Best Forms of Payment around the World

[aljack34]

I am going in a few weeks and I am trying to do my budget. I am wondering the best forms of payment to use at places. I will have my magic band, gift cards, credit card and some cash. We will be doing TS restaurants, some QS, a lot of drinking around the world showcase (no judgment!) and just here and there little snacks and drinks. Also will be doing Disney Springs for drinks, etc. I am wondering with the way things are right now, what are the best forms of payment and these places? Would it be different on where you are purchasing items? Also wondering if cash will be accepted for tips. Thank you!

 

[Marionnette]

I am going in a few weeks and I am trying to do my budget. I am wondering the best forms of payment to use at places. I will have my magic band, gift cards, credit card and some cash. We will be doing TS restaurants, some QS, a lot of drinking around the world showcase (no judgment!) and just here and there little snacks and drinks. Also will be doing Disney Springs for drinks, etc. I am wondering with the way things are right now, what are the best forms of payment and these places? Would it be different on where you are purchasing items? Also wondering if cash will be accepted for tips. Thank you!

You can't go wrong with contact-free payment forms. Apple Pay, chipped credit cards, etc. MagicBands payments require you to enter a PIN code on a pad. If you are averse to touching high-contact surfaces, this might not be an option for you, even though CMs are pretty diligent about sanitizing between customers.

Gift Cards can be added to pay for mobile orders but they are not stored. It can be a pain in the neck to re-enter GC numbers every time you mobile order. They can also be used as payment at various locations by running thru the credit card reader.

 

[holden]

We use our magic bands or gift cards. I try not to use a credit card, but that's just my preference.

 

[aljack34]

Thank you! How about cash for tips? Or should those also be on a credit/gift card or band?

 

[JoelB]

No one will turn down cash tips.

If you have a card that supports tap to pay, I've found that to be quick, easy, and fairly widely supported on our October and January trips. Chip works well too, but not quite as fast.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I used to try to use my MB for all purchases since I prefer to have all of my vacation charges on one folio (easier to keep track of spending later on) - but since COVID I’ve moved to using Apple Pay whenever possible and a credit card when not. Just didn’t love all the pin-entering in the COVID era, so Apple Pay cuts down on touching anything other than my probably equally dirty phone.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I don't like to use a MagicBand for payment because you have to touch the pin pad, and in the case of a restaurant, you handle the entire unit. My favorite way to pay is either my tap to pay credit card or Disney gift cards bought from Target with the 5% discount.

 

[GrumpySue]

Are all parks and resorts cashless ?? How about Disney Springs ?? Thanks.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Are all parks and resorts cashless ?? How about Disney Springs ?? Thanks.

They still take cash.

 

[Blondie58]

I am going in a few weeks and I am trying to do my budget. I am wondering the best forms of payment to use at places. I will have my magic band, gift cards, credit card and some cash. We will be doing TS restaurants, some QS, a lot of drinking around the world showcase (no judgment!) and just here and there little snacks and drinks. Also will be doing Disney Springs for drinks, etc. I am wondering with the way things are right now, what are the best forms of payment and these places? Would it be different on where you are purchasing items? Also wondering if cash will be accepted for tips. Thank you!

Gift cards purchased at Target and Sam's Club have a discount. Use your Disney credit card to buy goft cards at Sams. You get points on credit card and discount on the gift cards. Every little bit helps. I believe if you buy at Target you must use their Red credit card. (My friend does the Target route.) Sounds like you are going to have a great time.

 

[wonderchica]

But you CAN still charge to your Magic Band, right?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

But you CAN still charge to your Magic Band, right?

Yes, resort guests can still use their Magic Band to charge items to their room folio the same as pre-COVID. Entering your pin code is still required as well.

 

[bakerworld]

Gift cards are a nice idea - they make the folio at the stays end look good

 

[softball chick]

I often will pay with MB but during Epcot festivals in the past I have loved getting one of the gift cards on the lanyard to wear around my wrist. No need to get any cards out or touch any keypads while I'm hopping from booth to booth. I'm not sure if they have been selling those at the festivals since reopening or not, but definitely something I know I'll look for if they are.

 

[Twitterpaited]

Gift cards purchased at Target and Sam's Club have a discount. Use your Disney credit card to buy goft cards at Sams. You get points on credit card and discount on the gift cards. Every little bit helps. I believe if you buy at Target you must use their Red credit card. (My friend does the Target route.) Sounds like you are going to have a great time.

You can buy Disney gift cards at Target with your Disney Visa, or any credit/debit card, but you will only get a discount with the Target Red Card.

 

[Twitterpaited]

I really wish that MDEwould let you store Disney gift cards, , particularly for mobile ordering. Why can you store a credit/debit card but not a gift card?