Are debit cards accepted at park shops?

[BeesKate]

I tried the family boards, but no response yet... does anyone know if the shops in the parks take debit cards? I'm thinking about getting my daughters Visa debit cards for their souvenir purchases since they'll most likely be going off without me on this trip. I don't want to get them & then find out they can't use them in the parks. How about the smaller kiosks?
Thanks!

 

[hercamore]

Hi, This is a good question.

Afraid I don't know the anwer to your question, but I know those Visa cards a becoimng quite popular.

I do know no cards are accepted at the food vendor carts (popcorn/icream ones).

If you are staying onsite, you have the option of putting $$ on their room key card.

Also, travelers checks, disney dollars work well and of course plain old cash.

herc.

 

[tricia]

I thought the whole thing with VISA debit cards is that they are supposed to be accepted anywhere VISA is accepted. If that is the case VISA is accepted everywhere except out door vendors.

 

[kashkdz]

Originally posted by tricia
I thought the whole thing with VISA debit cards is that they are supposed to be accepted anywhere VISA is accepted. If that is the case VISA is accepted everywhere except out door vendors.

You are correct. If they accept Visa, MasterCard, etc and your debit card has a CC logo on it, then it wil be accepted. As someone stated mostly all of the shops in the parks will accept them. Some kiosks which do sell clothing, pins, and other stuff are able to process the cards. Needless to say don't expect to use a debit card for those vendors walking around.

 

[moinab]

We just purchased a light up sword for DS from a cart vendor at MGM a week and a half ago, using a Visa check card.

 

[DVC Jen]

moinab.... that is one of the most precious pictures I have ever seen.

 

[litlpixie]

LOL!!! Isn't it wonderful that Disney makes it so easy for you to give them your money. My 5yr old could'nt be happier about it! Happy Spending.

 

[WDSearcher]

Here's a (true) story that may better illustrate the answer ....

My sister is from Colorado, where apparently her AmEx card isn't always welcome. When she came to visit WDW for the first time, every store she went into she asked "Do you take American Express?" I kept telling her that AmEx was the official card of Disney World, and that she could use it in any shop, hotel or restaurant on property. Still, everyplace she went .... "Do you take American Express?"

Finally, she went into the Canada shop to buy some small soapstone carvings. She pulled out her card and said to the CM, "Do you take American Express?" and the CM replied, "Ma'am, this is Walt Disney World. Give me your Shell card and I'll figure out a way to charge it!"

Seriously, though, as long as the debit card is affiliated with a major CC chain or bank, it will be good at WDW. Places like the churro stand or the popcorn vendor may not be able to take it, but you should have no problems at shops and restaurants.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

That should not be a problem at all. I used a visa debit card through my bank on my trip last week! No problems.

I would make sure you have a backup source of funds however, just in case. I have never had a problem at Disney, but my local pharmacy once messed up and charged me like 8 times for a small purchase and it took days to sort out. You don't want to deal with that on vacation.

Have fun!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by hercamore
Hi, This is a good question.

Afraid I don't know the anwer to your question, but I know those Visa cards a becoimng quite popular.

I do know no cards are accepted at the food vendor carts (popcorn/icream ones).

If you are staying onsite, you have the option of putting $$ on their room key card.

Also, travelers checks, disney dollars work well and of course plain old cash.

herc.

I bought some cookies and sodas from a vendor last week and was able to use a debit card!

I wish I'd brought some of the cookies home with me

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
I bought some cookies and sodas from a vendor last week and was able to use a debit card!

I wish I'd brought some of the cookies home with me

depends on the vendor. If they have a wired cash register, they can take the debit cards, if they have a cash box, they cannot.

If it has wheels on it 99% of the time there is a cash box with it, so, no cards.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by WDSearcher
Here's a (true) story that may better illustrate the answer ....

My sister is from Colorado, where apparently her AmEx card isn't always welcome. When she came to visit WDW for the first time, every store she went into she asked "Do you take American Express?" I kept telling her that AmEx was the official card of Disney World, and that she could use it in any shop, hotel or restaurant on property. Still, everyplace she went .... "Do you take American Express?"

Finally, she went into the Canada shop to buy some small soapstone carvings. She pulled out her card and said to the CM, "Do you take American Express?" and the CM replied, "Ma'am, this is Walt Disney World. Give me your Shell card and I'll figure out a way to charge it!"

Seriously, though, as long as the debit card is affiliated with a major CC chain or bank, it will be good at WDW. Places like the churro stand or the popcorn vendor may not be able to take it, but you should have no problems at shops and restaurants.

 

[aladdinsgirl]

I always use my Visa debit card at WDW and I have never had a problem. I just have one piece of advice to share, make sure you have a photo ID with you. I have been asked by the cashier to see my drivers license before, this usually happens at Downtown Disney, but you should be prepared and have it with you at all times, just in case...

Krista

 

[ShadowWind]

ID is a must when using debit or credit cards, especially when the ccard is not signed on the back, or is marked Ask for ID. I got ID'd about 30% of the time up there for my Mastercard debit. Especially at Port Orleans Riverside who kept confusing my card as a phony resort card because the name of the bank was Riverside. Had to keep showing them the MC logo.

As for little kiosks, there are ATM's to get cash from strewn all over the Disney property (and are marked in guide maps). They charge $1.56 and are handled by BankOne, plus whatever your bank charges for such transactions. I think it's almost impossible to do an entire Disney vacation on plastic only.

Disney also allows the card keys to be used as charge cards while staying at Disney. This is good and bad. It allows you to only carry one card, and is safer to lose than a regular debit card would be. However, they don't allow for cash advances (I don't think), are only taken where debit/cc cards are taken, and only on Disney Property (which may or may not include Downtown Disney's non-disney shops) and can add up quickly. These cards are then paid at checkout all at one time, which can be a problem if the debit card has limits.

Hope some of these tips help...
ShadowWind