Best way to pay for extras in the parks?

[Minnie_me]

Cash? Debit card? Disney gift cards? Magic bands?

There are too many options!

How do YOU recommend paying for meals, snacks, and souvenirs?

 

[Alesia]

Magic bands, if you have them. Credit card if you don't. Or a disney gift card if you prefer. Never a debit card, especially on vacation.

 

[nj disney family]

I agree with magic bands. Buy discount Disney gift cards from target to pay off the balance before your hotel charges the credit card you put on file.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I agree with magic bands too. They are seriously so easy to use- the only downfall might be that you keep charging with them that you miss how much you are really spending. Might be a good idea to go to the front desk and look at your balance here and there! I also think gift cards are great to use too especially if you can get a discount on them (BJs, target, etc.)

 

[Thing 1]

Magic band are the way we go. Soooo easy, but sometimes tooo easy. I agree to keep up with the balance and pay off as you go or at least be aware of the balance. We do back that up with our debit card and have never had an issue using it on trips. We do always let the bank our card is with know when we are traveling. Funny story: A well meaning CM at check in told our little guy that the magic band were mickey magic and you just had to touch to the light to make the magic happen, and DS took that to include purchases! He truly thought that even though he did not believe that Mickey was real, that we did not have to pay if we used the Magic bands! I had to do some fast talking in the Lego store!!!

 

[mondragon]

Magic bands all the way. The only cards I bring to the park is my DL, AMEX, visa, health insurance card. Everything else stays behind. Will also bring some cash just in case the computers decide to go down. Does anyone know if disney is doing Apple pay yet? That would eliminate my credit cards.

 

[mondragon]

Magic band are the way we go. Soooo easy, but sometimes tooo easy. I agree to keep up with the balance and pay off as you go or at least be aware of the balance. We do back that up with our debit card and have never had an issue using it on trips. We do always let the bank our card is with know when we are traveling. Funny story: A well meaning CM at check in told our little guy that the magic band were mickey magic and you just had to touch to the light to make the magic happen, and DS took that to include purchases! He truly thought that even though he did not believe that Mickey was real, that we did not have to pay if we used the Magic bands! I had to do some fast talking in the Lego store!!!

Haha. We brought our niece who still does not understand the concept of credit cards. She is 10. Well she was in a store in MK and saw others paying for items with their magic band. Well she thought it was a free for all and started grabbing things she wanted from off the shelves and told me it's free if you have a magic band. Boy was that uncomfortable having to explain how that works and how it's not free.

 

[Minnie_me]

Ok -- perfect! We purchased Disney gift cards at BJs for 15% off, so we'll use our Magic Bands, and then use the GCs to pay off the balance at the hotel. Great plan - thank you all so much!!!

One quick clarification, though --- why "never a debit card"???

 

[spartankid34]

I always used my magic band and visited the front desk each morning/night to pay off my balance with a discounted gift card that I brought. Saves a few pennies, and I don't have to worry about having all those gift cards with me in the park! I have never had an issue with this!

 

[Alesia]

Ok -- perfect! We purchased Disney gift cards at BJs for 15% off, so we'll use our Magic Bands, and then use the GCs to pay off the balance at the hotel. Great plan - thank you all so much!!!

One quick clarification, though --- why "never a debit card"???

Because if your debit card is compromised, your entire checking account can be drained before you ever notice the problem. Yes, you will eventually get your money back, but not for a while. In the meantime, your account will be frozen and you will not be able to access your money or pay your bills. Trust me, you do not want to have to deal with that - not at home, and especially not on vacation.

Using a debit card is always risky, but it's even riskier when you're away from home. Partly, because you just aren't paying as much attention when you're on vacation, but also because thieves know that you aren't paying as much attention when you're on vacation.

 

[Minnie_me]

Because if your debit card is compromised, your entire checking account can be drained before you ever notice the problem. Yes, you will eventually get your money back, but not for a while. In the meantime, your account will be frozen and you will not be able to access your money or pay your bills. Trust me, you do not want to have to deal with that - not at home, and especially not on vacation.

Using a debit card is always risky, but it's even riskier when you're away from home. Partly, because you just aren't paying as much attention when you're on vacation, but also because thieves know that you aren't paying as much attention when you're on vacation.

Got it -- thanks!