Credit cards or cash???

[semily]

When you are in the park do they allow you to use credit cards for food, souveniers, etc? Or do you only have to use cash?

How much do you allow for food pp?

 

[Kimberle]

You can use cr cards almost anywhere. The only places I don't think you can are the push cart type stands. I think they were even accepted at counter service resturants.

I never take much cash, I charge everything.

How much to allow for food: I've heard, and I think it's pretty good, $50/day per person. It really depend on your "eating style". I remember getting a burger/ff/coke from the counter service for abt $8-9. The kids combo's were abt $6-7. A coke or a bottle of water was abt $2.50 from a stand.

There are also ATM machines in the parks, in case you need extra cash.

HTH's,

 

[angey77]

I take the safest and most efficient method of payment...Traveler's Cheques. All the stores, restaurants, and carts accept them and I don't have to worry about them being stolen and non-replaceable.

 

[>>^..^<<]

I had trouble with a Travellers Check at MGM last year... they wanted photo ID, and I am certainly not carrying my passport to the parks with me.

Anyway... I just went to a different store that sold the same thing and they took it no problem.

Normally I charge to my KTTW card but I had already checked out - it was our last day.

>>^..^<<

 

[B'rer Karen]

I used to always take Traveller's Checks exclusively. I never had a problem using them anywhere, but yes, they can ask for a phot ID at any time. That was never a problem becaues I always carry my driver's license with me in case there is a problem with my AP or I get carded when buying alcohol. But I disagree that they are the most efficient method of payment. Charging back to your room is the most efficient, and charging to a credit card is right there too. I love being able to charge back to my room and not having to worry about if I brought too much in traveler's checks with me or what to do with cash when I get change. I actually did lose a traveller's check last fall when I went. I'm assuming it was when I was pulling something out of my bag and I had a lose check in there and it fell out. American Express was excellent about replacing it. It was at my house by the time I returned from vacation. So it is definitely much safter than cash. But with the credit card/room charge, I don't even have to worry about the TC's and keeping track of which serial numbers I've spent.

As far as how much per food per day, it really depends on how much counter service vs sit down restaurants you do. I've found that when I used mainly counter service with maybe 2 sit down meals (in a week), I average about 35 a day, including snacks and bottles of water. I wouldn't consider myself a 'big' eater, but I do like to snack and I drink a LOT of bottled water.

 

[angey77]

I've been asked for ID when I sign the cheque when the CM is not looking. I always carry my ID on me anyway, like in case I meet my biggest fear and get knocked out by a loose beam on Space Mountain!

 

[angey77]

Room charge is efficient, IF you are the only one charging to the room (I always go with friends). Also, I don't want to "lose track" and get hit with a big bill checking out of the resort.

 

[jjarman]

We do travelers checks and cash. What I usually do is get all our money in travelers checks except about $200 for cash. I alot so much each day for food and souveniers and put this in separate envelopes. When I cash a travelers check I usually have change back to use later that day. At the end of the day what is left over is put in another envelope for special treats during the trip. You can always cash a travelers check at the hotel to have cash for the day.

 

[caitycaity]

if you are using a credit card, be careful with you reciept slips. they used to print out your whole number and exp date on them! (don't know if they still do).

as for food budget, dh and i usually allow $50 per person per day and we usually come in under. i think it's a good estimate though. (maybe use a little less for kids).

 

[PattnFmly]

We use travelers checks. I have a set amount that I can spend each day, and a separate set amount that I can spend on souvenirs for each of us on the vacation. I've tried the charging thing and WAY overspent my budget. I usually window shop in the parks and then do one big shopping trip at the World of Disney with my soon to be defunct MK card discount. Also saves on carrying around souvenirs or "lockering" them during the day. As far as meal expense, we do 1 meal/day in the parks and we are 2 adults & 2 kids. Counter service meals came to $30-35 for us for lunch last October. We are on a budget and try to do the best with less!

 

[jimmybop]

Originally posted by angey77
I've been asked for ID when I sign the cheque when the CM is not looking. I always carry my ID on me anyway, like in case I meet my biggest fear and get knocked out by a loose beam on Space Mountain!

Yes, the CM must be looking while you sign the travelers check. When I was working at Blizzard Beach on my college program, they told me to have them sign it again while I was watching if they signed it while I wasnt looking (i think they told us to do this instead of checking ID because most people wont have their ID on them while at the water park, but its up to how ever the CM is trained and what they are told).

And if you do charge things to your room, make sure you sign the back of your key so that no one else can use it on you, most CMs at the parks are good at checking signatures on cards.