Cash in Disney World - Traveler's Cheques? Debit?

[Malakaiii]

Hello fellow Canadians!

We are planning ahead to our May trip. What is the best way to get cash on hand for Disney? Will the resorts cash traveler's cheques? Is it easier just to use a debit machine? Are there other options (not credit cards)?

Thanks!

 

[minnie mum]

The resorts will cash travellers cheques, but I don't think I've bought them in over 10 years. And we travel internationally at least once a year.

There are ATM machines all over the place, but depending on the bank you use, you may be dinged up to $5 per transaction, so take out your daily maximum to minimize these.

For our WDW trips we typically take $500-1,000 US cash with us, depending on whether we're driving or flying, and depending on the length of the trip. We have a US$ account at our local bank and keep it topped up whenever the Canadian $ is strong.

Once at WDW we give the resort a credit card and charge almost everything to our KTTW. Cash is reserved for small purchases and snacks.

 

[Malakaiii]

Thanks for those suggestions! Traveler's cheques are not my top choice... they charge a fee just to print them so I much prefer using the ATMs.

 

[Malakaiii]

Another idea: What about prepaid Visa cards that have a specific amount on them?

 

[DisneyMagic3]

We are bringing cash. Our credit cards and debit cards will be with us but only as "emergency funds".

 

[Ted in Halifax]

WE do the same. We bring cash, which we have bought or saved from other vacations in our US dollar account. So when gas prices go up ... I typically buy some US money and put it into the account. Then I withdraw it, just prior to the trip. Credit cards and debit are for emergencies.

 

[mtmbyck]

I don't rely on my debit card as much as it only works at some machines and has never worked for a transaction at the til. I tried this a DTD and they couldn't read it so had to run over to the Chase machine by guest services which did work. But then tried using a random machine at an outlet mall and it didn't work for some reason.

I'm with the rest.....I'll be bringing cash and debit.

Be careful using credit cards as we all know how they like to ding us with the transfer rate (US to CDN). A lovely added fee just for having to do the exchange.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Another idea: What about prepaid Visa cards that have a specific amount on them?

I'm not sure but I remember looking into a prepaid Visa before and there might be an issue with buying it in Canada and using it in the US. You would have to read that back of the card to see if they allow for currency exchange. Check the prepaid Amex it might be a better choice.

 

[ginny_lynn]

hatevr you choose, do not keep it all togther.....so If you are going to do prepaid credit card, do not put it all on one....my mother accidently through my allet in the trash last year while I was in the washroom, so it worked out that my debit card which was in it as not our only source of funds. Also we were driving and my license as in there (I did not realize unti hours later b/c I assumed she just stuck it in her bag)....Since there are no RBC that are owned by the same company as RBC in Canada in the US I could not gt a ne card....

 

[Malakaiii]

Thanks everyone! I guess I'm just hesitant to be carrying around large amounts of cash.

 

[ottawamom]

All the rooms at Disney have safes. Your cash will be perfectly safe there just take what you want to spend for the day to the park.

 

[Disfanx4]

Thanks everyone! I guess I'm just hesitant to be carrying around large amounts of cash.

We take cash and by Disney Gift Cards ASAP when we arrive

 

[pigletto]

Thanks everyone! I guess I'm just hesitant to be carrying around large amounts of cash.

We bring credit cards and cash and leave any excess in the safe. However you can do a few things. One is Disney giftcards which can be ordered to Canada for a $25 fee. So to not be dinged for the fee several times you'd probably want to order them all at once.
The best option IMO would be to put cash down at check in instead of a credit card. We did that twice a few years ago. I believe I put 1000 on the room, and then we used our KTTW card the same as if we were charging to a credit card.

 

[CdnCarrie]

We don't really bring cash as we just charge back to the room. More we put on our BMO credit card the more Air Miles we will earn for our next trip.

I don't like to carry much cash. If we do run low I have no problems using the ATM at the resort. I would rather pay less than $5 in bank charges than chance losing a wad of cash.

 

[Tinkershelly]

Also, if you're staying at a WDW resort and do use your KTTW card to charge, the resort will only charge your credit card when the balance reaches a certain amount, depending on the resort. So if you travel like we do and use the dining plan, we charge tips to the room, and buy a couple of t-shirts, and a couple of frozen margaritas, and a vinlymation, well you get the idea. Whenever the balance reaches $500 US (if we stay in a value resort) they will charge our VISA and reset the balance to $0 and start over. Which means the VISA has one transaction and one set of service charges instead of a whole bunch of little ones. The resort also gives us a detailed receipt of all charges, itemized per day and per room card, so it's easy to keep track of the purchases and know if there is something not right.

This also works if you prefer to pay cash, they can use a credit card as a guarantee but settle your balance with cash. Or you may give them cash at the begining and they will debit from that every time you use your KTTW card.

 

[disneyfreak89]

Thanks for those suggestions! Traveler's cheques are not my top choice... they charge a fee just to print them so I much prefer using the ATMs.

We always use Travelers cheques, so much easy to carry than cash and Disney will cash up to $200/person a day for you.
Plus if you have a CAA membership, they are FREE.

 

[monkey30]

We use to use travelers checks and paid through out Disney Stores with them, but have found it much easier to go down with cash. We also find we tend to watch our spending this way.

we alot so much for each day, depending on what we are doing (ie more shopping one day then next or a more expensive for a meal), then have fun with the left overs on the last day!

 

[House_of_Mouse Fan]

I have used Traveller's Cheques before and it's pretty painless. They are free with the banking package I have so I don't pay a fee. It's very convenient as I don't like carrying large amounts of cash with me. I simply cash some every morning at the front desk of the resort and I'm on my way. I have never used debit as I'm worried about the fees my bank might charge me to use a US ATM. There always seem to be "hidden" fees for using an ATM outside of Canada.

 

[World Showcaser]

I have always taken cash too and kept the excess in the safe in our room.

Just a tip for those planning to use ATMs. Your bank likely has a deal with a US chain that allows you to use that chain's ATMs without a fee being charged. Now, they may charge an exchange fee but otherwise it's just like using your banks machine. So call your branch and inquire. For Scotia Bank, you can use Bank of America machines free-of-charge.

Or you may give them cash at the begining and they will debit from that every time you use your KTTW card.

Is this true?! That's great news if it is. I don't own a credit card. (I borrow my mother's to book the trip and make payments online prior to travelling.) This would be a great solution for us.

Although I will say that using cash helps us to control our spending big time.

 

[mamaCta]

Our plan is to get travelers cheques, probably in $100 denominations. We can cash one or two each morning as we need. I also get them free at my bank. We will probably use the CC for things like buying tickets or large purchases.