ATM ?... How logical is this?

[Mom2Em]

I recently read where the ATM machines are Bank One.... How logical would it be to use the ATMs as opposed to bring cash/travelers checks with you? Also, Bank One is our bank so we would not be charged a fee...
Thanks!!!

 

[PammyK]

IMO, if Bank One is your bank and the issuer of your ATM/debit card, then it is a great idea to skip the Traveler's Checks and just go with getting cash as you need it. After all, you won't be charged the ridiculous fees that ATMs charge now. I would travel with a little cash just to be safe but then just take out small amounts each day or every couple of days. There is at least one ATM machine in each park and in each resort so you shouldn't have a problem finding one...

Enjoy you trip!

 

[TinkKel]

Sounds good, as long as you don't rely just on the ATM....those machines can go down, and run out of money.

 

[DisneyCP2002]

Good idea. As long as you bring some extra cash you shouldn't need to worry with Traveler's checks.

 

[timC]

I haven't bought travellers checks in a very very long time... and as far as cash goes, we only use it for little things.

Otherwise, we set up a charge account on our room key. If you've got a B1 visa, say a Disney Visa pehaps, then why not just do that, and use the ATM for pocket change.

 

[Vinnie The Pooh]

We used ATMs sometimes but I find that so many places take the debit cards now that you don't need much cash. Even the little stands carry machines that read your card. TimC has a point also if your staying on-site just charge on your room key and use ATM or debit anywhere else.

 

[abwdreaming]

Wow, so even the Snack Carts will take your debit card! Do they also take a credit card too? That would be great, no need for cash.

 

[CRCrazy]

The permanent outdoor stands do take your card, like the Food and Wine Festival stands, but the little carts, like the ice cream vendors that can roll around to different spots do not.

 

[prncess674]

I had less than a $100 cash and came home with cash to spare. Be sure to have cash on hand for parking if you are not a resort guest. Otherwise almost everywhere else other than roving ice cream vendors in the World accepts debit/credit cards. I prefer using my plastic whenever possible because I hate pocket change. It starts to weigh down my little purse. I saw plenty of Bank One ATMs in the world. My friend who went with me works for Bank One and there were plenty so we were always pointing them out.

 

[faithinkarma]

I haven't used travellers' checks for at least 10 years. Even in Europe I find it simpler to just use my ATM or credit card. I have never encountered any problem.

Oops, that is wrong. I was in France on an unexpected trip ( poor me, an unplanned trip to Paris in the springtime lol ) and the machine there did not offer me the option of " checking or savings?". It kept trying to access an account that had limited funds. But a quick phone call to my bank to have funds transferred from one account to the other fixed the problem.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I carried $100 cash everyday, in case the ATM would be "down" or for small purchases. I used my ATM/debit card as VISA for purchases over $30. We paid cash paid for under $30. If any money was leftover at the end of the day, it was added to $100 the next day, which was pulled from the ATM at the resort or the park we were visiting.

Yes the fees are ridiculous. I planned for it when taking out funds and limited the w/d to just one per day. My old bank now charges $1.50 to use someone else's machine, on top of the fee the other bank charges to use their machine. I get double whammied with that card. It also charges 50 cents any time I use the PIN to make a purchase. Our new bank does not charge to use another bank's ATM, so we only get charged the the owner of the machine. This bank does not charge me to use my PIN otherwise.


If you have a Bank One account, I agree to skip traveler's checks, sine you won't be charged at the ATM. We never encountered a problem at the machines in WDW. Of course, we always got to them early in the morning.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Is there an ATM charge at WDW, even if you are a Bank One customer?? Just curious. I am a Bank One customer.

 

[Blueberry]

Good question Dan..I am about to switch to Bank One as our main bank, and wondered if anyone gets charged a fee there for using their One Card ATM card for cash..thanks!!!

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by Blueberry
Good question Dan..I am about to switch to Bank One as our main bank, and wondered if anyone gets charged a fee there for using their One Card ATM card for cash..thanks!!!

no if you use the Bank One Branded ATMs in WDW there is no fee if you use your Bank One ATM/Debit card in the machines.

Bank One will charge non Bank One customers a fee.

 

[Shelle&Dave]

I also relied on my debit/ATM card while at WDW during my last trip. I only had a problem for a couple of hours one day. I guess the system for my bank went down for awhile. The ATM was telling me insufficient funds when I knew there was money in there. Fortunately I had enough cash on me to buy what we needed to buy and we could also charge on our room keys. Also some banks have a limit on how much can be drawn out per day on your card.

 

[B'rer Karen]

Just a word of warning, be very, very careful not to lose your debit card. I personally do not take mine on vacation for fear of losing it. If you lose your credit card, you can dispute any charges that show up. If you lose your debit card, if someone makes purchases, that money is gone out of your account. If you're lucky (like I was) the bank will refund your money after you go through the process of reporting the theft, but you're out of pocket that money in the mean time.


It is safer than just carrying cash though.

 

[Ecdubfan]

We use the ATM machines in the parks several times each trip. Its just convenient and beats carrying bunches of cash. We always keep a back-up of money and credit card, just in case. The small fees beat the hassle of travelers checks. Our bank doesn't charge a fee using other bank's ATMs, so we only have the terminal fee to pay.

 

[CamColt]

I worked in banking operations for 10 years, and I would never strictly rely on ATM while on vacation. Ive seen people do that who lost their cards, or had problems with them working. As previously mentioned machines do go down or run out of money. Their whole system could go down so it wouldnt be just 1 machine either. While this is unlikely, it very well could (and has) happened. So, yes, planning to use the ATM is a good idea, but always have plenty of money, travelers checks, credit cards, etc...for back up.

 

[AllyandJack]

Can you use the Disney Visa at the ATM? That would be great. No fees. Disney points. Keep my money in my back and then pay the bill the next month. I know there would always be the temptation to say "Well....we can go over a LITTLE" and then end up maxing out the Disney Visa, but I suppose if you're careful, you can budget an amount to take out every day as if it were coming out of your own account and then pay the bill the next month after you've racked up the Disney points.

Just a thought. I don't remember if I got a PIN for my card. Does anyone know if this is possible??

 

[renessa]

I love all of the Bank One talk....I work for them!!! Just an FYI, if your card becomes lost or stolen and you notify the bank ASAP (there is a specific time frame, but I don't have it here at home) then the most you would ever be charged is $50, not quite the free for all that some make it sound like. My question is will Chase become the new official bank of WDW in 2005 when all the Bank One Retail locations begin the slow transition to Chase? What about the Disney Visa? I haven't seen any "official" word as to WDW!