cash only

[georgina]

Let me preface this by saying that I am starting to be on the tail end of the Bummers, 77 years old, and I cannot understand the hanging on to the cash thing. I have $20 in my wallet just in the event that I run into someplace that only takes cash, but those places are getting fewer and fewer. I haven't written a check or paid with cash for anything in over 10 years. It is so much handier and so much easier to keep track of using credit or debit cards. You can go online a see exactly how much you have spent in real time. It is so much easier and safer.

The places we most often use cash - 1) street performers we walk by on the weekend, 2) tips for tour guides on group travel and dive crew for DH's dive trips around the world. And for those we have to go to the bank and request new-ish, unmarked 20's, because a lot of places in the world won't take torn or marked US bills. Sometimes we can get local currency out of an ATM, sometimes he takes US cash.

Was in Africa in August and the front desk person in Zambia asked if I would exchange some of my nice US bills for some she had, that had been given to the staff for tips, but they were unable to use them because of their condition. Street sellers in Zimbabwe also took US dollars.

 

[PolyRob]

I put everything on credit cards or MB when I am at Disney. I think it will speed things up a lot, but the cash only change at certain locations is actually comical to me. There have been times when the entire payment system has gone down at WDW and no CCs, GCs, or MBs could be processed, but cash could be accepted.

I guess you just don't eat if that happens now

 

[loves to dive]

I tend to get a GC when I get there but lately there has always been anywhere from $2 to $10 left over when I leave (and no I don't combine them all on to one card and no I don't take them with me the next time I go, I tend to lose them when I get home and am unpacking). I don't like putting small charges on my CC, it makes the statement a pain to go through and I can't remember the last time I used my debit card for anything other than getting cash out of an ATM. I'm thinking for my trip in Dec. I might get a prepaid Visa card at the grocery store and use that instead of Disney GC's and that way if I have anything left over, I can use it at home. An yes, I do still always carry at least $20 cash into the parks and at home. The food booths at the festivals often have issues and will only take cash and if I'm just buying some snack in a store, I'll pay cash. Same thing for charging back to the room, those small charges are still going to show up on my credit card or the hotel bill and I will still have to go through them. I'm a retired bookkeeper so I go through every line of every bank statement, CC bill, phone bill, hotel bill, etc. I've had my CC compromised a couple of times with someone putting small less than $5 charges on it and I've had to cancel it.

 

[goofyernmost]

The places we most often use cash - 1) street performers we walk by on the weekend, 2) tips for tour guides on group travel and dive crew for DH's dive trips around the world. And for those we have to go to the bank and request new-ish, unmarked 20's, because a lot of places in the world won't take torn or marked US bills. Sometimes we can get local currency out of an ATM, sometimes he takes US cash.

Was in Africa in August and the front desk person in Zambia asked if I would exchange some of my nice US bills for some she had, that had been given to the staff for tips, but they were unable to use them because of their condition. Street sellers in Zimbabwe also took US dollars.

That is why I still carry a minimum amount of cash on me. If I'm going on a lengthy trip I carry a little more.

 

[Genie+]

I put everything on credit cards or MB when I am at Disney. I think it will speed things up a lot, but the cash only change at certain locations is actually comical to me. There have been times when the entire payment system has gone down at WDW and no CCs, GCs, or MBs could be processed, but cash could be accepted.

I guess you just don't eat if that happens now

One night right before the fireworks at MK, DH went over to a nearby cart for an ice cream and a soda. Their system was down and he only had a Magicband - so they just gave him the items. We saw them do it with a few other customers after us as well. I think because they were to close within minutes anyway, it was best just to let the pixie dust flow.

My neighborhood deli catches me offguard sometimes - they only accept cash. I’ll forget if we haven’t been in for months. Several times I had to run back home to scrounge up some cash to pay.

 

[Chief Powhatan]

Cashless parks

• Six Flags: All Six Flags parks have gone cashless and only accept credit or debit cards, according to the official Six Flags website and Facebook posts.
  
  
• United Parks: This includes all parks in the SeaWorld Entertainment group, such as SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place, as mentioned in various forums.
  
  
• Hersheypark: This park is completely cashless, note sources on Facebook.
  
  
• Cedar Point: This Cedar Fair park is now cashless, according to a Facebook post.
  
  
• Knott's Berry Farm: This is another park that has gone cashless, according to explore.com.
  
  
• Other examples: Other parks that have adopted cashless systems include Kennywood, Kings Dominion, and Holiday World

Some part of me dislikes the idea of my cash not being accepted as payment but considering the methods we usually use at WDW this is not much of an actual inconvenience to us. Using our phone wallets and magic band linked to room is our preference. Carrying cash or buying Disney giftcards opens more risks and headaches around getting lost. We bring some cash for tips at the resort and during travel - that’s about it lately.

In addition, most professional sport venues are now cashless. I am really surprised Disney is as cash-friendly as they are.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I might get a prepaid Visa card at the grocery store and use that instead of Disney GC's and that way if I have anything left over, I can use it at home…

Learn the ins and outs of VGCs first before you make such a commitment. They are rife with fraud. The cards can be compromised and you will not have a clue, they replace the security strips, reseal the packages so professionally you cannot tell the difference. The card can be drained before you get it registered even if you do it in the parking lot. Also when using them sometimes more money will be pre-authorized than you charged like at a hotel or restaurant in case of a tip and the funds can be held for a week or more.

I've had my CC compromised a couple of times with someone putting small less than $5 charges on it and I've had to cancel it.

Fun fact- cards can be compromised without ever using them. The number is stored throughout a system from generation forward. I’ve had cards comprised that I’ve never used. Just had a friend have their debit card comprised and they haven’t once used it.

You absolutely want to deal with a compromised personal credit card over a comprised pre-paid card. Oof, much easier. Your bank will kill the card immediately on notification of fraud and issue the new one. Sometimes you can even request an expedited card be sent to you if you’re dealing with a major issuer/bank.

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

We are coming from Canada and have purchased US money for Disney. Can we just buy a Disney gift card to use for everything when we get there? If so, where can we buy a Disney gift card with cash? From the MCO airport? Or, does the World of Disney store in Disney Springs still accept cash? Could we buy a gift card there? Thank you.

 

[gatorlisa]

We are coming from Canada and have purchased US money for Disney. Can we just buy a Disney gift card to use for everything when we get there? If so, where can we buy a Disney gift card with cash? From the MCO airport? Or, does the World of Disney store in Disney Springs still accept cash? Could we buy a gift card there? Thank you.

You can purchase a Disney gift card just about anywhere on property, including your resort gift shop if you are staying on site.

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

You can purchase a Disney gift card just about anywhere on property, including your resort gift shop if you are staying on site.

But can I purchase it using cash? Or is it cashless there too?

 

[Marrila]

But can I purchase it using cash? Or is it cashless there too?

You can use cash lots of places at wdw including resort gift shops. The cashless places are usually carts and such that sell popcorn, churros or similar.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We are coming from Canada and have purchased US money for Disney. Can we just buy a Disney gift card to use for everything when we get there? If so, where can we buy a Disney gift card with cash? From the MCO airport? Or, does the World of Disney store in Disney Springs still accept cash? Could we buy a gift card there? Thank you.

Another option for future trips if you wish is you can purchase Disney gift cards in Canada. When they’re scanned the register automatically converts the amount on the card into US funds. I use PC Optimum points to purchase Disney gc’s and we basically eat for free!

 

[Joanna71985]

Let me preface this by saying that I am starting to be on the tail end of the Bummers, 77 years old, and I cannot understand the hanging on to the cash thing. I have $20 in my wallet just in the event that I run into someplace that only takes cash, but those places are getting fewer and fewer. I haven't written a check or paid with cash for anything in over 10 years. It is so much handier and so much easier to keep track of using credit or debit cards. You can go online a see exactly how much you have spent in real time. It is so much easier and safer.

I live in Orlando, and I prefer using cash (especially at the parks)

 

[goofyernmost]

I live in Orlando, and I prefer using cash (especially at the parks)

It's certainly your right to do so, but as stated more and more places are not accepting cash. I know, it's legal tender and all but if they if places don't have the ability to give change they can still tell you that and you will have to have every degree of cash on your person at the time and that would be difficult. I finally used the $20.00 that's been in my wallet for over a year to pay my daughter back for her purchasing the T-giving Turkey. I buy it and she does the hard part of preparing it. It does kind of look like I'm getting out of it easy, but that is OK. I still remember the number of years that my wife and I did the Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and summer cookouts more times that I can count. Now it's my turn to delegate the chore to the next generation.

The downside now is that the next time I go shopping I have to get cash back to replenish my emergency $20.00 portable cash reserve.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Let me preface this by saying that I am starting to be on the tail end of the Bummers, 77 years old, and I cannot understand the hanging on to the cash thing. I have $20 in my wallet just in the event that I run into someplace that only takes cash, but those places are getting fewer and fewer. I haven't written a check or paid with cash for anything in over 10 years. It is so much handier and so much easier to keep track of using credit or debit cards. You can go online a see exactly how much you have spent in real time. It is so much easier and safer.

I don't personally use cash at theme parks, but cash is still necessary often in my life. My high schooler has many expenses that can only be paid for with cash or check - field trips, class shirts, private music lessons, etc. High school sports concessions take cash only, as do concessions at the local park. I prefer to put money in the basket at church rather than remembering to go online later. I also use cash for things like tipping hotel cleaning staff. And it still feels rude to me to use a credit card for a very small purchase if I have cash available, when every time I pay a bill, I'm reminded of credit card fees.

 

[goofyernmost]

I don't personally use cash at theme parks, but cash is still necessary often in my life. My high schooler has many expenses that can only be paid for with cash or check - field trips, class shirts, private music lessons, etc. High school sports concessions take cash only, as do concessions at the local park. I prefer to put money in the basket at church rather than remembering to go online later. I also use cash for things like tipping hotel cleaning staff. And it still feels rude to me to use a credit card for a very small purchase if I have cash available, when every time I pay a bill, I'm reminded of credit card fees.

You have a much different lifestyle than I have. I am retired and am at a point where I don't really need cash often enough to warrant concern. I use credit cards but am fortunate to have finally paid off all my credit obligations and I pay the full balance every month so there are no credit card fees, interest or otherwise. What I will tell you is that it took me from age 23 to age 53 to get to that point. Everyone's situation is different and if cash is a necessary part of that then that is fine. I have substituted the use of cash for Debit cards. That is exactly the same as cash because it draws directly from your funds. Like a virtual pocket. I only use those for the small "local" things and Credit Cards for larger and less local items. In that process I have cash back benefits with those as well.

The downside is that I'm older than dirt and don't get out much. However, in today's world I can't imagine how much "cash" I'd have to carry to not need to replenish it on an almost daily basis. Way to much like work. It won't be long before society will have completely eliminated the need for cash, think Venmo, Paypal and others. It wouldn't surprise me if the Girl Scout Cookie brigade will stop accepting cash as well. I realize that this is not your situation but we all need to start preparing to flex toward what is happening in our society.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

I have never paid interest on a credit card because I've always paid it off, and I love my rewards, but that is another example of why some people want to use cash. About 10 to 15 years ago, it was a trend to follow certain financial advice that said to be cash only to control your spending, especially if you had a tendency to carry a balance on your cards. Inconvenient and I would suggest having debit cards, but I don't think society as a whole is ready to be cashless yet. In some cases, I think women liked the cash trend also if they were in controlling relationships where their spending was tracked.

 

[gottalovepluto]

We are coming from Canada and have purchased US money for Disney. Can we just buy a Disney gift card to use for everything when we get there? If so, where can we buy a Disney gift card with cash? From the MCO airport? Or, does the World of Disney store in Disney Springs still accept cash? Could we buy a gift card there? Thank you.

The only things that cashless are some snack carts. I’d advise against putting all the cash onto Disney gc because if you don’t spend it there are no refunds. Your money will sit as a Disney gift card until you spend it with Disney.

 

[BrianL]

The only things that cashless are some snack carts. I’d advise against putting all the cash onto Disney gc because if you don’t spend it there are no refunds. Your money will sit as a Disney gift card until you spend it with Disney.

I mean - for me anyway - Disney bucks are about the same as regular bucks! Oh, I'l spend them - don't you worry.