point in time (since your recent unemployment)? If that is the case, have you considered the possibility that taking a WDW vacation right now might not be the best idea?

Enjoy the little things for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

I like the second part of your post... There are a lot of us living paycheck to paycheck and we still somehow find the money for vacations. :) One of our family's best vacations was an 11 day cruise we took even though DH was unemployed.

Like the proverbs say, 'Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.' Sure, plan for the future, but also enjoy your life while you can. JMHO. :)

Sabrina

[NADINENURSE]

WOW !! i DIDN'T LNOW THAT I COULD MODIFY, I have aready called Disney, but the computers are down. If i could modify, this would solve some probems. Thank you:bounce:

[NADINENURSE]

:confused: I was also a little taken back by the comment about "living paycheck to paycheck", unfourtunately in current society there are more people who do live "paycheck to paychecK", and currently, my family is also "one of those". Disneysteve, if you read my posts in the beginning of this thread, you would note that I was embarrassed to post my question, that I might get a response, like yours , trying to be "helpful" with the implied suggestions, that if I can't afford it, that my family doesn't deserve to go, don't you think Ihave already thought of not going ? I had posted here hoping people would provide the over 47 helpful suggestions that they have. I am overwhelmed by their compassion and thoughtfullness with all of their kind responses. In the past, I have always been like, Kilee, I have always returned with at least $200 in my pocket. True, you don't know all my life circumstances, and here is not the place for them. Also read back on how sad I have been, thinking about this whole issue, read the first thing I posted, "lost job", etc. Thank you Disneysteve, your response was EXACTLY, what I was afraid I might get, no Fairydust for you, but tons for the others like Germanbini.

[mad4themouse]

NADINENURSE,
I'm glad to see that you have a plan coming together. I'm sure that you'll get the transportation thing worked out soon. Just have a little faith and trust and ~~~~*pixie dust!:)

It's a shame that this cash flow problem has ruined the sweet anticipation of a Disney trip. You should be eagerly planning your PSs and itinerary instead of fretting over how to get money that you've already earned into a form of payment that will be acceptable in WDW.

Be assured that a lot of us have been in a similar situation as you. I remember losing sleep over how I was going to pay my rent while in graduate school because the grant money for a research project I was working on hadn't been released on time. That was two weeks of my life that I'd never care to relive!

I wasn't living beyond my means or spending without a thought as to how I was going to pay for it. I was just caught in a poor cash flow situation that was beyond my control. And so are you. And that doesn't make either of us a bad person or irresponsible. It just means that we're human.

So, go put on some Disney tunes and break out a guide book. You're going to Disney World in a few days, girl!

[disneysteve]

NADINENURSE - I certainly in no way meant to imply that you and your family don't deserve to go to Disney. I apologize if that's how my comments came across. I agree that most if not all of us have been in situations where cash flow was temporarily crimped for one reason or another. As mad4themouse said, it doesn't make us a bad person or irresponsible. Stuff happens. It has just seemed that the current situation is causing a great deal of stress and upset for you. Personally - my opinion only here - I'm not sure if I would enjoy a trip to Disney as much if I had to spend the entire time worried about what I was spending and if I would have enough left to pay the final bills. Others may feel differently and that's fine. Whatever works for you is what you should do. I hope some of the suggestions everyone here have made make it possible for you to go as planned and have a great time. Again, I apologize if I added to your upset - certainly not my intent.

Steve

[BunBunzDad]

IMHO, if you have to worry at all about financing the trip then maybe you should wait until a better time to go.

[summerrluvv]

Originally posted by DMRick
I thought I read it very carefully..but you are right..she's asking about incidentals. Well, I don't think she'll get any..since they have always asked us for a cc to have charging priviledges. We don't give it..and so we don't get them.
So if she wants to charge food, I don't think they will let her.

She said she will be using her debit/credit card to at check in for room charges. They only charge a dollar on that card so she will be fine.

[Tiggerlover91]

NadineNurse....check your PMs. ;)

[jbthi]

Nadine,

It sounds like your money situation is a temp. problem. If you can possibly work things out in your own mind, I say go for it.
If most of us had waited until we were sure we could afford things, we would never have had vacations.

Twenty five years ago my husband was injured and off work for over 2 1/2 years. We borrowed money from his credit union and went on a 2 week vacation to Fl with him wearing a back brace. (couldn't going to DW because he couldn't do rides or walk that far).

Now we are retired, own DVC and 5 other timeshare and vacation 5 months a year in Fl.

Point being, things have a way of working out. Go and enjoy yourselves.

June

[always quiet]

I could be wrong, but in regards to your co-worker depositing your paycheck, even if the bank puts it in as a check and for whatever reason, the check is held up and your check for Disney shows up first, it woud actually be stamped "funds uncollected" which is different from nonsufficient funds. Disney would see that there is a deposit pending and automatically send it back through. :)

As far as Disney planning and finances, we are also a family that needs to plan and plan our vacations. I want them all paid (no bills waiting for me when I get home!) while I am there. If it takes time to find the best place for a meal for 5 and the best price...so be it. If we have to tighten the wallet for awhile before we leave, that's what we do. I think if I ever went to Disney and WASN'T worried about finances, I wouldn't know how to act! :bounce: I personally think my family appreciates it more because it is something that we all work for. :p

[NADINENURSE]

EVIL EMPLOYER LEFT A FEW THINGS OUT !! :bounce: When I went to work today I told the administrator of the facility I work at that I could not work any longer including the "upcomming promising to be horrible Sunday" as I had to resign my perdiem status to cash in my 401K to help me thru this major financial crunch. THEN THE POOP HIT THE FAN!! The director of the facility indicated to the administrator in no uncertain terms that if I no longer worked there life would be extremely difficult, than I recieved a MIRACLE phone call from human resources that I could get a loan against my 401K, I would not have to quit my perdiem status, and I could still work "the horrible shift comming up this Sunday", that no one else but me has agreed to work. Isn't it amazing that all of a sudden after several weeks of this stress and trauma, that Human Resources came up with this?:confused: Turns out this option was available all the time, they just never told me !!. SO, I have done so, and hopefully, this loan will come before I leave. AND..., the best of all, is that all of the posts here have made this all, somewhat, more tolerable, thanks to all for your posts and suggestions !! I'll write back if, and when I actualy get this loan. Just think, if EVIL EMPLOYER, had told me about this weeks ago, as they should have, we would have never had this interesting thread to read.LOL:Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc

[LMC]

I used to work at a bank and did the programming for "Float" assignments on checks. The check would probably take 3 days to clear from Florida to New York (if they do not do everything by imaging and electronically now). Alot of business run a check through their registers just like a debit card (if they do this, they immediately hand you the check back; anyone experience this at a Disney resort? That is just an if.) And, if banks and the federal reserve still send the original check to the bank it is drawn on it would take the 3 days. (I got out of banking 12 years ago and alot has changed but I know that wherever I write a check, it still comes back to my bank to be included in my statement. Make sense?) The best thing to do would be to give a friend and deposit slip and see if they could make the deposit for you. Your former employer could do a direct deposit too. It is, dare I say it, illegal to float funds.