Disney Treasure - Giftcards for kids question

[Kariann0]

Hi All - My family and I are all going on the Disney Treasure in a week or so (super excited). My mother-in-law wants to give each child/tween a Disney Giftcard to use on board for treats. Ideally, so they can buy popcorn, ice cream, candy, etc from the shops on board without an adult having to be hovering and paying. So I have a couple questions around this. 1) We are going on a 7 night cruise, how much should I tell her to budget for each of the kiddos? 2) It is possible to pay as they go with the giftcard at the shops that sell ice cream and popcorn etc? 3) Can we refill the gift cards at sea if they happen to run out / spend too much because she didn't budget enough?

We really don't want to just give them access to the folio so they can charge whatever, not that they would overcharge - my husband and I don't like micromanaging and double checking the folio all the time. Plus my husband doesn't do well when he sees that they might spend money on something that he wouldn't spend money on.

Anyone have any experience with this?

TIA!

 

[lanejudy]

It is possible to pay as they go with the giftcard at the shops that sell ice cream and popcorn etc?

Unfortunately no, only at the gift shops. Anywhere else onboard is "cashless" and will charged to the stateroom account. You can either give the kids access to charge or no charging privileges, but you cannot limit them to a $$ amount. Depending on the ages and responsibility of the kids, they may be able to keep track and self-limit... but that's a decision you will have to make.

Yes, you can purchase more gift cards onboard.

 

[sponica]

I don't have experience using gift cards other than applying them to the folio. I think I tried to use one 11 years ago in a gift shop and they couldn't process them, not sure if it was a setup thing or if the processor was down.

As far as how much money, that depends on your kids probably. Mine are fine with the free ice cream most of the time, and the upcharge ice cream they might only do once or twice in a 7 night period. But I practically eat my weight in popcorn so I get that a lot.

 

[Mommb]

Just for clarity:
The gift shops on board sell souvenirs such as toys, T-shirts, pins, and such. These shops may accept Disney gift cards, but only when the internet is working.

The places to get food — gelato, candy, popcorn, smoothies, and such — do not accept payment other than room charges.

One idea to ask the kids to keep their charge slips so you can add up what they have spent, then apply the gift cards to your room charges before the end of the cruise (giving them a cash refund yourself if they didn’t spend the full amount).

 

[5Texans]

Depending on the age of your kids, you could make them budget the dollars or just tell them 1 popcorn or candy/day and 1 ice cream.

I will tell you there is so much free food that my kids never asked for “treats”. I gave my oldest 2 purchasing privileges, but they never bought anything without me. I can see them buying coffee now that they are teens, I guess.

 

[Anna131517]

I think the easiest way to handle this would be to take them to the gift shop and give them a budget to spend there. That way you’re with them and can make sure they stay within budget. I’d stay away from the rest of the up charges on ship.