Considering Hotel Options - First time

[bavaria]

bavaria - You said to only use cash, but is there an issue using card, when it's accepted?

In Europe we carry cash far more than it seems people do in America, because many places do not take credit cards, or as I said, if your card does not have a chip it will not work in various machines.

If you are ONLY going to DLRP and only going to major hotels then you won't need much, but if you plan to buy groceries or go to a bakery or a museum etc then you should carry cash. You will also need cash many places to use the restroom.

Using a cash point outside of your network can result in high charges - up to $10 for instance for 'foreign machine' usage, on top of any fee charged by the bank servicing the cash point. That is why I strongly suggest checking with your bank for agreements. I travel about 300 or more days a year around the world and avoid fees by staying within my Deutsche Bank/BNP/BoA/Scotiabank/CCB etc network.

 

[mika911]

As for cash, there are cash machines all over the park (though beware of pick pockets). Often you will be charged a usage fee and an exchange fee by most US banks, though this is also true with credit card transations abroad as well. But there are options for obtaining cash if need be.

Thanks, so how much concern is the pick pocketing? I keep my credit cards in deep in my pocket usually, not a good idea? Any other tips on this? I bet those pick pockets get some fast passes! ha-ha.


Thanks!!!

 

[mika911]

The dream passport sounds almost like a no brainer, so you specifically go to a special guest relations window? THey will sell these to someone not living in Europe?

Thanks.

 

[bavaria]

I feel far safer in Europe than I do in many parts of America. I have never worried about pick pockets. But I do see people who obviously stand out as tourists, and who do wave cash about, or have their rucksack hanging open, and who make themselves easy targets for any of the unsavoury characters one sees in tourist locations.

Best advice is to blend in, don't make yourself too obvious, keep your wallet inside your handbag. I never wear something across my back as that allows people to reach in potentially.

And don't engage in conversation with the people who will cheat you - the women crying that they lost their baby, the man who dropped the diamond ring, the women clutching you calling 'speak English?'. Americans tend to be very friendly, even overly friendly, and these people know it. I have never actually been approached by any of them, but I see Americans stop and talk to them all the time. Just walk away. Don't engage.

The only ones I do engage and even give money to are the urchins in the Paris metro. I have many times had my ticket stripe no longer work and been trapped in the station; these children hang about with dropped tickets and will 'release' one from the barrier. To me they well deserve their coins, even if it is somehow cheating. I legitimately paid my fare, but the ticket/machine malfunctions.

I do also tip to 'my' metro musicians - I often see the same ones on my metro line and if they are the ones l like they do receive a tip - their entertainment makes the trip go faster.

 

[davewasbaloo]

Thanks, so how much concern is the pick pocketing? I keep my credit cards in deep in my pocket usually, not a good idea? Any other tips on this? I bet those pick pockets get some fast passes! ha-ha.


Thanks!!!

Well to be fair, DL and WDW also have their fair share of Pick Pockets, but I have come across far more people robbed in DLP than the other resorts. Just use common sense.

 

[davewasbaloo]

The dream passport sounds almost like a no brainer, so you specifically go to a special guest relations window? THey will sell these to someone not living in Europe?

Thanks.

There are a couple of ways you can do it. You can buy a 1 day ticket and then ask for the value to be deducted when you get to the Ap office inside the park, between Discoveryland and Fantasyland.

Or even better, buy it at the Guest relations window (to get there, go to the right of the Disneyland hotel, next to left luggage outside of the turnstyles). Buy the APs there, go in and swap them for your AP with no further financial transactions at the AP office. Please be aware the AP office normally keeps core office hours, not full park hours. We tend to go either 1st thing or lunch time.

 

[davewasbaloo]

If you want more info please PM me. I am tired with wasting my time on a board where my messages get deleted.