cash or card

[Mau Loa Disney]

Hello, I leave for Disney on 11-23 & was wondering if I should carry cash or buy visa gift cards. I have been reading so much about Disney on the boards & I havent come across this information. Do they let you pay with visa cards at the little snack stations? Sorry if this is a silly question as most places nowdays allow payment with cards. May I get opinions if you think its easier carry cash or using gift cards/credit cards to pay

 

[minnierocks]

I think it's easier to budget when you have cash...Those charges can get away from you, if you're not careful!
Most of the snack carts can now take cards, but you might run into a few that don't. I think it's better if you have a mix of both cash and cards. The cards are a little "safer" and you can pay for shopping and meals with them...cash is always handy to have, just in case!

Have fun!!!

 

[Girldreamer02]

Last yr when I went I took half cash and then I got the visa gift card like you are taking about doing. I found this to work out quite well. Because as someone else noted those charges can get away from you pretty quickly. Pretty much every cart and or store I visited both so I don't really think that should be a problem. hth have a great trip! I'm leaving almost a month exactly after you.

 

[Mau Loa Disney]

Thanks! I'm so excited & have been cramming so much info about Disney into my folder. I think we will carry both.

Girldreamer02- Have fun next month! I keep logging on to Disney.com to see my countdown.

 

[scrappin]

FYI - I personally do not like the visa gift cards. I have received them before and unless Disney knows how to use them, you could try to pay for something say $50 and you have $40 left on your card but because they don't know how to ring it up with two amounts, your card is denied - this is just my experience. Others may have found them very convenient.

 

[Camster0307]

My experience has been that not all carts DO accept cards, just cash. We came across this problem quite a bit last year in Epcot, MGM and MK. Wouldn't even take our room card! In MK, we were at a cart to buy popcorn - cash only!

 

[minnierocks]

Another option to the VISA card is the Disney gift cards...they can be bought at any Disney store, or online. I'm going with this on our next trip...I just figured out about how much I'm going to spend on meals and then I'm going to get that amount on cards...

 

[deej696]

In my experience, pretty much any outlet that sells something at WDW is able to take credit cards. I have always used my card at the carts, even the temporary ones at food and wine with no problem. Occasionally their network has problems, but otherwise its never been an issue. Disney doesnt require a signiture on purchases under $25 (I think thats the amount) so it may save a bit of time in crowded lines. I do agree with what someone mentioned above, and that is its easier to budget with cash. I came home from a day at Food and Wine last week to check my account and find I had spent twice what I thought I had! It adds up quick....

 

[Girldreamer02]

Thanks! I'm so excited & have been cramming so much info about Disney into my folder. I think we will carry both.

Girldreamer02- Have fun next month! I keep logging on to Disney.com to see my countdown.

thank you have a great trip say hi to mickey for me and tell him i'm on my way!!!

 

[eyenjeff]

We just came back and used our Magic your way all purpose cards to charge everything on the carts, meals, gifts etc...they all took it. You can check your balance at any time at the lobby. They start you out with a limit and then if you need more, you pay off that part with your visa, and then they restart your card again. That way you are only carrying one card and not to worry about the possibility of losing your visa. We did carry some cash for little purchases so as not to take up too much time with them ringing them up. Have a great time!

 

[Mau Loa Disney]

Thanks Everyone! I think that I will Not use the Visa gift cards, I forgot that they add a holding charge on the cards. I love the idea of Disney cash (didnt think about that) & I need to find out more about the MYW (all purpose card) I just dont want to carry around lots of cash.


Girldreamer02- sure will!! Cant wait!!

 

[Girldreamer02]

me either!!!!

 

[jimmiej]

I need to find out more about the MYW (all purpose card) I just dont want to carry around lots of cash.

Basically, if you stay on-site, your card can function as your room key, your park ticket, & a charge card. At the end of your trip (or whenever you ask), you will get a detailed statement with every charge listed. Of course, like someone else said, you have to back it up with a real credit card. And, it's always wise to back that up with cold hard cash back home in the bank.

We like to carry just a little cash for snack carts, housekeeping tips, etc. Have fun on your trip!

 

[Mau Loa Disney]

jimmiej - Oh Darn, We arent staying at Disney so I guess that wont work. Btw, I'm from Tx too! My summer vacations always included a trip down the Guadalupe or Comal River when i was growing up. I love it down there

 

[jimmiej]

jimmiej - Oh Darn, We arent staying at Disney so I guess that wont work. Btw, I'm from Tx too! My summer vacations always included a trip down the Guadalupe or Comal River when i was growing up. I love it down there

Wasn't sure from your OP where you were staying.

Glad to hear you have good memories of our area. One of my friends who lives in west Texas says I live in the "Garden of Eden" of Texas!

 

[ZoZo]

Another option to the VISA card is the Disney gift cards...they can be bought at any Disney store, or online. I'm going with this on our next trip...I just figured out about how much I'm going to spend on meals and then I'm going to get that amount on cards...

One problem with putting the money on a Disney gift card is that if you have money left over (money that you don't use) you can't use it anywhere but Disney.

I was surprised on my trip last month - I used travelers checks (the old fashioned kind in $50 denominations). I actually had about $250 left over at the end of my trip (which was a big surprise!). I simply cashed the leftover checks at my credit union. If I'd used a Disney gift card, I wouldn't have been able to do that. I've found that old fashioned travelers checks work great. Same as cash, only safer.