Cash??

[tinkerjo]

Can you still use cash in the parks for food, merchandise etc. ? And is mobile order the only way to eat? I am not a fan of the mobile order concept and sometimes es just want to eat when I feel like it. Thanks for the help

 

[DWillowBay]

Cash is still accepted....they take LOTS of mine, I know! Mobile Order is not the only way to approach a QS meal or snack...usually. Places like Cosmic Rays will allow for walk-ups, but be prepared to wait as sometimes those lines plus the mobile orders back up the food preparers. I'm not a fan of Mobile Order as a concept, but I will admit that it actually frees me up to go on a ride or see an attraction while I wait for my food to be prepared. I hope you find great options for you. Have a great trip.

 

[Genie+]

Yes, we had no issues with cash recently. Seems like it was just a temporary thing during the height of covid.

 

[gharter]

Cash is still accepted. We use either a credit card (points)or more commonly our magic band (still on our card) as its very convenient.
Our last trip, I don't think I used cash for anything.

 

[tinkerjo]

Thanks. I have my card linked to our magic band but DS and GF are trying to budget and wanted to bring cash so they stayed on budget. I suggested saving a little money and using gift cards purchased at Sams club or Target. I just wanted to be sure cash was still a thing. We haven’t been since early 2018 so it’s been a minute and COVID changed so much. I appreciate the information!!!!!

 

[Narcoossee11]

Cash ?!??!!!

I remember my grandparents telling me stories of using it.
I think it was green (?) .

 

[Kingdome8]

Cash is still good. But I agree magic band is the best. U can go down to front desk and pay it down every day if u want. Gift cards that way are the move.

 

[Pens Fan]

Not what the OP was asking, but this thread reminded me of something. Back in Sept we were hitting up the Food and Wine booths at Epcot as a thunderstorm was ending. The booths that were still open were ONLY taking cash, as the normal ordering stations were all shut down. You just paid cash at the pick up window. Something to keep in mind if you are traveling during the thunderstorm seasons.

 

[Anthony1971]

I saw lines at every CS we ate at. Granted they have maybe 50% lines and 50% for those who placed mobile orders. However some like the CS at Mexico and China at EPCOT don’t have mobile order period. Cash is not an issue Mickey asks you bring 50’s and larger please

 

[GAN]

Cash is as good as money….

 

[imbelle]

Cash ?!??!!!

I remember my grandparents telling me stories of using it.
I think it was green (?) .

No doubt. Just for fun try paying your $16.51 total with a twenty dollar bill, a one dollar bill, two quarters and a penny. Those youngsters go all deer-in-the-headlights trying to make change.

 

[Beer Me]

Not what the OP was asking, but this thread reminded me of something. Back in Sept we were hitting up the Food and Wine booths at Epcot as a thunderstorm was ending. The booths that were still open were ONLY taking cash, as the normal ordering stations were all shut down. You just paid cash at the pick up window. Something to keep in mind if you are traveling during the thunderstorm seasons.

I have definitely seen magic band readers not working, although they could take a regular cc. I would never rely only on magic band and always carry a wallet with cards and some cash for any situation. I can’t think of any reason not to do that even if it’s rare to need cash.

 

[GAN]

I have definitely seen magic band readers not working, although they could take a regular cc. I would never rely only on magic band and just carry a wallet with cards and some cash for any situation. I can’t think of any reason not to do that even if it’s rare to need cash.

I've had the same $7 in my pocket for 2-weeks. I carry that, a credit card and my license. I use my apple watch to pay for 90% of everything now -even at Disney. I have my AP, Disney Visa, and Disney gift card tied to the watch and that's all I really need when I'm there.

 

[sssteele]

No doubt. Just for fun try paying your $16.51 total with a twenty dollar bill, a one dollar bill, two quarters and a penny. Those youngsters go all deer-in-the-headlights trying to make change.

Same thing at the grocery store. Once they see what they assume you're paying with, they'll ring it in, and the math impairment kicks in.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I am not a fan of the mobile order concept and sometimes es just want to eat when I feel like it.

Mobile order is, by far, the fastest way to "eat when you feel like it."

 

[georgina]

Yeah, that struck me also. Mobile order doesn't mean you can't eat when you feel like it. And you can use a Disney gift card to pay for a mobile order.

 

[Beer Me]

Mobile order is, by far, the fastest way to "eat when you feel like it."

I haven’t used it since 2019 but unless something has changed it’s very convenient. You’re basically skipping the line to order. What’s not to like?

 

[Simba's Mom]

No doubt. Just for fun try paying your $16.51 total with a twenty dollar bill, a one dollar bill, two quarters and a penny. Those youngsters go all deer-in-the-headlights trying to make change.

I've had them give me back the quarters and penny, telling me "it's less than $20", but I just tell them to "Put the amount in the machine and you'll see". As a former math teacher, it drives me crazy! One time they tried to give me an odd amount of change, and it took all kinds of time to prove to them that they'd put the wrong amount into the machine. I miss the "good ole' days" when, as a cashier, I had to give their change back as "it was 37 cents you gave me a dollar 3 pennies makes 40, a dime-50, 2 quarters make a dollar." Anyways back on track.
Just remember, OP, when you go to Sleepy Hollow for a nutella waffle, you can stand in the long "regular" line with your cash for at least 1/2 hour, while I go over to the side where the mobile order window is and get my waffle immediately. You can sit at my table because I'll be done with my waffle about the time you get yours. I used to dislike mobile order until this happened.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I've had them give me back the quarters and penny, telling me "it's less than $20", but I just tell them to "Put the amount in the machine and you'll see". As a former math teacher, it drives me crazy! One time they tried to give me an odd amount of change, and it took all kinds of time to prove to them that they'd put the wrong amount into the machine. I miss the "good ole' days" when, as a cashier, I had to give their change back as "it was 37 cents you gave me a dollar 3 pennies makes 40, a dime-50, 2 quarters make a dollar." Anyways back on track.

Even worse in my opinion is when they DO understand the math, but they're too quick on the trigger and have already hit the "$20" button on their register so they think they can't manually correct it because "their drawer will be off." No, buddy, your drawer will be fine. It doesn't care if I give you $16.51 exactly, if I give you $20.00 and you give me back $3.49, or if I give you $21.51 and you give me back $5.00. All your drawer "knows" is that it should have $16.51 more now than it did 90 seconds ago.

Just remember, OP, when you go to Sleepy Hollow for a nutella waffle, you can stand in the long "regular" line with your cash for at least 1/2 hour, while I go over to the side where the mobile order window is and get my waffle immediately. You can sit at my table because I'll be done with my waffle about the time you get yours. I used to dislike mobile order until this happened.

Mobile order was a problem during COVID because it was 100% mandatory. People with dietary needs, questions, coupons, vouchers, etc. were in a bad situation. You also couldn't use gift cards in the early implementation. Since they got all of that sorted out, it's been great.

 

[Mikey15]

I haven’t used it since 2019 but unless something has changed it’s very convenient. You’re basically skipping the line to order. What’s not to like?

My first mobile order experience in 2018 was horrendous. Busy night at Pecos Bill's with long lines, so I tried mobile order. Took absolutely forever to get someone to acknowledge me and actually give me the order, would have been faster had I done the line.

2022 is night & day different. See a line at quick-serve? Fuggedaboutit. Open phone, mobile order, flag that you're "here," get the notification when it's ready and just go to pick it up. It really does work and it's so much better than any line.

There's still things you can't do on the app like ask for cups of ice water, but that's easy to do at the pickup spot unless the staff tunnel-vision. There's even many allergy options within the mobile order system so while not every 'special order' request is covered, quite a few can be handled through the app.