Can I just use my MB or do I need cash too?

[C.C. Langley]

Hello everyone! Just wondering if I would need to bring cash and debit cards into the parks, or if I could just use my magic band since I've associated it with my debit card? Do I need ID or is my band good enough? Any advice is appreciated. : )

 

[mom2rtk]

The system is too prone to outages and glitches to rely on it exclusively in the parks. Always carry a backup form of payment.

And adults should always have ID when they go out, even if it's just to a theme park.

 

[Flynnismine]

I read on here a few weeks back of some people having issues with their MB's not scanning. Technology doesn't always work like it should sometimes. I'd throw a $20 in your pocket or bring a backup card just in case.

 

[Ladcassidy]

General recommendation is to take money and/or a credit/debit card as backup for your magic band. A few places (mostly kiosks) are cash only, and from time to time the magic band processing system goes down.

 

[C.C. Langley]

Yes, I suppose you guys are right. I don't want to be all the way in MK, with no source of money with the machines down, and have to go back to my room. I didn't know that some of the kiosks only take cash, thanks for that.

 

[C.C. Langley]

The system is too prone to outages and glitches to rely on it exclusively in the parks. Always carry a backup form of payment.

And adults should always have ID when they go out, even if it's just to a theme park.

I absolutely love your pictures in the photostream on your signature. Adorable!

 

[mom2rtk]

I absolutely love your pictures in the photostream on your signature. Adorable!

You are very sweet. Thank you!

 

[mom2rtk]

I read on here a few weeks back of some people having issues with their MB's not scanning. Technology doesn't always work like it should sometimes. I'd throw a $20 in your pocket or bring a backup card just in case.

We also agreed on that last thread that a $20 probably wouldn't go very far at Disney. Better make it a $50.

 

[figment_jii]

Truthfully, I'd carry the credit/debit card with me just in case the system goes down and you're at a TS location. Maybe for a solo traveler, but I don't know if $50 would cover the cost of a meal for two at most of the TS locations in the parks!

Assuming the MB is working, you won't need an ID (at least I didn't) because you have to enter you PIN when you use it. That being said, I completely agree that you should carry ID with you. You never know when you'll need (for things like buying alcoholic drinks to in case of an emergency).

 

[disnut8]

I would strongly suggest to always carry a photo ID with you at all times, not just at Disney World. At Disney World, even with a MagicBand linked to some sort of payment, I would suggest carrying a second form of payment of some sort - whatever you feel comfortable with. For my husband and I, both MagicBands are linked to one credit card. I carry our debit card and he carries a second credit card. He carries about $40 cash, I carry $20 in cash. We are covered for all sorts of payment for all sorts of things and it takes up very little room and neither one of us has to take a bag if we don't want.

 

[nilla]

I went most of the trip last May without reaching into my wallet for cash or a credit card, thanks to the MB. Then, one day, I intentionally left my wallet in the room safe. That night, we decided to get a cab to take us back to CSR from BC. Good thing my wife had cash

For the most part, you don't NEED cash or CC in the parks (I never ran into any times when the MB charging was down), but it's generally a good idea to have at least a little back up, just in case.

 

[whitney37354]

Def. take another form of payment with you. Twice on our last trip we were told our KTTW was linked to my cc, but it wasn't. We felt like fools both times when we were told "we had hit our credit limit". The first time we had to borrow $ from our friends for a bottle of water. The second time we had gift cards & cc we could use, but it was a pain & embarrassing to hold up the line because the cc wasn't linked. After two trips to the front desk, they finally got it right...

We'll be taking cash with us next trip!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

You should ALWAYS have your ID and insurance card with you. You never know when something could happen and you may need medical assistance.

 

[Amanda999]

I just went to the resort front desk to break a $20. I keep a $20 bill with me (just in case I need a taxi, or MB food line isn't working - seen that only once), and ones for MK shooting arcade, and two quarters for the, uh, ladies room machine just in case (I cannot believe those aren't credit card enabled). Sometimes pennies for that penny press machine. And a credit card, again in case MBs aren't working, and drivers license (if ticket issue, they sometimes want to see id).

Most days I use nothing but the MB.

HTH.

 

[lustergirl]

I plan on doing both, half credit card and half cash.

 

[dkellumw]

We were at Epcot on March 13, 2015 and the charging function of the MB was down for a while. Good thing I had cash to get a beer. Bring ID and some cash for back-up.

 

[larryz]

I just went to the resort front desk to break a $20. I keep a $20 bill with me (just in case I need a taxi, or MB food line isn't working - seen that only once), and ones for MK shooting arcade, and two quarters for the, uh, ladies room machine just in case (I cannot believe those aren't credit card enabled). Sometimes pennies for that penny press machine. And a credit card, again in case MBs aren't working, and drivers license (if ticket issue, they sometimes want to see id).

There's a recipe for cargo shorts if I've ever seen one.

 

[winthropf]

Any of the snack/drink carts can have their system go down anytime. When that happens, they can only take cash. No MB, no gift cards, no credit/debit cards. I recommend having some cash with you.