Cash or Travelers Cheques

[Wily Wily]

Is it better to carry Travelers Cheques or cash? I'm not sure which one we should go with. Disney Dollars are an option too.
What is the preference when you go to Disney?
Thanks.

 

[PeterPan20]

In March, I brought a combination of cash and my check card. Where my check card is a VISA, I could use that anywhere they accepted credit cards and used the small amount of cash I carried around each day for vendors. It worked out really well for me. I just made sure that I had my cancellation numbers with me, in case I lost it (or it was stolen).

I've also heard that American Express has a travel card that you put money on (like traveler's checks) before your trip and use like a credit card. This sounds a lot easier than the actual traveler's checks, because, in my opinion, they're a pain in the butt to use.

Also! Don't buy disney dollars unless you're giving a few to a child or something. They're pointless, because they're like buying yourself a gift certificate. If you don't use all of them, you go home with a whole bunch of useless paper with mickey on it. (that cost you a lot of money)

 

[Melisa1]

I usually take about $300 in cash and then use my debit card or my American Express ( I earn points using Am Ex). We stayed at Shades of Green last time we were at WDW and they ATM there did not charge fees so that was a BIG help!

 

[pampam]

I like travelers cheques. About 3 vacations ago I lost mine, and they were replaced in less than 24 hours. I didn't even have to leave WDW. If it was cash it would have been gone. Also I don't think a charge card would have been replaced hassle free so quickly. Even disney dollars would have not been returned.I feel they are more of a souvenier anyway. I can't see what the hassle is. You have to sign for purchases on a charge card, and keep account of expenditures, no matter which way you go. You may as well have the security of travelers cheques.

 

[christianweecare]

We always take travelers checks and a little bit of cash. It helps us keep up with what we are spending. We do put a credit card on the room just in case we go over our budget for the day, but this very seldom happens. It also makes it easier at check out to have express check out. We usually cash a travelers check at breakfast and have cash for the day. The rest stays in the room safe. We get free travelers checks through our bank. We have never had any problem using them.

 

[dismsn]

We were at WDW at the end of August and had no trouble using our traveller's checks. We took a few with us each day and left the rest in our in-room safe. We also made a payment to our VISA card before we left and used our credit card for some purchases (hotel, car rental, park tickets, etc.).

 

[southern-minnie]

I took traveler's checks the last time I went and will be taking them again in December.
If you have unused Disney Dollars they can be exchanged for cash at the end of your visit.

 

[totalia]

Cash or credit please please. See the other thread on Traveller's checks for my reasons.

 

[HappyLawyer]

I think you should get over it!

Originally posted by totalia
Cash or credit please please. See the other thread on Traveller's checks for my reasons.

 

[Amirah95]

I'm another one who carries cash, debit and credit cards on vacation.

 

[disneyfanz04]

Someone on another board also suggested putting cash on a room charge, so this miht be an option...I have never done it yet, but maybe someone who has can give us some insite???

 

[HenDuck]

I routinely take:

-$500 in traveler's checks
-$200-300 in cash
-2 credit cards
-atm card (with limited funds in the account)
-Disney Dollars (as much as I can get my greedy little hands on)

 

[Coll0610]

We take enough cash to cover food in the airport and snacks from carts in the parks, but we charge everything else to the room and use the credit card to pay it off. This gives me a record of how we spent our money and it's helpful when planning a budget for the next trip.

DH and I have a Visa and a Mastercard. Whenever we travel, I take the Visa and he takes the MC. That way if something happens to one of the cards, we still have the other.

 

[lc1965]

I never deal in cash very much, incl at home. I put most everything on my credit card. When I go to WDW, I definitey do NOT want that shocking credit card bill when I get home. So, I buy a few Disney Dollars every month or so for several months before my trip so the bills are smaller & monthly. Then I bring some cash, at least one credit card, & put the rest on my room. My room bill rarely amounts to much. This trip (11/2-5) I also have a Disney Visa reward that I'll be using, so I hope for virtually no bill. It's all part of the fantasy....

 

[dizagain]

Last time we took enough traveller's checks to pay for our room, Disney Dollars, debit card, and kept a little cash on hand. We like Disney Dollars A LOT...we save this way during the year and can't spend it! I can see why some folks think they're a waste, but for us, they're WONDERFUL. I think this time we'll get the pre-paid AMX thing - I think traveller's checks are annoying.

Our only hang-up on debit card (we don't have credit cards) was that once at CRT it was declined and that made for an interesting dash to the ATM to check things out. Of course, everything was ok, but it wasn't funny at the time thinking our bank account was depleted!!!

 

[disneysteve]

Strictly credit card for us. Why should I use cash or traveler's checks and get nothing when I can use a CC and earn reward points? We use a Marriott Visa and earn free hotel stays. I'll carry a small amount of cash just for stuff like ice cream or popcorn, but everything else goes on the card.